Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall Has Tougher Offseason Than Most
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 12:00 PM EST
in Steelers Injury News
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PrintThere's never a good time for an ACL tear.
In the case of Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall, it was especially bad. A week before the playoffs, Mendenhall's leg gave out from under him on a run at Cleveland in an eventual 13-9 victory.
And with it, he mentally began preparing for a long and grueling rehabilitation, commonly as long as nine months to a year from the injury. It came before the playoffs, before the Steelers hired a new offensive coordinator and before the last year in Mendenhall's contract.
All of those things make a bad injury even worse.
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert told reporters Monday Mendenhall could start the season on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list, meaning he would hold an exemption against the Steelers' 53-man roster.
It would also mean he's not 100 percent ready to play, and he would watch the carries he used to get go to the talented and much less expensive Isaac Redman. He'd also have to watch two younger backs, Jonathan Dwyer and John Clay (both of whom had carries this season), continue to develop.
Perhaps worst of all, he may have to watch the Steelers re-sign veteran Mewelde Moore as insurance to Mendenhall's knee. Moore, a shifty back with good receiving skills, could get a boost in production from new offensive coordinator Todd Haley's offense. With the Chiefs, Haley used his running backs as multi-purpose weapons - a role in which Mendenhall would likely thrive as well - and without those early training camp reps, Mendenhall may find himself behind the 8-ball in a season he needs to produce to justify an extension.
It's not out of the realm of possibility for the Steelers to draft a running back fitting that description, either. Dwyer and Clay are bigger, between-the-tackles kinds of runners. They have league experience, which always helps, but investing in a quick back with good hands may not cost them a high pick.
Those thoughts are probably circling Mendenhall's mind during his rehabilitation. Can't help but think if he was going to tear an ACL, he would have much rather done it in Week 4 than Week 17.
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I just don’t see the re-signing of Moore…he certainly has played a key role in his time in Pittsburgh, but he really doesn’t have the explosiveness he once did. On top of that, he won’t know the system better than any of the other backs. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a young FA pick-up to add to the group, and allowing Redman to take the bulk of the load early on.
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Feb 14, 2012 12:10 PM EST reply actions
Too much pounding will wear him out
He can be the feature back till Mendy is back but I think he really shouldn’t get more than 50% of the carries. A lot will depend on the development of Dwyer and Batch.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 14, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
Clay
I don’t dislike Clay but he doesn’t seem as NFL ready as Dwyer. I think Clay may get there but I don’t expect him to be as good as Redman. I think Dwyer may have more upside than Redman, maybe as much as Mendenhall. I am taking Batch on faith as I haven’t seen him but the reports from those who have been encouraging.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 8:10 AM EST up reply actions
I can see
Batch taking the role of Moore
by Killdozer2009 on Feb 14, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
I was playing touch football in September, the guy I was covering make a cut to go around me and I saw his cleat get stuck and his knee just completely give out. Tore his ACL and partially his MCL as well. 5 months later he still is only able to jog lightly at best.
These athletes are freakish and have the best rehab available but it can take a looong time to get back to where he was before.
by jedmiller71 on Feb 14, 2012 12:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions
+1
It’s nine months minimum…and there’s probably just as much luck involved with that fast of a recovery as commitment to rehab.
He may very well stay on PUP all year. That’s what happened to Keith Rivers, I forget when the deadline is, but I believe it’s in October. That’s about 38 weeks from when he blew it out.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
how much is he worth??
He didnt run so well behind this o line, but redman did. Grab a nice skat back in the later rounds of the draft. Keep the bull dozers that we already have . If we have mendenhall signed on the cheap , we can let him take all the time he needs and if the Steelers think he is worth the price then they can sign him. Personally I thine that this years money needs to go to improving the o line and making the defense younger and of course please keep Hines Ward. GO STEELERS
A blessing in disguise?
Just reading the tea leaves here, but I did not expect the Steelers to sign Mendenhall after next year assuming it would take a big dollar contract that the Steelers were not willing or able to accomodate.
