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Backup plan for Parker is needed
Ever since Jerome Bettis retired in the moments after the Steelers' Super Bowl victory at the conclusion of the 2005 season, Pittsburgh has been looking for a running back to compliment the talents of Willie Parker.
The speedy Parker carried the ball 658 times in the past two seasons, rushing for 2,810 yards and 15 touchdowns. But he also suffered a broken leg late last season and missed the regular-season finale at Baltimore and playoff game against Jacksonville - both losses.
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Najeh Davenport rushed for 499 yards last season, but produced only 52 yards on 28 carries in the two games Parker missed.
"We've got to run the football more effectively, more often and later in football games so we can wear people down and win on our terms, the way we like to," head coach Mike Tomlin said in the days following the loss to Jacksonville.
It's obvious that the 210-pound Parker will not wear down opponents, and Davenport and Duce Staley before him have proven incapable of carrying the load.
Pittsburgh added former Minnesota Vikings running back Mewelde Moore as a free agent, but the 210-pound Moore is a third-down back with a style similar to Parker's.
The Steelers like second-year pro Gary Russell - an undrafted rookie last season - but the team won't hesitate to select a young running back in this weekend's draft, even in the first round.
The Steelers pick 23rd, so they won't have a chance to select Arkansas' Darren McFadden, who will be a top-10 pick, or Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall, who will go in the first 20 selections. Oregon's Jonathan Stewart has drawn the Steelers' interest.
Stewart was considered the second-best running back available this year behind McFadden until a turf-toe injury that required surgery kept him from working out for teams.
The 5-10, 235-pound Stewart has the power to run inside and the speed to get outside. He also led nation in kickoff return average as a freshman.
If Stewart's available when the Steelers select in the first round, they will be tempted to select him.
Running backs who might interest the Steelers in later rounds include LSU's Jacob Hester, Arizona State's Ryan Torain, Brandon McAnderson of Kansas, Toledo's Jalen Parmele and Michigan State's Jehuu Caulcrick, who scored 21 touchdowns in 2007.
With the exception of the 215-pound Torain, each is a big running back who would give the Steelers a power option in their offense.
