Steelers' 'Tank' Has a Special Advantage

Steelers fans love big running backs. From Franco Harris to Frank Pollard to Barry Foster to Jerome Bettis, there's always been a place in Pittsburgh for a big bruising back who is comfortable running over a linebacker on a snowy December day for a key yard.

But since Bettis retired after Super Bowl XL, the Steelers have been lacking a back who gives out more bruises than he takes. That's why there's such an interest in fifth-round pick Frank "the Tank" Summers, a 5-foot-10, 243-pound bowling ball who won't outrun many cornerbacks, but can make a linebacker think twice about lowering his shoulder.

As he gets ready to head to camp, the Las Vegas Review-Journal caught up with the former UNLV star and found that he seems to have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

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Summers doesn't even have a secure hold on a roster spot in what looks to be a crowded backfield. The Steelers already have Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall ahead of him at tailback, Carey Davis returns as the starting fullback and Sean McHugh can slide from tight end to fullback in a pinch. And that's not even counting CFL star/roster longshot Stefan Logan who will be fighting to land a job as a returner.

So Summers has to demonstrate either some impressive potential or the ability to help the Steelers in multiple ways to even make the team. But that's where Summers has something working in his advantage. While many of the rookies fighting for a roster spot will be playing special teams for the first time in a while, Summers played on special teams at UNLV.

"(Tomlin) said it's a very, very high commodity in the NFL for an offensive player to be able to tackle," said Summers, who played on special teams last year for the Rebels. "He said they're very rare ... (and) when one does come around, they're very special. He said I have that opportunity and capability of being special in that area."

That's Summers' best bet to make an early impact. The Steelers aren't going to dress him on game day this year simply to be the goal line back -- barring an injury Parker, Mendenhall and Moore will all have spots on the active roster, which makes it hard/impossible for a dedicated goal line back to find a spot on the 47-man gameday roster.

But if Summers shows that he can be a valuable member of the kick and punt coverage and return teams than he could earn a spot as a special team's ace who also can play in goal line situations, which would get him a chance to get on the field a whole lot earlier than if he's just a power back who can also slide over to fullback.