Steelers’ run game off to worst start in 62 years

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

To be fair, we have to keep in mind that Redman has been playing on a pulled groin since week 2 of preseason. Thus far, we have not seen his best either.

Some RBs can do fine with a pulled groin. Redman's main strength was his footwork and ability to use his center of gravity to keep his legs under him. With a pulled groin, his biggest tool is nullified.

Not making excuses, just pointing out that our run game is still a work in progress and no need to panic.

[EbonySteel86]

The running game is doing exactly what its supposed to be doing in keeping the defence honest and keeping Ben upright, that and Miller being involved also. Something BA just couldn't figure out. When Mendy comes back, the running game will pick up and this offence will be dangerous IMHO....but the.defence??? That's another story....

[Hawaii 5-0]

Willie Colon Blames Himself for Poor Running Game

by SteelBlitz

The Steelers are off to their worst start running the ball on offense in 62 years. A lot of the blame has been put on the Steelers being without starting running back Rashard Mendenhall, but the Steelers had him for 15 and a half games in 2011 and struggled to run the ball then too. In fact when the running back is being met in the backfield on almost every carry it is hard to place much of them blame on them at all.

During the last few drafts the Steelers have shown concern for the real problem: the offensive line. The Steelers have drafted Maurkice Pouncey, Marcus Gilbert, David DeCastro, and Mike Adams within the first two rounds of the last three drafts. They know that the run game starts up front and that Ben Roethlisberger needs more time to throw. However, DeCastro is out with a knee injury, Gilbert is battling a groin problem, and Adams was unable to win a job as a rookie. Heading into the season their was hope for the line and a lot of optimism. The Steelers would finally have a mauling pull guard in DeCastro, now out with an injury, and would have Willie Colon back, who had only played in one game during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

So why is the line still failing in the run game? Colon says to point the finger directly at him. Willie Colon made the move from right tackle to left guard with the hope that he would be able to anchor the position in place of the incumbent Chris Kemoeatu. Colon, however, has been anything but dominate in his first three games at left guard. He is failing to open holes, struggling as a pull guard, and being called for too many penalties.

When asked about playing left guard Colon said that the move is difficult and that he is still learning how to play his new position. Willie Colon admitted to having trouble getting used to pulling as a guard and said that he needs to do a better job of creating holes in the run game and of getting to the second level. Todd Haley’s playbook uses more of a zone blocking type scheme that calls for athletic lineman who can get to the second level and open up holes. Colon, as of now, is struggling with that, but he should continue to improve as he gets more playing time.

The return of Rashard Mendenhall may help some, but he can’t do everything himself. David DeCastro should return later in the year and we will be able to see how much his presence improves the running game. As of now it is up to the five guys on the field to make room for the running back to run and they have a tough task ahead of them with the Eagles front four next Sunday.

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/ar..._game/11836516

[Millers the sh!t]

Maybe it's cause we played against 2 decent run defenses the first few games, had to abandon the run against Denver cause our defense made the shitty Peyton manning look like Peyton in his prime and score points on 5 drives in a row. then we played against a raiders secondary which sucks balls, and why not throw the ball 40 times against them? Especially when our defense couldn't give us a 3 and out to save our life....

[tony hipchest]

Todd Haley’s playbook uses more of a zone blocking type scheme that calls for athletic lineman who can get to the second level and open up holes.

square pegs in round holes. willie, starks, gilbert are more power maulers in the old russ grimm/bill cowher mold.

[GoFor7]

It might've helped if the Steelers brought in someone at RB with some pedigree. Brandon Jacobs was out there a while, a powerful bruising back that would make stubborn 70's yinzers giddy, and the Steelers skip over him. I really don't understand how they thought they were going to go back to "Stiller football" with Redman and Dwyer as the two best options.

[FrancoLambert]

Struggling OL = Struggling Running Game
Fix one, fix the other.

[Hawaii 5-0]

DeCastro returning would be a big help...

DeCastro walking without a limp five weeks after “severe” knee injury

Posted by Mike Florio on September 30, 2012



As if the sideline-level scouting report on WVU quarterback Geno Smith wasn’t enough to justify the write off, there was another nugget more closely related to the NFL that could make the entire day in Morgantown land in the deduction column on the 1040.

After the game, I spotted Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who was attending the game with his father, Oliver, the WVU Athletics Director. Andrew’s current team is on a bye, and with him was his former Stanford teammate, Steelers guard David DeCastro, whose pro team also is off this weekend.

DeCastro injured his knee badly during the preseason. Eventually, the Steelers placed him on injured reserve with the “designated for return” designation.

Five weeks removed from the injury, DeCastro was walking briskly without a limp as he and Luck left the stadium. Though it’s hardly evidence that he’ll be ready to go any time soon, with DeCastro able to return to play eight weeks after placement on IR (which happened nearly four weeks ago), he’s looking in street clothes like a guy who was never even injured.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...e-knee-injury/

[Hawaii 5-0]

Rashard Mendenhall ready for return to Steelers

By Kareem Copeland
Published: Oct. 1, 2012

Running back Rashard Mendenhall is set to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers this week after ACL surgery in January. His return has been much-anticipated as the Steelers ranked the No. 31 rushing offense in the NFL.

The Steelers host the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.

"I'm really just waiting on my opportunity," Mendenhall recently told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I just want to continue to work and, as we as an offense sort of form ourselves and bring the pieces together, I want to bring whatever piece I bring.

"But we struggled as a running game early in the season last year, and that's part of it. We just want to continue to grow and, as long as we get better and not worse, that's what we want to do. But we see it from a different light -- we see how close we are (to breaking out) so we just will keep working."

Mendenhall rushed for 1,100 yards in 2009 and 1,200 yards in 2010. Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer haven't been very effective as replacement backs.

"Getting (Mendenhall) back is really going to help us," offensive lineman Doug Legursky said. "Not that the other two backs haven't done a good job because they have, but Rashard's explosion, his speed and his experience will really just add to it and make us that much better. He is one of those guys who is able to press the hole and he is also just speed around the edge where nobody is going to catch him.

"That makes him a dangerous piece to our offense, and we're excited about getting him back."

Mendenhall tore his ACL during the 2011 regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers now will have more talent at the position, but Mendenhall admitted all of his speed and cutting ability has not returned. He also hasn't played in new offensive coordinator Todd Haley's scheme. There will be a transitional period.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...rn-to-steelers

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Redman spins too much.