The Steelers finally reached over 100 yards rushing Sunday in the losing effort against the Bengals, but it was still an effort that could have been better on the ground. Willie Parker was the spark plug, and really the only back to get much work, as out of 28 carries for the team, Parker had 25 for 93 yards, his best game of the season to date.
Which leads many to ask – what happened to Rashard Mendenhall? The second-year back was a ghost on Sunday, and while he played on special teams, he didn’t see the field at all for an offensive play. It appears that Mendenhall found his way to Mike Tomlin’s doghouse this week, as when asked about Mendenhall, the upset coach stated that the back didn’t play for good reason.
“Rashard was not on the details this week, so I chose not to play him on offense,” Tomlin said.
It’s these “details” that have been mentioned by Tomlin over and over during the last two losses, and whatever Mendenhall did, upset the coach to the extreme. Mendenhall was expected to have a big impact this year, and so far, he, like others on the team that have not stepped up, have let the team down and have been a reason why the club has started 1-2.
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mark
September 29, 2009 at 7:50 am
Did anyone miss him? Sure, he could have spelled FWP and maybe broke one and true, I expect big things from him. Mendenhalls absence did not beat the Steelers.
DrGeorge
September 29, 2009 at 10:07 am
Other teams have at least one power back, many have two. The Steelers don’t have any. Including Mendenhall. Mendenhall was benched for good reason. Why does anybody care? Aside from one 39 yd run, he hasn’t contributed when he has been in the game. I agree with you, Mark. He wasn’t missed.
mark
September 29, 2009 at 10:45 am
DrGeorge, Mendenhall not withstanding, FWP had a pretty good game and the team scores 20. The line played well enough for the team to win. The problem for the first time in a LONG time was the defense was to blame for letting too many sustained drives go on. If Farrior makes that tackle, the Steelers escape with a win. 13-0 and 20-9 leads!! WOW, that is an eye-opener. #14 killed them ( I wont mention his name anymore) and the pick-6 was a disaster and this all contributed. But I have to think the defense is struggling as much as the offense. Those leads should have been enough.