We still have a month until the season begins. The Bus had his revival several years ago. His time is past and no matter what you're hearing now (short of an injury) will change my opinion that on Opening Day, Duce will be the main option out of that backfield with the Bus resting him only sporadically.
Cornbread Maxwell wrote:where did you hear that? Is there any way you can get a link?
This is the first Ive heard of this - any other Steeler fans hear similar news?
Ive come to expect Staley will get about 75% of the carries, is that a bad expectation?
What about the Bus - does he appear to have any gas in the tank?
from draftsharks.com
"It’s all but official…the Steelers will use a running back by
committee approach this fall. Free agent addition Duce Staley has failed to unseat Jerome Bettis as the No. 1 running back on the roster. It now appears, according to camp observers, that the duo will earn 10-15 carries per game. It makes us wonder why the team gave Duce a $4 million signing bonus last March. “What you guys have to understand,” Bettis said, “is this not going to be a competitive situation. We both are going to have to play. A lot of teams have done a two-back rotation. It's nothing new.” Right….."
From the papers around here in central PA (which post news from both Eagles and Steelers camps), they have talked about Bettis and Staley sharing some of the load in the backfield. However, I personally think that this talk is pointed specifically at Staley as a motivational tool. They didn't show Staley the money this offseason to have him share carries with Bettis. For the last couple seasons, talk is always how Bettis has entered camp "in the best shape of his career" only to see him be used sparingly most of the season.
I definitely expect Staley to be the main option when the season opens.
steelerfan04 wrote: Free agent addition Duce Staley has failed to unseat Jerome Bettis as the No. 1 running back on the roster. It now appears, according to camp observers, that the duo will earn 10-15 carries per game. It makes us wonder why the team gave Duce a $4 million signing bonus last March. “What you guys have to understand,” Bettis said, “is this not going to be a competitive situation. We both are going to have to play. A lot of teams have done a two-back rotation. It's nothing new.” Right….."
Duce hasn't unseated Bettis??? Since when was Bettis the man to beat in this backfield? Duce was brought in to be the main back in this offense. Again, unless Bettis had some Bionic legs surgically attached this offseason that no one knows about, Duce will be getting the main load. The Steelers learned last year that without a running game, their whole offense crumbles. Duce was paid the big money to be the answer to that. This is too bold a statement for anyone to make this early in the preseason.
Bettis was better. At this current season, Duce is by far the best back out of the 2. The only possible way I could see Bettis having a shot at staying on par with Duce in camp is if every single running play was a dive.
Duce has more gas in his tank, more power to run through people, more speed, and is a great screen back. I don't care much what the reports say, if the Steelers go RBBC, its not because Duce is that bad, it's because Cowher is that bad.
Never ever ever ever ever underestimate the effect of Andy Reid letting past their prime players go. He and his staff seem to have a dead-on radar for when a player is used up and let them go immediately.
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by steelerfan04 » Thu Aug 12, 2004 10:28 am 
Since when was Bettis the man to beat in this backfield? Duce was brought in to be the main back in this offense. Again, unless Bettis had some Bionic legs surgically attached this offseason that no one knows about, Duce will be getting the main load. The Steelers learned last year that without a running game, their whole offense crumbles. Duce was paid the big money to be the answer to that. This is too bold a statement for anyone to make this early in the preseason.
