Randle El among Steelers' book of tricks

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- Kordell Stewart may be gone, but it doesn't mean the Pittsburgh Steelers have any shortage of trick plays or a trickster.

With Stewart in Chicago, former Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El has reveled in his role as perhaps the Steelers' most unique playmaker.

During camp, Randle El has lined up as a quarterback, tailback and even a holder.

Randle El may not be as polished as Maddox, but "you're going to have to account for him," special-teams coach Kevin Spencer said.

As a rookie, Randle El caught 47 passes for 489 yards, returned 11 punts for 257 yards, rushed 19 times for 134 yards and returned 32 kickoffs for 733 yards. He also completed 7 of 8 passes for 45 yards.

"I love all of these trick plays because they work," Randle El said, pausing briefly, "all the time."

Maybe not all the time. During practice Monday, Randle El's wide-receiver screen pass to Hines Ward fell well short.

On the following play, he took a short screen pass from quarterback Tommy Maddox, sidestepped a defender and sped through the secondary for a touchdown, showing that he may be more of a receiving threat.

Not that he necessarily agrees.

"Oh, no. I can throw," he said. "What you didn't see on the play was No. 97 [Kendrell Bell]. He was coming full speed," Randle El said. "If I would've waited any longer, I would've hit my hand on his helmet and I'd be sitting on the sideline with a broken finger."

Randle El says he's "in a groove," but he could have a hard time finding himself in pass plays this season. He is still slotted behind Ward and Plaxico Burress, both of whom had more than 1,300 yards receiving last season.

The Steelers also added a pass-catching tight end and are determined to keep their running game as integral as its always been under head coach Bill Cowher.

"It may limit my chances on the field, but you've got to remember, we have the ability to use three wide receivers at any given time," he said. "We have packages that get me in the game.

"I know they're going to use me, so I don't worry about that. They want to run more, but when it's time to get us in, they've got plays for me."

 

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