Mendenhall off to cold start.

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Aug 4, 2008 6:21 AM EDT

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/08/03/sports/doc489677c569dd6432358202.txt

I am worried about the latest news from Steelers camp. Sounds like Rashard looked very timid in his first impression as our goal-line solution. Hopefully this is just a one time rookie thing but it did sound like Rashard was very intimidated by the defense. If he turns out to be a stud in the NFL like we are all hoping for then he will have to quickly overcome this change in speed and size in the NFL. Maybe Russell will get an opportunity to find some gametime after all, as the goal-line RB?

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our line

running backs usually don’t look good against our defense, especially in the red zone. making mendenhall cut his teeth against one of the best run defenses out there is going to result in him occasionally looking bad in practice and exploding against teams like the bengals in the regular season. it may be no coincidence that a lot of teams with great run defense have good running backs (us, jags, vikings, etc…) because they practice at a higher level.

by 36chambers on Aug 4, 2008 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

true.

I guess I would be more worried to here that our defense is easily giving up goal-line TD’s to our backs. Good to see the D pushing the offense to get better every day and bring it every play.

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Aug 4, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

His first try

I wouldn’t read too much into that. Rashard has weeks to get used to live action in the NFL. He might not be our goal line option right away. It takes a lot of courage to just bury your head and run straight into a defense knowing you’re just looking for one yard. He’ll get there, and if he doesn’t that’s fine too, we’ve got a ton of weapons and we just need to find the right one for the situation.

by Chicago Steeler on Aug 4, 2008 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

He's a rookie

I wouldn’t read too much into a rookie looking timid during the first week of camp.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Aug 4, 2008 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

I agree!

by steelersrock08 on Aug 4, 2008 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

If it were against, say,

the Bengals D, that would be cause for concern.

by Desroko on Aug 4, 2008 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Aug 4, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Mendenhall

I to was worried after reading that article….made me think of the earlier post here “mendenhall soft?”.

Mendenhall’s response concerned me “I was more worried about running the play than getting in the end zone.”

Huh??? Yeah, I know he is only a rookie but come on…instincts should take over and you do whatever it takes to get in the end zone.

Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s the first week of camp and I hope he turns out to be great but…

one thing I know about RB’s, you can tell pretty quick if they are for real or not…they usually don’t need 3 years to learn a system to see how good they are…you tend to know very quickly…

I am more eager to see him now than before…it will be interesting…
Mike

by SteelerMike on Aug 4, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions