WHILE people continue trying to figure out how to pronounce his name in Pittsburgh, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala has bought a place to live. Running back rich
Steelers might consider
trading ‘Fu’"Fu," as some call him, is confident of a job in the National Football League, whose teams begin major cuts this week. A 40-yard touchdown run for the Steelers against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend made it even less likely that head coach Bill Cowher can bring himself to axe the former St. Louis prep star.
Cowher and his coaches think that Fuamatu-Ma'afala is going to develop into a solid NFL power runner, along the lines of Pro Bowler Jerome Bettis.
They also like having the young man's refreshingly sincere and constantly upbeat personality around the team. They like having a player they know doesn't smoke, drink or carouse, who will help keep their legal bills down.
But as the next week's final cuts approach, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports writer Ed Bouchette points out that the Steelers are top-heavy with good running backs. Somebody has to go.
BOUCHETTE says the Steelers usually keep only five halfbacks and fullbacks, and there are now seven on the roster.
Last year's Bettis backup, George Jones, may be on his way out, according to Bouchette. But that still leaves six.
Think trade. Bouchette says Fuamatu-Ma'afala, or second-year back Richard Huntley, who had 120 yards on six carries last weekend, would look better than anything the Kansas City Chiefs have right now in their weak backfield.
Bouchette says this is mere speculation on his part but it makes sense. Why would Cowher want to just throw away a valuable body like Fuamatu-Ma'afala?
The kid from Mayor Wright Housing can fetch a draft choice.
One thing is for sure. Just getting the chance to see him in a pro uniform is a treat. In fact, it's triumph over everything the NFL tries to forget each day.
ANOTHER former St. Louis star now in rookie camp, Olin Kreutz, appears to have nailed down the No. 1 or No. 2 center job with the Chicago Bears.
One thing worried offensive line coach Tony Wise -- that Kreutz' off-field personality was so quiet.
Last Friday against Buffalo, Kreutz dissolved those worries. His line call was so forceful that left tackle Andy Heck thought it was a snap count and got whistled for a false start.
So much for shyness.
Kreutz will start against the Jets Friday night.
Pat Bigold has covered sports for daily newspapers
in Hawaii and Massachusetts since 1978.