The Pittsburgh Steelers are already moving into 2014 with a lot of uncertainty with who will take over for the top to RB's, Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount, who will most likely be charged by the NFL for abusing their substance policy. Bell and Blount were arrested on Wednesday for possession of pot, and were released shortly their after, with 20g recovered out of their car. Thursday, they were charged with pot possession, and will face court time for it, possibly jail time.
Behind those two in the depth chart on unaccomplished and simply non-fits. Dri Archer cannot handle a 20 carry per game load due to his size. Tauren Poole is a 2012 college free agent from Tennessee who is on his 3rd team roster. He has yet to make it.
So, the Steelers need to sign someone out of free agency, of course. But who should they choose? We have narrowed it down to 4 players, and here they are, pros and cons.
1. Willis McGahee
Willis spent most of last season with Cleveland after unexpectedly being cut by Denver. He enters his 10th NFL season, and is now the ripe old age of 32.
How He Can Help- McGahee isn't a 20 carry per game back at this point of his career either. He is a guy who can take some of the load off of Dri Archer, help Ben Roethlisburger on screens, and offer some between the tackle support.
2. Tashard Choice
The former Dallas Cowboy who has spent time on the Buffalo Bills roster as the #3 back, and also with the Indianapolis Colts, was a #2 back in Dallas before falling to #3 with the arrival of Demarco Murray combining with Felix Jones, can probably handle an extensive #2 back load. He's played in 17 games the past 3 years, as he's passed through 3 teams.
How He Can Help- Choice isn't a feature back, but he can get a rotation going with Archer and Poole, or another back they may add instead of Poole. A rotation is probably Pittsburgh's best bet. Choice can go between the tackles and cause some trouble.
3. Delone Carter
Formerly a hot shot and budding star in Indianapolis, Carter lost his roster spot due to sheer depth, and then got picked up by Jacksonville, and was used sparingly. He can take a load for a few games, and still swing nicely into a rotation.
How He Can Help- Carter has injury and durability issues, but he can still play well and fit into Pittsburghs 10-15 carry per game guy. He has a lot of talent, and would fit well with Todd Haley.
4. Andre Brown
Brown was a growing star in New York for the Giants before crazy roster numbers at the Rb position made them cut him. Signed by Houston during the offseason, and then cut again, Brown would be a logical fit in Pittsburgh for his smashing style of play.
How He Can Help- Brown is a crusher between the tackles, and strong. He can offer the Steelers the help they need to run a rotation, but as the other 3 backs, he cannot take on more then 15 carries per game. He has health issues too, and they might bug him all season.
OUR LOGIC SAYS: Pittsburgh's best shot would be to sign 2 guys to rotate with Archer, and then cut Poole. We think the best fit would be to sign Delone Carter as the #1-2 back, and Andre Brown as a #2-3 back. Archer would rotate more with Brown, and Carter would get the majority of the carries until Bell and/or Blount can come back. Bell and Blount might cost the Steelers 3 or 4 wins this season, something that they cannot afford. But it's Pittsburgh we're talking about. Mike Tomlin. Tomlin will find a way to win. He always does.
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