Perhaps this will be just enough of a setback to Mendy’s career that other teams won’t be willing to throw big money at him next year when he becomes a FA. Maybe this ends up allowing us to keep him for an additional 3-4 years with a contract that is more realistic for the Steelers. If so, this could be a blessing in disguise.
Explosive Back
Given the uncertain nature of the RB situation, and Mendy’s health, would the Steelers consider LaMichael James if he’s available? Some draft projections I’ve seen have him as a third or fourth round selection.
He's done
its so obvious that he is washed up. How could he not be successful behind this offensive line. And how on earth could you fumble in the super bowl, he should have ran over those defenders and scored a touchdown! We all know Redman would have scored. Mendenhall is dead weight and we should cut him now and draft a running back! He has to be the worst RB in the league! I’m actually glad he tore his ACL so the steelers will give up on him, bye bye mendy!
I love the Steelers.
Are you his brother? You seem to get upset when people talk negatively of him.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Feb 14, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry
Do I have to be kin to someone to expect a reasonable and intelligent critic about him? That being said I have no problem with the article just wanted to have some fun. Yesh.
I guess I just hate when people are in such a rush to get rid of someone and not fully understanding the ramifications of the action. They think oh we’ll just cut mendy and draft someone better! While taking a draft spot that could be used to bolster the line which is the real issue. But its so easy!
Its not just Mendy its anyone on this team. Those who want to get rid of wallace, Saunders, heck even Ben and Troy. I’m surprised you haven’t picked up on that. It seems like you only get on my case when I defend Mendy, why is that?
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Hasn’t it been holding on to players for too long that’s gotten us into our current situation? What happens if we cling on to Mendy and he never gets better from the ACL injury? We didn’t draft anyone to replace him, because we figured he’d be okay eventually. Anything is possible. It’s just a discussion. None of us have power to cut him.
Also, not everyone has to love Mendenhall. I personally think he’s not as good as we all expected. What we give up for in his speed with Redman, I think is made up for in his tenacity to fight for extra yards.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Feb 14, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
Not saying you have to love him
What if Ben ankle doesn’t heal right? Idk man. If Mendy ACL is never the same then I feel confident in Dwyer, BAtch, and Redman. Not so much Dwyer but you know what I mean. Just feel like we have too many other areas of concern to be throwing RB on there unless we are really sure we need a RB.
I know its just a discussion and I’m discussing. Should I not discuss? Sorry for the sarcasm just was having some fun.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
If Ben’s ankle is done, we should trade him and go into rebuild. Start up front and work outward.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Feb 14, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
I guess the point really was
you can’t prepare for every eventuality in the draft.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, but I’d say ACL injuries in RBs isn’t just a normal eventuality.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Feb 14, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
We'll see homie!
I just close my eyes and hope for the best. I hope mendy comes back midseason and is running through holes like nobody’s business and we don’t have to spend a draft pick on another RB!
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
I just close my eyes and hope for the best.
(resisting temptation to make easy “describes Mendenhall’s running style” joke….)
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
That's a load of crap
Willis McGhee had the worst knee injury I have ever seen in the last game of his senior year and he’s still a very productive player in the NFL. ACLs aren’t that big of a deal anymore, we aren’t talking the mid-60s when Gale Sayers truely shocked the football world when he came back from his ACL injury.
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 14, 2012 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
no not at all, ACL's arent that big......
after all our punter went through three of them. A punter…..really? He has to do so much running and cutting, that knee really takes a pounding.
One example doesn’t speak for the norm.
http://www.footballdocs.com/RB_injury_rule.html
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Feb 15, 2012 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
Of all the guys on that list the only ones that didn't come back and have a good career
were Terrell Davis, who retired because his entire legs gave out on him, LaMont Jordan, Robert Edwards, who almost lost his leg, Olandis Gary, who was one of the Mike Shanahan specials, and Kevin Smith who is 25. So that really doesn’t make me afraid for Mendy.
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
Coming back to the field is not the same thing as being 100 percent recovered. Brady blew out his knee (or Pollard did) in 2009. He was not the same passer in 2010 as he was in 2008 or 2011.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 15, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
the point, as I interperted it, that John was trying to make
Was that an ACL is the death knell for RB and they were never the same ever again.
