Before the moves, the Steelers were the only team in the league that had only two running backs on their roster. Now, they will head into New England with three, but in reality, only one — DeAngelo Williams.
Dri Archer has 10 career carries and it is unrealistic for Jordan Todman, who has 111 career carries with three teams in four years, to be able to contribute immediately leaving the Steelers two options — empty, as Ben Roethlisberger joked, or Williams.
The latter is what the Steelers are leaning toward.
“This is not (Williams') first rodeo by any stretch,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “He has been in the league for a decade. He is a 6,000-yard rusher. If you listen, he will tell you about it. He is an energy bringer. He is a hard worker. He's had not only a good offseason but a good preseason. I am excited about watching him play.”
Williams was the only free agent the Steelers targeted in the offseason, with the idea of him filling the void left early in the season by LeVeon Bell's absence. While there are stylistic differences between Bell, who amassed more than 2,000 all-purpose yards last year, and Williams, the Steelers made it known to Williams that the game plan would not deviate with him in the game. That includes when Williams is replacing Bell for a two-game period, and when he is giving Bell a rest during a series or two once he returns from suspension.
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