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Steelers' Russell making most of opportunity
PITTSBURGH - When the Steelers released Gary Russell in September, some felt it might be the beginning of the end for the NFL long shot.
The Steelers re-signed Russell to their practice squad, but with a depth chart that included Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker, first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall and free agent-signee Mewelde Moore ahead of him, Russell's future - at least in Pittsburgh - looked bleak.
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He didn't mope or give up. Two months later, Russell is filling a pair of critical roles for the Steelers (8-3) as they head into their final five regular-season games.
Given a chance to return kickoffs because of injuries and failures of other players, Russell has given the Steelers a much-needed boost in their return game. In the past two weeks, he's also stepped into the role of short-yardage running back, going three-for-three converting third- or fourth-and-ones. Russell also scored on a two-yard touchdown run in Pittsburgh's 27-10 victory Thursday night over the Bengals. It was his first career touchdown.
"He's a young guy who is beginning to seize an opportunity and expand his role," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. "That is what a team is about, and that is what the season is about."
On nine kickoff returns, Russell has averaged 24.4 yards, including a 43-yard burst against the Bengals that is by far the Steelers' longest return of the season.
On that play, Russell rumbled through the center of the wedge and oncoming Bengals, breaking several arm tackles, then ran over Cincinnati kicker Shayne Graham before being tripped.
Nobody is more surprised than Russell at his success returning kickoffs.
"That's for a fast guy," Russell said. "I'm not very fast. I hit the hole. That's all I can do. I'm more of a downhill runner."
That downhill-running style is what helped make Russell useful in short-yardage situations, though he weighs just 215 pounds.
"I think Gary Russell's done a great job on our short-yardage and goal-line (runs)," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Russell was signed as a free agent two years after he had last played football, at the University of Minnesota. Russell dropped out of school after gaining more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore. He was out of football in 2006 and ballooned to nearly 250 pounds. In personal workouts for NFL teams before the 2007 draft, an out-of-shape Russell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds.
The Steelers, who've had plenty of success with undrafted rookies, decided to give Russell a chance during training camp.
He made the most of the opportunity, making the 53-man roster and getting seven carries in 2007.
Russell impressed the Steelers again this summer. But injuries at other positions forced them to release Russell in September. He was re-signed to the practice squad, and when Parker and Mendenhall both went down with injuries in back-to-back games, Russell returned to the roster.
"I never doubted that things would work out," said Russell. "I got an opportunity here. I'm going to keep building on that."
Odds and end zones
Parker is expected to play Sunday at New England. He left the game against the Bengals in the third quarter after aggravating knee injury. ... Defensive end Brett Keisel (sprained knee) could miss four weeks. ... The Steelers have a one-game lead in the AFC North over Baltimore (7-4), which defeated Philadelphia Sunday.
