Our running game is gonna be.......

BAD! Some of you rejoice we cut Mendy, and I can't say I don't agree with the logic of some, ( he played quite well at times) but what do we have in the backfield? IMO nothing more than 3 backups plan and simple. When was the last time the Steelers didn't have a RB that was a "somebody?" If starting this season we have Dwyer and Redman only our run game will greatly suffer. Neither of them can break long runs, and seem to avg 3 yards a carry? "Spell backs" are what you have in them, and if that's what's left in the cupboard, somebody better go to the store quickly!

 

We need to get Bradshaw from free agency.

 

How bout we wait until after the draft/etc and see what they have before jumping to unfounded conclusions?!

 

When was the last time our running game was GOOD?

Mendy might have played quite well at times but you need more than that from your starting RB.

 

When the Bus was here to answer your question SC. Also, collectively speaking our RBs don't exactly strike fear in a defense. My point is what we have currently is gonna garner the same results as last year, and that is BAD! As for the draft GP I'm not hanging my hat on a pick to walk in and be noticed this year. There are no T Rich's in this years draft!

 

Hit the nail on the head TTF. Too many things in question to know how our running game will be. We have a young o-line, and new o-line coach and what seems to be a new blocking scheme. We still have the draft to go through yet, as well as OTA's....We won't really know what we have in our running game until we probably have a couple regular season games played. I say that because usually the offensive scheme's in preseason are pretty vanilla.

 

there are at least 10/15 backs around in free agency and draft that can improve our running game if only our line can sustain some blocks

 

Meh. Our problem hasn't been the cart, it's been the horses up front.

In the 90s we had bums like Barry Foster leading the AFC in rushing. When he went down, Leroy Thompson, Fred McAfeee, and Erric Pegram were putting up 100yrd games. Bam Morris, Richard Huntley . . .

We've finally committed ourselves to building a solid line through the draft. The past three years alone have netted us Pouncey, Decastro, Adams, Gilbert, Beechum, we've extended Foster . . . We're on our way. Redman is capable. Not sure why so many people are down on him. I like the guy. I think he's similar to Bam and Huntley. Big, bruising back. Insane YAC. Dwyer is still young. Let's get our o-line playing together and see what we've got.

Mendenhall wasn't any better than Redman or Dwyer last year. Not sure why anyone would be concerned we dropped his poor attitude and large salary.

 

this

 

mendy has a one yr deal in arizona
so
we will seee him back next year

 

only? the compensatory pick will not be good

 

I think back a year or so ago when the Art Rooney said we have to run the ball more and get better at it, makes me wonder if he still thinks that way getting rid of Mendenhall. Like badboy said in his first post all we have now is backups. I sure hope they have something in mind to improve the running game, they don't seem to be doing anything in free agency hope they do something in the draft. Seems a waste having such a great QB with very little to help him out in the running and passing games.

 

we need some speed to reach the edges now. they thought they had some in rainey last year. that didn't go well off the field moreso then on it. we need the compliment to what we have here.

i agree with dick that we have a line to do it. we just need them to play like they are capable and we should be fine. if they change some of the blocking scheme, our backs will have to learn to run behind it. we also have the speed and mobility to get to the edges now too, at least with the linemen. add that one good back and we should see major improvements.

colbert said our run game was equivilent to our talent at rb last year, then brings them all back but mendy. well and our draft pick rainey thats now a lost draft pick. we need a good one in this draft.

i wish mendy well. he didn't have alot in front of him. things just went south, with injuries and off the field things. a change of scenery could do both parties good. he made some big plays here for us in his time.

 

People need to remember that running back is the easiest position to come in and make an immediate impact. It's not time to panic yet folks, let the organization do its work. Its a passing league, as nice as it would be to have Adrian Petersen, he's nowhere near a super bowl title. GO STEELERS!

 

Yep.
Let the O line stay healthy and watch how good the RBs become. Similarly get some pressure on the QB and watch how good your CBs become. DeWayne Washington made a living out of defending under thrown passes that hit him in the back of the head.

 

Dwyer is in Miami working out this year. Looks like he's committed to getting in better shape like he was told to last year. I think there may be a RB from the draft that might suprise some.

 

Your opening day starter is not on the team right now.
He will be drafted.

 

I think it was against the bears ,the D line were asking each other who's going to take on Dwyer? I'd rather have a back that try's to go through players, instead of trying to go around them, and tear up their knees in the process cus they're too soft to try and take on a defender. ..... both Dwyer and Redman avg 4 yards per carry not 3.

 

but add up our total yards between the 4 top backs and their carries and we averaged 3.29 yds. per carry. much closer to 3. 6 rushing TD's between them.

 

And Dwyer was averaging over 5 YPC before his injury. He averaged over 6 YPC at Georgia Tech. If he truly commits to getting in better shape I still have high hopes for him.

 

a totally different type of offense at GT.

 

I said this about Kenan Lewis this year, He will break out
Saying about Dwyer now!! Watch his smoke!!!