Rashard Mendenhall is earning the moniker Rush-Hard
by acrollet on Nov 10, 2009 12:00 PM EST
15 comments
As I was watching the game last night, I saw something that we haven't seen from the Pittsburgh running game in quite a while - namely, consistent positive yardage against a good rushing defense. This is huge, because it opens up the offense for Big Ben and his merry band of wideouts. All of a sudden, play action is effective, defenses are forced to stay in the box longer, and the oft-maligned Bruce Arians is able to stick with the run game. It's one thing to say that you're going to commit to the run, and another thing to keep at it when your run game is consistently putting you in second and 13. I was very impressed by seeing Mendenhall consistently hit the hole hard and pick up 3 or 4 yards, keeping the offense ahead of the chains. Eventually, of course, this paid big dividends as the defense wore down and had to respect the threat of the pass. More stats after the jump.
Of #34's 20 carries outside the redzone, all but 4 went for 3 or more yards, and all but 2 went for positive yardage. There's also some nice playcalling in there - towards the end of the game, you had 3 runs towards the right for a combined -3 yards. This set up the defense nicely for a run behind left guard for 36 yards. That was the infamous "step out of bounds" run - couldn't understand it at the time, but as much as the coaches have been in his ear about ball security, that may have just been him deciding to make the safe play. (Especially after the "leap for the 5 yard line" debacle a couple of weeks ago...)
All of Mendenhall's runs in order:
Mendenhall up the middle to PIT 22 for 5 yards
Mendenhall left tackle to PIT 37 for 6 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to PIT 23 for 3 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to PIT 27 for 4 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to PIT 31 for 4 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to PIT 45 for 3 yards
Mendenhall right tackle to PIT 30 for 6 yards
Mendenhall left tackle to PIT 33 for 3 yards
Mendenhall right end pushed ob at DEN 38 for 24 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to PIT 6 for 3 yards
Mendenhall right tackle pushed ob at PIT 48 for 28 yards
Mendenhall right tackle to DEN 25 for 8 yards
Mendenhall right tackle to PIT 34 for 1 yard
Mendenhall up the middle to PIT 43 for 2 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to DEN 44 for 4 yards
Mendenhall right guard to DEN 19 for 6 yards
Mendenhall right end to DEN 25 for -6 yards
Mendenhall right tackle to PIT 23 for -3 yards
Mendenhall left guard pushed ob at DEN 46 for 36 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to DEN 3 for 18 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to DEN 4 for -1 yards
Mendenhall up the middle to DEN 3 for 1 yard
In summary, say hello to the future of Pittsburgh's running game. It's somewhat sad and poignant to see Willie Parker on the sidelines, but it's the right thing for the team.
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A different kind of running game
Yeah, it was great to see those 3, 4 and 5-yd. runs in addition to the long gainers he broke off. It’s one thing to run effectively as a change of pace, but quite another to consistently pound it out between the tackles. Rashard is starting to look better at getting the tough yards inside. His outside speed, of course, is really impressive.
As for Parker, I think it boils down to the fact that this team simply doesn’t need both Mendenhall and him. With Moore available as a backup, FWP’s big salary becomes a liability. But I honestly don’t think Willie has lost anything as a runner, the Steelers just don’t need his particular skill set at this point.
It was disappointing, though, that Parker didn’t get some carries against Denver. I think he deserves at least that much consideration.
by Billy52 on Nov 10, 2009 1:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think Parker had 2 runs
and didn’t get anywhere.
"My doctor said I'd quit getting nosebleeds if I just kept my finger out of there!"
-Ralph Wiggum
by SteelFever on Nov 10, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The box score indicates 0 carries. But he was in on a few plays.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by Johnny_S on Nov 10, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh
I knew I saw him on the field, I guess it must have been MeMo on those runs I saw…oh well.
"My doctor said I'd quit getting nosebleeds if I just kept my finger out of there!"
-Ralph Wiggum
by SteelFever on Nov 10, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
MeMo ran very, very well. Then again, our blocking was tremendous last night that anyone coulda ran in those holes.
