Rashard Mendenhall

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Isaac Redman has shown himself to be a runner and receiver who will not be denied since he burst into the hearts and minds of the fans, the media and, eventually, the coaching staff in the goal-line drills at Latrobe two years ago.

Now, he looks like an accomplished, strong 240-pound halfback who produces every chance he gets, as he did Friday night in Landover, Maryland.

Among many Steelers disappointments against the Redskins, Redman again was a beacon. He ran hard, broke tackles, and gained 42 yards on five carries that included a 22-yard run for a touchdown - all against Washington's first-team defense.

It is unlikely Bruce Arians, Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator, will pair Redman and Rashard Mendenhall in the same backfield, but he will not hesitate to use Redman, who has won over all his coaches' confidences the past two seasons. His development gives the Steelers a 1-2 punch they did not have a few years ago.

Mendenhall is a workhorse, so there's little reason to believe Redman will suddenly have value as a committee back. However, if you are drafting Mendenhall, it would be smart to take Redman as a handcuff.