Mendenhall has struggled running the ball and I don't think that you can blame those issues on the offensive line because other Steeler running backs including Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer and Mewelde Moore have found success behind the same offensive line. His struggles have come from his inability to just hit a hole and the stats show that.
Mendenhall
58 carries 173 yards 2 touchdowns 3.0 yards per carry
Redman
37 carries 156 yards 1 toucdhown 4.2 yards per carry
Dwyer
11 carries 107 yards 0 touchdowns 9.7 yards per carry
I have no problem with Mendy getting his starting job back but if it doesn't work well then the Steelers should go to Redman. Redman has 12 carries less than Mendy but only has ran for 17 yards less and is averaging 1.2 yards more per carry.
My biggest issue with Mendy is that he stops and stutters way too much. He thinks that shimmying makes defenders miss where Redman just buries his head and just runs straight ahead. How many times has Redman picked up even a yard or two when it looked like he was going to get tackled for a loss? and how many times has Mendy done it?
I think that the Titans game proved that the Steelers need to give Redman and Dwyer more carries as the season goes on. I don't think there is a large controversy just yet, but if Mendy struggles against the Jags then it may be time to pull the switch.
This is Mendenhall's wake up call.
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