With Two Backs Down, Future Looks Worse Than Grimm

With so many injuries, the Pittsburgh Steelers do not look like the Super Bowl contender  many analysts had predicted.  Of these injuries, the two most significant are to "Fast" Willie Parker, the Corvette like running back who was on pace last season to lead the NFL in rushing until a broken leg against the St. Louis Rams ended his season, and rookie Rasard Mendenhall, the running back from Illinois who has been touted to resemble Edgerin James.  As we all know, the Steelers are nothing without a strong running game.  Don't believe me, then ask Amos Zereoue.  Now the Steelers are left three options: Carey Davis, Mewelde Moore, and Najeh Davenport.  Davis is listed on the roster as a fullback, but he has the rushing ability of a healthy Mike Alstott.  Moore is a free agent pick up from the Minnesota Vikings who has a reputation as a strong third down back with a lot of power, but after his performance on Monday night against the Ravens, the Steelers may be lucky to have the guy.  Then there is Davenport, the recently signed free agent who was with the team last season.  He had a great year as the third down back but struggled as the starter when Parker went down with the broken leg.  These three backs can combine to lead the Steelers' running game until Willie Parker returns, and also play important roles as third down and short yardage backs to help rest Parker.  While these three power backs and bowl over defenders left and right, there still is one thing preventing the Steelers from moving from possible pretender to full contender: the offensive line. 

Over the last two seasons, the offensive line has hurt the Steelers offensive prowess, especially on third down.  This trend started with the departure of Russ Grimm, the stern, hard-nosed offensive line coach, who was a part of the infamous "Hogs" of the Redskins in the 1980's and 90's, under the last years of Bill Cower's reign as head coach.  His teachings of discipline and how to over power defenders helped the Steelers consistently run the ball successfully during his tenure there, where the team was always in the top 5 in rushing yards.  They were also in the top 5 of least sacks allowed while Grimm was coach.  Once Grimm left for the desert in Arizona, things started to unravel.  Last season, the Steelers did have a top 5 rushing game, but they allowed more sacks than Indianapolis and New England combined.  With Big Ben constantly getting bombarded by defensive play makers, the Steelers were ousted by the Jaguars in the playoffs.  This season, the offensive line again poses a problem.  Alan Faneca, pictured above, has gone to the greener pastures of the New York Jets.  After the beating by the Eagles two weeks ago, Roethlisberger has shown signs of wear and tear, thanks to a total of 7 sacks and many, many knockdowns.  The Ravens aging defense showed youth, constantly pursuing Roethlisberger each snap.   Currently, Justin Hartwig, Max Starks, Kendall Simmons, Chris Kemoeatu, Marvel Smith, and Sean Mahan have a lot of room for improvement, especially with playoff hopes on the line.  Their schedule does not appear to be favorable.  With future games against the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants, and another contest against the Ravens, the Steelers will need to strongly buckle down and play like every game can lead to the end of the season.  The passing game will start using more shotgun formations in order to protect Ben, as well as more of a heavy I-Form for the running game.  I believe they will start to turn it around, starting with a huge "upset" at Jacksonville, and moving on from there.  The bye week will be great for getting their hurt players more time before the dangerous stretch run of 7 games against 6 teams with records last year at 10-6 or better.  If that doesn't help, then the season is all but doomed.