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
I got the idea Terrell Davis’ career wasn’t going to last long when I saw an interview where he says he does whatever it takes to get 12 hours of sleep a day. Taking naps in the locker room before the game etc.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
Fred dean never lifted
and he was a Fall of Fame player
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
That’s baseball. Much like bowling, you can be successful if you are 100 lbs overweight, smoke cigars heavily, drink beer all day etc… Ken Griffey didn’t touch weights either. A good swing is worth twice as much as strength.
The reason I thought he wouldn’t make it long, is because his dedication to sleeping, and sleeping too much can be bad for you.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
the famous story of that pitcher pitching a perfect game with something like a six pack, a joint, some pills, a few tabs of acid and something else in his system.
I want to party with that man.
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
David Wells threw his perfect game hungover
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
No, Fred Dean the hall of fame DE for the Chargers and 49ers
He was notorious for smoking during halftime as well
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
I heard somewhere that Wilt Chamberlin chain smoked at half time. Also that a lot of basketball players smoked. (maybe that’s the real reason the 70’s was a dark spot for the NBA)
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
Wilt Chamberlin most likely had sex during halftime
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Notice it's the two year rule
Not the one year rule
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Feb 16, 2012 7:51 AM EST up reply actions
ACL Is Serious WV. It Took McGahee 2 Years To Return To Form
after he blew his ACL in the pro’s.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
I’m pretty sure that McGahee’s injury was quite a bit worse than Mendenhall’s.
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
Does anyone want to see the picture
because he took a Buckeye helmet square to his knee and bent it forwards
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
agree,
Its the NFL, and we all know what that stands for if your on IR and cant produce. It doesnt matter who you are, that is just the plain facts. Harsh, but its the reality of it. Dont want to see key players gone because of career ending injuries, but that is how it works.
Dwyer
I like Mendy and want him to heal up and come back but I also think Dwyer still has a lot of potential.
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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 14, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
I think Dwyer has a lot of potential too
I like our group of RBs and I want to keep them together much like our WRs.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
What we give up for in his speed with Redman, I think is made up for in his tenacity to fight for extra yards.
And not fumbling in the Super Bowl
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
I never understood this
so Mendy gets hit by several packers defenders before he gets to the line of scrimmage and fumbles and we blame mendy?
Had it been Ben we would have cried all day about the O-line.
Should we get a QB who doesn’t throw interceptions in the superbowl? Cause ben has thrown one in every Super Bowl he’s been in.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
You’re talking to the wrong guy when it comes to the offensive line. I don’t hurl them under the bus the way many here do (and millions of fans across the country do to their respective teams).
I think, Ben INTs aside, blown coverages, missed opportunities and all that were set to be completely nullified…until he fumbled the ball.
He fumbled the ball trying to make a move to escape a blown play. Two blocks were missed, he had nowhere else to go but down. I applaud his effort to try and make something happen, but the fact is, the Steelers were rolling by them at that point. He HAS to know to protect the damn football. Giving it to them was the only way Green Bay was going to prevent a touchdown on that drive.
Worst part, too, Mendenhall would have been the one to score! He would have been the MVP! RRRGGGHHH!!!!
I’ll be honest, last offseason, when he went to Twitter talking about his regular season of no fumbles in defense of his Super Bowl fumble, I wanted to find him and hit him with something.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
I remember that play vividly.
It was the first play of the first quarter. And you are right, we were rolling them. We had them caught in a personnel grouping that couldn’t stop the run and was getting tired quickly. The first thing I said at the end of the 3rd Qtr was that we better not run the first play of the 4th, it has to be a play action pass. Green Bay was having success stopping the run when they would bring their two big DTs in the middle and they was sure to do the same at the end of the Qtr. And what do we do, run the ball, a play that everyone saw coming and got destroyed.
It was a failure on the offensive line, a failure on the QB to not change the play, a failure on the running back for not just falling down and taking the loss, and a failure on the OC for being too darn predicable.
