PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Monday, October 6, 2008
Mewelde Moore gained 99 yards as the Steelers starting running back Sunday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
JACKSONVILLE -- Mewelde Moore scooted 19 yards on the first play Sunday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Steelers coaching staff was apparently so shocked at the unexpected development that Moore didn't touch the ball again until the next series.
Moore's ability to provide a legitimate ground game when his number was called more than compensated for the loss of what was supposed to be a two-headed running back combo featuring Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall entering the season.
By the time Moore hit his seventh carry, early in the second quarter, he was just under the 50-yard milestone -- no idle accomplishment so early in the contest. As a result, Jacksonville's hostile defenders were forced to stop teeing off on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, such was their sudden concern about stopping the run.
Roethlisberger took a wicked hit from rookie defensive end Quentin Groves while completing a 16-yard strike to Hines Ward in the first quarter.
The next two plays were called runs for Moore, a clone of New England Patriots all-purpose running back Kevin Faulk, who totaled nine yards. Moore remained in the game on third-and-1, whereupon Roethlisberger handed off to recent pickup Najeh Davenport, who gained three yards while the defense keyed on Moore.
Yes, the same Mewelde Moore who could barely get on the field in the Steelers' first four games. The same Mewelde Moore whose lack of playing time was so glaring that people were beginning to wonder if the Steelers made a mistake signing him as a free agent. The same Mewelde Moore who the coaching staff went away from until the Steelers fell behind in the fourth quarter.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mewelde Moore, left, runs past Jacksonville Jaguars safety Pierson Prioleau during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP)
Old habits die hard. Nevertheless, the Steelers got their money's worth out of Moore, who rushed for 99 yards and whose huge 27-yard run late in the game set up Roethlisbeger's 8-yard touchdown pass to Ward in the Steelers' come-from-behind 26-21 win.
Following Davenport's first-down pickup, Roethlisbeger hit Moore leaking out of the backfield for 13 yards. One of Moore's strengths is his elusiveness, his ability to make defenders miss. On his reception, Moore dodged safety Gerald Sensabaugh like a school kid at recess.
An unnecessary roughness penalty sweetened Moore's catch-and-run and gift-wrapped a Steelers first down at the Jacksonville 15.
The Steelers brought in big back Gary Russell for his first two carries of the season totaling three yards. A third-down pass to tight end Heath Miller for nine yards kept the drive alive. Following another Russell run for two yards, Roethlisbeger faked a handoff and hit Miller for a 2-yard touchdown toss that tied the score at 7-7.
With the ground game firmly established, Roethlisberger took to the air.
Operating out of the no-huddle, Roethlisberger threw five straight passes, completing four for 37 yards. Moore opened the second quarter with three carries on the next four plays for 18 yards. When the drive bogged down, Jeff Reed kicked a field goal slicing Jacksonville's lead to 14-10.
In the second quarter, Roethlisberger was 9-of-16 for 150 yards. He threw a beautiful 48-yard touchdown-on-a-rope to Nate Washington and seemed to be able to complete just about any pass he desired.
All because the Steelers finally committed to the run with a back who before last night was still finding his place on the team.
John Harris is a sports writer for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.
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