Sports
STEELERS
By Craig Schaffer/AP
Dec 1, 2006, 09:00

As season winds down, Steelers perplexed by inconsistent running

Back in 2003, the Pittsburgh Steelers promised that they would never go through another season like that one.

Three years later, the Steelers are having a similar season. Ben Roethlisberger is passing with only limited success. The Steelers are trying to run the ball, but tackle Marvel Smith says when they get behind early, they get away from their game plan.

The 4-7 Steelers are getting away from it quite often during what might be the most disappointing season in club history, one that seems to be long past salvaging as they prepare for Sunday's game against 3-8 Tampa Bay.

There have been suggestions that the Steelers badly miss rusher Jerome Bettis, but Smith blames the Steelers' repeated inability to establish an offensive tempo early in a game.

© Copyright 2004-2005 by WRTA.com