GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

[BDESteel]

Rashard Mendenhall! I keep reading that Ben sucks, the receivers suck, the O-line sucks, the Defense sucks. Well, I'm saying it Mendenhall. Delicious is straight up nasty right now.

The guy's barely averaging 3.0 yds/carry. This won't help any team get a win let alone a team with a weak o-line like ours. I mean, come on, Memo has 4 carries for 34 yds, an 8.5 avg. Redman has 6 carries for 40 yds, a 6.6 avg and moldy Rashard has 9 carries for 25 yds, a 2.7 yard average,,, really!

Sit Mendy down and give Redman the start. With his 6.6 yard average the Steelers can actually attempt more than 19 rushes / game and keep the opposing teams defense from bringing the house on every play. This would sustain drives so our D could get ample rest, we'd control the clock instead of the other guys controlling the clock. I don't know about you, but I'm not used to watching Ben sit on the sideline for 11 minutes waiting for his chance to score some points. Ben wouldn't get pummeled like he has been, which would give him and his recievers time to run average, effective short routes instead of going for the home run so much. Establish the RUN GAME, that's it.

Start Isaac Redman next week and we'll see everything change. The defense has allowed an average of 18 points / game, historically that's been enough for us to win games! Start Redman!

[Steelgal]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

I have never been a huge Mendenhall fan. I think he's an average back, nothing special. I didn't see the game yesterday, but listened to it in the car. Redman seemed to have more success. I'm all for him getting more carries or even taking over the starting role. Let's see what the kid can do.

[LouSteel]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

I think the REAL problem is the OL... but I think that, given the crummy line the backs have to work with, we need to play a guy that hits a hole with authority rather than trying to buy time for blocks that will never develop.

So yeah, Redman definitely showed that he deserves more carries.

[chiken]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

hmm, hard to dispute those numbers. And he does advance through Cracks that Mendy seems to try and Dance around.

could it really be that simple..

I'm drinking the koolaid on this one..

I hope we try it (Mendy is dinged up so this might be the absolute right time to give it a go) Something has got to change on BOTH sides of the Ball.

[SteelBucks]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

bad o-line = bad offense

[feltdizz]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

Rashard Mendenhall! I keep reading that Ben sucks, the receivers suck, the O-line sucks, the Defense sucks. Well, I'm saying it Mendenhall. Delicious is straight up nasty right now.

The guy's barely averaging 3.0 yds/carry. This won't help any team get a win let alone a team with a weak o-line like ours. I mean, come on, Memo has 4 carries for 34 yds, an 8.5 avg. Redman has 6 carries for 40 yds, a 6.6 avg and moldy Rashard has 9 carries for 25 yds, a 2.7 yard average,,, really!

Sit Mendy down and give Redman the start. With his 6.6 yard average the Steelers can actually attempt more than 19 rushes / game and keep the opposing teams defense from bringing the house on every play. This would sustain drives so our D could get ample rest, we'd control the clock instead of the other guys controlling the clock. I don't know about you, but I'm not used to watching Ben sit on the sideline for 11 minutes waiting for his chance to score some points. Ben wouldn't get pummeled like he has been, which would give him and his recievers time to run average, effective short routes instead of going for the home run so much. Establish the RUN GAME, that's it.

Start Isaac Redman next week and we'll see everything change. The defense has allowed an average of 18 points / game, historically that's been enough for us to win games! Start Redman!

[BDESteel]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

bad o-line = bad offense

That's not true. The Colts were never known to have a good offensive line and they've been pretty successful over the years, no?

The Steelers' success has always been moving the ball on the ground and we did when Mendy was out and they put themselves back into the game.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

Two running backs taken with back-to-back (23rd and 24th overall) picks in the 2008 NFL draft will face off against each other at Heinz Field this weekend. Rashard Mendenhall's 3.0 yard per carry average vs. Chris Johnson's 2.9 yard per carry average. Should be epic.

[Eich]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

I don't think Spindenhall is the "real" problem. But behind this horrific O-Line, Redman is the better back to start.

I've never been a big Spindenhall fan but he's pretty decent when the line is doing their job. But if the holes are hard to come by, he dances and hesitates too much. Redman and oddly, MeMo, are both better behind this line.

[BDESteel]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

Two running backs taken with back-to-back (23rd and 24th overall) picks in the 2008 NFL draft will face off against each other at Heinz Field this weekend. Rashard Mendenhall's 3.0 yard per carry average vs. Chris Johnson's 2.9 yard per carry average. Should be epic.

It would be epic, but depending on Mendy's foot injury, the Steelers may have no choice but to start Redman.

[skyhawk]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

Redman played well yesterday. But he had the luxury of Arians playing a FB (Johnson) most of the time. I was like "hey, no fair, he gets a FB and Mendy doesn't??"

Mendy didn't get a lead blocker early in the game.

If you want to run the ball effectively, a FB needs to be in there. Ever since Arians took over, the Steelers run game really has been terrible.

[hellbanger]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

Redman played well yesterday. But he had the luxury of Arians playing a FB (Johnson) most of the time. I was like "hey, no fair, he gets a FB and Mendy doesn't??"

Mendy didn't get a lead blocker early in the game.

If you want to run the ball effectively, a FB needs to be in there. Ever since Arians took over, the Steelers run game really has been terrible.

Mendy dances well on his own back there, he doesn't need a partner

[Slapstick]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

Redman played well yesterday. But he had the luxury of Arians playing a FB (Johnson) most of the time. I was like "hey, no fair, he gets a FB and Mendy doesn't??"

Mendy didn't get a lead blocker early in the game.

If you want to run the ball effectively, a FB needs to be in there. Ever since Arians took over, the Steelers run game really has been terrible.

You referred to D. Johnson as "fullback" and "lead blocker"....

[Pahn711]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

hmm, hard to dispute those numbers. And he does advance through Cracks that Mendy seems to try and Dance around.

could it really be that simple..

I'm drinking the koolaid on this one..

I hope we try it (Mendy is dinged up so this might be the absolute right time to give it a go) Something has got to change on BOTH sides of the Ball.

Its definitely an issue of running styles at the moment, but no I don't think its that simple. Mendenhall still gives us the best chance of breaking a long game-changing run, thats why BA insists on keeping him in the lineup. Changing pace is definitely needed though, hence why I keep hoping for more running back by committee.

[Shawn]

Re: GEEE WHIZ PEOPLE! The real problem is

I have to disagree with the sentiment about Mendenhall. Rashard is a premiere back...no doubt in my mind about that. So why is he playing poorly while Red seems to be flourishing? It's merely about running style. Red can create holes...he runs one way...foward and he runs with authority. That is perfect for an O without an OL. Mendenhall has it all...speed, some power, great hands and terrific vision. But, Mendy doesn't always hit the first hole...he is always looking to break one. He doesn't have the power to create holes. He needs an OL to do it's job. With this OL, Red should be getting at least 50% of the carries.