Mendenhall's BACK!, Where Does that Leave Redman and Dwyer?

Kudos to Rashard Mendenhall. He clearly gave the entire Steelers offense a shot in the arm, and because of that the Steelers running game was able to push Pittsburgh past Philly.

Since arriving in as Pittsburgh’s first round draft pick in 2008, Mendenhall has seen his share of criticism, and Steel Curtain Rising is no exception.

The enjoyable, and tantalizing thing about Mendenhall is that when he hits a hole decisively he can run with any of the top backs in the NFL. That’s a bold claim but skeptics need only remember his:

• first start vs. San Diego in 2009
• show stopping performance in the 2010 AFC Championship game
• performances vs. St. Louis and Cleveland last year, prior to injury

So fortunately for Steelers Nation, Mendenhall was “on” in his return from a nasty ACL injury.

• But what does that say about the other two Steelers running backs?

There were many in Steelers Nation, yours truly one of the, who didn’t think Mendenhall’s absence was going to be that important. That’s simply because Mendenhall has never run with the kind of consistency needed to establish himself as one of the top runners in the NFL.

The logic therefore was that the Steelers would suffer little in a running back by committee system.

• The pathetic results of the Steelers rushing game in weeks 1-3 would seem to wholeheartedly refute that argument.

Numbers don’t lie. But does the resurgence of the Steelers running game with Mendenhall's return prove that the Steelers rushing attack would be doomed should it be forced to rely on Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer?

• This scribe says “no.”

There hasn’t been much reporting about this in the press since August, but both Redman and Dwyer were hurt in August. In fact, the Steelers were forced to sign DeJuan Harris off of waivers, just to field a full complement of running backs before their final preseason game.

• Neither man was likely at 100% when the season started.

This should be especially obvious in the case of Redman, whose performance was way, way below the standard he set for himself.

Even with Sunday’s stronger showing against the Eagles, Redman’s season rushing average is a measly 2.5 yards per carry.

• In 2010 Redman averaged 4.7 yards per carry
• In 2011 he clocked in at 4.4 yards per carry

Now a lot of those carries came in sport duty situation, which is not the same as building up an averge as a feature back. But Redman played lights out in his two starter like situations, namely the finale vs. Cleveland and the Tebowing in Denver.

Jonathan Dwyer poses a more complicated question, as his body of work is far more limited.

• But even this limited sample suggests that Dwyer’s performance of 2012 represents far much more of a floor than a ceiling.

Be clear about one thing, a healthy and productive Rashard Mendenhall should be a welcome sign to Steelers Nation.

But also rest assured that a healthy Redman and Dwyer can also deliver.

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Steelers Report Card vs. Eagles @ Heinz Field

From the grade book of a teacher who was pleased to see some under performing students perk up, and a little dismayed to see others slip, here go the Steelers report card for their victory over Philly at Heinz Field. As a caveat, no other grades were consulted.

Quarterback
For the first time this season, Ben Roethlisberger didn't throw a touchdown. Ben played generally well, evading pressure and making things happen with his feet. And while he missed some key throws, he was also a victim of several drops. Most importantly, he made the throws he had to make on the Steelers winning drive.  Grade:  B+

Running Backs
Who was it that said the Steelers wouldn’t miss Mendenhall much? Me, among others. This is a time when I am gladly wrong. Rashard Mendenhall showed that he’s clearly the Steelers most talented back and also confirmed that when Mendenhall commits to a hole he can run with the best in the league. Isaac Redman also played much better, and was a key player on the 2nd half scoring drives. Chris Rainey was a non-factor.  Grade: A-

Wide Receivers

Studs numbers 1 and 2 of Young Money, Inc. both played subpar games. Mike Wallace could not get past press coverage and dropped a few, and Antonio Brown had two ugly drops, including one in the end zone. Jerricho Cotchery should have had a touchdown, but lost his footing. Emmanuel Sanders, on the other hand, came up with a couple of key completions, as did Heath Miller.  Grade:  C+

Offensive Line
This unit help short circuit a couple of drives with penalties and did an adequate job of protecting Ben against a fierce pass rush. The biggest improvement here was the run blocking, particularly with Willie Colon. The Steelers were able to run repeatedly right up the middle when called upon, and that was not something that they’d been able to do all season long. Grade:  B-

Defensive Line
Another unit that improved its performance. Michael Vick faced pressure all day, and a big part of it was because the defensive line was getting penetration. Brett Keisel lost a footrace to Vick (as you’d expect) but his presence in the backfield was a welcome site, as was that of Ziggy Hood and Steve McLendon. Nonetheless, the line must shoulder its share of the blame for the two 4th down conversions.  Grade:  B-

Linebackers
Was that a Lawrence Timmons sighting? Yes it was. Timmons was on fire, moving to the ball, making plays and disrupting things in the backfield. Larry Foote recovered both fumbles. James Harrison didn’t record any sacks, but was in Vick’s face. And low and behold, Jason Worilds also made his presence known on several occasions. Like the line, the linebackers share blame for the 4th down conversions, but a quality afternoon nonetheless.  Grade:  B+

Secondary
Vick had a fairly good day statistically and, while you can’t discount his ability to regain the lead with 6 minutes remaining, he was ineffective on third down, and never really developed the kind of rhythm that Carson Palmer or Peyton Manning did. A big part of that has to do with the pass rush, but the Steelers secondary effectively defended Vick’s attempts to go deep. Ryan Clark also had a touchdown saving strip, although he and Ryan Mundy must watch the helmet-to-helmet hits.  Grade:  B

