[Steelers] Steelers RG Trai Essex Continues To Impress Players, Coaches

The Steelers are not concerned about how Trai Essex, a third-round draft choice in 2005, looks. Rather, they are only concerned about how he plays at right guard. And, right now, it is well enough that Darnell Stapleton, the player he is replacing, might not reclaim his starting spot. "He can play," said Hampton, who will line up across from Essex in practice. "He's definitely going to help out this line a lot." "He's got some size to him," said offensive line coach Larry Zierlein. "We play against big guys in this league, big nose guards where you're doubling with the center, and you have to lay on those guys pretty heavy. But he's a pretty good athlete. He's more athletic than he's given credit for."

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Crowned]

He didn't look bad against the Cardinals last week, Stapleton may have a tough time getting his job back.

[K Train]

stapleton will be the center eventually