Mendenhall to Start?

[Seven]

Apparently, Rashard Mendenhall might start this Sunday. No link, simply a rumor out of practice today.

If that occurs, I will lose a lot of respect for a coaching staff that I've otherwise had a lot of respect for. There is no reason Mendenhall should see that field. He might be the most talented back on the roster, but the guy is a nutcase, ignorant and does not care what happens to this team.

In response to coach Mike Tomlin’s explanation that Mendenhall was simply frustrated when he decided not to show up for a game in which he was told he wouldn’t dress, Mendenhall disagrees.

"I wouldn't use that word" Mendenhall said, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “There’s a lot of thought that goes into everything that I do.”

He's checked out. He abandoned his team and admitted "a lot of thought" went into it. He was benched for fumbling twice on four carries and pouting afterwards and despite his "sit down" with Tomlin is still acting like a child. Forget the on-field debate, even if he is the best option from a pure physical standpoint, how can we trust this guy in these must win games? I certainly don't.

He's already stated he wants a change of scenery. He is defiant to the point of arrogance. And he might be rewarded with a start? I have to believe Coach Tomlin will not make that mistake. I sure as hell hope I'm right.

[Chidi29]

But given all that, if the rumor is true, Tomlin is still strongly considering making him the starter.

Which says he realizes he is the most talented back on the roster and the running game needs a shot in the arm to get going...and try to keep the team's playoff hopes alive.

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And I still strongly believe Dwyer is nothing special. He has been impressive relatively speaking since many figured he was going to be cut, but he is not that talented of a back. Serviceable at best, marginal at worst.

[zulater]

If Redman is healthy I think he should get the majority of the carries.

But if they start Mendenhall hopefully he'll prove it to be a wise decision.

[Seven]

But given all that, if the rumor is true, Tomlin is still strongly considering making him the starter.

Which says he realizes he is the most talented back on the roster and the running game needs a shot in the arm to get going...and try to keep the team's playoff hopes alive.

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And I still strongly believe Dwyer is nothing special. He has been impressive relatively speaking since many figured he was going to be cut, but he is not that talented of a back. Serviceable at best, marginal at worst.

I would rather play an average Dwyer over Mendenhall at his best right now. It's pretty well known his teammates lost respect for him after his day off a couple weeks ago, it's pretty clear he doesn't care about this team, it's pretty clear he's prone to fumble at inopportune times - and the weather is going to bad by all reports.

I understand his potential is tempting, but if a guy doesn't care, he doesn't deserve to play. He quit on the team. You can't defend that. Putting him on the field is a mistake.

[Chidi29]

I would rather play an average Dwyer over Mendenhall at his best right now. It's pretty well known his teammates lost respect for him after his day off a couple weeks ago, it's pretty clear he doesn't care about this team, it's pretty clear he's prone to fumble at inopportune times - and the weather is going to bad by all reports.

I understand his potential is tempting, but if a guy doesn't care, he doesn't deserve to play. He quit on the team. You can't defend that. Putting him on the field is a mistake.

But if he's the best option to help your team win, you do it.

Plus, and I hate falling back on the "coaches know more" argument, but who knows what has been talked about between Tomlin and Mendenhall behind closed doors. We really don't have a lot of information to draw a conclusion.

[Seven]

But if he's the best option to help your team win, you do it.

Plus, and I hate falling back on the "coaches know more" argument, but who knows what has been talked about between Tomlin and Mendenhall behind closed doors. We really don't have a lot of information to draw a conclusion.

I could buy that if Mendenhall hadn't flat out said publicly that his decision not to attend the game was premeditated. And he said that after he met with Tomlin.

As far as him giving the team the best chance to win, if it was a clear cut advantage (say Adrian Peterson vs. Matt Asiata) I could see your point. But Mendenhall just isn't that much better than Redman and Dwyer. Even for argument sake if I agree Mendenhall offers slightly more on the field, what is that worth when a guy doesn't care? I'd rather have Redman giving his all.