Special Teams
Chris Rainey had a 44 yard kick off return, and Antonio Brown had a 7 yard punt return. The Steelers kick coverage was solid, but the Eagles had a 13 yard punt return, which mustn't become the norm. Shaun Suisham was 3-3 on the day, including another game winner into the open end of Heinz Field. Drew Butler’s punting was solid if not spectacular.  Grade:  B

Coaching
Dick LeBeau moved Lawrence Timmons in closer to the action and the results spoke for themselves. Beyond that, LeBeau looked like a better coach with James Harrison back didn’t het…? Although the defense's performance was soild overall, the unit still lost another 4th quarter lead, which is never good. For three weeks Todd Haley’s offense was all about an air game that was so effective, one wondered if the Steelers even needed to run. Haley never bought into that, and his commitment to the run paid handsome dividends. All three phases of the game were hurt by penalties, and that reflects on the coaching, regardless of whether they were coming off of a bye week or not.  Grade:  B

Unsung Hero
Entering the league behind two All Pro’s is never easy, especially when you’re expected to eventually replace one of them. This young man started 12 games last year, and while he may not have struggled, he certainly lacked the “wow factor” as Simon Cowe would say. However, he was back in the line up on Sunday, and this time he delivered to the tune of 1 sack, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 passed defensed and two more QB hits, and for that Jason Worilds is Steel Curtain Rising’s Unsung Hero of the victory over Philadelphia.

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Rushing Game Propels Steelers Past Philadelphia, 16 to 14 at Heinz Field

Rarely if ever, has Steelers Nation looked upon game number 4 with such urgency. The once vaunted Steelers defense allowed two winnable games slip away via in fourth quarter meltdowns, giving the Steelers a 1-2 record.

But there was hope. James Harrison and Troy Polamalu were set to return. And while injuries are no excuse in Tomlinland, the return of the Steelers defense to full strength was provide an opportunity for defining just what “The Standard” was.

Alas, the reunion of the once dominate defense lasted less than a quarter, leaving the Steelers to turn to another pillar of the franchise’s identity for their margin of victory.

Defense Stumbles, but Delivers

After the 2003 season Steelers Digest Editor Bob Labriola argued that quality defense is synonymous with the overall health of the franchise. He put it something like this, “If the Steelers finish 7-9 but the defense is strong, the perception is that the team isn’t far off. But the same record with a poor defense leads to the feeling that serious problems exist.”

• Its statistical high ranking notwithstanding, the Steelers 2012 defense has been below par, far below par.

The Eagles game left Steelers Nation to ponder a half-full, half empty dilemma.

• Lesean McCoy didn’t dominate, but he moved the chains with the game on the line, especially on two fourth down conversions
• The defense again gave up another lead in the fourth quarter

Watching fourth quarter leads evaporate in 3 of 4 games should cause everyone some discomfort, but the game of football is played for sixty minutes.

But none of those negatives should obscure the fact that the Steelers defense shut down the Eagles in the first half, by virtue of two turnovers. More encouraging is the fact that players like Steve McLendon, Lawrence Timmons, Ziggy Hood and Jason Worilds stepped up.

As the injuries suffered against the Eagles underline, if the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is to improve, its going to need production for men not named Woodley, Harrison or Polamalu.

The Steelers got that today, and that’s the first hopeful sign along those lines in a season now one quarter complete.

Identity of Haley’s Offense, Steelers, Remain a Work in Progress

With three games to its name, the template appeared to be more than set for Todd Haley’s offense:

• Efficient, precision passing aimed at protecting Ben Roethlisberger and building an edge in time of possession
• Improved pass protection
• Dependence of the team’s deep receiving corps to deliver

Although not for lack of trying, the running game figured at best as an afterthought. As Todd Haley indicated, the Steelers had been able to run the ball in “situational football” but in no sense could the running game be considered a decisive factor.

That changed in game four against the Eagles, and changed in a big way.

It would be unfair to say that either Ben or his receivers had a “bad” day vs. the Eagles, but their performance mimicked more of the shakiness they displayed late vs. Oakland rather than the lethal efficiency on display in Denver and vs. the Jets.

• Antonio Brown dropped a sure touchdown, and suffered another key drop
• Mike Wallace too dropped a number of catchable balls at in opportune times
• Ben Roethlisberger had a chance to hook up with Health Miller near the goal line, but over threw the ball

Its way, way too early to hit the panic button on the state of the Steelers passing game. But the Eagles represented perhaps the best defense the Steelers have faced so far.

And, if nothing else, the Eagles experience should dispel any fanciful notions that the Steelers could simply ride the passing game to victory.

No, the Steelers offense must be more than one dimensional on offense, and vs. the Eagles the running game came to life.

Art Rooney II:  “It’s About Being Able to Run the Ball When We Need To.”

Steelers President Art Rooney II turned a lot of heads after the 2009 season when he criticized the state of the Steelers running game. But Rooney quickly clarified that he wasn’t interested in seeing the ball run in certain situations or about seeing a more even distribution of play calling.

No, the Steelers President simply insisted that the Steelers be able to run the ball when they needed to.

• Against the Eagles, the Steelers needed to run the ball. 

Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman played well during the entire game, but they turned it up a notch when they were needed the most, gaining exactly half of their total yards on the Steelers final two scoring drives.

• With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, the Pittsburgh Steelers imposed their will.

It might not have been pretty, but it was sufficient for victory.

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