YinzPitt

Well, it was a pretty impressive coming out party last night for Pittsburgh Steeler Rashard Mendenhall.  I don’t know if it was as much Mendenhall, running like the days of old when he was a college back, or the O-line being on their game last night.  Either way, both parties made each other look really spectacular.

Mendenhall ran for 165 Yards and 2 touchdowns, to shred an already injury plagued San Diego defense last night.  He ran with force and crushing power as it looked as there was nothing the Chargers defense could but pout and bump their chests in anger.  This also came after a week of extra stipulation as Mike Tomlin had called him out the previous week for missing assignments and continually messing up the playbook  leading up to the Bengals game.  However, Mendenhall says he holds no grudge or ill will towards the man who demands the best from the Steelers day in and day out:

“I didn’t have a chip on my shoulder,” Mendenhall said. “He challenged me and it was a learning experience. I always had confidence in myself. I knew it was only a matter of time before I got an opportunity.”

I think Willie Parker could be hearing foot-steps coming from behind him as far as I’m concerned.  He’s in his final year of his contract, and his tip-toe tweak style running has out-grown with the Steelers.  The way Mendenhall ran last night, regardless of Willie Parker’s status next week, Mendenhall gets the start.

Rashard has the speed, but he also has his bigger frame to run through holes that are disappearing quickly.  Rashard saw holes close quickly last night, and altered his decision to change the direction and gained costly yards that kept drives alive, where Parker would tip-toe and juke himself to the ground after he got touched.  Also, confidence is a touchy thing in the NFL, when things are going good it’s great, and when things are going bad it’s terrible.  Keep the hot hand in for a week longer and see if he can continue his good fortune.

Finally, I’m concerned with the Defense.  Two weeks in a row, the defense has pretty much all but fallen apart at the end of games.  Hell, the Steelers couldn’t even barely touch Rivers last night, and that was more attributed to his quick release than not enough pressure.  But, it’s then when the defense has to at least change coverages to confuse Rivers and cause some extra havoc in the zones.    All in all, a very decent rebound game for the Steelers and here’s to it continuing next week.  I for one however, want to see more of the power back rather than the speed and agility back.

PS.  Ike Taylor, when you tackle, use your arms to wrap up and just don’t thrust your shoulder.  Don’t worry about your hands and arms getting hurt, you can’t catch regardless.