Kevin Gorman: These Steelers will let their blocking do the talking in the running game

That neither Zach Banner nor Roosevelt Nix talk much with the media has as much to do with their own personal reasons as it does the positions they play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A fullback who stars as a special-teams captain, Nix prefers to keep it low-key by doing the dirty work of blocking, tackling and making the occasional catch in short-yardage situations.

A swing tackle once projected as a first-round draft pick but now on his third NFL team, Banner wants to earn a spot in the starting lineup before he begins to bask in the limelight.

The blocking of the offensive line, with the support of Banner and Nix, got the running game going as the Steelers rolled to a season-high 158 rushing yards in their 27-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football” at Heinz Field.

Having Nix lined up as the lead blocker or Banner as an extra blocker was a sign the Steelers were serious about running the football, maybe the most important development for an offense struggling to find its identity.

“I thought we established a run game in ways offensively that we hadn’t done to this point in the season, so that was encouraging,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “I thought the inclusion of Rosie Nix and his availability probably was a significant component in that, not only in terms of the tangible things that he brings but just the general attitude and presence of a guy like that, a combat guy like that and what he does for a huddle and a unit, I thought, was significant.”

Where Tomlin talked about Nix having “an emotional bank account” with his teammates because of his body of work – and Conner tweeted a “thank you” to Nix on Monday — the Steelers coach was more reluctant to give backslaps for Banner.

The 6-foot-8, 360-pounder from USC has become a Heinz Field favorite, drawing hearty cheers from the crowd with every announcement that “No. 72 is tackle-eligible” as a jumbo tight end brought in as an additional run blocker.

Banner admitted he heard the crowd early on. No wonder he struggled to contain his smile. Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph drew laughter at his post-game news conference for his impersonation of Banner beaming in the huddle, and Tomlin warned he didn’t want Banner to become a cult hero.

Too late: Banner is getting the “Heath” treatment.

And he’s enjoying every second of it.

“It’s energetic,” Banner said. “You try not to get cussed out by your five older guys (on the line) because you don’t want to cheese. You want to keep it serious and professional. But it feels good, man.”

Both Banner and Nix are feel-good stories for the Steelers who could become important elements of the offense, taking pressure off Rudolph by bulldozing the defense. The Steelers are starting to look like a team that uses the run to open up the pass again, as they rushed for 100-plus yards for the second consecutive game after doing it seven times last season, including five in a row.

Seeing Conner (shoulder) and rookie Benny Snell (knee) leave the Dolphins game with injuries while Jaylen Samuels is returning from arthroscopic knee surgery doesn’t put the running back depth in a perilous position but places pressure on run blocking. That makes Banner and Nix even more valuable.

A converted defensive lineman who became a Pro Bowl fullback, Nix returned from a knee injury suffered in the season opener to serve as a punishing lead blocker as Conner rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. It was Conner’s first 100-yard game since Nov. 4 at Baltimore.

“It felt great,” said Nix, who played 20 snaps on offense and 14 on special teams. “I’m just glad to see James doing well. He’s a great back and deserves to be up there with the best. I’m glad to see him handle the load.”

Once projected as a first-rounder, Banner slipped to the fourth round but was cut by the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie and bounced from the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers before catching on with the Steelers in August 2018.

Banner dedicated himself to conditioning and dropped 80 pounds, and beat out third-round pick Chuks Okorafor in training camp to become the top backup at offensive tackle.

The Steelers have groomed their swing tackles, from Kelvin Beachum to Chris Hubbard, for starting jobs by having them first serve as a jumbo tight end. That way, they have game experience before they are called upon.

The formation also sends a formidable message to opponents.

“There’s a reason you go in as the jumbo tight end,” Banner said. “When they’re put in, they’re put in for a reason: We want you to go in and dominate, so I take pride.”

What Banner won’t take are pictures.

If the Steelers are going to go back to being ham-and-eggers on offense, they need more meat from Nix and Banner in their run game — and less cheese. They’ll let their blocking do the talking.

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