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Bus Stops: Champs answer bell
• Let's start with this simple fact: The champs are back. Plenty of people, myself included, have been critical of the Steelers. But a win against San Diego did plenty to show the critics that things aren't so bleak. Most importantly, the Steelers flashed a running threat in Rashard Mendenhall. We finally we got a chance to see what Pittsburgh was so excited about.
Let's start by giving some credit where it's deserved: the offensive line. I thought Chris Kemoeatu was especially punishing in his trap blocking, and I loved the way Justin Hartwig controlled San Diego's nose guard. Controlling that center-nose guard matchup is paramount against a 3-4 defense. Mendenhall walked into a situation where he could run downhill all game and I liked the kid's approach: one or two cuts and then downhill, physically aggressively mashing.
• Here's a fallout question: Who's your tailback next week? Easy. Willie Parker is the starter, and if he's healthy you go with your starter. Mendenhall is merely an insurance policy right now; people have to understand that. The situation this week, starting an unproven guy like Mendenhall, told me that Willie must have been in truly bad shape. They played Mendenhall without really knowing what they had in him. And now that they know what they have, maybe Willie gets some more time to heal. But it's premature to think Mendenhall is anything more than a backup. When Willie has his burst back, you make the move back to him.
That said, I've had turf toe and it's especially difficult on a running back. Essentially it inflames the joint on the bottom of your big toe. If you plant to go left, for example, all of the weight of your body is on your right toe, and that's damn painful. You don't have the explosion you want. It's not something a back can hide, even if he wants to hurry back. If Willie's still in bad shape and he tries to practice this week, coaches will see it immediately. You can't hide that.
• Let's start with this simple fact: The champs are back. Plenty of people, myself included, have been critical of the Steelers. But a win against San Diego did plenty to show the critics that things aren't so bleak. Most importantly, the Steelers flashed a running threat in Rashard Mendenhall. We finally we got a chance to see what Pittsburgh was so excited about.
Let's start by giving some credit where it's deserved: the offensive line. I thought Chris Kemoeatu was especially punishing in his trap blocking, and I loved the way Justin Hartwig controlled San Diego's nose guard. Controlling that center-nose guard matchup is paramount against a 3-4 defense. Mendenhall walked into a situation where he could run downhill all game and I liked the kid's approach: one or two cuts and then downhill, physically aggressively mashing.
• Here's a fallout question: Who's your tailback next week? Easy. Willie Parker is the starter, and if he's healthy you go with your starter. Mendenhall is merely an insurance policy right now; people have to understand that. The situation this week, starting an unproven guy like Mendenhall, told me that Willie must have been in truly bad shape. They played Mendenhall without really knowing what they had in him. And now that they know what they have, maybe Willie gets some more time to heal. But it's premature to think Mendenhall is anything more than a backup. When Willie has his burst back, you make the move back to him.
That said, I've had turf toe and it's especially difficult on a running back. Essentially it inflames the joint on the bottom of your big toe. If you plant to go left, for example, all of the weight of your body is on your right toe, and that's damn painful. You don't have the explosion you want. It's not something a back can hide, even if he wants to hurry back. If Willie's still in bad shape and he tries to practice this week, coaches will see it immediately. You can't hide that.
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