Chad Spann is a reserve running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers after stops with the Colts and Buccaneers. I have interviewed Spann multiple times since this time last year. The former NIU walk-on who began his career ninth on the depth chart and ended it as the 2010 NCAA touchdown leader is a confident but grounded player who learned early that everything he’s going to get as a football player will be earned with hard work and persistence.

It won’t be a surprise to most fans if Pittsburgh drafts a running back in the mid-to-late rounds as a hedge for Rashard Mendenhall’s recovery from a knee injury. Even so, Spann is still the only healthy running back on the roster with change of pace, third-down skills. There’s a strong likelihood that Spann’s name becomes more common on the lips of beat writers this summer.

More stories about Spann at the RSP blog:

• New York Times Fifth Down Blog Q&A w/Chad Spann
• Behind the Blue Curtain: A Glimpse at Colts Training Camp
• Behind the Blue Curtain Part II
• Behind the Blue Curtain Part III: Making the Cut the Hard Way
• Stiff Arms and Green Dogs: Grinding Tape with Chad Spann
• Grinding Tape Part III
• Grinding Tape Part II
• Grinding Tape Part I
  

Bottom line, I liked Spann’s game before I had a chance to speak with him. However, I have no problem admitting Continue reading →