Staley’s return will park the Bus
The Pittsburgh Steelers are about to reward Jerome Bettis for one of the best three-game stretches of his career with some time off, even if he doesn’t really want it.
With starter Duce Staley expected to play Sunday against the Redskins (3-7) after missing three games with a bruised hamstring, Bettis returns to the bench as the Steelers (9-1) go for their ninth consecutive victory.
“Obviously, the Bus has been rolling unbelievable, but it’s going to be nice to have some rest back there for Jerome,” rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said.
It’s a familiar scenario for Bettis. Despite passing Tony Dorsett on Sunday to move into fifth place in NFL career rushing with 12,863 yards — the Jets’ Curtis Martin is right behind him — Bettis has been benched each of the last two seasons.
Still, it’s rare to sit someone playing as well as Bettis is, averaging 127 yards against the Eagles, Browns and Bengals. That average is higher than Staley’s 101 yards per game average, though Staley has four 100-yard games in his last five starts.
“This is Duce’s job,” said Bettis, who had 91 carries the last three weeks after getting only 52 in the first seven games.
With at least one Steelers back rushing for 100 yards or more in all but two of their 10 games, Staley said, “I strongly believe we have the best 1-2 combination in the league.”
Giants looking to slow down T.O.
Will Allen doesn’t mind watching Terrell Owens do his elaborate touchdown celebrations.
The New York Giants cornerback just doesn’t want to see the Philadelphia Eagles receiver do it on Sunday at Giants Stadium.
In the season opener against the Giants, Owens had the opportunity to dance three times in Philadelphia’s one-sided 31-17 win. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns in that game.
The Giants (5-5) know they can’t allow that again if they want to end a three-game losing streak and prevent the Eagles (9-1) from clinching the NFC East.
If there is a positive for the Giants, it’s this: Their defense has improved since Week 1’s debut of coordinator Tim Lewis’ system.
Allen also is healthy now; he played the opener with nagging injuries.
Jets extend Bradway’s contract
New York Jets general manager Terry Bradway received a two-year contract extension that will keep him in the organization through 2007.
Bradway, in his fourth season with the team, had been criticized last year for allowing four players to leave for the Washington Redskins during free agency while not upgrading key positions.
But last offseason Bradway picked up starters Jonathan Vilma (linebacker) and former WSU Cougar Erik Coleman (safety) in the draft and seven other rookies have made key contributions.
Free-agent acquisitions David Barrett, Eric Barton and Reggie Tongue also start, and Bradway also traded for receiver Justin McCareins.