Home Training Camp News SCB Steelers Training Camp Battle Reports: Running Backs

SCB Steelers Training Camp Battle Reports: Running Backs

by Steeldad

We’ve covered the quarterbacks and tight ends so far in our quest to get through all of the positions and today our focus is on the running back position. The major battle here isn’t necessarily all that sexy because things seem to be pretty much in order but based on the last two seasons that takes on huge significance.

Major Battle: Fitz Toussaint vs. ???

What we know at this point is that the Pittsburgh Steelers have the best group of running backs in the NFL. Of course many will say that’s arguable but I won’t. Le’Veon Bell is a superstar and DeAngelo Williams would probably be starting for 20-25 other teams across the league.

We saw the significance of DWill last season both at the beginning during Bell’s suspension and then during his time replacing Bell following the injury. Unfortunately, we also bore witness to what happens when your number two back goes down as well. That’s not a knock on Fitzgerald Toussaint but let’s be real; if he doesn’t fumble in Denver….

OK, enough of those memories.

Toussaint is a darn good running back. He has the build to take some punishment but he also has decent speed. For any of the following guys to remove him from his entrenched position as the Steelers’ number three back, then they are going to have to prove they can run well, block well and catch the ball too.

Cameron Stingily had some good moments in training camp last season and if anyone is going to unseat Toussaint it’s going to be him. Stingily had a very nice career at Northern Illinois and at 235 pounds, he can be a load.

If you’re looking for a wild-card in this then may I present Daryl Richardson. He was drafted in the seventh round in 2012 by the St. Louis Rams and played in all 16 games his rookie season. He carried the ball 98 times for 475 yards which equates to an average of over four yards per carry.

He’s on the small side at under 200 pounds but this is the type of guy Todd Haley seems to like. He didn’t just run well his rookie season but he also caught the ball well too. The problem besides his place on the depth chart is that in 2014 he saw much less time playing in just eight games. Then last year in Cleveland he didn’t play at all.

Also on the roster are Brandon Brown-Dukes, a rookie from Mercyhurst and Brandon Johnson, a rookie from Penn State.

Here’s some Brandon Brown-Dukes in his senior year. His top speed isn’t all that impressive but it’s hard not to like some of his highlights. Granted, the level of competition is highly questionable but he’s an interesting guy.

Johnson is merely a ‘potential’ pick because his career at Penn State saw such little action. In his senior season of 2015, he saw action in 12 games but most of it was on special teams. He’d have to do something pretty special to even make a push for a roster spot.

Winner: Toussaint

Fitz Toussaint sounds a lot like a man on a mission. He has spoken openly about his desire to atone for the fumble in Denver and I believe the Steelers are pretty comfortable with him. It will take him slowing down and someone else doing something unexpected in order for this to change.

Photo courtesy: post-gazette.com

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