On Isaac Redman E-mail
Written by Bam Morris   
Wednesday, 19 August 2009 15:23

Much has been written and said about rookie running back Isaac Redman, who scored both TDs in the Steelers first preseason game and recently dominated a goal line drill in practice.

So who is Isaac Redman? We spent the offseason dreaming about Rashard Mendenhall and Frank Summers plowing over tacklers into the end zone, not an undrafted rookie from Bowie State. We wrote extensively about each and every Steelers draft pick and didn't pay more than a passing glance of attention to the undrafted rookies.

We're late to jump onto the Redman train, so here's a few facts that everybody needs to know about him:

Isaac Redman is slow. Or at least slow in the 40 - 4.76.  Frank Summers ran 4.63 and Heath Miller ran 4.79. Not the type of speed you'd like to see from your featured back, but I suppose if he's only used in short yardage situations then it doesn't much matter.

Isaac Redman rewrote every Bowie State record. Ever. He had a 99-yard TD run and once carried the rock 37 times in a game. Don't be too impressed though...Bowie State is a Division II school and actually opens up their 2009 season against Slippery Rock.

Look, Redman is a great story and I certainly hope he continues to dominate in short yardage situations. But I'm of the opinion that training camp and preseason performances are generally a terrible indicator of regular season showings. Other than a handful of 3 or 4-yard runs in "fake" games, Redman really doesn't have anything worth getting excited about.

I'm probably in the majority, but I'm still a lot more eager to see what becomes of Frank Summers than Isaac Redman. Summers dominated better competition in college and I'm not willing to let a couple weeks of training camp over weigh what we saw from both guys in the NCAA.

I understand people probably rained on Willie Parker and James Harrison's parades when they first starting turning heads in training camp. Maybe Redman will make me look like an idiot. But these types of training camp all-stars with no track record flame out a lot more often than they succeed.  It's just the harsh reality of the NFL and I'm certainly not holding out any hope of Redman being a big factor in the Steelers' future.

Comments (20)add comment

dan free said:

...
I hope he makes you look like an idiot cause you can't judge a player by his college Redman had to go to bowie state just look up his high school numbers an tell me that he couldn't go to any big name college around. you wasting your time talkin bout summers or whoever cause Redman is the real deal.
 
August 20, 2009
Votes: -1

Emmy said:

Issaic Redman
he did his thing in highschool college and now pro he's going to make it!!!!
 
August 20, 2009
Votes: +0

Emmy said:

...
o he is going to make you look like an idiot i am his family and i do not appreciate some gossip writer who's hating on the fact that an "undrafted rookie" is blowing it out the water i dont care preseason or not wait till the season starts and repost your gossip
 
August 20, 2009
Votes: -3

Bam Morris (Blitzburgh Blog) said:

@ Dan Free and Emmy
I certainly hope he makes me look like an idiot and I'd love to see him have a great career for the Steelers as much as you would.

At the same time, somebody needs to sit back and look at this from an unbiased point of view and realize that scoring against the 2nd team defense of the Arizona Cardinals in August is a lot different than scoring against the Baltimore Ravens in December.
 
August 20, 2009
Votes: -1

Tina said:

...
I have known that boy since he was 15 and watched his stellar performances al throughout high school. I said when he was 15 he could go pro and he will. I ask the author...what is your pro record? Or are you Monday morning quarterback?
 
August 21, 2009
Votes: +0

Bill N. said:

...
I can't believe how dumb these people are. He's not spreading "gossip". It's not like he's making rumors up about Redman. He's giving his opinion on the player, that's what a lot of people do. If you're his family, you might as well get used to it. He even said that he hopes he does well, it's just that he has his doubts.

And pro record? I didn't know you needed a pro record to be able to give your opinion about a player. Just look at Emmitt Smith and Cris Carter, among others, which have a great pro "record" and have no idea what they're talking about.
 
