‘Who’s at QB?’ not as pressing as ‘Where’s the running game?’
NEW ORLEANS – It sounds rather obvious, what with a new quarterback and all, that the Steelers offense remains in search of an identity, but there is more to it than just the obvious. Of course, we all expect Tommy Maddox to have more success in the passing game than Kordell Stewart could muster, but what of the running game?
More to the point, where is it?
Through three games, the team that led the NFL in rushing last season can’t seem to find its way. The Steelers are averaging only 79.7 rushing yards per game and have looked bad even in accumulating those paltry numbers. Only Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala, who will miss today’s game against the Saints with injured ribs, can boast a 4.0 per carry average.
Jerome Bettis has seen his average drop a full yard, from 4.1 to 3.1, and Amos Zereoue is even worse at 2.6.
The first two games were answered away by circumstances. The Steelers found themselves behind New England then Oakland to the extent that running the ball was counter-productive to winning. Of course, Pittsburgh lost both of those games, anyway, but the point was well taken.
Last week against the Browns, it became clear to all that there are problems with the running game that go beyond being behind or being ahead or being tied. Simply put, the blockers aren’t blocking and the runners aren’t running. At least not very effectively.
It was a close, competitive game the Steelers were involved in, yet they could not get their ground game untracked.
Concerned? The Steelers aren’t.
“Most of it was from playing from behind,” Bettis said. “We’re not worried about it, but everybody else seems to be. We know we will be fine. We’ll run the football when we need to run it.”
It sounds simple enough, but if there is an off-on switch why hasn’t it been turned on yet?
“We have to keep grinding away at it,” coach Bill Cowher said. “You have to roll up your sleeves and just keep going to work every week.”
Center Jeff Hartings has been there, seen this before. He spent the first five years in the Sunday League with Detroit, so he’s seen a lot more than just a 1-2 record before.
“One year, Barry Sanders had 53 yards after two games and he ended up over 2,000,” Hartings said. “It’s a matter of pride with any offensive line, getting a running back over 100 in a game or over 1,000 for a season.”
The team’s switch to Maddox at quarterback could well signal a new identity for the entire offense and that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. For years, the Steelers have been a run-first, pass-only-when-you-must outfit. Slowly, they have assembled quite a passing attack, but lacked only a triggerman.
Lacked, that is, until Maddox was promoted.
With Maddox at the helm and the running game struggling, don’t be surprised if the Steelers try to set up their running game with their passing game. The Saints are a stout defense and will be geared toward stopping Pittsburgh’s ground attack. They are weak in the secondary, which should play right into Maddox’s hands.
Through all of his years in the Arena League and the XFL, Maddox developed a quick release, which leads to quick throws. In short, it should look a whole lot like it did last Sunday against the Browns.
According to Hartings, no NFL team can retain its identity from one season to the next based solely on its success the year before. Each season’s identity is earned.
“The problem is people try to live off of last year’s identity,” Hartings said. “You still have to play one game at a time and let your identity evolve. You know we’re not going to be a passing team like some passing teams. That’s just not our style.”
But short of becoming the St. Louis Rams, the Steelers could become a product of their past success. If teams are intent on stacking the line to stop the running game, they not only should but must go to the passing game in an effort to back up defenders.
That is where Maddox excels. His quick drops and quick releases will force the Saints back on their heels and that, in turn will allow the Steelers to run the ball effectively. It is the best way for Pittsburgh to fix its running game, whether there is anything wrong with it or not.
Sports editor Mike Ciarochi may be reached at mciarochi@heraldstandard.com.