Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001

Steelers need a loaner

Broken-down 'Bus' leaves Pittsburgh to look for alternate transportation

By Andy Hanacek, Associate editor

That’s right, "the Bus" won’t play this week but has promised he’ll be ready to roll against the Ravens. Jerome Bettis will rest injuries to his hip and groin this week, and Pittsburgh will need a lift from its backups.

Should Steelers fans be concerned? Well, it all depends. If you’re talking about this week, no, they shouldn’t be concerned. But, if Bettis’ injury (though highly unlikely) magically turns into something worse than what the team and player have admitted, then Steelers fans might as well jump off the bandwagon.

You see, I think the Steelers will be just fine this week. Bettis’ backups are more than capable of filling his shoes for one week. Take a look at the evidence.

Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala (who will be referred to as "Fu" from here on out in this column to prevent carpal-tunnel syndrome) is a big back, just like Bettis, and he will get the start in the game. Amos Zereoue, who has been a great change-of-pace back for the Steelers, should get more carries to spell Fu, who won’t be used to carrying the entire load for the whole game. One of the reasons Zereoue, who has 38 more carries on the year than Fu, didn’t get the starting nod is that Zereoue’s shoulder is still not 100 percent. But don’t expect him to be sidelined.

Both these backs have been able to take advantage of the same stellar Steelers blocking in the running game this year, in limited action. Zereoue has spelled Bettis roughly six to eight times a game and has averaged 5.1 yards per carry in that time. He’s scored one touchdown. Fu hasn’t been very involved in the offense, but he does have 22 carries for 109 yards, most of it coming in last week’s game. That’s a 5.0-yard average. Bettis was averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

Fu was re-signed by the Steelers because of his similar build to Bettis. While he’s listed as third on the depth chart, he’s likely the running back who will allow the Steelers to run the same style of offense as they did when Bettis was in there.

Another reason these guys should do fine is that they’re going up against the Jets’ defense, which had struggled against the run through most of the season. In the last two weeks, it has been solid, but it was facing Patriots RB Antowain Smith (who’s been inconsistent) and Dolphins RB Lamar Smith (who’s having a very down year).

So, Steelers fans, don’t worry too much about your team this week. I’m not saying it's a shoo-in to win, but the loss of Bettis for the week shouldn’t stall it too much. Besides, the passing game seems to be coming around a bit more, and the defense should be able to make up for any shortcomings in the running game.

The Bus will be back next week. It could be bumpy until then, but if the Steelers can hang on and the Bus can stay well-tuned, then it should be smooth sailing, at least for a while.

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2001 - 2002 Season