PITTSBURGH -- Maybe it was just one game.Maybe.
But the Steelers, a noted run-first offensive team, looked slow during a 13-10 overtime win to the Titans on Thursday night.
Last season, the Steelers finished with the 23rd best rushing attack in the game. Willie Parker (791 yards) and Rashard Mendenhall (58 yards) battled injuries and it left Mewelde Moore, a third down man, to carry things. Yet, it didn't stop them from winning the Super Bowl.
To return to the Super Bowl, or at least make a deep playoff run, the Steelers need to run the ball effectively.
Thursday night, the Steelers gained only 36 total rushing yards, three of which came from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. As a unit, the club averaged just 1.6 yards per carry. It forced the Steelers to become a passing team as evidenced by receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes gaining over 100 receiving yards.
The Titans stacked the line of scrimmage and rushed their safeties at the point of attack to burden the Steelers offensive line. Parker couldn't find any running lanes and Mendenhall didn't run with a burst. The offensive line is going through some issues as well with injuries and replacements.
Coach Mike Tomlin didn't use Parker or Mendenhall down the stretch, instead going with Moore and he wouldn't commit to going back to his normal starter if needed in the fourth quarter.
"That was one of our points," Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "Don't let those backs get started. We did a great job of that. The defensive line got a good push and we filled where we needed to fill as linebackers."
Parker was the biggest disappointment. From 2005 to 2007, Parker rushed for 4,012 yards and the Steelers rushing attack didn't finish lower than 10th. In 2007, the Steelers had the third best running game in the league.
But last year, Parker broke his leg and Mendenhall's season really didn't emerge because he was hurt in late September.
In the preseason, Parker played in only one preseason game, battled a hamstring injury, which he said made him rusty going into the regular season. Parker needs a strong season because he's in the final year of his contract. Parker rushed 13 times for only 19 yards, with his longest run going for eight yards.
The Steelers want Mendenhall to become the future, that's why they made him a first round pick in 2008.
Yes, it's hard to run against eight and nine man fronts and even a quick and physical linebackers such as the Titans, but Parker has to get more yards. The offensive line must open holes.
"You don't point fingers," Parker said. "If you're going to point a finger, that's why I take most of the blame. I'd never say its the offensive line or anything. I'd say I just need to find a way to make us a better running team."
The Steelers will get the weekend off and wonder what just happened to them. Next week, the Steelers visit Chicago and its undetermined just how good this Bears defense will be.
We expect them to perform better than last year, and Sunday the Bears get a pretty good test in stopping the Packers Ryan Grant.
After what the Titans did to the Steelers you wonder if the Bears will get excited to see this Steelers running game.
"Of course, that's when you got to shut them up," Parker said. "You just got to do what you've done before. Next game, I'm sure you will see a better team."
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT THE FINAL SCORE AGAIN. THE STEELERS WON 13-10 IN OVERTIME THEY DID NOT LOSE AS YOU REPORTED. WHAT AN IDIOT
@ Calvin- You may want to check out my detailed post from two days ago on this very topic. WP looks like Shaun Alexander circa 2006 while Moore will do quite well with a shot at more touches.
http://bit.ly/8TdFd
Somebody please tell me why the hell Issac Redman didn't make this team. He was impressive in preseason. Now the best we have is Mewelde Moore. Parker has just not been consistant on a weekly basis. Mendenhall and Frank "The Tank" have yet to show any help. The offensive line did look good in the second half of the game though. We'll see what happens in Week 2 when they face another good defense in the Chicago Bears match-up.
They have the backs but they dont have the line. Their line does an okay job at pass protection but since they let Faneca go to the Jets, they never got anybody in there that can run block. They didnt address this in the last draft either. They need a stud run blocking guard and then they would be okay and articles like this wont be written.
Why did the Steelers try and run Willie up the middle when he is not an up the milldle guy. His best game is around the end with the pulling guards and with his speed is enough to get-it. Bruce Ariens sometimes gets a brain-fart in his play calling and won't change if it doesn't work. Why?
STEELERS SUCK!!!!
Why are you such a HATER of the 6 Times SUPER BOWL STEELERS? When was the last time your team won a playoff game?
all of my steeler compatriots,not to worry the steelers are just fine ,they will always find a way to win the game they ahve been there done that already,so just keep on pouding everybodys asses steelers and every thing will be allright,and on the way to winning a record seventh lombardi trophy STEELERS 4VEVR
onlyabill6 clearly has an oral fixation,
Always about the 'sucking'.