Game Notes From Against the Ravens

[StainlessStill]

Remember we tried the same type of trick play on the opposite side of the field with Baron Batch in Cincy. Batch dropped it and a trick play wasn't heard from since until last night's opportunity with Dwyer. Regardless, it just seems like Darkstorm has a very bad bias against Dwyer for whatever reason. It's not that he "couldn't get there." He was there, it's just the Ravens weren't fooled and they jumped all over it.

Shit happens.

[Darkstorm05]

Originally Posted by StainlessStill

Remember we tried the same type of trick play on the opposite side of the field with Baron Batch in Cincy. Batch dropped it and a trick play wasn't heard from since until last night's opportunity with Dwyer. Regardless, it just seems like Darkstorm has a very bad bias against Dwyer for whatever reason. It's not that he "couldn't get there." He was there, it's just the Ravens weren't fooled and they jumped all over it.

Shit happens.

Haha...yes, I'm anti-fad. Everyone always calls for the backup. In 2010, I think, the official Steelers forums was jam packed with people wanting Leftwich to start over Ben. It's silly. It equally annoys me when people want to disregard Mendenhall's past performance because Dwyer had 2 good games. A healthy Mendy playing hard is 10 times the back Dwyer is.

Everyone is free to love their guy, though, and the current reality is that Tomlin isn't happy with Mendy, and Haley wasn't happy with Dwyer. Big shakeup next year, as we can't bring all these guys back. Mendy almost assuredly leaves, and we'll see how that turns out.

[StainlessStill]

In 2010, I think, the official Steelers forums was jam packed with people wanting Leftwich to start over Ben.

[Darkstorm05]

Originally Posted by StainlessStill

Yea, it's ridiculous. It's why this forum is far superior...well, one reason, anyway. We may have some gloom and doomers here, and some of us dislike some players(I hear that Ike sucks), but the majority of us I think like the bulk of the players performances.

[bornaSteelersfan]

Originally Posted by Darkstorm05

Haha...yes, I'm anti-fad. Everyone always calls for the backup. In 2010, I think, the official Steelers forums was jam packed with people wanting Leftwich to start over Ben. It's silly. It equally annoys me when people want to disregard Mendenhall's past performance because Dwyer had 2 good games. A healthy Mendy playing hard is 10 times the back Dwyer is.

Everyone is free to love their guy, though, and the current reality is that Tomlin isn't happy with Mendy, and Haley wasn't happy with Dwyer. Big shakeup next year, as we can't bring all these guys back. Mendy almost assuredly leaves, and we'll see how that turns out.

I don't disregard Mendenhall's past performance. He dropped the ball way too many times. The question is always, "What have you done for me lately?" Dwyer cannot be the "workhorse" because he gets winded too easily and does not have break away speed. The only back assured of being a Steeler next season is Rainey.

[Rotorhead]

We arent "disregarding" his past performances, learn some reading comprehension skills. You are comparing his body of work as a starter to, until this season, a third stringers body of work. Then cherry picking the stats that make your argument better. You cant compare them like that for numerous reasons. To restate my point so you may better comprehend it, you simply can not compare stats from a multiyear starter to second and third stringers when you only take into account total yardage and # if TDs, the second snd third stringers simply do not get the amount of opportunities.

[Rotorhead]

That being said, I have nothing against Mendy, had high hopes for him this season in a better offense. I just prefer a RB that will fight for the tuff yards, Mendy doesnt, and for the record my preference is Redman as I think he is the better back right now.

[StainlessStill]

I view Mendenhall as an open field runner. I would love to see him come back and be used as a Reggie Bush type player (The Saints version) and try to match him up one on one in space. Fact of the matter, is this offensive line we have now barley opens any crease's and Mendenhall is a bounce it type runner who doesn't like contact. That and he runs with the football very carelessly and away from his body.

We finally saw that when traffic is around him, the ball popped out twice in Cleveland. What a coincidence that Dwyer is a straight ahead, between the tackle runner, bounced it OUTSIDE and got a hat on the football in Cleveland.

Even though Mendy could still be used as a valuable weapon, Dwyer fits this team better the way the offensive line drive-blocks between the tackles. A bruiser to compliment the speed on the outsides.

[SteelersCanada]

I like that we can disagree but remain civil regarding Dwyer.

Anyway, here's my take on Jonathan. There's better running backs coming out of college this year - rookies - that are more explosive and have more upside than Dwyer. He's simply not the answer for us at running back. The one dimensional run-it-up-the-middle-or-gain-nothing mantra that he seems to have isn't working. Take Martin from the Bucs, for example. He's a rookie and built similarly to Dwyer, but has the speed and explosive play ability to bounce it outside and make things happen. Dwyer just doesn't have the speed or quickness to make something outta nothing - which is a shame. He's very good in down-and-short situations, but he's not the answer at RB.

I don't even know if he'll have a roster spot if the Steelers draft a running back in this years draft. Guys like Davis, Lacy and Barner are just flat out better running backs than Dwyer.

[steelfury02]

TO ALL YOU RAVENS TROLLS. This is your "situation" :