Mike Tomlin said today that Isaac Redman will serve as the Steelers' short-yardage back. That's bad news for those of you who selected Mendenhall in your fantasy drafts.
On the plus side, Tomlin did say the Steelers will use Mendenhall as the primary third-down back - as they did in the second half of last season - so he could make up for a couple of the scores that Redman may syphon off.
© As expected, Antwaan Randle El will be the team's emergency QB this week against Atlanta and will get some practice snaps at quarterback.
Randle El is also the backup holder on PATs and field goals.
© Jeff Reed will handle kickoffs this week, but I expect that to be a week-to-week thing with him and Daniel Sepulveda.
© Tomlin would not commit to saying which rookie receiver, Emmanuel Sanders or Antonio Brown - or if both - will be active on game days.
He was also non-commital with rookie linebackers Jason Worilds, Stephenson Sylvester and Thaddeus Gibson.
He wants the kids to earn their spots - though I think both rookie wide receivers and two of the three linebackers will be active.
© The Steelers released seventh-round draft pick Doug Worthington from their practice squad, signing defensive end Al Woods instead.
Woods was a fourth-round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints out of LSU.
And I was relieved when they were able to get Worthington on the practice squad! Just goes to show how we fans have no idea what is going through the FO's mind.
ReplyDeleteJust found a guy that they liked better.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything you can tell us about this guy? Worthington seemed to show a lot of promise, so obviously this guy must have something going for him.
ReplyDeletewhy would they scratch Antonio Brown?
ReplyDeletewon't he be returning kicks?
How many receivers can you have active on game days? If Brown can't cover kicks, do they keep him active when they could use Arnaz Battle as a fourth or fifth receiver who will also cover punts and kickoffs.
ReplyDeleteI think Brown will be active as the return man, but that's not set in stone. It's doubtful they have five active receivers.
Dale,
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to see them having 5 active if you look at it as 4 WR's active and 1 Return specialist (as they did with Logan this past year). That way, you got 3 WR's to play the base offense and 2 for Special teams, Battle and A. Brown. I think A. Brown will see some time in the base offense as well because he's the only other WR active on gameday that has any speed besides Mike Wallace.
Brown's cockiness is something the coaching staff isn't happy with.
ReplyDeleteSanders worked ahead of him in the packages today.