Wednesday, September 17, 2003

The Steelers can't run the football. That was evident Sunday at Kansas City.

The Steelers already have stopped throwing to the tight end. That was evident Sunday at Kansas City when Jay Riemersma had no receptions and had only one pass tossed his way.

Given those two facts, logic dictates a change at the tight end position. It's time to play Mark Bruener, to have him resume his role as the best blocking tight end in pro football and to let him bail out one side of the Steelers' pathetic offensive line (I strongly suggest the right).

With all due respect to Riemersma and his pass-catching skills, he's going to be just another tight end the Steelers don't throw to. He isn't the first and won't be the last.

If the tight end, as usual, isn't going to be a threat to catch passes, then Riemersma's receiving abilities are useless. For the Steelers, the tight end's primary job is blocking. Always has been, always will be. The idea of otherwise involving the tight end in the offense has always been mere empty talk.

So play the best blocker. That's common sense. And that's Bruener.

The Steelers have enough weapons. I'm not sure they utilize some of them often enough. Antwaan Randle El has been invisible. Amos Zereoue isn't catching nearly enough passes out of the backfield. The primary targets of the Steelers' passing game are Plaxico Burress and Hines Ward. That's not going to change, nor should it, and using a tight end as a seldom thrown-to decoy won't fool anybody.

But quality blocking by the tight end might give Tommy Maddox more time to find Burress and Ward. Quality blocking by the tight end might help revive the Steelers' clinically dead running game.

By the way, I wouldn't demote Zereoue and make Jerome Bettis the No. 1 back just yet. There were no holes for any back to exploit at Kansas City. Jim Brown in his prime would have struggled.

Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey has a great offensive mind. But fancier isn't always better. More complicated doesn't always work.

I've heard about the Steelers' game plans this season. They're thicker than the Beijing phone book and a lot harder to decipher. There's a fine line between genius and mad scientist. Mularkey should avoid outsmarting himself, and he shouldn't try to sign his name to everything. Mularkey is a Sam Wyche disciple, and sometimes it shows.

The Steelers aren't a very tough team right now, especially on offense. That was proved when Maddox felt compelled to throw a punch at a Chiefs player Sunday with the game long since decided. None of the Steelers rushed to Maddox's aid. But then, what's to be expected when nobody hits anybody all game long? Maybe a tight end who eschews finesse for muscle could shake things up some.

More tangibly, Bruener lining up on the right side most plays might help right tackle Todd Fordham and right guard Kendall Simmons look something other than horrendous.

Marvel Smith struggles at left tackle sometimes, but he's learning a new position and is improving. Alan Faneca is consistent and solid. Jeff Hartings is playing injured for the second year in a row, and Ryan Sims used him for a turnstile Sunday, but Hartings is a seasoned pro who usually gets it done.

But the right side of the offensive line looks hopeless. Fordham is a player of very little pedigree, and it shows. Simmons is a second-year pro who must find a way to cope with inexperience and his recently diagnosed case of diabetes, and it shows.

Given all that, how does a receiving tight end help more than a blocking tight end? Go ahead, overwhelm me with logic. You can't, can you?

Bruener has handled his demotion well. Just like he handled his monstrous pay cut. Just like he handled his umpteen previous contract renegotiations for the sake of helping the team. Just like he handled never getting a pass thrown his way.

Pro football is a game with little loyalty, and that's no complaint. That's just business.

But Bruener has made countless sacrifices for the good of the Steelers. He has been injured quite a bit the past two years, true, but when Bruener is available, he always gives 110 percent and then some. Two weeks of being at the top of the pay-no-mind list has no doubt given him a boundless reserve of energy.

I say unleash that energy on the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday. It just makes sense.

Let me add a disclaimer:

Playing Bruener doesn't make sense if having a flashy offense you can build a reputation on is more important than winning. Playing Bruener doesn't make sense if you somehow believe an additional decoy is more valuable than an additional blocker. Playing Bruener doesn't make sense if you enjoy watching Fordham and Simmons perfect blocking techniques pioneered by Larry and Moe.

If nothing else, the choice at tight end will let us know one important thing about Mularkey. It will let us know what his priorities are.

Mark Madden is the host of a sports talk show from 3-7 p.m. weekdays on WEAE-AM (1250).

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