Bring it to Jerome

The test for Jerome Bettis is the collision. When he was the man, he'd smack into a defender or two and drive them backwards. Last year, too often he was the guy driven back. He always got his high per-carry average on those extra yards. Turn them into losses of one or even a half-yard at the end of the run and he's not much of an asset. I didn't see last night's game.

After the mistake they made with Rod Woodson, I respect the Steelers for not cutting Jerome Bettis while he's still eager to play. In the long run, it's worth it. But he's not going to be the starting running back if he can't knock people over.

Duce is a proven veteran in the good sense of the term. Dante Brown is back doing his preseason frenzy thing. And Verron Haynes is a Steeler power back waiting to happen. Haynes got more yards after contact than any other back in Georgia history. The man was a beast.

We should keep Jerome on the payroll but I don't want him carrying the ball while better options are on the team.