Steelers Rookie Redman

Steelers rookie Redman makes statement in win over Cardinals

PITTSBURGH - The Steelers may have found themselves a goal-line back and his name isn’t “the tank”.

Rookie undrafted free-agent Isaac Redman ran hard and scored two short-yardage touchdowns as the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-10 in the preseason opener Thursday night at Heinz Field.

Redman finished with 32 yards on 10 carries and scored on 5 and 3-yard runs.

His tough running style carried over from the traditional 7-on-7 goal-line drills the team held on Sunday in which Redman scored twice.

"This team prides itself on being able to find those free agents that are capable of playing," Redman told the Associated Press, referring to finds such as the undrafted Willie Parker and James Harrison.

"Hopefully I can be that next free agent. I knew I had to make an impression, or I might not even make it to the first (preseason) game.

He may be have went up against the second and third string and is a longshot to make the team, but his play Thursday night certainly was a big statement.

Speaking of "the tank", Frank Summers carried only twice for three yards.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played two series and didn't look very rusty, completing 4 out of 6 passes for 33 yards including two to receiver Hines Ward.

A lot of eyes are on second year running back Rashard Mendenhall, who started in place of Willie Parker (back spasms) Thursday. Mendenhall ran hard and carried for 24 yards on 9 attempts.

Second year wide receiver Limas Sweed continued his strong preseason as he caught two passes for 54 yards, including a 45 yarder in the second quarter to set up a Jeff Reed 50-yard field goal.

Veteran Shaun McDonald led all receivers with 69 yards on six catches.

The defense played their usual "bend but dont break" style, as it held Arizona's starting offense off the board. Linebacker Lamaar Woodley contributed a sack for the Steelers starters.

The stat of the night may have been that the Steelers offensive line gave up no sacks. Thatat's right zero, absolutely none. This despite playing without starting center Justin Hartwig.

Neither team had scored a touchdown until rookie Joe Burnett intercepted a pass by former Steeler Brian St. Pierre and returned to the Arizona 3 to set up one of Redman’s TD run.

Jeff Reed and backup kicker Pitor Czech each had field goals for the Steelers.

Former Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko threw for 103 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals.

Players have an off day tomorrow, and return to practice at Latrobe on Saturday.

Other views from Thursday night:

- Keeping in mind it is against third-string players, QB Dennis Dixon showed good accuracy as he completed 10 of 19 for 112 yards and threw deep several times.

- How nice was it to see Daniel Sepulveda back in punt formation rather than Chris Gardocki? Sepulveda’s surgically repaired knee looked fine as he booted six punts, good for an average of nearly 44 yards, including a 53 yarder.

- A.Q. Shipley played most of the second-half at center and played pretty well. His block helped spring Isaac Redman into the end zone on one of his scoring runs.

- The Steelers and their fans have to be excited about Limas Sweed. He already seems to have matured 100 percent from last year and made a great leaping grab Thursday.

- Speedy receiver Mike Wallace only returned one kick but showed what he can bring to the offense at wide receiver. Wallace had two catches for 25 yards and continues to show he is developing into a weapon at both.

- To further prove the point that ESPN cares as much or more about the “soap opera” than the game, sideline reporter Suzie Kolber’s first question to Mike Tomlin was about the sexual harassment charges against Ben Roethlisberger. As a matter of fact, I believe all the questions were about that. Pathetic.

- Despite a little rough start, Jon Gruden did well in his debut with the Monday Night Football crew. The former Tampa Bay Bucs coach defended Hines Ward block on the Bengals Keith Rivers last year, in which Rivers suffered a broken jaw. Fellow analyst Chris Mortensen didn’t feel the same way.