Pittsburgh Steelers: Who backs up Le’Veon Bell at running back?
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense went through a much-needed roster shake-up after their 26th ranked unit let them down in 2012.
At receiver there were more subtractions than additions. Gone is Mike Wallace. Missing in action due to injury are Heath Miller and David Johnson. And receivers coach Scottie Montgomery has been replaced with veteran Richard Mann.
After perhaps the worst Steelers running game in the past decade or more, the Steelers ran in the opposite direction at running back. They added through both the draft and free agency while losing just one player, Chris Rainey.
Determining who will be suited up Week 1 against the Titans will be an interesting game of numbers.
The Steelers on average keep five backs, five or six wide receivers, and four tight ends. The final roster selections will be dependent upon decisions in the return game. Even then, those typical roster numbers may be affected greatly by the current injuries at tight end.
Below is one of the most important battles to watch for this preseason in Pittsburgh. Who will be Le’Veon Bell’s back-up at running back?
RUNNING BACKS
Starters: #26 Le’Veon Bell (Rookie), #46 Will Johnson (Fullback), #34 LaRod Stephens-Howling (Kick Returner)
Incumbents: #33 Isaac Redman (4 years NFL), #27 Jonathan Dwyer (4 years NFL), #20 Baron Batch (3 years NFL)
The minute he signed his rookie contract, Bell became the starting running back in Pittsburgh. Behind him, there are four veterans vying for spots, with the loser likely searching for a new team.
Jul 27, 2013; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer (27) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
LaRod Stephens-Howling is being slotted as the change of pace back, kick returner and potential punt returner. In Todd Haley’s offense, he will be what Rainey was drafted to become. While we all know Stephens-Howling will improve the Steelers special teams/defensive fantasy-football ranking, he also has the potential to provide more than just a screen option on offense.
The 5-foot-7 and 180-pound former Cardinal has never played behind an offensive line as good as the one in Pittsburgh. He may prove to be a nice surprise with his speed in their zone-blocking scheme.
Incumbents Redman, Dwyer and Batch blew a season of opportunities last year when none of the three established themselves as a consistent threat. They also had trouble staying healthy and holding on to the ball. (Click for more).
The real battle at running back is which of these three veterans provide the Steelers with the best chance of survival if Bell needs a breather or, God forbid, has an injury. Both Redman and Dwyer came to camp fit and ready to meet the challenges of a zone-blocking scheme. They are also playing future contract as they are set to be free agents in 2014.
Their contract situations could benefit Batch, who won’t be looking for a pay increase in 2014. Batch has never been able to gain the confidence of his coaches to garner more playing time on game day. He seems to be the anti-Tim Tebow: fantastic in practice/training camp and terribly average in games. Injuries have helped to hold him back, but he is reportedly at full-speed for the first time since training camp 2011.
Special team contributions will likely help the coaches make the final decision. Batch and Redman are strong on special teams; Batch served as one of the 2012 special team captains. Redman gets the edge as the best blocker of the three and has shown to have good hands in traffic.
However, Dwyer can’t be discounted. He appears to be at least 20 pounds lighter and out of the three may have the best vision to find the holes in the new offensive scheme. It will take all four preseason games to shake out the final two roster spot winners.
(Check back later on City of Champions for coverage on the battles at wide receiver and tight end.)