I don’t always hurl the O-line under the bus especiall in pass protection because when Ben is extending plays then you can’t really blame the offensive line. I’m just pointing out that you aren’t the first person to mention the SB fumble and to blame it all on Mendenhall is pretty unfair, after all you know, he only fumbled like twice that season. :P Don’t get too upset. They were just bad times to fumble.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve gone to my happy place….
However, yeah, I think it’s perfectly fair to blame Mendenhall for the fumble. He was the only guy to fumble on the play.
I’m admitting the blocking wasn’t there, and frankly, if it always was, there’s absolutely no way I’m doing anything but signing street free agents to carry the football. The ball is his responsibility. He failed on that play. I really don’t care what the offensive line did.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Can't argue with you then
I just see things differently.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
It was a failure on the offensive line
The big failure on that play was Johnson. Youtube that play
Johnson may have pulled off the Super Bowl’s first ever triple derp
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
Mendy is an ok RB.
He’s not great and not what I expect of a 1st rounder at the position, but he’s ok.
If he would increase his yards after contact and stop dancing in the backfield then I’d be thrilled with him. The sad thing is, he had a worse yards per carry and WAY worse yards after contact than a certain undrafted free agent behind him on the depth chart. If I’m critical of Mendenhall, the reason is more because we used a 1st round pick on a RB. By definition that player must be a game changer for the pick to be worth while.
Mendy is an ok back – but he’s not a game changer. I don’t want the team to wrap a bunch of cap space up in a RB that isn’t a game changer. In today’s league of running back by committee, it doesn’t make sense to invest a lot into a single player unless they are truly special.
Agree
I think he was picked too high, most likely no one would be upset with him if he was the 2nd round pick in that draft. But a lot of RB went in the 1st round in that draft and at first there was only one that I would have traded Mendy for, Jon Stewart for the Panthers. But when the panthers had a crappy line, Stewart didn’t do anything either. So it made me kinda realize that maybe mendy isn’t so bad, lets fix the line first and then see. Please its always easier to have a higher yards per carry when you have less carries. I like Redman, we’ll see a lot from him early this year.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 15, 2012 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
you forgot to add that he has no power, no speed, no moves, can’t catch, and is poor in pass protection!
by Kansas Steel on Feb 14, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
exactly
how he is in the nfl in the first place is a mystery to me
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
lol
nah nah I liked the D. Ware chip better!
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Ok, now you are talkin'
Ya know, maybe Kurt Warner want’s to mount a comeback.
We’ve had enough of the spin, spin, spin, dance, fall over. Give Redman his due.
Also, I can’t stand those that come to his defense. I mean come’on folks, they guy was totally over rated
I like Redman
I think he is a great back.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Most people agree with you
That’s the problem. Judging by the comments on here, you should have backed Mendenhall and thrown Redman under the bus =)
by Neal Coolong on Feb 15, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
yea
part of trolling is knowing what would incite the opposition.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 15, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
and BTW
I’ll back Mendenhall but I’d never through Redman under the bus. He did enough last year to prove he may be able to carry the load, even still I’d rather have two RBs.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 15, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
The problem is that we can’t really see All 22, the game film the teams use.
The rest of us have to be spoon fed what the NFL want’s us to see. Do you think we might be better informed to judge mendy’s performances if we were privey to game film as opposed to simple stats to be argued one way or the other?
As it stands, it’s a worthless debate, imo.
The problem is that we can’t really see All 22
That sounds like your problem. Don’t be trying to tell me what my problems are.. I’ll tell you what debates are worthless, thank you
Bam….re-trolled (or is it retrolled?)
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
Hyphen. It gets a hyphen. Retrolled is when you get your bait refurbished.
I know you are perfectly aware of what your numerous problems are Frank.
BAM.
Right back atcha.
It’s been four hours, and I’m still feeling the sting.
But now I’m deciding to just let it go instead of resigning it.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
And how on earth could you fumble in the super bowl
You have no idea how many times I’ve asked that…
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Jerome Bettis feels your pain
"They timed it perfectly, they just went too soon." - Darrell Waltrip commenting on an illegal restart.
