PoppaPoe33

He did evolve. It wasn't strange that they started games off in the air instead of straight pounding the ball like they used too. He's finally got a QB after all these years and apparently he's not scared to use him.
Duckett would be good to have aboard, but in a business aspect, there's younger and cheaper players who can be good short yardage backs (Humes) and be successful with our O-line. Remember that the Steelers have a history of having a solid run-blocking offensive line which accounts for a high percentage of our successful ground game. Teams aren't beefing up their D-line to necessarily stop running backs, they do it to get through the O-line to the running backs. Also our running game has evolved with Willie Parker. I'm still sceptical of Staley until he can stay healthy and be productive.

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ABuccsFan

Nope, this came out the day I posted it. When a rumor resurfaces, they say...where there is smoke there is fire.

Jeb

I still say the Steelers need to open up their run game with an effective passing game. You even pointed out that that was their choice to make and a correct one last season. They started winning again when they did just that after the mid-season slump. I say relying too much on the run is not a good option for them anymore and getting a Bettis clone would signal a return to that option (IMO).

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gruntbygod

The problem with that is Holmes however, I think he will be a good reciever but he is a rookie, so you cant really expect him to get 50+ catches this year.

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Jeb

I was really surprised they didn't go for Chad Jackson and chose Holmes instead since I thought Chad would have been a better fit. Don't get me wrong, Holmes is a good player and will work out just fine for them. It just surprised me a bit. I guess they just couldn't get past the name "Chad."

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gruntbygod

I think Holmes could be a better catch and run type tho

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Jeb

I think Jackson will end up being maybe a great YACer eventually. I liked that guy.

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gruntbygod

Ya but he is a Florida guy tho, gotta be cautious about htem

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Jeb

...so was Collinsworth.

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Professor

http://www.fanball.com/fb/playerProfile.cfm/pid.1188


This is from May 1st

05/01 16:40 Duckett a trade target
THE NEWS
Falcons running back T.J. Duckett has been the subject of trade rumors in Pittsburgh although trade talks cooled after the completion of the NFL Draft on Sunday. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers offered their fifth-round pick for Duckett, while the Falcons were asking for a third-round pick in next year's draft.

Our View
Duckett's value would be enhanced in Pittsburgh, where he would immediately assume the goal-line role vacated by Jerome Bettis. The Falcons drafted Mississippi State running back Jerious Norwood in the third round, meaning Duckett is unlikely to be back in Atlanta next season.

This is from May 15

05/15 12:27 Duce won't be handed Bettis' role
THE NEWS
The current plan is for the Steelers to use Duce Staley in the short-yardage role vacated by the retirement of Jerome Bettis, but that doesn't mean they're just handing him the job. "I think Verron Haynes is a guy that you can't overlook," Steelers coach Bill Cowher told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think Verron is a guy that has been waiting in the wings. You watch even last year in some of those games when we took Jerome out, he wasn't too bad. We're going to let that thing unfold. I don't have any preconceived thoughts going in."

Our View
The Steelers are so confident in Staley that they tried to trade for T.J. Duckett prior to the draft, then mulled selecting LenDale White in the first round before settling on 233-pound Cedric Humes in round seven. Using that logic, a late-round pick used on Haynes could pay significant dividends in touchdown-heavy leagues.

This is even from July 3rd, five days before your piece

07/03 11:27 Duckett to Pittsburgh?
THE NEWS
Falcons running back T.J. Duckett remains on the Steelers' radar because of their concerns over the durability of Duce Staley, according to the Sporting News.

Our View
The Steelers are wise to worry about Staley's durability considering he's played only 15 games since arriving after the 2003 season. Duckett would be a logical choice to step in for the retired Jerome Bettis and could immediately fill the role Bettis left behind, which would give him fantasy value, especially in touchdown-heavy leagues. If Duckett does leave, it opens the door for talented rookie Jerious Norwood to become the primary backup to Warrick Dunn.