THE Pittsburgh Steelers have a variety of problems right now in their bid for the AFC Central Division title. ‘Fu’ can help Steelers’
run for AFC titleAfter Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Oilers, they're 5-3 behind Jacksonville (6-2) and in comes Green Bay next Monday.
Follow the Pack with a trip to Tennessee and then a home game against the Jaguars and you can see Pittsburgh in real danger of not making the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
I don't know if Mike Tomczak will solve their problem with Kordell Stewart.
But with the Steelers' running game taking such a beating behind an inexperienced line these days, why in the heck aren't they making better use of Hawaii rookie Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala?
Have you noticed that Jerome Bettis, who takes the brunt of the beating, is now 11th in AFC rushing with 558 yards?
After a preseason in which his coaches hailed him as an answer to Bettis' prayer for a backup of similar size and running style who could spell him, look at the stats on the player fans call "Fu." The Steelers have given him only five chances to carry the ball. He scored a touchdown on one of those carries.
Altogether, Steelers backs have only four rushing TDs.
Meanwhile, Fuamatu-Ma'afala is relegated to third-down situations and special teams play. His running backs coach, Dick Hoak, says he's doing well for a rookie.
OK. Hoak knows a ton about this game and I know precious little.
But, am I wrong in wondering why Fuamatu-Ma'afala, in whom head coach Bill Cowher seems to invest so much hope for the future, isn't deployed to give the Steelers a true triple threat running the ball?
No. 2 running back Richard Huntley has been outstanding some Sundays, but these are the times that try men's bodies. It can't hurt to have a third big body in there to ease the pressure on the No. 1 guy.
Bettis has already been banged up this season. If Fuamatu-Ma'afala were to relieve him of a few extra carries, he just might help the Pro Bowler stay healthy enough to lead the Steelers back to the playoffs.
I know Bettis is designed to be the workhorse, but with this anemic line, even he could wind up in the glue factory.
Fuamatu-Ma'afala was called "The Truck" at Utah, and that was when his belly popped over his belt.
Now, he's sleek, has better speed and is a bonafide threat running the ball in the NFL.
Recall that preseason play in which he blew apart a defensive back en route to a first down at Three Rivers Stadium?
Remember the camera focusing on the smile that immediately creased Cowher's face? Remember Fuamatu-Ma'afala rising from the turf to embrace Bettis with a powderkeg of enthusiasm?
The Titanic had an excuse for sinking because it didn't have enough lifeboats. But Pittsburgh has Fuamatu-Ma'afala and his big mitts are empty.
He may not be able to save the Pittsburgh ship, but I just think it's foolhardy not to launch him before it's too late.
And while we are on the subject of locally born players in the NFL being underused, what's the deal with former Pac-Five and Washington linebacker Ink Aleaga?
Hard to believe he isn't getting another chance to start with the New Orleans Saints (4-4 in NFC West), who should welcome anything good that comes their way.
The last time Aleaga started was Oct. 4 at the Superdome against the New England Patriots. He had seven tackles (four solo), including a sack.
I'd say that was a promising performance by a guy who's hungry enough to devour 10 Drew Bledsoes.
No one is so invaluable in the Saints defense that Mike Ditka couldn't go out on a limb and let Aleaga try to satisfy his appetite.
Pat Bigold has covered sports for daily newspapers
in Hawaii and Massachusetts since 1978.