You're an Idiot
How is it obvious that he is washed up? He is a great running back and he almost got 1000 yards with significantly less carries than the past 2 seasons. How could he not be succesful behing THIS offensive line? First of all he was succesful and second our offensive line was awful except for pouncey. Most of the time Rashard needs to make amazing moves in order to get 1 yard because our so called great o line just lets the opposing defense run by them. I guess Big Ben is bad because he gets sacked so many times behind our o line. We all know the answer to that. Why don’t you comment on something when you actually have facts and not awful opinions. Comment when you understand STEELER football and know what the hell a good player and a bad player is. Mendenhall is nowhere near the worst running back in the league – one again you truly know nothing about football.
50-50 if he is back
I always wondered if Mendy may be gone after his rookie deal was up. I just could not see pgh giving him a huge contract when Wallace and Brown will be due their money.
If we get a RB in the first three rounds then Mendy is most likely done in Pgh. However, if Byron Batch gets to camp healthy and rebounds well from his ACL. He could be a welcome addtion with Dwyer and Clay.
Not sure we see Moore back unless someone gets hurt in minicamp.
I’m not even sure how much of it is Mendenhall.
I think top to bottom, Mendenhall is a better football player; he’s a better athlete (i.e. quicker, faster stronger), has better hands, he’s a better runner.
For the dollar, though, Redman is without question the better option. Mendenhall is not clearly above Redman, which is ridiculous, considering Mendenhall is the better athlete, he’s played in the game longer, has more carries and everything else.
If the Steelers can find a Redman, and continue to stock their practice squad with undrafted guys who can come in and reasonably perform, what’s the point of paying a running back the extension Mendenhall’s numbers show him he can get?
The value of that position, top to bottom, has fallen through the floor, and will continue that way. for at least the immediate future.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
Again a paradox while ignoring the contradiction
The value of that position, top to bottom, has fallen through the floor, and will continue that way. for at least the immediate future.
If that is the case then why do we delude ourselves into thinking that Mendy will get a big extension?
Either he will be really valuable and get a lot of money or he won’t be valuable because of his position, his consistency, and his recent injury.
You can’t have it both ways.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
or lack of consistency I should say
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
Where did I say he was going to get an extension?
I need to contradict something in order for it to be a paradox.
I don’t think he will get an extension. Or at the very least, his injury is going to make that extension, at best, shorter and smaller than his rookie deal.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
here
, what’s the point of paying a running back the extension Mendenhall’s numbers show him he can get?
Maybe I missunderstood.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
the part is what numbers mendenhall could get
I don’t think can get much of anything in the open market.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
Ok, I get ya now. I mean, he won’t get an extension in Pittsburgh. He’ll get a contract somewhere else as a free agent. He shouldn’t be out of the league, we just can’t pay him what he’s earned, because we have a guy who can come within reasonable distance of his numbers but can’t go anywhere for two years.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
See I think the Steelers will want to re-sign him for a reasonable price
the question is will he want to come back , no need in creating a need when you don’t have to, plus Mendy is at a good age for Rbs 25 and has at least 4 more years left in him, if he comes back from the injury
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 14, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
Unfortunately for Mendenhall, the reasonable price bar is set at Redman’s salary, which isn’t much. It doesn’t make any sense to have two backs who have proved to be more or less interchangeable making drastically different salaries. Redman’s looking at like $400k before incentives. Due to performance, Mendenhall’s base is like $1.5 this coming year.
Redman has a year of restricted free agency after this one, then he’s a free agent, so we’ve got him for two more years at what Mendenhall will get next year.
How could we offer Mendenhall even another year at $1.5 when he’s going to miss a good chunk of this coming season, and Redman could very well perform at a high level?
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Two RB
I prefer a system with 2 RBs sharing the main load and a 3rd as a 3rd down/change of pace back. Redman is making a ridiculously low amount of money. Do we count Mendy’s salary towards the cap if he is PUP?
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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 14, 2012 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
???
