BlitzburghRockCity
10-05-2005, 12:24 AM
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05278/582778.stm
The question arises again as it did before last season: Duce Staley or Jerome Bettis? Only this time, it's not which halfback will start but which will back up Willie Parker.
The two veteran backs who shared 442 carries and 1,771 yards rushing at the position last season have no carries in three games. But for the first time this year, both Staley and Bettis are healthy, practicing and ready to play Monday night in San Diego.
But will they? Coach Bill Cowher may not have the luxury to dress all four of his halfbacks for his game against the Chargers, and only Cowher knows the answer to what his plans are for them. Neither Staley nor Bettis play on special teams.
"I can do about anything," Cowher said. "We'll see how the week unfolds and go from there."
Parker led the AFC with 327 yards rushing after three games, and he has a 5.1-yard average per carry. But he lost at least five pounds off the 210 he weighed in training camp and he's coming off his worst production, 55 yards on 17 carries in a 23-20 loss to New England.
That did not warrant a demotion, but Staley and/or Bettis could eat into his playing time in San Diego. Verron Haynes, who has two catches and 64 yards rushing on 20 carries, is likely to remain the third-down back, although Cowher has said Staley could play the position.
"At some point we're going to need them all and I truly believe that," Cowher said. "It's just nice at this point to be able to have some of the options we may have going into this game."
The question arises again as it did before last season: Duce Staley or Jerome Bettis? Only this time, it's not which halfback will start but which will back up Willie Parker.
The two veteran backs who shared 442 carries and 1,771 yards rushing at the position last season have no carries in three games. But for the first time this year, both Staley and Bettis are healthy, practicing and ready to play Monday night in San Diego.
But will they? Coach Bill Cowher may not have the luxury to dress all four of his halfbacks for his game against the Chargers, and only Cowher knows the answer to what his plans are for them. Neither Staley nor Bettis play on special teams.
"I can do about anything," Cowher said. "We'll see how the week unfolds and go from there."
Parker led the AFC with 327 yards rushing after three games, and he has a 5.1-yard average per carry. But he lost at least five pounds off the 210 he weighed in training camp and he's coming off his worst production, 55 yards on 17 carries in a 23-20 loss to New England.
That did not warrant a demotion, but Staley and/or Bettis could eat into his playing time in San Diego. Verron Haynes, who has two catches and 64 yards rushing on 20 carries, is likely to remain the third-down back, although Cowher has said Staley could play the position.
"At some point we're going to need them all and I truly believe that," Cowher said. "It's just nice at this point to be able to have some of the options we may have going into this game."