Steelers Game Preview: Players To Watch Vs. The Redskins

4. LaRod Stephens-Howling

Aug 10, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (34) carries the ball as New York Giants outside linebacker Spencer Paysinger (52) defends during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A guy also known as “the Hyphen” was picked up by the Steelers right before the 2013 draft, and up until late, the signing of Stephens-Howling was seen as unimportant. After watching LaRod run the ball against the Giants, you begin to see that Todd Haley and the Steelers have bigger ideas for the 5’7 running back.

Against the Giants, Stephens-Howling displayed great vision along with a great ability to make a cut and hit the hole. This is the perfect type of back to run the outside zone scheme that the Steelers are trying to carry out.

Originally, many thought he was brought in to take over return duties, after being a successful return man in Arizona, returning 3 touchdowns, as well as over 4,000 return yards since his rookie year in 2009.

Against the Giants, he was not given any return duties, but that figures to change against the Redskins. I am interested to see if Larod Stephens-Howling can still be the return man he was in 2009 and 2010.