Redman vs. Richardson

[Shoe]

They got Richardson, we got Isaac Redman.

They have a similar running style... Am I crazy to think we can have comparable on-field production this year from our undrafted free agent, as they get from the third overall pick?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Yes, you are crazy. Redman is solid. Richardson is a BEAST.

[Shoe]

So I guess you don't think Redman is capable of 1,000+ yards in a season? Interesting.

I think he is... I think he is capable of 1,200... 1,400 even. Granted, that's pretty optimistic, but if he's able to just hit 1,000--I think that will compare to Richardson in his rookie season.

[RuthlessBurgher]

A thousand yard rushing season is reasonably solid production. That's what Redman is capable of.

Beastly backs get 1500+ yards and over 2000 yards when you add in their receiving yardage, plus double digit TD's. That's what Richardson is capable of (if Cleveland has reasonable enough pieces around him, which at this point, is questionable).

[Shawn]

Crazy talk...Richardson is the best back I have seen since Peterson. He is a game changer. Redman is not.

[SteelCrazy]

comparing Redman to Richardson is like comparing me to Redman.

[birtikidis]

Richardson will have one of the BEST LT to run behind and a pretty darn good center too. Couple first rounders.

[Oviedo]

Is mentioning Redman and Richardson in the same sentence even serious??? Please be realistic. Richardson is a future star and Redman never will be.

[Shoe]

I don't understand what is so crazy. Are people expecting Richardson to go off for 1,500 yards next year?

I asked if Redman might have a comparable year to Richardson this year. Haley is planning on bringing in a more run-oriented scheme. Is it that far off to think Redman gains 1,000+ yards? If he does, IMO, that would compare with a good rookie year from Richardson.

[flippy]

Now that we've got Decastro, the sky's the limit for all the Steelers' RBs.

Better linemen lead to Heath being used more in the passing game.

That leads to less men in the box to block.

That makes the linemen more effective.

And in turn helps the running game.

Which in turn will give Ben extra seconds to make plays downfield to Wallace, Brown, and Sanders.

Who cares about Richardson, we friggin got Decastro.

God is a Steelers fan, that's for sure.

[phillyesq]

Richardson will have one of the BEST LT to run behind and a pretty darn good center too. Couple first rounders.

Redman now has a two first rounders as well. That said, it isn't at all close. Put differently -- if you plugged Redman into the Browns, with no WRs and no passing game, what would you expect from him? Richardson, even with a D keyed on him, can carry that team.

[feltdizz]

Richardson has proven himself already in the NFL??

[Oviedo]

Richardson has proven himself already in the NFL??

Has Redman really proven himself? He played because the starter got hurt. Not exactly trending for the HoF. Richardson will be the better back and trying to cast Redman as anywhere near him talent-wise is laughable.

[phillyesq]

Richardson has proven himself already in the NFL??

Would you trade Redman for Richardson? I sure as hell would, and I like Redman.

[Shoe]

Would you trade Barry Foster for Emmitt Smith? Barry Sanders?

My guess is a resounding YES. Yet for one season, Foster paced both Sanders and Smith in a season (when both had excellent years). The people who are dismissing the notion are either not understanding the question:

-(I asked if you thought Redman, with a starting job + a new commitment to the run game, could produce on par with Cleveland's #1 pick)

-Think that Redman is only capable of 600 or so yards (legitimate opinion)

-think Richardson is going to set the league on fire (IMO, a longshot this season)