Bettis says depth could be issue for Steelers

By Mike Prisuta
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, February 21, 2006

The Steelers have some issues to sort through before beginning the defense of their Super Bowl championship in 2006, but depth at running back isn't one of them.

So says running back-turned-NBC analyst Jerome Bettis.

"I really believe Duce Staley can fill that void, and definitely, he can excel in that role if that's the role that's asked of him," Bettis said Monday.

Speaking from Turin, Italy, on a conference call to promote his new job as a studio analyst for NBC-TV's "Football Night In America," Bettis endorsed Staley as a potential backfield complement to Willie Parker _ the role Bettis handled in 2005, the last of his 13 NFL seasons.

"No question he can still play," Bettis said of Staley.

Staley didn't play any role at all for the Steelers after carrying three times for 2 yards on Dec. 4 against Cincinnati.

He was designated inactive for the final four regular-season games and the Steelers' first three playoff games.

Staley dressed for Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5 in Detroit but didn't play in the Steelers' 21-10 victory over Seattle.

"When I was activated, that lets you know I was healthy and (head) coach (Bill Cowher) believed in me," Staley said following the game.

Staley, who turns 31 on Feb. 27, finished an injury-plagued season with 38 carries for 148 yards.
He carried 15 times for 76 yards and a touchdown when pressed into service despite not being fully recovered from preseason knee surgery in a 20-10 win Nov. 6 at Green Bay.

"Nobody knows this because this was internal, but he went to Coach Cowher after he was about 80 percent, getting close to 100 percent - at the Green Bay game he wasn't 100 percent but was still able to carry the load for us - and he said, 'If there's a question about who plays when I get to 100 percent, I want Jerome to play because this is probably his last year,'" Bettis said. "Because of the criticism he was going to take for not having played, that was a very unselfish approach he took."

Staley had expressed a similar sentiment to the Tribune-Review in late October, insisting, "This is the last time you might see No. 36 in that uniform. I would rather for him to actually go out with a bang. If it was up to me and him battling for the last little piece, I would willingly give it up to him."

Staley is scheduled to earn a base salary of $2.5 million and cost the Steelers $4,371,250 against the salary cap in 2006, the third year of a five-year deal.
"I really believe he has a lot left in the tank," Bettis said. "If he stays with the Pittsburgh Steelers, I think he's going to be very valuable. He's going to be very valuable, regardless, because he can still play."

As for the rest of the Steelers' offseason picture as Bettis sees it:

"I think they need depth at the offensive line position. There's another question about whether (starting center) Jeff Hartings is going to continue. I think you have to think long-term and start grooming somebody if (backup) Chukky Okobi is not the person they want.

"I look at the defensive line, and it is sorely in need of a young defensive end that can help them in that department. (Free agent) Kimo von Oelhoffen, you don't know what his future holds, so that is another (question). I think you have to figure out about (free agent wide receiver Antwaan) Randle El, if he is truly the No. 2 guy or if he is expendable. Do his punt returns offer him enough leverage to command the dollars that he's asking? I think that is going to be a difficult choice they are going to have to make.

"Then you look at (free agent free safety) Chris Hope, you possibly think maybe you could stand to lose Chris Hope because of the dollars he's going to command. But that's an area of concern, because you don't have a viable backup for him.

"All around there aren't a lot of key areas (in question), but I think depth is definitely an issue. At the key areas, I don't believe they have the depth to lose anybody."

Mike Prisuta can be reached at ptrsports@tribweb.com.

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