I forgot to mention salary cap pinch you just mentioned in the article, but the Steelers might have to go with the best 3 of 4 of these guys because of the salary issues. If they bring in a 6-7th Rounder or FA on the cheap who fits the system it would be nice for camp competition and a possible steal. Yet there are so many issues elsewhere to address early in the Draft, and Colbert said earlier in the week he is satisfied with the depth chart now and RB is no more a need than anywhere else even with Mendy. shelved.

Yet you’re right though that Arians though is at fault the most for his Red Zone shenanigans and the Offense’s lack of execution. Denver won the T.O.P. the following week in New England (By almost 7 minutes), but the Patriots destroyed Denver out of the gate by finishing drives with TD’s early (like the Steelers could have done) and burying Denver when they had the chance.

You’re spot on in the fact that their running game lacked the ability to pick up the necessary yards, and it cost them in many important games. As I stated in the article, the running game doesn’t necessarily need to have “stars” toting the rock, just guys that get the job done and help to move the chains and make plays happen when their number is called. It will definitely be a big question entering this season, but I personally believe that Redman will be hungry to earn the job outright and the other guys will be fighting for carries and a chance to shine as well. Some like SonnyDrysdale may disagree, and they have every right to because Steeler Nation still needs to see their production on the field throughout a whole season as “Featured Backs.” Thus it will be an interesting season/experiment to say the least to see if the Steelers can reinforce the notion that RB’s are a dime a dozen and can be replaced in most instances with guys that fit the system yet don’t have oodles of experience.

As for “matching stats” from their championship seasons, the Steelers actually ran for more yards last season than in their 2008 Super Bowl run (over 300 yards). They just happened to have the League’s best Defense that year and one of the Top 25 Defenses ever assembled helping them along the way. That team got the necessary yards (as you alluded to) however on the ground to keep winning games with guys like Mewelde Moore and Gary Russell when Fast Willie Parker was unavailable/ineffective.

Thanks for the input/comments and reading my article, and I appreciate you reading it.

Mendy’s uniqueness is his big-play ability, where he can bounce quickly outside and takes it to the house. I’m not sure there is another back on the roster with that kind of speed. I totally agree with you in that they have able bruisers, as well as good catchers; but I don’t see that explosive speed anywhere on the current roster at RB.

That said, I don’t think the Steelers need to match the running stats from 2011, they need to match the stats from seasons where they actually won the big one. Last year their running game was mediocre, and lacked the ability to get the yards when needed most. This absolutely killed the defense (see Denver, and three lonely-and-gasping defensive lineman who never got a breather). It destroyed the defensive game plan, which was the only option available due to injury. Don’t be mad at LeBeau for failing to adapt, he had no more chess pieces and his game partner (Arians) was too stupid/arrogant to see his “three play offense” never controlled the clock!

The playcalling needs to keep the Steelers’ defense off the field and control the clock. Can’t do that with a mediocre running game. They need to exceed the production from 2011.

Look at any RB that has played for Mike Shanahan over the years (Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson). Or how about Arian Foster and Ben Tate in Houston the last couple of seasons? Weren’t those guys lacking experience as well? They managed to come in and do a fantastic job.

As for the sub-par WR coprs? You’ll have to enlighten me as to how are they at a disadvantage? With Wallace, Brown, and a healthy Sanders that’s a pretty good combo if you ask me and most QB’s around the League. Then you factor in Miller at TE, and I would say Pittsburgh has some pretty darn good pass catchers entering 2012. Disadvantage?

Revamping the O-Line this offseason is a must, but if Pittsburgh can accomplish that I see no reason the Offense (especially the run game) will skip a beat in 2012 with Haley instead of Arians calling the plays and tailoring the Offense to the talent it already has.