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Franco Harris. Rocky Bleier. Jerome Bettis. Since inception, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been identified as one of the most bruising, consistent, physical rushing offenses in the NFL (with the exception of 2020, but let’s not go there). Of course, we know of the starting running backs in Steelers history and their successes, but Pittsburgh has also been able to showcase the skills of some productive second-string backs in the league. Therefore, let’s reminisce and take a look at who performed best when called upon in big moments.
Criteria: These players were not listed as the starting running back on the depth chart in September of the listed seasons going back to Heinz Field’s inaugural season in 2001. These are listed in chronological order.
NAJEH DAVENPORT, 2007
Davenport made his way to Pittsburgh in 2006 after his time on the Green Bay Packers from 2002 through 2005. Davenport was consistently listed as RB2 or RB3 behind Gary Russell and Carey Davis primarily due to his fullback-like size. Davenport made his presence known in one of the Steelers first Thursday Night Football games against the St. Louis Rams in the 2007 season. Willie Parker started the game, but was quickly removed after suffering a broken leg in the first quarter. With Davenport being the only dressed running back in the game, he stepped up in a big way. In that game, Davenport tallied 167 total yards from scrimmage with 2 scores in a 41-24 win. Throughout the 2007 season, Davenport rushed for about 500 yards, 184 yards receiving, and 7 touchdowns.
MEWELDE MOORE, 2008
After the retirement of Bettis after Super Bowl XL, the Steelers went through a period of “running back by committee” that carried for several seasons. One specific season was the 2008 Super Bowl XLIII championship season. This season’s running back room consisted of Parker (the starter that season), Davenport, Davis, and Moore, who was picked up as a free agent from the Minnesota Vikings. In the 2008 season, Moore played in 16 games and even started in 4 after Parker went down with injuries. In that span, Moore racked up over 900 yards from scrimmage with 6 touchdowns. Moore spent most of his time as the third-down back and was an effective safety blanket for Ben Roethlisberger on “gotta have it” downs. Moore’s career highlight day came on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals in which he put up 134 total yards with 3 touchdowns in a 38-10 victory.
DEANGELO WILLIAMS, 2015/2016
Although Williams started 14 out of 25 games between the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he was still listed as back-up to Le’Veon Bell for 2 seasons. A veteran coming off a successful career with the Carolina Panthers, Williams showed to be a reliable, consistent third-down back until Bell tore his MCL in 2015. Since then, Williams cemented himself in the backfield for 2 seasons in Pittsburgh. He was an instant fan favorite, with his charitable efforts in both Carolina and Pittsburgh, paired with his gritty “never-say-die” playstyle, and put up impressive numbers in the Pittsburgh backfield. Between the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Williams posted 1,435 total yards from scrimmage with 16 touchdowns. Williams played a critical role in back-to-back winning seasons and playoff appearances and ended a very fruitful career in the black and gold.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
I know I said I would keep this list to three, but here a few others I wanted to include:
Amos Zereoue, 2002
Gary Russell, 2008
Isaac Redman, 2011
Who would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Criteria: These players were not listed as the starting running back on the depth chart in September of the listed seasons going back to Heinz Field’s inaugural season in 2001. These are listed in chronological order.
NAJEH DAVENPORT, 2007
Davenport made his way to Pittsburgh in 2006 after his time on the Green Bay Packers from 2002 through 2005. Davenport was consistently listed as RB2 or RB3 behind Gary Russell and Carey Davis primarily due to his fullback-like size. Davenport made his presence known in one of the Steelers first Thursday Night Football games against the St. Louis Rams in the 2007 season. Willie Parker started the game, but was quickly removed after suffering a broken leg in the first quarter. With Davenport being the only dressed running back in the game, he stepped up in a big way. In that game, Davenport tallied 167 total yards from scrimmage with 2 scores in a 41-24 win. Throughout the 2007 season, Davenport rushed for about 500 yards, 184 yards receiving, and 7 touchdowns.
MEWELDE MOORE, 2008
After the retirement of Bettis after Super Bowl XL, the Steelers went through a period of “running back by committee” that carried for several seasons. One specific season was the 2008 Super Bowl XLIII championship season. This season’s running back room consisted of Parker (the starter that season), Davenport, Davis, and Moore, who was picked up as a free agent from the Minnesota Vikings. In the 2008 season, Moore played in 16 games and even started in 4 after Parker went down with injuries. In that span, Moore racked up over 900 yards from scrimmage with 6 touchdowns. Moore spent most of his time as the third-down back and was an effective safety blanket for Ben Roethlisberger on “gotta have it” downs. Moore’s career highlight day came on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals in which he put up 134 total yards with 3 touchdowns in a 38-10 victory.
DEANGELO WILLIAMS, 2015/2016
Although Williams started 14 out of 25 games between the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he was still listed as back-up to Le’Veon Bell for 2 seasons. A veteran coming off a successful career with the Carolina Panthers, Williams showed to be a reliable, consistent third-down back until Bell tore his MCL in 2015. Since then, Williams cemented himself in the backfield for 2 seasons in Pittsburgh. He was an instant fan favorite, with his charitable efforts in both Carolina and Pittsburgh, paired with his gritty “never-say-die” playstyle, and put up impressive numbers in the Pittsburgh backfield. Between the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Williams posted 1,435 total yards from scrimmage with 16 touchdowns. Williams played a critical role in back-to-back winning seasons and playoff appearances and ended a very fruitful career in the black and gold.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
I know I said I would keep this list to three, but here a few others I wanted to include:
Amos Zereoue, 2002
Gary Russell, 2008
Isaac Redman, 2011
Who would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..