It’s become a running joke. And you gotta laugh to keep from crying. You don’t need to hear anything else but “the pony backfield” to know it’s training camp. For years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have trotted out their pony package – two running back groupings – in the summer. And for years, it’s disappeared once the regular season starts.
This summer has started the same way. Through three practices, Pittsburgh has used as many pony backfields as any grouping. Anthony McFarland has been the biggest benefactor. Often in these groupings, there is the traditional deep back behind or sidecar to the quarterback.