(Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Adrian Klemm has two major tasks ahead of him as the new offensive lineman -- help fix the running game that has been horrendous the last three years and develop young offensive lineman, the Steelers should select at least two offensive linemen in this year's draft, most likely an offensive tackle and center.
Klemm is a blue-collar, no-nonsense type of coach and knows what it takes to build a winning culture. Klemm was a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams when he was with the Patriots from 2000-2004. He was also coached by Dante Scarnecchia in New England, who's considered as one of the best offensive line coaches in the history of the game.
The offensive line play last season was dreadful, especially when it came to run blocking. The Steelers ranked dead last in rushing yards per game (84.4) and yards per carry (3.6). The Steelers feel like they got the right guy to lead the offensive line in the right direction after the experiment with Shaun Sarrett didn't pan out.
"Our offensive line needs to get better. We know that, not only as individuals, but as a unit," Zach Banner said via Dale Lolley.
"I wouldn't want to go into an offseason like this with anyone other than Klemm."
Banner knows all about Klemm's ability as a coach as he worked closely with him when he was a backup. The assistant offensive line coach is responsible to develop the rookies and backup offensive lineman.
"My development in these past two years is a huge chunk (owed) to him. Head offensive line coaches are so into the week to week, they don't really get to work with developmental guys. My game, Chuks (Okorafor), Kevin Dotson, J.C. (Hassenauer) a lot of that individual work came from Klemm," Banner said.
"That's one thing I'm very excited about. From a technique standpoint, I'm very excited."
Klemm will have his hands full in his first season as the offensive line coach, as Maurkice Pouncey retired in February and Alejandro Villanueva might not be brought back, so there's a lot of change over. But with how the offensive line played last year, that could be a good thing. As mentioned, the Steelers should draft an offensive tackle and center in this year's draft, and Klemm knows all about developing and what it takes to win in the NFL.
Just imagine if the Steelers select Oklahoma State offensive tackle Teven Jenkins at 24th overall and what Klemm would do to develop him. Jenkins is described to have a "mean streak" in him when he plays football, and that's just how Klemm likes his offensive lineman. Klemm has mentioned several times that he wants to bring physicality back to the Steelers offensive line. Jenkins paired with Klemm would be a match made in heaven.