Forget about the running-back-by-committee approach the Steelers took a year ago that led to one of its worst rushing outputs in franchise history. Steelers running back coach Kirby Wilson wants one guy to shoulder the load this year. Well, that would be his wish
“You would love to have a back who can play first down through third down,” Wilson said. “That’s always the best. Now, you have players who can spell a starter, then you have situational players that have strengths in other areas, put for the most part you always want a guy who is there first through third.”
While it seems like a perfect scenario to hand the reigns of the running game over to rookie LeVeon Bell and let him go, but that’s unlikely at this point for the 20-year-old even though the stage of the NFL has yet to be too big for him.
With Isaac Redman’s power game and LaRod Stephens-Howling unique skill set, you would imagine offensive coordinator Todd Haley will get as many ball carriers as possible touches.
Stephens-Howling is a scat back in the mold of Darren Sproles, so he could get some work on third downs, eating into Bell's upside. Still, we think that of all of the rookie RBs, Bell has the clearest path to a big workload.
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