Duce, the BUS, and Ben

There are reports that Duce will not dress this weekend against CHI and that Haynes will take back 3^rd down duty.� So, once again, our starting RB from last year is more or less a 4^th stringer.� I�m not sure if there is some lingering concern with his knees, but he is not on the injury report, so I have to assume that he is healthy or close enough to it to play at full speed.

Let me say that I have been a pretty big BUS fan, and last year I praised his surprising performance, averaged 4.0 YPC when he started.� But I�m not sure at this point if there is anything the BUS can do that Duce cannot.� Duce is over 240 lbs, up from last year, and unlike the BUS, it is all muscle.� He can move the pile with the best of them.� I AM sure there are many things that Duce can do, that the BUS cannot.�

I think the BUS should take a seat and let Staley split carries with Parker, if not take over the starting job.� Between Parker and Staley, it�s a tough call.� I would say it depends on the run defense we face, as certain defenses require a power runner and some do not.� But I�m pretty sure Staley should be on the field in some way.

There is also the concern that you cannot get any �rhythm� when you platoon RBs like Cowher is doing.� I tend to agree, but it also depends on the back.� It seems the power backs need more carries to get going.� It will be interesting to see what happens next year, as I still feel that if Parker put on about 10-15 lbs, he could be a promising feature back.

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Wow, am I tired of hearing all about the Bengals and how a �new era� has begun, blahblah�.�� How Palmer is now �clearly� a better QB than Ben.� These TV reporters are so fickle, it makes me sick.� To be clear, Cinci did embarrass our defense, but many teams have been doing that the past 5-7 weeks.� After all, we have zero pass rush, and our LBs are playing like bastard step-children of their former selves, especially Porter and Farrior.� Foote has always been suspect and it catching up with us now.� I like Haggans, and I think Harrison has had his moments, but we have no pure �Kearse/Taylor� like speed rusher and the blitzes are not working anymore.� So my point is that the Bengals have a really good offense, but that�s about it.� I sincerely hope that we draft a specialty LB in the 1^st or 2^nd round next year and actually get them playing time (see Jackson, Alonzo).

As for Big Ben, he defiantly has a broken thumb.� There is little doubt.� When they ask Ben or Cowher about if the thumb is broken and they say they will not talk about it; that means YES.� He broke his thumb against Indy and has had an intermittent case of the wobbles ever since.� I really think we should consider Batch this weekend if Ben struggles early.��� Just because Ben will not use the thumb as an excuse, I will.� Ben even admitted that he could not throw the long ball (over 40 yards) to C. Wilson on one play last week.� Who knows what would have happened the past 3 weeks had he been healthy.� I agree with Mill that he gets the Hard Hat as 2 of his 3 picks against Cinci would probably have not happened otherwise.

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Well we have about a 23.43% chance of getting in the playoffs, so lets strap in and watch the mediocrity!

Go Steelers!