Toussaint, Richardson will be important during first month of season
PITTSBURGH — Throughout the preseason, Fitzgerald Toussaint and Daryl Richardson have been battling for a spot on the Steelers’ 53-man roster as the No. 3 running back. Before the Steelers broke camp at St. Vincent College, Mike Tomlin laid it out pretty clear.
“Different guys bring different strengths to the table, and have had their moments,” he said on August 16. “It’s going to be interesting to see how they work to minimize known weaknesses and show consistency in areas of strength.”
From Toussaint, Tomlin wanted more splash. From Richardson, it was about a stronger effort on special teams, his most clear avenue to earning a roster spot.
“They have areas of needed improvement,” Tomlin said. “The next couple of weeks are going to shape their story and ours in terms of their availability and how we utilize them.”
Since then, their stories experienced a sharp turn that, in the short-term, may not benefit their team as much as it benefits them both individually.
On August 19, Le’Veon Bell’s three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy became finalized. That means, for at least the first month of the season, both Toussaint and Richardson will be on the active roster. DeAngelo Williams will be the primary running back, with Toussaint and Richardson checking in on occasion to provide support. Williams has proven he’s capable of handling the load, but he’s also 34. Toussaint and Richardson’s roles will be important.
In addition, Bell’s suspension will be an opportunity for both running backs to improve the weaknesses Tomlin alluded to into strengths, and further “shape their stories” into becoming more well-rounded backs.
“I always felt good,” Richardson said. “That’s very unfortunate what happened, and hopefully [Le’Veon] will come back ready, but I always came out being confident.
“I’ve just been coming in here prepared and trying to progress,” he said. “I want to be a better player than I was yesterday. I’m trying to build trust and stay in the playbook to make sure [Tomlin] knows that I know what I’m doing.”
Richardson has received the bulk of the carries through the preseason, almost double the amount of Toussaint, and has flashed the speed, change in pace and explosiveness to bounce runs to the outside. He has rushed 30 times for 79 yards while Toussaint has 46 yards on 19 carries. Both are averaging 2.6 yards per carry. The Steelers know what they have in the Toussaint from his play late last season, so the dropoff in carries has more to do with trying to find out what they have in Richardson.
Regardless, Toussaint would be the likely favorite for the No. 3 spot if Bell had never received a suspension. But by the end of second preseason game against the Lions, even in limited work, Toussaint had a clear indication of what he needed to do to bring more of the splash that Tomlin wants.
“Bring energy,” he said. “See it and hit it. Just run the ball effectively and try to do everything in my power to protect the quarterback.”
Both he and Richardson stressed that the competition has brought out the best in of them.
“It’s kind of simple,” Toussaint said. “We go out and compete at the highest level. Go out there and make plays and do everything that’s in my power to go out there and play effectively.”
“We all competitors,” Richardson said. “We all got that mindset to win, and it’s just part of the game and part of life.”
The Steelers have one final preseason game against the Panthers next Thursday, one in which both Toussaint and Richardson will see a lot of reps considering none of the starters will play. Although one of them may remain on the roster long term, all they can do is continue to show Tomlin the progression he’s looking for.
And maybe, it may just force the Steelers’ hand to go with four running backs once Bell does return.