Why do Steeler fans long for a power back?
Probably for the same reason that Green Bay fans long for a gunslinging quarterback who just loves to play the game. Some things are just the way they are. But the fact is that any man suiting up at running back and approaching Jerome Bettis’ playing weight of 252 pounds will be expected by Steeler fans to fill the power back role in the foreseeable future. With that in mind, imagine the exhilaration Steeler fans felt when the team drafted Rashard Mendenhall with their first pick. It’s like a younger version of The Bus! Well, not quite. I don’t remember Bettis ever running back kicks, nor do I remember him catching many passes, both things that Mendenhall is more than capable of doing. In terms of size, Mendenhall goes 5’10″, 225 pounds, about 15 more than Parker. But he is not simply a back that will run you over; his package also includes speed and mobility. He’s not Jerome Bettis. There’s only one Jerome Bettis. We need to finally embrace the backfield that we have and I think we’ll
