Gunzlingr
10-21-2003, 04:06 PM
With a ground game ranked among the franchise's worst in more than three decades, Steelers coach Bill Cowher is preparing to return to what has worked in the past. All indications point to running back Jerome Bettis making his first start of the season Sunday against the St. Louis Rams in Heinz Field.
Bettis, the NFL's 10th-leading rusher, and six-game starter Amos Zereoue said no coaches have told them anything about a change, but several players said after practice yesterday that it's their understanding Bettis will get his job back Sunday.
One player, who asked to remain anonymous, said the return of Bettis would be a morale boost to the entire offense, particularly the line, because he's a leader and it shows a renewed commitment to running the ball.
Bettis lost the starting position to Zereoue before the season and is off to the slowest start of his 11-year career with 128 yards on 44 carries. Zereoue has 277 yards on 83 carries. The Steelers rank 28th in the NFL with an average of only 83.3 yards rushing per game and average only 3.1 yards per carry, down by more than a yard from last season. They haven't finished a season ranked lower than 18th since the NFL merger in 1970.
http://www.post-gazette.com/images2/20031021pdBettis_230.jpg more (http://www.post-gazette.com/steelers/20031021steele1021p2.asp)
Bettis, the NFL's 10th-leading rusher, and six-game starter Amos Zereoue said no coaches have told them anything about a change, but several players said after practice yesterday that it's their understanding Bettis will get his job back Sunday.
One player, who asked to remain anonymous, said the return of Bettis would be a morale boost to the entire offense, particularly the line, because he's a leader and it shows a renewed commitment to running the ball.
Bettis lost the starting position to Zereoue before the season and is off to the slowest start of his 11-year career with 128 yards on 44 carries. Zereoue has 277 yards on 83 carries. The Steelers rank 28th in the NFL with an average of only 83.3 yards rushing per game and average only 3.1 yards per carry, down by more than a yard from last season. They haven't finished a season ranked lower than 18th since the NFL merger in 1970.
http://www.post-gazette.com/images2/20031021pdBettis_230.jpg more (http://www.post-gazette.com/steelers/20031021steele1021p2.asp)