Steelers backfield crowded

[mesaSteeler]

Steelers backfield crowded
By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/...lers-backfield
dlolley@observer-reporter.com

LATROBE - Maybe the rich do tend to get richer.

That certainly seems to be the case with the Steelers at the running back position.

Already blessed with Willie Parker, a two-time Pro Bowl player, Mewelde Moore, who has five career 100-yard games, and former first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers have added a pair of talented rookies to the mix in Frank Summers and Isaac Redman.

Summers, a fifth-round draft pick, and Redman, an undrafted free agent rookie, were two of the stars of the Steelers' 20-10 preseason victory over Arizona Thursday at Heinz Field.

Summers, seeing his first live action at fullback after working primarily as a runner at UNLV, looked powerful as a lead blocker and also led the team with two special teams tackles.

Redman, meanwhile, led the Steelers with 32 yards rushing and scored both of the team's touchdowns, pounding his way into the end zone from three and five yards out.

He followed that up Sunday at Saint Vincent College by scoring five times on seven goal-line carries during training camp drills. Redman scored three times against the Steelers' first-team defense and twice against the second-team unit as head coach Mike Tomlin tested Redman's endurance and mettle by giving him all seven goal-line attempts.


"You know, he still has a ways to go," said Tomlin, trying to temper the enthusiasm surrounding the rookie. "That's the process. No question he represented himself well today."

Both Summers and Redman are pushing hard for roster spots on a team that may have only one or two spots available.

The Steelers usually keep five backs on their roster, and in addition to Parker, Moore and Mendenhall - who are assured spots barring injury - the team also has fullback/special teams ace Carey Davis, tight end/fullback combo Sean McHugh and Justin Vincent, who has spent the past two seasons on the practice squad, returning.

"I'm trying to make the most of my opportunity," said Redman, a 6-0, 230-pound bruiser out of Bowie State. "I scored a touchdown on my first carry (against the Cardinals). It's like a dream come true.

"But I can't pat myself on the back. I've still got a lot of work to do. I still need to work hard to improve and study my plays and work just as hard on special teams."

The Steelers only recently moved the 5-10, 240-pound Summers to fullback at training camp, and the rookie, who is nicknamed "The Tank," showed he's quite capable of carrying the ball or blocking.

"I think he is showing the aptitude of a lead blocker, a guy who is capable of generating power on contact," said Tomlin. "He has a good demeanor for it; I think he is doing a nice job. He is open to it, so we are just trying to find more things that young men are capable of doing.

"This guy likes the combat. So we will continue to work with him in regards to the fullback position."

Odds and end zones

Rookie guard Kraig Urbik, a third-round draft pick, missed practice Sunday with a scratched cornea. ... Safety Troy Polamalu (calf) and defensive end Travis Kirschke (ankle) left practice early Sunday. Neither injury is considered serious.

[revefsreleets]

According to what I read on THIS message board, the depth chart is:

Melwelde Moore
Isaac Redmon
Tank Summers
Justin Vincent
Carey Davis
Willie Parker
Rashard Mendenhall (NFL Bust)

And that, my friends, is why I ALWAYS defer to the wisdom of the Steelers coaches and FO.

[Rotorhead]

No no no Rev, we are trading Mendy and Parker for Kuhn and then it will be Kuhn, Redmon and Tank for the 1-2-3 spots!

[OneForTheToe]

I'm not sure you need to throw McHugh into the debate so much. I believe he has a roster spot already sown up. And the fact that McHugh can play FB might ease the Steelers' concern about going with a couple of rookie backs. Last year the Steelers kept Davis at full back, four running backs and McHugh as a FB/TE hybrid. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't keep the same numbers this season. Although, if it wasn't for Redmon's emergence, they could have gotten away with just three backs and Summers as a FB/RB combo and thus saved a roster spot for another position.

As other have said, it is early too declare Redmon anything but a preseason HOF'er, but I like what I hear about him scoring on our first team D. You know are D guys don't want anybody to score on them, especially a rookie.

[steelreserve]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

And that, my friends, is why I ALWAYS defer to the wisdom of the Steelers coaches and FO.

That's right. Might as well close this thread.

Might as well close down the whole message board, for that matter.

I mean, since we've obviously got no business having opinions that aren't in lock-step with the coaching staff, we've really got nothing to talk about.

[revefsreleets]

Originally Posted by steelreserve

That's right. Might as well close this thread.

Might as well close down the whole message board, for that matter.

I mean, since we've obviously got no business having opinions that aren't in lock-step with the coaching staff, we've really got nothing to talk about.

As always, I will call attention to the MONUMENTAL difference between opinion and INFORMED opinion. We have WAY too many people here making ridiculous assertions based on nothing other than ignorance...all opinions are NOT the same. I'm sorry, but that's just the honest truth.

Example A: My depth chart above is a joke, but there are a couple people here who don't think it's too far from the truth.

[Dino 6 Rings]

I think McHugh stays as a TE, not so much FB. Also think that Summers has an opportunity to knock Davis off the Roster at FB

With that, I see Parker, Moore, Mendy, and at this point, Redman as the 4th RB, but we'll see.

I like that they are giving Summers the opportunity to get playing time at FB. I like that alot.

Now...will they PLEASE put a Back Up QB at the HOLDER Position so we can at least give off the hint of running a successful fack FG. Dixon should be the holder at this point.

[wootawnee]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

As always, I will call attention to the MONUMENTAL difference between opinion and INFORMED opinion. We have WAY too many people here making ridiculous assertions based on nothing other than ignorance...all opinions are NOT the same. I'm sorry, but that's just the honest truth.

Example A: My depth chart above is a joke, but there are a couple people here who don't think it's too far from the truth.

Yea you should have gotten your opinion a little more informed......Maybe you would have not voted for McCain.......

[steelreserve]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

As always, I will call attention to the MONUMENTAL difference between opinion and INFORMED opinion. We have WAY too many people here making ridiculous assertions based on nothing other than ignorance...all opinions are NOT the same. I'm sorry, but that's just the honest truth.

Example A: My depth chart above is a joke, but there are a couple people here who don't think it's too far from the truth.

Well, OK, I get you. We do get a good number of people who just show up and start rambling, but I guess that's the Internet for you.

[The Lakelander]

There's a few whiny little biatchio's on here that take what people say and manipulate it into entirely something else! And I'm guessing, growing up in your households with you boys, there was no winning an argument about which vegetable was better at the dinner table.

I can hear it now ....

Little Sister: Broccoli is the best vegetable because it is more healthy for you

Whiny Little Biatchio Brother: Bwah hah hah! She said broccoli is better than corn! Remember when Big Sister said lima beans was the best vegetable. Look at how sad lima beans are now! They're pathetic!

Little Sister: It's broccoli I'm telling you!

Whiny Little Biatchio Brother: That's the vegetable John Kuhn ate when he was a loser! Broccoli sucks until I say it doesn't suck! When I say it don't suck no more, then broccoli is worthy!




Here's what looks to be the RB roster when pre-season finally breaks, assuming nobody suffers a major injury!

Starter - Willie Parker
3rd Down Ace - Mewelde Moore
Full Back - Tank Summers
H-Back - Sean McHugh

1st Bench Substitution - Rashard Mendenhall
2nd Bench Sub/Goal Line Specialist - Isaac Redman


This is a flexible lineup of RB's that give the Steelers every single option imaginable for the situations they will be facing this year!

How much work Mendenhall and Redman get will depend entirely on the situations the team will be facing week by week.

But I'd be damn happy with this group and I think it's a certain upgrade over last year's unit!