Will the team's run of success change Mendenhall's role?

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rashard Mendenhall will return to practice this week, but will head coach Mike Tomlin return him to his starting job at halfback?

The question was put to Tomlin Tuesday and he sidestepped it, giving a noncommittal response after the Steelers' best ground game production of the season Sunday using two backup runners.

"We expect him to participate this week, and we will see where that participation leads us," Tomlin said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11285/1181374-66-0.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml#ixzz1aXZMKWpN
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I could be completely wrong, but I think Tomlin's refusal to say yes or no seems like Mendy won't be starting Sunday. Maybe I'm reading too much into his response, but it doesn't sound like the kind of answer he'd give if he expected a starter to return to the lineup after an injury. I'd expect something like, "If he's able to go, then he'll play."

EDIT: Just saw this in another story ... When asked a similar question about the Gay/McFadden situation, here was Tomlin's response:

Quote :

"We like what (Gay and Lewis) have done," Tomlin said. "We're not going to fix it if it's not broken."

Much different than how he responded about the RB situation.

I noticed that he wasn't as steadfast in his backing of the vet (Mendenhall) as he normally is. Are we finally seeing a willingness to shake things up from Tomlin? I hope so.

ive been hard on mendy but i think he should start and if in the first couple of series hes not getting any yardage then make the change

I'm not sure starting him is the best answer. Although I can understand why the coach should. You don't lose your job to injury (unless your name is Tommy Maddox).

But Mendy might receive the message better if he sees the difference in our run game from the sideline while he's dressed up ready for action.

BGSU A Dub wrote:

I think we should stick with Mendy. Yes, I don't like how he dances around but I feel like after what he saw last week he has to be sweating under the collar a bit.

If that doesn't motivate him and we don't see some more aggressive running: exit stage left.

i'd start redman and have mendy as the 2nd RB
i would love to see him compete for the job