Pittsburgh Steelers radio color broadcaster Tunch Ilkin played offensive line in the NFL for 14 seasons and he knows all about new offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who he has known for almost 30 years.
During a recent interview on steelers.com, Ilkin talked about what the Munchak brings to the Steelers and how he believes the Hall of Famer can help each and every young offensive lineman on the roster.
Ilkin believes that Munchak will help tackle Marcus Gilbert get more consistent, which has been one of the knocks on him since he was drafted. In the case of tackle Mike Adams, the former long-time Steelers offensive lineman believes that Munchak will help teach him how to prepare and be a professional.
With David DeCastro and Kelvin Beachum both being more of technicians, Ilkin believes that Munchak, who was a technician himself when he played, will help them learn the little nuances of the game.
Perhaps the biggest thing that Munchak can bring to the Steelers offensive line, according to Ilkin, is more nastiness, which has certainly been lacking. Former Steelers linemen Willie Colon and Chris Kemoeatu both had a nasty streaks, and current center Maurkice Pouncey has shown that same trait at times as well.
“If you look back at the Titans’ offensive lines over the past how many years, they’re a nasty bunch,” said Ilkin. “They’ll get after it, and that’s one of the things you’re going to see from this Steelers offensive line. The guys are going to be even a little bit nastier than they’ve been in the past, because that’s the way Mike is.”
