Dan Kreider Supplanted

Wow wow we wow! Its been a rough stretch for the former (that sounds odd) starting fullback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A week ago, Dan was sitting on the bubble, just wondering if he'd make the team. Less than a week later, he's been demoted in favor of an undrafted free agent, and could even be deactivated for the season opener.

PSaMP's preseason fave, Carey Davis, will occupy the starting fullback position for the season opener against the Browns. To be fair, I wanted Davis to make the team, but I assumed Danny would still be the starting fullback. I assumed wrong.

At this point, I'm wondering if Kreider did something to piss off Bruce Arians. Kreider has been the starter for the past five seasons, and his position was never questioned before Arians took control of the offense. First, Arians puts most of his stock in big, white TEs, then lets Kreider ride the bubble, then yanks him in favor of a guy who hasn't played a down in the NFL. And now he expects Willie Parker to build on last year's success? Even Willie said he wanted Dan blocking for him. This doesn't bode well for Fast Bill.

This is nothing against Davis. I love what he did in the preseason, and I expect great things from him. I just can't see the running game excelling with this lack of consistency. Jerome Bettis was mad when Tim Lester was let go. There must be some consistency between RB and FB for any hope of success. Willie said he's comfortable with Kreider, and that's been taken away. I know Arians said the position will be evaluated week by week, but that just adds to the inconsistency.

I really hope Arians knows what he's doing. He's not the Offensive Coordinator of the Browns anymore.

Willie Wants Dan In Front

This picture is not the reason why.

Yesterday, in my Bettis book critique, I touched on Bettis' anger over the team cutting Tim Lester in 1999.

Bill Parker has a similar opinion in 2007. He wants Dan Kreider, not some Tight End, blocking for him when the season opens.

"I prefer to have a fullback," said Parker, who was third in the American Football Conference last season with 1,494 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. "You always want a lead blocker and someone who takes it in there. And a fullback, they just go and take it in there and block somebody to clear a path. Dan Kreider is a good fullback."

Bruce Arians' new offense calls for an assload of TEs. Tuman will make the team. '06 and '07 draft picks Miller and Spaeth will make the team. There is even a chance that either Jonathan Dekker or Cody Boyd also make the roster. That leaves nary a spot for 5 year starter Dan Kreider. Arians would prefer to have TEs line up all over the field, as wideouts, linemen, or even in the backfield as blockers for Fast Bill.

However, no one has asked Bill, and he apparently wants #35.

Dan's paid his dues. He's had his ups and downs, and is a more-than-suitable lead blocker. If he doesn't make the team, I don't see other teams waiting long to snatch him up. Besides, Willie is the first Pittsburgh RB to record back to back 1000 yard seasons since Bettis, and is a threat to take it to the house on every touch. Much of his success depends on the reliability of Dan Kreider, and discarding him for a Tight End doesn't bode well.

So yeah, there were a lot of Bettis' comments I didn't agree with, but his feelings toward the team cutting Lester ring true today. Bettis had a HOF career with or without Tim Lester, but the consistency issue is a major point. If the fans and organization want to see Bill Parker continue to develop into a consistent Pro Bowler, he's going to need Kreider, the only fullback in his career, up in front.