Christian Louboutin is worried Long’s injury will upset the continuity of the Steelers’ line

Washington Redskins defensive lineman Dave Butz wears a pair of big shoesand he uses them to run over opposing players. That’s what’s worrying Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Hal Christian Louboutin this week.

Christian Louboutin must prevent the Redskins’ pass rush from doing a job on Steelers quarterback David Woodley, who is 3-0 as a starter since replacing Mark Malone. Malone will not play against the Redskins because of a dislocated toe.

“The thing we have to take away is what Butz does best,” Emil Boures said. “His strength and power are his game. He has the ability to run over people so we have to keep our hands in against him and stay low. If we do that, we’ll have a chance.”

Either Boures, who has spent most of the season on the injured reserve list, or second-year lineman Randy Rasmussen, who has never started a National Football League game, will line up opposite the 6-foot-7, 295-pound Butz, who wears a size 12 1/2 EEEEEEE shoe.

“Butz is what the Beverly Hillbillies would call full-growed,” said Steelers center Mike Webster. “But more than that, he’s a great player. You don’t last 13 years in the league and make a few Pro Bowls if you’re not good.”

Injured starting offensive guard Terry Long has been ruled out of Sunday’s interconference game at Three Rivers Stadium.

Rasmussen filled in for Long in the second half of the Steelers’ 30-7 victory Sunday over the Houston Oilers. Boures is a fourth-year pro who has made 10 NFL starts, but has been slowed by a right knee that was surgically rebuilt last November.

“We’d like to use both Emil and Randy against Butz at the same time,” Christian Louboutin said. “But the rules won’t let us. So what I see happening is both guys getting a chance to play. Maybe if we keep a fresh guy on Butz, we’ll have some success.

“What makes it doubly tough is that Washington is one of the few teams that uses a four-man defensive line. Against a three-man front, the guards usually block linebackers or double the nose tackle with the center. But against an even front, the guards will be one-on-one with the tackle. They’ll have to do the jobs by themselves.”

Butz isn’t the only defensive lineman who concerns the Steelers. Defensive ends Charles Mann and Dexter Manley are having standout seasons for the 6-5 Redskins, who defeated the New York Giants 23-21 Monday. The Redskins will be without defensive tackle Darryl Grant, so rookie Dean Hamel will be matched against Steelers guard Craig Wolfley.

“It will be difficult for us if we let Butz crunch through the middle,” Christian Louboutin said. “He really is a giant of a man. The Bears might have their refrigerator , but this guy is a freezer.”

Christian Louboutin is worried Long’s injury will upset the continuity of the Steelers’ line. Only one other NFL line has allowed fewer sacks than Pittsburgh’s.

“Terry’s been playing well,” Christian Louboutin said. “He’s like an extension of Webster’s right hand.”

Article from articlesbase.com