Not a clue how that would work, but I would think it would. If he’s not playing, though, he’s not getting any more than what’s guaranteed. It’s not a huge cap number, but it’s still money.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
We'll see what Redman can do this year
with mendy out for a long portion of time. Then we’ll get to see what Mendy can do when he gets back.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Feb 15, 2012 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
RB
La Micheal James plus Redman, a great duo potentially
James is a zone runner, isn’t he? We don’t really have guys right now who can block outside like that.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
James is a RB
It shouldn’t matter what system he ran in college. The coaches get paid to develop players, not just pick ones that are 100% perfect as a rookie.
I’d love it if we got James at the end of the 3rd or 4th round, but sadly I have the feeling he’ll impress enough between now and draft day that he’ll be gone by then.
That's like saying "he's a football player"
Of course he is. That doesn’t mean the skills that made him a great college back will make him a great pro back, too.
It shouldn’t matter, but that’s how it’s seen. Zone runners are not known as the greatest pure running backs. Since so few teams employ that kind of scheme on a full-time basis (relative term), and because it requires skills outside your standard speed, hands, etc., a back can produce at a high level without high levels of those core skills.
It’s not always the case, but very often it is.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
I have had a friend who tore his ACL and played running back
It took him 9 months before he was cleared for football activities and about 11 months before he was confident in his knee. So at that rate it puts Mendenhall at around late September at best to be ready to be cleared to play. Tough road. Also, I think Lamichael James could be a draft choice for us if things fall the right way
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by seton hall and steelers on Feb 14, 2012 2:50 PM EST reply actions
Since the O-Line is so horrible and nobody wants him back, does anyone think there is chance that Mendenhall wants to go find a team with a solid o-line that supports him and uses him to his skill set?
Just a thought, we always assume every would love to be in the black and gold no matter what…
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Feb 14, 2012 3:12 PM EST reply actions
+1
His numbers aren’t terrible. He’s on the “better than average” side of the RB line. I don’t think it’s entirely the line, either. They were stopped for 0 or negative yards on 20 percent of their carries last year, but still managed a decent average overall. Pretty interesting stat.
He’s definitely good enough to play, and I’d like him to stay with the team. I just think financially, we gotta part ways.
RB will be the most interesting position at camp this year.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
I think if Mendenhall goes on the PUP list he doesn’t count against the 53 man roster or the salary cap. then they have ntil the 8th week of the season to decide what to do with him. So if the Steelers place Mendenhall and Hampton on the PUP list that may get them under the cap. I few other players will be going so they may be able to find a OL in free agency
James a viable option
Gentlemen, As I mentioned 3 weeks ago, LaMichael James would be a welcome weapon for Ben. Look at how Drew Brees utilized Darren Sproles, and I can envision that same scenario for us next year. No rose colored glasses here; I don’t like the Oregon Ducks, but have to admire this guy’s speed and toughness. Only question; will he be available in round 3 or 4?
Mmm
Watching Brees and Sproles almost made me want to jump on the “Air It Out League” band wagon. That was some great entertainment.
by Nate36bus on Feb 14, 2012 9:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Don't get me wrong...
…I certainly don’t wish an injury on anyone (…Maybe some of the Patriots…and Bellicheck…cheaters…) but I honestly have disliked Mendensuck for years now. Could it be a rough transition? Sure, but it’s been rough with him in 2011 anyway. This year I was wanting more Redman and less Spinthensuck but with Haley coming in, it may not be the same results. I’d try to pawn off Mendenhall, and let Haley help get a back to fit his scheme, assuming who we have isn’t preferred. Obviously, I’m not labeling that a priority over O-line though.
by Nate36bus on Feb 14, 2012 9:39 PM EST via mobile reply actions
We also get Baron Batch in camp
so with Redman, Dwyer, Clay, possibly Memo, I think we have plenty to work with at the beginning of the year…
Great future for Mendenhall
Mendenhall is a talented back that has a big future ahead of him. He has a great skill set and has the size and strength to become more explosive. Everyone is on the Redman bandwagon, and while I think he is a capable back, he will be 29 next year. He is not as versatile as Mendy and took advantage of running the ball in non obvious running situations. Dwyer is lazy, memo is memo, and we are yet to see baron batch in action. Here’s to hoping for a speedy for recovery for Mendenhall!
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