Rashard Mendenhall "Balling Out" with a New Career

[Slapstick]

This one shows the camera that was on Ben during the entire pass attempt. 1:07.

[DBR96A]

This one shows the camera that was on Ben during the entire pass attempt. 1:07.

Time elapsed between the snap and the pass attempt: 2.7 seconds, which is typical of a deep pass attempt. Offensive linemen are supposed to be reliable at blocking for three seconds to account for deeper dropbacks, deeper pass attempts, and the possibility that a QB goes deeper into his reads. If a QB gets hit in less than three seconds, then it's the fault of the offensive line, not the QB. Pay no attention to the person you replied to, who apparently stopped watching Ben Roethlisberger play in 2009.

[RobinCole]

Bringing things back to Mendenhall ( the subject of this thread), my initial post in the thread disputed the premise that his fumble cost us the game. That point stands. You can argue about whether the pick-six was Ben's fault or the blocker's fault, but it sure wasn't Mendenhall's fault. Nor was it his fault that we fell behind 21-3, which is what killed us.

[Slapstick]

Personally, I hope Rashard can make a long and fine career out of writing, whether teleplays, essays, etc. We've got Le'Veon Bell now. Anything Mendenhall may or may not have done is water under the proverbial bridge. I harbor no ill will toward him.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

He got out with his health basically intact, a nice chunk of money, and he looks like he might have what it takes to be a success at something other than football. Hard to fault his decision to retire.

Glad he left Steeltown, though, or they might never have drafted Bell. Got to admit, at the time he departed, I wasn't sad to see him go. IIRC, my exact words were, "Don't let the doorknob hit ya where the good Lord split ya."

[Moonie]

Jezz, take it easy, geeks. It's a difference of opinion. Keep believing Roethlisberger doesn't throw it up for grabs whenever he goes long.

[bostonsteeler]

Jezz, take it easy, geeks. It's a difference of opinion. Keep believing Roethlisberger doesn't throw it up for grabs whenever he goes long.

Or that he does. Whatever rocks your boat..

[birtikidis]

Here is play in question - what are you even talking about? Looks like usual wounded fish attempt by Roethlisberger to go long.
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8iqMXyOZZc[/URL]

I get that you're trying to get some attention or something, but Kemo got owned on that play and it interferred with the pass. Ben's thrown a lot of bad balls, but that one wasn't on him. I still think it's the play that lost the game for us though.
How bad was Wallace at actually tracking a ball? He had no idea where it was even at.

[feltdizz]

It was a bad throw regardless of the blocking. Chances of completing that pass to WALLACE in double coverage was slim to none.

No way Ben throws that ball another 15 to 20 yards and that's how far he would need to throw it given the coverage.

Best bet would be hoping that pass sailed out of bounds

[RuthlessBurgher]

Jezz, take it easy, geeks. It's a difference of opinion. Keep believing Roethlisberger doesn't throw it up for grabs whenever he goes long.

Throwing deep up for grabs and praying for a pass interference call is a major part of Joe Flacco's game.

[Slapstick]

It was a bad throw regardless of the blocking. Chances of completing that pass to WALLACE in double coverage was slim to none.

No way Ben throws that ball another 15 to 20 yards and that's how far he would need to throw it given the coverage.

Best bet would be hoping that pass sailed out of bounds

I disagree. Wallace had the coverage beaten the guy who made the INT was way behind...

[birtikidis]

I disagree. Wallace had the coverage beaten the guy who made the INT was way behind...

Wallace had probably 2 steps on the closest guy. Ben gets that pass off, it's a 90 yrd touchdown instead of a pick 6

[Slapstick]

Jezz, take it easy, geeks. It's a difference of opinion. Keep believing Roethlisberger doesn't throw it up for grabs whenever he goes long.

It's to be wrong. Just say, "My bad," and move on.

[bostonsteeler]

It was a bad throw regardless of the blocking. Chances of completing that pass to WALLACE in double coverage was slim to none.

No way Ben throws that ball another 15 to 20 yards and that's how far he would need to throw it given the coverage.

Best bet would be hoping that pass sailed out of bounds

Watch the video. Wallace is 3 yards beyond the ball -- an easy extra length for a pass that long. He's got at least a step on the guy behind him, if not two.

It would've been a good one. If he actually caught it in stride and didn't slow down marginally to catch it, there's no way the guy behind him would get to him before the EZ. That pass turned the game -- a possible 14 point swing.

[DBR96A]

I disagree. Wallace had the coverage beaten the guy who made the INT was way behind...

Yes, I remember Ron Jaworski analyzing the play and noting how Mike Wallace had his man beat, and Roethlisberger's initial pump-fake made Nick Collins flinch enough to take him out of the play initially. Then Chris Kemoeatu let him back in the play...