hawaiiansteel
09-22-2011, 02:34 AM
https://admin-newyork1.bloxcms.com/timesonline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/64/464abb7e-ba25-11e0-811a-001a4bcf6878/4e331e8facbbf.image.jpg
Bires: Redman a revelation
Posted: Tuesday, September 20, 2011
By Mike Bires mbires@timesonline.com
http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/timesonline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/57/157d06a5-5304-5d40-866c-007c199fe9e3/4e792df2341a5.preview-300.jpg
Isaac Redman hit paydirt on a 20-yard run Sunday against Seattle.
PITTSBURGH - As the man who backs up the "lead dog," Isaac Redman knows his opportunities are limited. But that doesn't stop him from making the most of his few chances.
Redman's story is quite refreshing. He made the Steelers' roster in 2009 as an undrafted rookie out of Bowie State. He's the first alum from the NCAA Division II school in Maryland to play a snap in the NFL.
As a rookie, Redman hardly played. As the fourth running back on the roster, he only dressed in one game, not even touching the ball once.
But over the last two years, he's emerged as the No. 2 option at running back behind Rashard Mendenhall.
"I want people to know that I can do the job," he said.
Redman certainly did that last November by scoring the winning touchdown in a 13-10 win in Baltimore, a come-from-behind thriller that put the Steelers in command of the AFC North. On a third-and-goal from the 9-yard line, Ben Roethlisberger dumped off to Redman when all his other receivers were covered.
After catching the pass, Redman broke a tackle and bulled his way into the end. That instantly catapulted him into a Steeler hero.
"That was the game that ultimately gave us home-field advantage in the playoffs," he said. "And the funny thing about it, I shouldn't have even been on the field. That was a play for (third-down back) Mewelde Moore. But by the time the coaches realized I was out there, it was too late to make a change. So I guess you can say the rest was history."
Redman nor anyone else on offense was much of factor when the Steelers returned to Baltimore for this year's season opener, a 35-7 debacle. But on Sunday when the Steelers crushed the Seahawks, 24-0, Redman broke free for a 20-yard TD run in the second quarter. It was easily his most impressive run as a pro as he sprinted through the hole and then juked out a defensive back once he got into the secondary.
"Whenever I get the ball in my hands I want to make something happen," said Redman, who complemented Mendenhall's 66-yard performance with 49 rushing yards of his own.
Clearly, Mendenhall is the "lead dog" (as offensive coordinator Bruce Arians refers to him) when the Steelers run the ball. After all, Mendenhall rushed for 1,108 and 1,273 yards the past two seasons.
But Redman is a great option to have whenever Mendenhall needs rested. After two games, Mendenhall averages 3.5 yards per carry. Redman averages 4.9.
Maybe the Steelers need to expand his workload.
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steel ... 2b8d6.html (http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/bires-redman-a-revelation/article_30e5fc48-1df3-563d-95e0-c33835a2b8d6.html)
Bires: Redman a revelation
Posted: Tuesday, September 20, 2011
By Mike Bires mbires@timesonline.com
http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/timesonline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/57/157d06a5-5304-5d40-866c-007c199fe9e3/4e792df2341a5.preview-300.jpg
Isaac Redman hit paydirt on a 20-yard run Sunday against Seattle.
PITTSBURGH - As the man who backs up the "lead dog," Isaac Redman knows his opportunities are limited. But that doesn't stop him from making the most of his few chances.
Redman's story is quite refreshing. He made the Steelers' roster in 2009 as an undrafted rookie out of Bowie State. He's the first alum from the NCAA Division II school in Maryland to play a snap in the NFL.
As a rookie, Redman hardly played. As the fourth running back on the roster, he only dressed in one game, not even touching the ball once.
But over the last two years, he's emerged as the No. 2 option at running back behind Rashard Mendenhall.
"I want people to know that I can do the job," he said.
Redman certainly did that last November by scoring the winning touchdown in a 13-10 win in Baltimore, a come-from-behind thriller that put the Steelers in command of the AFC North. On a third-and-goal from the 9-yard line, Ben Roethlisberger dumped off to Redman when all his other receivers were covered.
After catching the pass, Redman broke a tackle and bulled his way into the end. That instantly catapulted him into a Steeler hero.
"That was the game that ultimately gave us home-field advantage in the playoffs," he said. "And the funny thing about it, I shouldn't have even been on the field. That was a play for (third-down back) Mewelde Moore. But by the time the coaches realized I was out there, it was too late to make a change. So I guess you can say the rest was history."
Redman nor anyone else on offense was much of factor when the Steelers returned to Baltimore for this year's season opener, a 35-7 debacle. But on Sunday when the Steelers crushed the Seahawks, 24-0, Redman broke free for a 20-yard TD run in the second quarter. It was easily his most impressive run as a pro as he sprinted through the hole and then juked out a defensive back once he got into the secondary.
"Whenever I get the ball in my hands I want to make something happen," said Redman, who complemented Mendenhall's 66-yard performance with 49 rushing yards of his own.
Clearly, Mendenhall is the "lead dog" (as offensive coordinator Bruce Arians refers to him) when the Steelers run the ball. After all, Mendenhall rushed for 1,108 and 1,273 yards the past two seasons.
But Redman is a great option to have whenever Mendenhall needs rested. After two games, Mendenhall averages 3.5 yards per carry. Redman averages 4.9.
Maybe the Steelers need to expand his workload.
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steel ... 2b8d6.html (http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/bires-redman-a-revelation/article_30e5fc48-1df3-563d-95e0-c33835a2b8d6.html)