Dwyer + Redman = Mendenhall's Dismissal From Steelers?

Is Mendenhall's Time in Pittsburgh Numbered??

The Steelers one time "lackluster" stable of running backs now seems to be filled with a stable full of thoroughbreds.  Isaac Redman coming off of a 147yd game on two bum ankles, and Jonathan Dwyer posting back to back 100+yd rushing games prior to the Giants game leaves the Steelers RB situation look stellar, not sub-par.  Nonetheless, as nice as it is having those two backs, people sometimes forget about Rashard Mendenhall.  The "home run hitter" of the trio has yet to put on a Steelers jersey since injuring his achilles in the Steelers loss to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football.  There has been alot of talk about starting running backs, who will get the overall amount of carries, as well as who shouldn't dress if all 3 are healthy.  With all of this speculation, it is safe to say that the success of Dwyer and Redman might mean the dismissal from the Steelers at the end of this year.

First, Mendenhall is coming off a major knee injury that could potentially lead to other injuries and hurt his overall production.  Secondly, Mendenhall is in the final year of his rookie contract and the already "cap strapped" Steelers are going to have to make some tough decisions this offseason.  Unfortunately, I think this could mean "curtains" for Rashard Mendenhall.  Let me say first that I am not on the Mendenhall bashing train.  There is a large group of SteelerNation that can't stand Mendenhall, mainly due to his crucial fumble in Superbowl 45 that turned out to be a HUGE turnover in the loss for the Black n' Gold....someone stop me before I go off on a tangent about how that loss still stings me to this day.  Okay, I'm better now.  Regardless of your feelings towards Rashard, it might be difficult for the Steelers to sign him when both Redman and Dwyer could be signed for extensions at a much cheaper price tag.  Mendenhall is a 1st Round Draft pick, and I would only assume that he would expect a 1st Round contract.

Some say that Rashard Mendenhall could be picked up "on the cheap" due to his injuries and his semi-production through the first 4 years of his NFL career.  Nonetheless, is it worth signing him, or is it smarter and safer for the Steelers to pay Dwyer and Redman to make a 2-back tandem that could be lethal?  I have always felt that the Steelers offensive line does better with a running back that can pound the rock instead of look for that "home run", and lets be honest...Mendenhall is not that pounding back.  He has shown some success running between the tackles, but more often than not you see #34 tip toe at the line of scrimmage and attempt to bounce the run outside the tackle which hardly ever works. 

Granted, this year has to pan out, but the future is bright for the Steelers' offensive line (for once) and having two pounding backs could be the answer for the Steelers' RB situation for years to come.  It will be interesting to watch this RB carousel keep spinning throughout the rest of the year, but my question for SteelerNation is this - If all 3 RBs are healthy at the end of the season, who do you bring back and who do you let go?  I'll be interested to see your comments...leave one below in the comment section where it says "Comments".