August 21, 2009
Votes: +2

Chris B said:

...
Hey guys I know you prolly don't care about my opinion (eagles fan) but just to let you Isaac Redman technically isnt a "nobody" thats just making noise. I played against him in HS. He was part of a dynasty team in Paulsboro (66 game win streak while he was there) and he basically had every major rushing record in NJ when he graduated. He had scholarship offers from a lot of D-I schools but he caught a rape charge right b4 graduation and lost his offers even tho the charges were dropped. The the only reason he went to Bowie State. He's actually always been a big time back...just ran into some unfortunate situations...just thought I'd drop my 2 cents in. Good luck this season guys
 
August 25, 2009
Votes: +3

Dregus said:

So you're ready for this...
Isaac is the real deal. What Chris B. wrote is 100% accurate, a false charge was brought against Isaac and then dropped his senior year of HS. This is a kid who had a full ride to Iowa where he was going to be the feature back. This kid dominated NJ as a running back. Ask Joe Flacco who he is, he will remember that shadow real clearly. Slow is a humurous way to describe Isaac. He may have a slow forty time but I garuntee you he is the quickest player on that mediocre offense you clowns have out there. Thats why he excells in short yardage, not because of his size but because of his ability to be in the hole before anyone else even has a clue of which way he is going. So your ready for this and you heard it here first, Isaac Redman is your newest dark horse running back and he is ten times better then mendenhall.
 
August 26, 2009
Votes: +1

Bam Morris (Blitzburgh Blog) said:

okay...
@ Chris B...thanks for the info.

@ Dregus...That mediocre offense just won the Super Bowl and if you think high school performances are relevant at all to NFL performances, then you'd be dead wrong.

I've said it a ton on here now..I HOPE ISAAC REDMAN DOES WELL!

I'm just not ready to crown him the NFL MVP or even give him a roster spot based on a Bowie State career and two preseason games against backup defenses.

But I suppose that would only delay his march to the MVP.
 
August 26, 2009
Votes: -1

Chris B said:

...
@ Bam Morris...In know way am I implying that because his HS performances translate into the league because they're obviously not comparable, they're not even comparable to D-I football, I was just letting ppl know that he's always been good. I was coming across a lot of Who is Isaac Redman blogs and I thought it was sad that ppl never really got to see him play at a major program because he was on track to and I thought he would do great. Shonn Greene is from out here too and everyone saw what he did @ Iowa this past year leading the nation in yrds...Redman was was better than him...but like you said its just preseason...I'm sure everyone is rooting for him to make it. Talent is talent no matter where it came from or how it got on the field. If he keeps taking advantage of his opportunities it'll be hard not to keep him.

@Dregus...yea just about everybody in SJ lived in his shadow with the exception of Albert. Joe Flacco was great but his team was horrible!
 
August 27, 2009
Votes: +1

Bam Morris (Blitzburgh Blog) said:

@ Chris B.
Dude, I know you weren't implying that at all.

It was directed at everybody else who responded to the post by saying "OMG hez a great high school player" so he's a lock to make the team.

I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from. It sucks the kid caught a bad break in HS, but there's just not a lot of solid basis or stats from him playing against strong competition to think that he'll be a great RB.

I've never met Isaac and certainly don't want to come off like I hate him or have it out for the guy, which a lot of these people seem to think.
 
August 27, 2009
Votes: +2

Dregus said:

...
I wasnt basing my belief in his success on his high school ability. I hvae seen this kid run and I know he can be a dominate runner. As for your offense winning the super bowl, maybe you missed the entire year of football last year. The steelers defense won the superbowl, not their bottom half of the league offense. I dont recall saying that he was going to win an MVP, all I said is he is better then mendenhall.
 
August 29, 2009
Votes: +0

Will-Billy said:

Redman's a keeper
Not sure what this guy has to do before people will recognize his talent and drive. Redman isn't fast, that's true, but he IS incredibly elusive and hard to tackle. He's also a very good blocker on pass plays. Put some more beef on his bones and we might have the next Bus! I hope we don't let him go to another team because I think we'll regret it.
 
August 30, 2009
Votes: +0

Poppa John said:

Kevin Harvey
Just ask Kevin Harvey how easy it is to make the nfl when your dumb and black from a beat up town called paulsboro. Kevin harvey was an all-american running back and he didnt even get a minute on a nfl roster. and also dont forget what Isacc did to that poor little girl in ptiman. He's belongs in prison not the nfl.
 
