You know what they say about history often repeating itself
In one specific way the Steelers are hoping that isn t true.
Go back to the 1976 playoffs. The Steelers were going for their third consecutive Super Bowl championship with what many believed was their most talented team. But just about everything literally everything came crashing down at Baltimore s Memorial Stadium in the AFC divisional round. Running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier were hurt in a 40 14 win against the Colts on a day when a small plane crashed into the upper deck of the stadium about 10 minutes after the game with incredibly no deaths or injuries. The Steelers had to play at the Oakland Raiders the next week in the AFC championship with little used running back Reggie Harrison. The Raiders won easily 24 7.
You want something more recent How about the 2007 season In new coach Mike Tomlin s first playoff game the Steelers had to play the Jacksonville Jaguars without running back Willie Parker who blew out a knee late in the season. Najeh Davenport filled in and had 16 carries for 25 yards. They lost 31 29.
It was hard not to think about those games when Steelers star running back Le Veon Bell went down with a hyperextended right knee Sunday night in the third quarter of the 27 17 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Bell is to these Steelers what Harris and Bleier were to the 1976 team and Parker was to the 2007 squad. His teammates think so much of him that they voted him their MVP. His 290 runs and 83 catches produced a franchise record 2 215 scrimmage yards. If he can t play Saturday night in the AFC wild card round against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field the team will have to turn to rookie running backs Josh Harris and Dri Archer who have combined for just 19 rushes and 7 catches for 79 scrimmage yards. LeGarrette Blount who had been Bell s backup quit on the team late in a game Nov. 17 at Tennessee and was released the next day before signing with the New England Patriots.
You don t want to see your absolute best offensive player hurt Josh Harris said of Bell.
Tomlin is expected to provide an update today on Bell s injury. It appears Bell avoided major damage but even a minor knee injury usually requires a player to miss a week or two. Surely Tomlin will promise the team will show up for the game against the Ravens with or without Bell.
We know that these guys work hard and we respect them Tomlin said of Harris and Archer. We believe that any man if given an opportunity can be a reason why we re successful.
Archer took over initially for Bell who left after a low hit from Bengals safety Reggie Nelson. He lost 1 yard on his only carry but did catch two passes for 19 yards. The Steelers loved Archer s speed and kick return potential when they made him their No. 3 pick in the May draft. But he has been a disappointment. He lost his job as kickoff return man midway through the season.
Harris replaced Archer on the next possession and finished the game. He had just 7 yards on five carries but did have a 59 yard run nullified by a holding penalty on guard Ramon Foster. Unlike with Archer there were no expectations when Harris signed as a free agent right before training camp. He was added to the team s practice squad after the final cuts and signed to the active roster after Blount s release. He s a phenomenal runner Bell said at the time. I ve been watching him all year. I m excited for him.
None of the Steelers appeared to be surprised by Harris 59 yard run.
What an awesome run quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. That was such a huge play for his confidence and for us as an offense for the offensive line. To see that flag come out extremely late was frustrating but I think he still has to be pleased with the way that he ran the ball. I think everyone has renewed confidence in him as well.
Said Harris of the negated play I was mad about it. It stinks that it was called back but the fact that run happened showed everyone I can actually play and do things like that.
Harris said it was a shock to see Bell go down.
But we play a position where we are hit every play. Things like that can happen
We had to make sure we kept our eyes on the prize. The fact he was out was a shock at first but then I had to think I m here to play football. I felt like I did what I needed to do but I have a long way to go.
Harris and Archer said they will be ready to play against the Ravens if Bell can t go. Totally ready Harris said.
Preparation this week will involve getting in my playbook hard Harris said. He plans to spend extra practice and meeting time with offensive coordinator Todd Haley and running backs coach James Saxon to make sure he understands his blitz protection responsibilities and knows the hand signals Roethlisberger often uses. But the other things that Bell did The running The catching I feel like I can do all of those things Harris said. It s just a fact of getting those reps in an actual live game. So we will see.
The Steelers were made an early 3 point favorite against the Ravens. It will be interesting to see if the betting line changes when Bell s status becomes clearer. What is his value to the team Three points Six points More
Can Harris and Archer make up for it
Harris had the only legitimate answer to that question.
We will see.
Ron Cook rcook post gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the Cook and Poni show weekdays from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
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