Haynes in...Staley or Bettis out ?

BlitzburghRockCity · 12-09-2005, 12:45 AM

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/trib.../s_402219.html

With running back Verron Haynes expected to dress Sunday against the Bears, that could mean either Duce Staley or Jerome Bettis will be de-activated. Those two backs, along with starter Willie Parker, dressed the past two games, with Haynes being de-activated. Staley has been used as a third-down back, a spot usually held down by Haynes, who also plays special teams.

Bettis was asked if he was eager to face the top-ranked Bears defense.
"Not eager," he said, smiling. "If I could pick one, I probably wouldn't pick this defense."

Bettis also said he offered advice to Parker, who fumbled twice against the Bengals.

"Forget it, forget about it," Bettis told Parker.

Parker, who will make his 12th start of the season, said the fumbles are a dead issue.

"That's last game; we ain't talking about that anymore."

QB Charlie Batch (finger), RT Max Starks (knee) and LB/special teams ace Andre Frazier (hamstring) were upgraded from questionable to probable yesterday. Batch reported that the pinkie finger on his throwing hand, which has forced him out of the past three games, responded well the past two practices.

CB Ike Taylor is familiar with Bears CB Charles Tillman. For half their senior season at Louisiana-Lafayette, the two formed a dynamic duo.
"We ran that 4-4 defense, so we had a lot of man coverage," Taylor said.

Tillman was moved to safety for the second half of the year and drafted in the second round by Chicago, where he immediately became a starter. Taylor, a fourth-round pick, didn't play CB until his senior year of college. He said Tillman helped him attract the attention of scouts.

"They were looking at him, and they were like, 'Who's this other guy, Ike Taylor?'" The two haven't stayed in touch, but, says Taylor, "We knew, sooner or later, we'd see each other. I know come Sunday, there'll be a whole lot of trash-talking out there."

Prosdo · 12-09-2005, 02:58 AM

Great to hear Batch, Starks, and Frazier were all upgraded. Vernon will probably help mostly on special teams I'm guessing. I guess it could go either way with Staley and Bettis. Right now I would probably say they will have Willie and Jerome dressed.

clevestinks · 12-09-2005, 04:09 AM

Its time to decide whether or not Staley stays in the burgh. I want him gone but it will cost us cap money. I say play Staley IF he can take it.

Prosdo · 12-09-2005, 05:18 AM

Good point. It's about time Staley has earned his pay. He's played in 4 games and barely got any carries. Should be ready to go if he has to.

fergusonat · 12-09-2005, 12:17 PM

They need to use Staley...period. If they really want him on the team, then use him. He needs to break into a rhythm and randomly using him on half-assed plays every now and then does not allow him to do this. I personally would like to see a lot of Duce action this Sunday. They can use Willie when they need him, but I would stay predominantly with Duce. Like everybody says, he needs to earn his pay.

SteelCityMan786 · 12-09-2005, 01:09 PM

Great To Hear Some of These Guys Will be back. You Keep Bettis Active.

pitt · 12-09-2005, 01:45 PM

As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who the heck the rb is. Our running game has come to almost a complete stop. None of them are getting the job done right now.

BlitzburghRockCity · 12-09-2005, 02:10 PM

Our special teams were horrific last week so this move makes sense cuz haynes plays alot on the ST.

I dunno, if wish we could keep them all active but I fear staley will prolly get the axe for this game.

Suitanim · 12-09-2005, 02:48 PM

I also heard Marvel might be playing...it'd be nice to have a mostly healthy team on the field for a change...

fergusonat · 12-09-2005, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitt

As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who the heck the rb is. Our running game has come to almost a complete stop. None of them are getting the job done right now.

It's not so much Duce, Willie, or Bettis not getting the job done...it's the o-line that isn't. Granted, a bad offensive line doesn't make you drop the ball like Willie and Duce were last week, but that initial hole has been almost nonexistant for them lately. It's scary to think that the offensive line is almost as bad as it was in '03

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