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by Johnny_S on Nov 10, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I took the over...
Odviously health is key. I noticed the consistency too, and it is certainly a great thing to have. I think Willie deserved some late game touches too, but it’s a hard arguement to make, as Rashard was toting the rock pretty well at the time. The future is now.
Nice write up and summary, thanks.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 10, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mendenhall
He’s on pace for 1370yds and 9tds this season.
by 36chambers on Nov 10, 2009 3:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think is was ball security
Mendy was thinking about. He emphatically switched the ball from his right side to his left, just before going out of bounds. It would be nice to see him take one of those longer runs all the way to the house but I am starting to think he just isn’t a 60-70 yrd TD kind of back. At least not very often. I am completely ok with that. I would much rather get his kind of yards than someone who averages 2ypc most of the game and then breaks a long one. I kind of yelled what are you doing when he ran OOB but then my long term memory kicked in and I remembered another big back who used to play for us who was always being called soft for running OOB. He wore #32, I think he was alright, how about you.
by DarinS on Nov 10, 2009 5:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ball security can be taught.
Hard running, good instincts, and a streak of violence with every run is something that takes far longer to teach. This isn’t college. If they dont already have these skills, theres no use for them in the NFL. They arent going to learn it. Rashard has all the basic skills that make a great running back, he just needs to learn that big boys make bigger hits in the NFL. These are things most rookies go through.
Then again, I said the same thing about Sweed and he still can’t even catch a cold. So maybe it will be the thing that haunts his career. Only time will tell.
Ryan Clark remarked that Coach Tomlin once asked whether he wanted to be the nail in the defense, or the hammer. "I said, 'I want to be the hammer coach.'"
by svenhoek on Nov 10, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes when he runs
And I see his feet churning as he violently lowers his shoulder and keeps going through defenders, I just smile. It looks….beautiful to watch him run. In 3 years and 15-20 pounds of muscle, this kid will be working his way into the Steelers Hall of Elite Running Backs. Right next to Bettis.
Goodbye FWP. I loved you like a brother, but this is strictly business.
Ryan Clark remarked that Coach Tomlin once asked whether he wanted to be the nail in the defense, or the hammer. "I said, 'I want to be the hammer coach.'"
by svenhoek on Nov 10, 2009 6:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
FWP
There is lottsa lottsa football to be played this season. I for one am REALLY glad we got Willie on our team “just in case”
He MIGHT not be on the roster NEXT year, but he could certainly contibute to the 7th ring.
Ron Paul was Right.
by Steelchamps !! on Nov 11, 2009 8:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mendy vs Parker (and I like Parker)
Mendy pushes the pile with or w/o a hole. Parker not really.
Mendy makes people miss in space. Parker not really. Except with speed.
Mendy breaks tackles. Parker not really.
Mendy gets caught 25-30yrds down field. Parker not really. Pretty much never.
Mendy sometimes should break to the outside. Parker not really. More this year, has to be coaching.
Mendy can change directions at speed. Parker not really. Though as fast as he is it’s really hard to do.
Mendy can catch. Parker not really.
Mendy is still effective if the line is not at the top of there game. Parker not really.
Mendy fumbles too much. Parker not really. But he has gone through some fumble fest.
Mendy has upside. Parker not really.
Mendy seems to be learning from each error and not repeating it. If he keeps that up he’s going to be hell for D’s in the post season.
by SNW on Nov 12, 2009 1:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mendy picks up the blitz. Parker not really.
Parker has playoff experience. Mendy not really.
I’m starting to get comfortable with Mendy, he is changing my opinion for the better.
Parker had/has turf toe, and from what I have read, that takes time to recover from, especially for a running back. Willie has done a great job for us in the past, and can still help us when he heals. Willie has a reduced role now, but he is still an important player for this team this year.
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert
by LongTimeSteelersFan on Nov 12, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I meant to write the blitz one and forgot.
I’ve had truf toe and it hurts and takes forever to heal.
by SNW on Nov 13, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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