APEarlier this week, Steelers running back Isaac Redman said that it looked like Rashard Mendenhall would get the start in his return to the lineup.
Looks were not deceiving. Mendenhall will be the first back in the game for the Steelers against the Ravens on Sunday night, but coach Mike Tomlin also said that he won’t be the only back to tote the rock.
“Mendenhall is going to start tonight. He’s healthy, and so we’re going to do that, but you’re going to see all of the backs,” Tomlin said, via Missi Matthews of the team’s website.
Mendenhall has missed the last four games recovering from an Achilles injury. He’s played just two games overall this season after a delayed start to the regular season thanks to the torn ACL he suffered in January.
The Steelers had a run of three straight games with a 100-yard rusher snapped against the Chiefs on Monday night. Jonathan Dwyer had the first two of those games and Redman went for 147 yards against the Giants in Week Nine, so the Steelers have no shortage of options when it comes to attacking the Ravens on the ground.
With Ben Roethlisberger out and the Ravens allowing 132 rushing yards per game, that’s a good thing for Pittsburgh heading into Sunday night’s battle for the lead in the AFC North.
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It doesn’t matter to me who starts. Just win the game.
What is the obsession with Mendenhall? The guy moves like a turtle.
It doesn’t matter to me who starts. Just win the game
exactly!
I don’t care if mike tomlin starts at rb
tdrundmc says:
Nov 18, 2012 10:43 AM
What is the obsession with Mendenhall? The guy moves like a turtle.
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I’ve been asking this for awhile. Mendenhall is about as average as a RB can get.
Today the Steeler Nation continues their dominance over the Ratbirds. We will again prove who the holy one is.
They won the last few times, why? Because we let them! They need their confidence built up so beating them today will be even more enjoyable. Wow, we are so gracious.
Here we go Steelers, Here we go! Jealous?
This is good news for the Ravens then. He’s one of the softest feature backs in the league. Dwyer and Redman against our run defense for 60 minutes wouldve been far from ideal.
Mendenhall starting doesn’t mean that he gonna be the feature back. I think Dwyer and Redman will still get more carries. Then Rainey will provide the knockout punch.