Deep look reveals Steelers may seek help in backfield
EDITOR’S NOTE: Another in a series of articles about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preparations for the NFL Draft, to be held Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27. Today: Running backs.PITTSBURGH – Is there strength in numbers or do you believe the adage that says if you have more than one running back you have none? That’s where the Pittsburgh Steelers stand as they prepare for the NFL draft.
On the surface, the Steelers have high end quality and plenty of depth. A deeper look reveals that they may have more questions than answers.
Jerome Bettis appeared headed toward the Pro Football Hall of Fame as recently as last summer, but after a second consecutive injury-plagued season he may be headed for the scrap heap instead.
There is considerable sentiment for starting Amos Zereoue over even a healthy Bettis. Zereoue appears to be a better fit in Mike Mularkey’s offense because he is more of a do-everything back than Bettis. He has avoided major injury in his first four seasons, but hasn’t carried a heavy load. He is well put together, but smallish and there is concern that he won’t hold up as a primary runner for a full season.
Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala is a jack of all trades. Of course, that also means he is a master of none. He is a prototypical backup with an injury-prone past.
Dan Kreider is a solid fullback who may see his role diminished as the Steelers move ever closer to being a finesse offense. The team’s strength and depth at wide receiver may allow only one back on the field more often than not and Kreider will not be that back.
Verron Haynes, Antwon McCray and Wes Ours are spare parts at this stage. Haynes was drafted as a fullback, but is more effective as a runner. McCray needs to overachieve just to make the roster. Ours has a shot to make it as a fullback, but he may not make it to training camp in July.
This year’s draft does not offer an outstanding crop of running backs, but that could be good news for the Steelers, who own the 27th pick in the first round.
The only bonafide first-rounder in the lot is Penn State’s Larry Johnson and even he could slip into the second round. In the second-round range are Virginia Tech’s Lee Suggs, Oregon’s Onterrio Smith and Colorado’s Chris Brown.
Miami’s Willis McGahee was viewed as a top five pick until he tore up his knee in the Fiesta Bowl. He has surgery and his rehabilitation is going so well, he expects to play this season, less than a year removed from an injury that normally required 12 to 16 months to properly heal. McGahee should be selected during Saturday’s first three rounds.
Johnson had a prolific senior season in Happy Valley, where he became only the ninth back in NCAA history to surpass 2,000 yards (2,087) in a season. At 6-1, 221, Johnson has the size, speed and power to be a featured back in any offense. He is said to have soft hands and catches well on the run, plus he is a good blocker who should get better at blitz control with practice.
Suggs missed the 2001 season after reconstructive knee surgery, but scored 24 touchdowns and ran for 1,329 yards while sharing the job as a senior in 2002. He is excellent in goal-line situations.
Smith is compared to Giants running back Tiki Barber and may be the fastest back in the draft. He is small (5-11, 205), but has the speed to consistently turn the corner.
Brown is bigger (6-2, 225) and is a long strider, but he needs work in pass protection and has a history of fumbling.
Third-round possibilities include Musa Smith of Georgia, Cecil Sapp of Colorado State and Justin Fargas of USC. Fargus, a transfer from Michigan, came on strong as a senior after battling injuries earlier in his career. Sapp, a runner only who needs work on blocking, route running and catching, has durability concerns. Smith, who left Georgia as a junior because his offensive line was graduating, is very similar to former Bulldog Terrell Davis. A very good cutback runner, he won’t last until the sixth round like Davis did.
Expect the Steelers to draft a running back at some point. If McGahee drops into the third round, he could be their man. Because of the quality depth the team has, the Steelers could allow him to rehab this year.
NEXT: Receivers/tight ends