Sunday Steeler 6-Pack BONUS (sort of)

The fifth installment of a the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack, on schedule at normal time.  There are two this week because I inadvertently forgot last weeks.

Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.

Here We Go!

 2009 Topps Magic Rashard Mendenhall RC

Here we have Mendy in his Fighting Illini uniform.  This was a feature of the Topps Magic set in 2009.

2008 Upper Deck SP Rookie Edition Hines Ward

Hines Ward was considered by many NFL players as "dirty".  Those guys were evidently the ones that he knocked on their asses each week.  And he did it all with a smile on his face.

2009 Mayo Cut Plug Mini Terry Bradshaw

Another TB mini.  This time it's a Mayo's Cut Plug Mini.  Not sure where I got this because I know I never opened any of that product.

2007 Panini Threads Generations Ronnie Lott/Troy Polamalu

Two guys with some of the most ferocious hits of all time.  Did you ever see Ronnie Lott's fingers?  They are gross.  Seriously gross.  Imagine how much faster Troy would be without the wind resistance of his hair...

1977 Topps Mel Blount (All Pro) 

Mel was always one of my favorite Dynasty Era Steelers.  The guy was arguably one of the most physical cornerbacks of his day, roaming the secondary, looking for a guy to knock his head off.  They don't make him quite like Mel today.  Closest thing would probably be Troy but even that is a stretch.

1971 Topps Terry Hanratty

Hanratty was drafted in 1969 to be the starting QB.  He played a few games as starter but was quickly replaced by the #1 pick in 1970...Terry Bradshaw.  He spent the majority of the rest of his career backing up Terry, suiting up for a Super Bowl and playing in another.  He was also picked in the expansion draft by Tampa Bay and has the dubious distinction of helping lead them the only win less season in NFL history.

Random Steeler Monday - Happy Memorial Day

If there is any hope of pulling out a decent year, most of it rests in the hands of this guy.  Rashard Mendenhall is coming into his third season as a Steeler but his first as the full-time starter.  He has big shoes to fill with the departure of Willie Parker and the tradition the Steelers have had in the running game.

After losing out on his rookie season due to a devastating hit by Ray Lewis in his first game as a Steeler, Rashard was on a mission to prove he wasn't as soft as people were labeling him.  Last year, Mendy was able to pull of 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns and half those yards were after contact.  Mendenhall averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year and 3 yards per carry after contact.  That was better than Ray Rice.  Kirby Wilson, the Steelers running backs coach said of Mendy,  

"He's got tremendous lower-body strength. There's a lot of times when people don't recognize his ability to run through arm tackles and first contact. Very seldom does the first tackler or first hitter ever get him down.  Those are the hidden runs that add up over the course of the year."

On the plus side for Mendenhall, he is not only fast, he is quick.  I know it seems there is no difference but there is.  You can be fast in the flat running along the sideline to the endzone, but quickness is something that gets you to those holes and springs you for those big runs.  He can run inside, outside, off-tackle, and runs some of the best misdirections I have ever seen (well maybe not the caliber of Emmitt or Barry but he is getting there). 

All of these things combined are going to have to carry a lot of the burden in this offense this year, especially in the first four games.  I think (hope) he is up for the task.

3 Trade Pickups

I just received the first trade package of 2010 today after trading with my new friend Chris from Michigan. Somehow in by freak accident, Chris stumbled onto my website and offered up some sacrificial cards for trade. Since Chris collects Detroit teams, I was more than happy to unload some Lidstroms and an Yzerman for a few Steelers that I needed.

Nothing fancy. Just three for the PC.


2006 Topps Gold Parallel Hines Ward (#302/2006)

This is one of my favorite HW cards because it really captures the game. The snow falling and the muddied up pants remind me of what Steeler football is all about. Now I have the Gold version. Too bad it wasn't #86.


2008 SP Rookie Edition Rashard Mendenhall

I am still not 100% sold on Mendy. He has had too many instances of putting the ball on the ground. With Parker likely out before training camp, he is most likely going to become the featured back.


2006 Topps True Champions Terry Bradshaw

These cards were only found in Wal-Mart boxes of 2006 Topps Football. How can you go wrong with a Terry Bradshaw card, though? In my opinion, you can't. 4-Time Super Bowl Champ. You can't argue with that.

Thanks Chris, and your package is on it's way.

(Oh and let's not forget a warm DFG welcome to Captain Canuck, aka Brian from Waxaholic. The Captain has the fortunate (or unfortunate) task of being my 10th follower. Sorry, there is no prize. And if there were, you'd probably want to give it back.)