RUNNING BACKS

Strangely enough my review of running backs coincides with the goal line drills on Sunday.

It seems like the defense put up a pretty good fight against the running backs this time. A free agent was the highlight of the running backs. No, not Willie Parker. This guy's name is Isaac Redman. He's a free agent out of Bowie State in Maryland. He scored in his only 2 chances. Supposedly he's performed well in training camp, but don't expect him to be there when it's all over. My guess is if, and that is a big if, he impresses Mike Tomlin and others he might end up on the practice squad. As we've seen before, the Steelers do have experience turning free agent running backs into stars.....

Which leads me into the players who will probably make the team and the order in which they will be on the depth chart.
1. Willie Parker, despite the fact that the Steelers do have a number 1 draft pick at halfback and a former free agent, not Isaac Redman, I would think the Steelers would go with the running back that has been part of their last 2 Super Bowl wins. Remember the guy rarely played in college. There is no way he should be out of gas. He has missed several games in the last 2 years, but like the Bus, he'll have a young stud to spell him or take over when or if those injury situations pop up.

2. Rashard Mendenhall
Unfortunately, we didn't get to see everything this guy could do because of that team in Baltimore. It's hard to believe that old guy that plays there was able to break Rashard's collarbone, but he did and ruined the rookies season before he got his chance to show what he can do. But, he's healed now and ready to show his stuff. Needless to say, he's a first round draft choice and he's going to get his chance. He's not the bus and probably won't ram his way into the end zone like Jerome, but I have a feeling he'll get his share of TDs and yards. But, for right now Willie is number 1.

2B. Mewelde Moore
For those of you who read this regularly, this was a test. I don't know how I possibly did it but I left out one of the most important parts of the team last year. He also was a free agent pick up. There could easily have been an argument for him to be the team MVP. He won several games for them almost single handedly. He was brought in from the Vikings almost as an afterthought. Well then Willie went down. No problem we've got this first round draft pick rookie that will take up the slack. That other guy can spell him if he gets overworked and will probably get us a few yards here and there. Rashard starts his first game, gets injured, and is gone for the year. Who else is on the depth chart. Oh yeah, that guy we brought in from the Vikes. Better sign Russell just in case. Had a 3 game run against Jacksonville, Cincinnati, and NY Giants where he rushed for 99, 120, and 84 and scored 3 touchdowns. He is a valuable insurance policy and I would expect him to remain the third down back. Doesn't hurt to have him waiting in the wings just in case, too.

3. Cary Davis
I really don't have anything much to say about Cary. He doesn't carry the ball much, and when he does carry it he doesn't carry it far. He is a fullback, so it's his job to get tough yards. The Steelers didn't weren't real successful at that last year until they started using Gary Russell in those situations. He improved those situations slightly but not enough to stay on the team. He was released and wasn't even good enough to stay on the Bengals long after they signed him. Mike Tomlin sees something in Cary, but watch your back Mr. Davis there's a new fullback in town that has a reputation for getting those yards.

4. Frank Summers, the Steelers 5th round pick out of UNLV specializes in short yardage, but can also catch the ball some if needed. I keep thinking back to Dan Kreider catching balls out of the backfield. It usually didn't look pretty, but he'd catch them unless they were thrown at his shoelaces. What was wrong with Dan Kreider anyway. I think he's still available. But the Steelers spent a 5th round pick on Frank the Tank so I expect they'll give him a shot at making the team. If he shows anything I'd take him over Cary Davis, but Cary has the experience and was on the Super Bowl team. Hate to mess with success.

5. The other 2 guys are Stefan Logan and Justin Vincent both 1 year players not likely to make the team, but Free agent running backs have made this team before.