2012 State of the Steelers Part Two - - RB's

kethnaab · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 6981

our problem is that we have 5 "RBs" and a FB, but in reality, we only have 3 RBs

Rainey isn't a RB. He's Stefan Logan. He's not as fast as his reputation suggests, and he's not all that elusive for a dude as small and seemingly fragile as he is.

Baron Batch, as much as I root for him isn't a RB. He's a philospher and a poet, but he simply doesn't belong in the NFL. Pre knee injury, perhaps he would, but his instincts and vision are simply too poor to compensate for pedestrain speed.

That leaves Dwyer, Batch, and Mendy.

2 of them have a lot of talent and no heart. 1 has a lot of heart and almost no talent.

Dwyer should be a #1 RB in the NFL, but he simply doesn't give a crap. His weight apparently spiraled out of control during the season, and as we saw time and time again, he would tap out after 2 or 3 runs, and head to the sidelines. He has come into training camp out of shape and overweight, and when given the reigns to really secure the #1 job, he failed miserably. At his best, he runs downhill with power, and is patient to pick his holes as they open and explodes through them. At his worst, he is tentative and slow and goes down far too easily

Mendenhall should be a top-tier RB in the NFL, but he seems to lack desire. For a guy who has probably the ideal build for a RB (5'10, 225 lbs of muscle) he runs soft as anybody and really has very little in the way of instincts or vision. What he has is great hands, great athleticism, and intellect. I loved the pick when we made it. Very big disappointment. His attitude and mentality only turns me away from him even more.

Redman is the guy with the heart. When he isn't injured, he runs downhill, and runs HARD. The problem is he lacks physical talent. He's slow, he isn't elusive, and his balance is somewhat middling. He tends to show better balance when he's getting hit then anything, which is a good thing, generally Razz

He has surprisingly good hands, but he simply doesn't have the speed to do as much with it as one would hope.

As for resigning Mendy, I don't know if he has burned his bridges with the Steelers. He stands by his decision to be absent at San Diego and to my knowledge has not admitted that he did anything wrong. "There's a lot of thought that goes into everything that I do" so apparently he did it willfully and feels he was right. Comments like that, his ridiculous slavery comments, and his Osama bin Laden comment make it tough for me to even want him around in black and gold. Ultimately though, he's a Tomlin 1st rounder, and I think they'll make every effort to resign him.

like JPN, I'm not keen on the idea of going into the season with our current RB corps as disjointed as it is. UFAs and RFAs everywhere, with only a 175-lb non-elusive, non-blazing COP guy. Thankfully, there aren't any 1st round candidates for us to go after, but I wouldn't be surprised, nor would I be particularly angry, if we go for a guy like Lacy in the 2nd, or Bell, Barner, or Ball in the 3rd

weird. I actually have to start paying attention to RBs again. Confused

anyway, to answer (Finally) the question

1. I would consider resigning Mendenhall if the contract was low enough. If he wants true starter money, then I let him go to the highest bidder.

2. I would prefer to resign Dwyer and include a weight clause with the following stipulations:

- show up for camp weighing no more than 235
- weekly weigh-ins, fines for weight above 230
- bonuses for weight between 225 and 230

he's not Jerome Bettis. He's just chubby. He has no business being any more than a few pounds heavier than Mendenhall. I know it doesn't show in their running styles, but Dwyer is NOT that large-framed guy that the announcers love to prattle on and on about. he's not a power RB in the Bettis mold. Bettis was simply a short OG with great feet and vision. Dwyer's a RB who lets himself get chubby far too often.
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turtle28 · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:16 pm Post subject:

I can't believe I'm writing this ... But I agree with Kethnab!! Shocked

Yes, it's true, he'll has frozen over folks! Laughing

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mike23md
Days until:Minicamp 21; Training camp 65; Eagles @ Redskins 111 RIP SSF

kethnaab · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 6981

turtle28 · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:52 pm Post subject:

at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

Steeler Hitman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 993 Location: Laurel, MD

kethnaab · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 6981

turtle28 · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 5:58 pm Post subject:

I like Dwyer and Redman, they are good reserves to have.

I like Rainey and agree with whomever it was that said the steelers need to figure out better ways to get him the ball in space to he can make plays with his speed.

The team needs a definite #1 though and if they don't retain Mendy, they so need to replace him.

That means, drafting a RB in this years 3rd or 4th round that has more talent Redman and better work ethic than Dwyer.
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mike23md
Days until:Minicamp 21; Training camp 65; Eagles @ Redskins 111 RIP SSF

3rivers · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 1692

They should let him go and with him being in tomlins doghouse, I think he is gone. 34 is decent, but that is it, but he might have a really good year with a good OL on another team. This OL was only good the first 3 games Adams started and Haley ran the ball. No point signing a big time contract to a rb like 34 might demand if this team still calls/plays slopball. Laughing

Dwyer can be good for this team , but he has had his own issues in the past. Trade colon for 28 in carolina sounds fair to me Idea

Get the OL to play well enough (and play calling) so that a poll like this doesn't matter, like the 3 game stretch we had vs skins, giants and bungles. If the playcalling /OL plays like that (or how about better?) then who cares if 34 is back or if we draft a high pick on RB. 13st in the league between the tackles running - nobody will succeed with that.

Once again, get the OL fixed - for good and with depth Twisted Evil

RB is nothing without OL Shame on you

kethnaab · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 6981

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 40049 Location: East of Sixburgh

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 40049 Location: East of Sixburgh

at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

SteelProven · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:39 pm Post subject:

The Steelers can not go into the season with just Redman and Dwyer as the primary RBs. Redman is decent in spot duty, but because of his running style will stay dinged up.

Dwyer isn't mentally strong enough to be anything the Steelers need as far as a #1 back is concerned. Couple that with only Batch and Rainey as other options and it's looking really bare in the cupboard.

The RB position isn't as highly valued as it once was, but it can't be under valued either. The Steelers have to take a long look at whats available and draft the best option.

If Ed Lacy is there in the second I'd have a hard time not drafting him depending on who was selected in the first round.
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kethnaab · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 6981