Jerome Bettis

There were lots of “this Bus has a flat tire” jokes before last season, but if your fantasy team played Bettis in Weeks 9-12 when he had four consecutive 100-yard games and three scores, we doubt you laughed. Of course, Bettis wasn’t much more than a goal-line specialist before running mate Duce Staley got hurt, but once Bettis had the backfield to himself, he recorded six 100-yard efforts in nine games. And Bettis was outstanding around the goal line, using his powerful legs and surprisingly quick feet to convert 12-of-23 attempts from inside the five into scores. Bettis had talked of retirement after Pittsburgh’s loss to New England in the AFC Championship, and still hasn’t totally committed to returning for 2005, but at press time it’s likely he’ll be back. With Staley healthy again, and Bettis, at 33 and with 3,369 career carries under his belt, don’t expect too many more 100-yard outings for the Bus, but he could still be a good option in touchdown leagues if he plays.

Bettis is no longer the feature back in Pittsburgh. Duce Staley was signed to be the Steelers' all-purpose ground gainer. Bettis will be limited to 10 touches or less per game, making him only a handcuff to Staley for Staley owners. In scoring only leagues Bettis may prove useful but wait for training camp to see if he'll be a fixture in goal-line formations.

Bettis will start the 2003 season as the No. 2 running back behind Amos Zereoue. Is this the end of the line for The Bus, or will he have another run or two left in him? Hard to say. He's no longer someone you can grab with confidence.