Steelers guard B.J. Finney cowboys up on Le’Veon Bell’s record day
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. ëƵ In his 10-gallon hat, cowboy boots and duster, B.J. Finney moseyed triumphantly out into the snowy Buffalo night.
If it seems odd that a 25-year-old Kansan would be wearing the Roy Rogers attire in Western New York in December, it is. But itëƵs no less odd that Finney would be part of a Steelers offensive line that was the catalyst behind LeëƵVeon BellëƵs record-breaking day.
On 39 carries, more than a few of them of the highlight-reel variety, Bell rushed for an astounding 236 yards and three touchdowns in SundayëƵs 27-20 win over the Buffalo Bills at snowy New Era Field.
Consider this: Bell had more rushing yards in a game than Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, John Henry Johnson or any other running back to ever wear a Steelers uniform.
And for that, Bell can thank ëƵ among many others ëƵ Finney.
Yes, the same Finney who was undrafted out of Kansas and spent all of last season on the practice squad. That guy. Finney made just the second start of his fledgling career on Sunday after left guard Ramon Foster was inactive with a chest injury. That left Finney with the best seat in the house to watch BellëƵs masterful performance, sort of.
ëƵThe only time I watch is when heëƵs 10 yards downfield,ëƵ Finney said with a big smile. ëƵThe rest of the time, IëƵm doing my job.ëƵ
Well, Finney and his colleagues did their jobs very well against a Buffalo pass rush that had 33 sacks entering the game. On Sunday, they got none. It was the third time in four games that Ben Roethlisberger had a clean pocket. Finney went up against Marcel Dareus and got the better of BuffaloëƵs two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
But it was in run blocking where the Steelers have really excelled during their four-game winning streak. Not coincidentally, it was the fourth straight game that Bell reached the century mark in rushing yards, tying a team record set by Willie Parker in 2006-07.
ëƵThose guys worked their tails off today,ëƵ Bell said of his linemen.
ëƵEverything is just clicking,ëƵ Finney said. ëƵGetting guys in the right areas, getting the right blocks and staying on blocks. All the little things are starting to click and fall in place, and as a result we were able to move the ball.ëƵ
On Sunday, in a game in which the Steelers figured to run the ball, they finally got around to it in the second half after throwing the ball ëƵ with little success ëƵ 26 times through the snow in the first half. In the second half, Bell carried the ball 25 times and Buffalo was powerless to stop him.
ëƵItëƵs awesome,ëƵ Finney said. ëƵThe guy runs hard and hits the holes and obviously today was proof of that. Today was just an awesome feeling when you get a running back over 200.ëƵ
ItëƵs the kind of game Finney has been dreaming of since he was a kid back in Kansas. He may have grown up in Wichita, but his heart ëƵ at least in terms of football ëƵ has always been in Pittsburgh. Finney is a second-generation Steelers fan and a video of him getting emotional after signing with the team became an internet sensation last spring. Finney doesnëƵt hide from that clip or the cowboy attire he sports to games, a joke owing to his country roots.
ëƵBeing a little kid and wishing you could play for this team is a dream come true,ëƵ Finney said. ëƵItëƵs cheesy, itëƵs corny, yeah, I know.
ëƵBut IëƵm here to contribute and I want to play and set (those feelings) aside. IëƵll reflect on that at the end of the season and hopefully IëƵll be back.ëƵ
Before Sunday, Finney had played 152 snaps on offense, 59 of them coming in the SteelersëƵ Week 4 home win over Kansas City. Finney played exceedingly well in place of Foster in that game, too.
ëƵWasnëƵt surprised,ëƵ right guard David DeCastro of Finney. ëƵHe did a helluva job last game he started. We definitely had great expectations.ëƵ
Obviously, Foster is the Steelers starting left guard when healthy, but depth players like Finney and Chris Hubbard, who has carved a niche as a third tackle on run downs, have been instrumental in PittsburghëƵs resurgence in the second half of the season.
ëƵIt means lot,ëƵ Finney said. ëƵTo win in December, however we can get it done weëƵre going to get it done.ëƵ
Even if that means wearing the cowboy garb for another seven weeks or so.