[st33lersguy]

It has become next to impossible to predict who starts at RB for the Steelers. Frankly all 3 of them are equally mediocre and inconsistent

[43Hitman]

It has become next to impossible to predict who starts at RB for the Steelers. Frankly all 3 of them are equally mediocre and inconsistent

Agreed. Good post.

[Seven]

It has become next to impossible to predict who starts at RB for the Steelers. Frankly all 3 of them are equally mediocre and inconsistent

But shouldn't a player who quit on his team be unquestionably ruled out? Particularly when you have guys on this roster who have outperformed him? If you measure a player simply by his potential Limas Sweed would be a starter on this team.

[katmandu]

He was benched for fumbling twice on four carries and pouting afterwards .

I don't care how talented he is. He's a liability with a seriously bad habit of carrying (and swinging) the ball like a loaf a bread!

It's way too late in the game to hold out hopes that he will change this bad habit.

He needs to go IMHO.

[Chidi29]

I could buy that if Mendenhall hadn't flat out said publicly that his decision not to attend the game was premeditated. And he said that after he met with Tomlin.

As far as him giving the team the best chance to win, if it was a clear cut advantage (say Adrian Peterson vs. Matt Asiata) I could see your point. But Mendenhall just isn't that much better than Redman and Dwyer. Even for argument sake if I agree Mendenhall offers slightly more on the field, what is that worth when a guy doesn't care? I'd rather have Redman giving his all.

But again, Mendenhall must have said something to Tomlin to change his mind, no?

[Dwinsgames]

It all comes down to trust because none of them have been consistent , I do not trust mendy to have his head in the game , in fact I would not put it past him to deliberately fumble , I would hope he would not do such a thing but I am not convinced he won't out of spite

[Seven]

But again, Mendenhall must have said something to Tomlin to change his mind, no?

I'm not so sure. I think Tomlin might just be seduced by Mendenhall's talent. Which, I admit, is tempting. But judging by his recent statements to the media, I don't see why you'd assume he's told coach Tomlin anything that suggests he has any genuine interest in supporting this team - beyond just lipservice. Why would he say that privately and act like an arrogant non-conformist publicly afterwards?

[Chidi29]

I'm not so sure. I think Tomlin might just be seduced by Mendenhall's talent. Which, I admit, is tempting. But judging by his recent statements to the media, I don't see why you'd assume he's told coach Tomlin anything that suggests he has any genuine interest in supporting this team - beyond just lipservice. Why would he say that privately and act like an arrogant non-conformist publicly afterwards?

I don't have those answers. I'm just saying if the report is true, Tomlin has obviously changed his stance. And there must be some reason for that.

[Seven]

It all comes down to trust because none of them have been consistent , I do not trust mendy to have his head in the game , in fact I would not put it past him to deliberately fumble , I would hope he would not do such a thing but I am not convinced he won't out of spite

I truly hate to say it but the thought has crossed my mind, too. I have a hard time believing he would, but if you don't care about the outcome of the game and already have a reputation as a fumbler, why not? It's not like it's going to kill you in free agency. And it would be one hell of a way to get back at this city that you apparently hate so much.

[salamander]

I'm for whatever helps us win on Sunday

[ShoeHorn]

I definitely don't trust mendenhall now and haven't since his momentum killing fumble cost us (IMO) the super bowl against the packers.

[steelreserve]

I don't really care what his attitude is as long as he can do something to help us win these next two games. Worry about that after the season and tell him to GTFO if that's truly what's going on. In the meantime, you'd be foolish not to get every last bit you could out of him.

[steeldawg]

I think it has alot to do with haley and ben, im sure they probably went to tomlin and said hey we could really use this guy right now. I do not think mendy quit on this team, I think he felt like tomlin quit on him. We forget that he fought hard to recover from a major injury to get back on the field early, you dont do that if you dont care. Also our running game sucks right now if you got a guy on the sideline who could instantly improve the running game with the playoffs on the line, you play him. You are not helping the team by keeping him on the sidelines.

[GBMelBlount]

If they start Mendy I hope they don't wait 3 or 4 quarters to rotate if he is not performing.

He IS exceptionally talented but the ypc does not bare out exceptional performance the last few years.

When your offensive line sucks YAC is important and that is twinkle toes achilles imo.

