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Harris: Redman's play sends a message
By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, August 17, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_638618.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 38618.html[/url]
This is why the Steelers pay Rashard Mendenhall the big bucks.
The team's first-round pick in the 2008 draft removed the bandages from his sore left thigh and proceeded to get the stuffing beat out of him Sunday afternoon against the NFL's top-ranked defense in the final goal-line drill of training camp.
Using Mendenhall as a goal-line back was a nice idea while it lasted. But coach Mike Tomlin had a better idea.
Instead, the defense got a steay diet of undrafted rookie free agent Isaac Redman. The pride of Bowie State will earn the little bucks if he makes the 53-man roster.
Quite frankly, it didn't look so good for Redman a few months ago.
During a practice on the South Side, running backs coach Kirby Wilson loudly berated Redman for a mistake. A few minutes later, Wilson was patting Redman on the back. Now, Redman appears to have caught Tomlin's eye.
"We don't care by what means guys get here — our track record proves that," Tomlin said. "(Undrafted second-year linebacker) Pat Bailey and others, if they're in camp and they've got a helmet on, they'll be given an opportunity to show that they're capable of maybe helping us. He and others are taking advantage of that."
Talk about taking advantage of a golden opportunity. Redman carried the ball all seven times from the 1-yard line, scoring five times in yesterday's drill.
A week ago during goal-line drills, Redman scored on both of his carries. Yesterday, he scored against the first-team defense for the first time.
"A lot of people said I was going against fourth-string guys (last week)," Redman said. "I really want to go against the best for my own confidence."
Redman's confidence level is soaring. He led the Steelers in rushing against Arizona in the preseason opener and scored two touchdowns on short runs.
His teammates, some of whom had never heard of Bowie State, are warming up to him.
"That's what you need on the goal line. You want a guy that's going to go north and south and do whatever it takes to get into the end zone," left tackle Max Starks said. "I'd like to see more of him."
The first time Redman scored yesterday, he spiked the football maybe a bit too emphatically. Starting safety Ryan Clark responded by throwing the ball in Redman's direction, along with a few choice words.
Redman's response was to score on the next carry, and the next carry after that.
Instead of making a lineup change, Tomlin instructed offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to keep Redman on the field instead of going with Carey Davis, rookie Frank Summers or Mendenhall, last year's first-round pick.
"I'm somewhat concerned about the level of his conditioning," Tomlin said. "You can't evaluate (Redman's) conditioning and see Rashard. Rashard's going to get his opportunities."
In showcasing Redman with the first-team offense in goal-line drills, Tomlin may have also sent a subtle message to encourage Mendenhall, the team's bonus baby from a year ago, to pick up his game.
"You guys saw what I saw — (Redman) got in the end zone a bunch," said Tomlin, who rarely praises his players during training camp. "I thought that was a good indication of maybe what he's capable of."
By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, August 17, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_638618.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 38618.html[/url]
This is why the Steelers pay Rashard Mendenhall the big bucks.
The team's first-round pick in the 2008 draft removed the bandages from his sore left thigh and proceeded to get the stuffing beat out of him Sunday afternoon against the NFL's top-ranked defense in the final goal-line drill of training camp.
Using Mendenhall as a goal-line back was a nice idea while it lasted. But coach Mike Tomlin had a better idea.
Instead, the defense got a steay diet of undrafted rookie free agent Isaac Redman. The pride of Bowie State will earn the little bucks if he makes the 53-man roster.
Quite frankly, it didn't look so good for Redman a few months ago.
During a practice on the South Side, running backs coach Kirby Wilson loudly berated Redman for a mistake. A few minutes later, Wilson was patting Redman on the back. Now, Redman appears to have caught Tomlin's eye.
"We don't care by what means guys get here — our track record proves that," Tomlin said. "(Undrafted second-year linebacker) Pat Bailey and others, if they're in camp and they've got a helmet on, they'll be given an opportunity to show that they're capable of maybe helping us. He and others are taking advantage of that."
Talk about taking advantage of a golden opportunity. Redman carried the ball all seven times from the 1-yard line, scoring five times in yesterday's drill.
A week ago during goal-line drills, Redman scored on both of his carries. Yesterday, he scored against the first-team defense for the first time.
"A lot of people said I was going against fourth-string guys (last week)," Redman said. "I really want to go against the best for my own confidence."
Redman's confidence level is soaring. He led the Steelers in rushing against Arizona in the preseason opener and scored two touchdowns on short runs.
His teammates, some of whom had never heard of Bowie State, are warming up to him.
"That's what you need on the goal line. You want a guy that's going to go north and south and do whatever it takes to get into the end zone," left tackle Max Starks said. "I'd like to see more of him."
The first time Redman scored yesterday, he spiked the football maybe a bit too emphatically. Starting safety Ryan Clark responded by throwing the ball in Redman's direction, along with a few choice words.
Redman's response was to score on the next carry, and the next carry after that.
Instead of making a lineup change, Tomlin instructed offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to keep Redman on the field instead of going with Carey Davis, rookie Frank Summers or Mendenhall, last year's first-round pick.
"I'm somewhat concerned about the level of his conditioning," Tomlin said. "You can't evaluate (Redman's) conditioning and see Rashard. Rashard's going to get his opportunities."
In showcasing Redman with the first-team offense in goal-line drills, Tomlin may have also sent a subtle message to encourage Mendenhall, the team's bonus baby from a year ago, to pick up his game.
"You guys saw what I saw — (Redman) got in the end zone a bunch," said Tomlin, who rarely praises his players during training camp. "I thought that was a good indication of maybe what he's capable of."
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