How to Fix the Pittsburgh Steelers' Run Game

The biggest weakness for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season was their run game. For a team once known for their ground attack, this isn't the most welcome development. Yes, their passing offense has become one of the best in the league, but it would better serve the Steelers' bottom line to be more well-balanced.

Last season, the Steelers were middle-of-the-pack when it came to their run game. Their 118.9  rushing yards per game average (for a total of 1,903 yards on the season) was 14th best in the league, their 13 rushing touchdowns 15th best. 

In terms of yards per attempt, the Steelers fared better, averaging 4.4 yards—good for 11th in the league—and their five fumbles (four lost) ranked them 23rd. 

It's a bit-of-column-A, bit-of-column-B argument as to why the Steelers weren't terribly successful running the ball last season. One reason is because of that improved passing game; with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throwing the ball so effectively, they elected to run less—their 434 rushing attempts ranked 19th in the league.

Another reason is because of their offensive line. Primarily because of injuries, the Steelers fielded 25 different combinations of offensive linemen last season, the most in the league.

Without consistency on the line, the run game suffered. Last week's tackle was the next week's guard, and the following week, a backup ended up starting because of yet another injury. Because of this, the Steelers' running backs couldn't build momentum on a game-by-game basis.

Take Rashard Mendenhall, for example. Though he likely won't factor into the Steelers' plans this season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL and subsequent surgery, his numbers last year show just how the offensive line issues affected the run game.

It was a slow start for Mendenhall; his 146 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5 was the only highlight of the season until the year wore on when he finally found his groove, with at least 60 rushing yards per game before tearing his ACL in Week 17.

In fact, because of the combination of fewer overall rushing attempts for the Steelers last year and their offensive line troubles, Mendenhall had over 100 yards in just two games; in 2010, he did so in three games and had two more with 99 yards.

So how are the Steelers going to improve on the ground this year, especially without Mendenhall? 

Well, the help they picked up for their offensive line in the draft is one way. They snagged guard David DeCastro in the first round and tackle Mike Adams in the second, and at least DeCastro is guaranteed to be a full-time starter in his rookie season.

Longtime tackle Willie Colon has been moved out to left guard, which should help play to his strengths now that he's gotten older. If Adams starts, he'll likely be the Steelers' left tackle, with DeCastro at right guard and Marcus Gilbert at right tackle. 

As long as this combination of linemen can stay completely (or even mostly) healthy this season, that will instantly boost the Steelers' run game.

Another indication the Steelers will at least have more rushing attempts—and thus more opportunities for success—can be found in the team's decision to hire Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator.

While Haley won't downplay the Steelers' skills at passing the ball, his track record in both Arizona and Kansas City seems to indicate that he'll be giving the run game more attention than his predecessor, Bruce Arians. 

Without Mendenhall, the Steelers will have to get more creative running the ball, and that's certainly one of Haley's strengths. Isaac Redman will likely get most of the carries this season, but fellow backs Chris Rainey, Jonathan Dwyer, John Clay and Baron Batch should all have a decent number of carries to each of their names.

This multi-faceted approach is something the Steelers' run game has lacked in the past few seasons. It gives them more variety on offense and allows them the freedom to run the ball more—and likely more effectively—as a result.

While the situation involving the Steelers' run game isn't as dire as other team's in the league, it's an area of weakness that needs to be addressed. Luckily, they've already taken steps to improve their ground game, and it should pay some serious dividends in 2012.

(All statistical information via ESPN.)

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