September 05, 2009
Votes: -1

James from Salem said:

Redman
I'm also a South Jersey native. Three backs were picked for All-South Jersey his senior year, Redman, Shonne Green (Jets) and Albert Young (Vikings). He was arguably the best of the three. After last night, Tomlin may have to reconsider bringing him off the practice squad. To the pathethic Poppa Joke, get a life. Even though I hated playing Paulsboro, we always respected their talent. Flipper Anderson and Kevin Ross were both NFL stars that came from out of there.
 
September 11, 2009
Votes: +0

Joseph from Slippery Rock said:

Isaac Redman
Track record or not, the Steelers could not get the run going. Now, there is no way of knowing what he could have done in the first game. In my mind, he would have made a few conversions that they could not. Honestly, anything would have looked better in the short game than they put forward.

I give Parker credit that he had a lot of time off. He is rusty, but he looks horrible. He made every wrong cut in the game. There was no play that should have resulted in less than a positive five yards, yet he had no vision for those holes. Redman was crisp and focused in his games. I have no doubt at all that he would have made much better choices.

I don't know about the future, but I hope Parker starts looking like a veteran out there. Otherwise, I would rather cheer on Redman. I miss having Bettis and no one else really cuts it on the team. You can say all you want about other backs... Steeler fans have an addiction to grinding short yards. I would trade any back out there to see the thrill come back. I was so happy in preseason.
 
September 12, 2009
Votes: +1

James from Salem said:

...
Check out this box score, Joe Flacco definately knows who Redman is:

http://philly.12dt.com/index.php?action=1000&id=box_1829&conf=nj_pub
 
September 22, 2009
Votes: +0

DrBobinRDG said:

Eye-zac sees the holes, but will we ever see him?
Remember Jerome pumping his legs and squirming/twisting to get an extra 1 yard, which usully became 3 or 4? I didn't see anyone giving that effort in preseason or now. Running is about heart and effort, no so much your 40 time, hence the diff bw quick and fast. THE ONLY thing I saw in preseason which was a turnoff was when he had a run or two and then he wanted out, and Tomlin waved him back on the field. After he was a little winded he didn't look so spectacular. but I haven't seen anything from our "featured" backs to get excited about. So Rachard has a 39 yd run, thru a hole that the "wheres the beef" lady could have picked up the same. both of his touches ended in him getting pushed out of bounds. I just can't help thinking the Redman would have dropped a shoulder and tried for more. If you don't try, you don't get. I thought he earned a spot, in front of summers who did NOTHING. It sucks we have so many "superstar backs" we owe playing time to, that we can't even let a guy like Isaac show his heart. Is Redzone the answer to our running game? Probably not, but I would like to know that 100% before I shelve his career while FWP gets his desire to run back. Why are we always worried about Parker's commitment to hitting the hole? Seems like got a psyche as fragile as McNabb. We'll at least he doesn't blow lunch in the Superbowl. Someone's gotta hit it.
 
September 26, 2009 | url
Votes: +1

86PsychoWard86 said:

REDMAN
OK. So Redman didn't get a fair shake in HS and got snubbed out of a glorious college career.
I think he took waht was given to him and made teh most of a bad situation.
take a look at this reel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jixyYRkaC-k
Remeber it is D-II and remember that he is pro caliber. I would EXPECT this performance from a pro in a lesser league. that is why he got a look from the Steelers and why he was signed to teh active roster for the San Diego game. It woul dhave been nice to see him get some time against a real 1st team NFL defense but perhaps that may be asking a lot from Sad Diego.

Mendenhall had a lights out performance there's nothing anyone can do about that but enjoy it (Steeler fans)!!

I wish Redman well but it will be a minimum of 2 years before he sees legitimate time. He should try to befriend FWP and James Harrison for support and guidance. Both of those players went through fire to the NFL.

Good luck Isaac "Red-yuo-da-man" Keep your head up and God bless.

GO STEELERS!
 
October 05, 2009
Votes: +0

Mojo said:

WVU student
Redman would probably have a better shot at playing on a team that doesn't have so much running talent. I think he is a great north-south short yardage runner. He should definitely play somewhere - maybe not start, but definitely play. That may have been part of the reason he was cut - to give him a chance to find another team where he could flourish. He reminds me of Bettis
 
October 25, 2009
Votes: +1

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