Jags’ Taylor, banged-up O-line trouble for Steelers

By Hugo Guzman  |   Thursday, January 03, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't ask Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor for legal counsel.

He gave it to them anyway.

Tuesday, in wake of Jacksonville's trip to Pittsburgh for this Saturday's AFC wild-card game, Taylor had some choice words regarding the Steelers' Heinz Field.

"That field is terrible. "That's a lawsuit pending. That's ridiculous. But you are up there where it rains a lot and snows. That is just what happens and those are the elements. Maybe they should try to invest in FieldTurf next year or in the future," said Taylor.

Pittsburgh shudders at the thought of playing Taylor somewhere he is actually comfortable. He shredded the Steelers in Week 15 at Heinz Field, rushing for an opponent-record 147 yards. Taylor has 323 yards in three career starts at Pittsburgh, but he has only played once at Heinz Field.

He hung perhaps the most impressive performance at the old Three Rivers Stadium, going off for 234 yards and three touchdowns in the Jaguars' 34-24 victory in 2000.

Taylor would probably have to lead the class-action lawsuit on behalf of all the players who dominate on the ground against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, because he's the only player who can boast outstanding stats there late in the year. Jamal Lewis' 77 yards in 2006 is the closest a running back has come to 100 yards in December and January over the past two seasons.

No player, certainly none in December and January, have smacked the Steelers square in the mouth in Pittsburgh the way Taylor did in Week 15. But no team has ever beaten Pittsburgh twice in a season at Heinz Field, and the Steelers have won three of their last four wild-card round playoff games. Regardless of the condition of the field (no precipitation is being forecast), the Jaguars are going to run Taylor hard and often, looking for their first playoff win since coach Jack Del Rio took over in 2003.

While Taylor clearly is a major concern for the much-maligned Steeler ground defense, their own ability to run the ball will be largely hindered. The Steelers announced Tuesday they lost starting left tackle Max Starks to a meniscus tear in his left knee. Starks was filling in for LT Marvel Smith, who had back surgery after Week 16. Starks was placed on injured reserve, and while Smith hasn't been ruled out for the season, he won't play against Jacksonville.

Third-year man Trai Essex will be asked to protect Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's blind side. A tall task, especially considering the Steelers' starting line gave up five sacks to Jacksonville last month, along with just 221 total yards.

Including the loss to Jacksonville, the Steelers have dropped three of their past four games, including a 27-21 defeat at Baltimore in which Pittsburgh rested most of its key players. It's fitting, then, looking at how this season wrapped up down the stretch, that Starks was lost in a throwaway game. He went down with his injury in the first quarter, and Essex finished out the game.

The Steelers currently have two tackles on the practice squad, Matt Lentz and Jeremy Parquet, but neither has ever suited up for a game. With that in mind, Pittsburgh might have to scour the last-second wire to find a suitable tackle. That will be difficult, though.

Former Buccaneers tackle Kenyatta Walker is a free agent, has started in 74 games since 2001, and knows Steelers coach Mike Tomlin from his days in Tampa Bay. Walker was cut by the Panthers in September, but he is one of the few tackles available with game experience.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report