[Hindes204]

I don't really care what his attitude is as long as he can do something to help us win these next two games. Worry about that after the season and tell him to GTFO if that's truly what's going on. In the meantime, you'd be foolish not to get every last bit you could out of him.

My thoughts exactly. I still believe he is the most talented back on the team...get everything you can out of him now and worry about the rest in the offseason. I'm in favor of anything they helps us win the next two games, the drama can wait until the season is over

[The Bark]

Here's my thoughts:

Mendenhall fumbled the ball twice, but Tomlin has fumbled the situation from the get go - and that is more problematic than simply holding onto the rock.

When Mendenhall returned from his injury, he appeared to be serviceable, gaining 5.2 yards per carry in his first game back against Philly. I don't recall if he left the game early against Tennessee as he only had 6 yards on 6 carries, then missed the next several weeks with another injury.

Upon returning against Baltimore, he carried for an average of 3 yards on 11 attempts - not great, but Dwyer was performing better.

Then the Cleveland debacle.

I'm not going to defend his performance in that game, but Tomlin gave up on him right then and there and that, as a coach, is probably the worst thing one can do considering the issues with the running game all year and more importantly, as a head coach, you're not treating all of your players consistently.

Where's the consistency of discipline on the offensive line when Willie Colon continually gets false starts?

Where's the consistency of discipline at wide receiver when Wallace and Brown continually drop passes? Oh - well, we'll just make Wallace a co-starter?

Mendenhall was, without doubt, handled differently - whether it was merely for fumbling the ball twice or if there were other issues at play may never be known. I don't condone Mendenhall's action for missing the game when he learned he would be inactive, but he, as Tomlin would say, is a young man and it's up to the coach to ACT the ROLE of a MENTOR and HAVE the discussion MAN TO MAN with his player(s).

There's nothing wrong with holding players accountable and suspending Mendenhall was warranted, but Tomlin really needs to look in the mirror and realize how he himself has contributed to the problem. My respect for him as a coach has diminished more and more each year as I've grown tired of his sound bites.

This is the same coach who promised to make changes in years past... and didn't... to the detriment of his team. For whatever reason now, he's decided to make a change - but in doing so, he's probably committed one of the fundamental sins of coaching: not being consistent with your personnel and failing to hold everyone equably accountable.

If he should make an attempt to start Mendenhall this weekend, I believe, at this point, it may further call into question his coaching abilities. On one hand, it calls into question his decision-making regarding the running back carousal to begin with. On the other, he may realize Mendenhall is primed to go out and have a huge game in an effort to prove himself.

Either way, both player and coach have failed to handle whatever the situation was appropriately, but in the end, you have to hold the coach to a higher moral standing than you do the player because the coach is supposed to provide leadership and direction. Again, I want to stress I don't condone Mendenhall's actions - but I do believe Tomlin, as I said previously, needs to take a good look and ask himself how he may have contributed to the mess to begin.

If the team truly has lost faith in Mendenhall, then I see that as a direct reflection of Tomlin's actions repeatedly fumbling the running back situation - not Mendenhall's two fumbles which would play a contributing factor.

[ALLD]

If Mendenhall plays, will he fumble? That is the question.

[XxKnightxX]

If Mendenhall plays, will he fumble? That is the question.

Yes

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

[43Hitman]

If Mendenhall plays, will he fumble? That is the question.

Does a bear shit in the woods?

[Psycho Ward 86]

If Mendenhall plays, will he fumble? That is the question.

no the question is will he not suck?

[GBMelBlount]

Does a bear shit in the woods?

In case anyone did not know the answer...

[43Hitman]

In case anyone did not know the answer...

[ALLD]

You can always pull him if he sucks, but if he fumbles the game away then you started the wrong RB.

[st33lersguy]

But shouldn't a player who quit on his team be unquestionably ruled out? Particularly when you have guys on this roster who have outperformed him? If you measure a player simply by his potential Limas Sweed would be a starter on this team.

Yeah, you have a good point, playing a big game, you don't want someone who appears to have quit. Frankly, I think he should have remained suspended and I am worried that Tomlin has too loose a leash on all his players.