STEELERS Revamped line triggers running game

Marvel Smith has replaced departed Wayne Gandy at left tackle.
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- A Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line beset by injuries and position changes believes things are starting to jell.
On the first play of the team's second goal-line session of training camp Saturday, the line blew open a hole for Jerome Bettis, who ran 5 yards for a touchdown.
In the first session on Wednesday, the Steelers failed to score on four inside running plays. The revamped offensive line was one of the reasons, but Saturday's success is being viewed as a turning point.
"Since we didn't score last time it kind of left a sour taste in our mouth," said guard Alan Faneca. "To come in and knock it out in one play is sweet."
"We're starting to come together the last couple days," Faneca said. "If you were in our meeting room watching the film from practices you could see the things that aren't particular to the play, as far as knowing where your buddy is and what they're doing and what guys two spots over are doing, so all of [a] sudden, bam, you're helping him out. Things like that are starting to come around the last couple of days."
Faneca stays put
Faneca provides stability for an otherwise revolving front wall. The two-time All-Pro enters his sixth season as the Steelers' left guard, but the names all around him are changing.
To Faneca's left, Marvel Smith lines up at the tackle spot formerly held by departed free agent Wayne Gandy. To Faneca's right, Jeff Hartings is struggling with a knee injury.
A little farther down the line, Keydrick Vincent starts in place of Kendall Simmons at right guard. The length of Vincent's stay will depend upon how quickly Simmons recovers from the onset of diabetes, which led to a 30-pound weight drop in the weeks preceding camp.
At right tackle is Oliver Ross, who failed as a right guard last year and struggled through the first week of camp this year.
Hampton blocked
The Steelers' line problems seemed further removed Saturday when Bettis slipped through a hole opened by Faneca, Hartings and tight end Jerame Tuman, who came around to help block nose tackle Casey Hampton.
"I think they are doing well," coach Bill Cowher said. "Marvel and Alan over there have had a good first week.
"Not having Kendall in there is giving Keydrick an opportunity and I thought that he had a good first week. Obviously we would like to get Kendall back sometime next week."
Simmons has gained some of the weight back, but his loss of muscle definition is obvious. He's learning to monitor his sugar levels while jogging and lifting weights.
The most consistent linemen have been Faneca and Smith. The latter was considered a question mark coming into camp after moving over from right tackle.
"He's doing a great job," Faneca said. "I think he's still finding his comfort zone, as far as moving from right to left and getting used to me as compared to Kendall. He's doing a great job. We're jelling, us two together, and starting to feel good over there."