Justin Strzelczyk working to hold spot as starter> Steelers utilize former UM lineman

Last year, former University of Maine lineman Justin Strzelczyk was earning his keep memorizing plays for three different positions on the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line.

While Strzelczyk made himself invaluable to the Steelers as a multi-purpose player last year, he didn’t start at any of his designated roles: left tackle, right guard or left guard. But this season, Strzelczyk may finally have found a position all his own on a team he believes is building speed.

Strzelczyk said throughout the preseason he was told he would be starting at right tackle this season. In the Steelers preseason game against the San Diego Chargers in Tokyo, Strzelczyk took over at tackle for the departed Leon Searcy.

While Strzelczyk has filled in at right guard this past week for an injured Brendan Stai, a third-round draft choice last year out of Nebraska, Strzelczyk said he’ll be back at right tackle soon and, hopefully, for good.

“I hope I don’t have to play three positions,” Strzelczyk said. “They say I’ll move back to right tackle. Anything can happen. But practice is going good. It’s been a good camp and I had a good off-season.”

Steelers offensive line coach Kent Stephenson told the Assocatied Press said Pittsburgh has the makings of a strong offensive line with 10-year veteran John Jackson at left tackle, Strzelczyk at right tackle, center Dermontti Dawson, Stai at right guard and newcomer Will Wolford at left guard.

Strzelczyk agreed.

“Will Wolford, he’s a big man,” Strzelczyk joked with the former Buffalo linemen during a phone interview in the Steelers training room. “He’s been playing for 11 years. He’s just playing for fun now. He is my idol.”

Strzelczyk, a 10th-round draft choice of Pittsburgh in 1989, signed a three-year contact this summer. Last year he played in the Steelers AFC Championship win over the Indianapolis Colts and in the Steelers’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl. Now he’s hoping the experience has earned him a starting spot.

Strzelczyk said Pittsburgh may not be in any better position this year to make a run at winning the Super Bowl, but he believes the Steelers have moved into the upper echelon of the NFL.

“I was here during the downswing,” Strzelczyk said. “But since Bill Cowher came, he’s brought a Pittsburgh mentality: hardworking, blue-collar. This is the kind of program that’s a winner. It will always be in the hunt. Like Kansas City, it’s always there, it always has a winning record.”

And yet, Strzelczyk, never one to boast or wager, won’t talk about the Steelers’ chances this season.

“We look strong, but I can’t make any predictions. I take it one week at a time,” Strzelczyk said.