mendenhall - can he catch passes? (1 Viewer)

[Soaring Eagle]

parker really hasn't been used out of the backfield for receptions over the past few seasons...

moore likely will be the 3rd down back...

does mendenhall have the hands to catch passes or will he likely only see rushing attempts?

 

[gbill2004]

I can catch passes.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

does mendenhall have the hands to catch passes

I'm not a big believer in Mendenhall(overall, not just as a receiver), but the coaches believe that he does, FWIW. Like you allude to, he'd have to be better than Parker, who practically has two cinder blocks for hands.Mendenhall made one really nice grab 2 weeks ago against Chicago on a horribly thrown ball, and then turned what would have been a sure loss into a 13 yard gain by reversing his field. I believe he caught one other pass that game also, or was at least targeted.That all said, Mewelde Moore is leaps and bounds better as a receiver(particularly as a route runner). If Parker is down long-term with the toe, even if Mendenhall DOES have the light go on I don't see the Steelers abandoning Moore as the 3rd down/2 min. back. He's just too good at it.

 

[Bears_Man2]

Caught quite a few passes at Illinois. He can catch, but they should just be concentrating on him showing he can run the ball. If he can't show he can run between the tackles, there's really no reason to play him over Moore.

I was sky high on Rashard out of Illinois having seen all his games, but he's played with zero instincts or confidence to date on the field. Running your yap like he did last year vs. the Ravens doesn't win you football games. Hopefully he's grown up a bit, but that he couldn't garner a single carry last week [whatever the reason] has me a little skeptical.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

He caught 59 balls at Illinois for 9.6 yards per catch. That's very good for a back his size.

 

[squistion]

Caught quite a few passes at Illinois. He can catch, but they should just be concentrating on him showing he can run the ball. If he can't show he can run between the tackles, there's really no reason to play him over Moore.

I was sky high on Rashard out of Illinois having seen all his games, but he's played with zero instincts or confidence to date on the field. Running your yap like he did last year vs. the Ravens doesn't win you football games. Hopefully he's grown up a bit, but that he couldn't garner a single carry last week [whatever the reason] has me a little skeptical.

Hard to garner a carry when the coach won't allow him in the offense for punishment for not knowing the playbook well enough (or whatever). He literally was unavailable to run the ball, I think counts a a pretty good reason.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Hard to garner a carry when the coach won't allow him in the offense for punishment for not knowing the playbook well enough (or whatever). He literally was unavailable to run the ball, I think counts a a pretty good reason.

No, it's a pretty good explanation.The bolded is a terrible reason for not getting carries. After a full season+ in the offense and he's not up to speed on plays?

There is NO "good" reason for that. Just excuses.

 

[Steelfan7]

Caught quite a few passes at Illinois. He can catch, but they should just be concentrating on him showing he can run the ball. If he can't show he can run between the tackles, there's really no reason to play him over Moore.I was sky high on Rashard out of Illinois having seen all his games, but he's played with zero instincts or confidence to date on the field. Running your yap like he did last year vs. the Ravens doesn't win you football games. Hopefully he's grown up a bit, but that he couldn't garner a single carry last week [whatever the reason] has me a little skeptical.

He didn't run his yap. He sent a friend, Ray Rice, a friendly jab and the media blew it way out of proportion. I know shocking news.

 

[UnknownCoach]

Yes but Moore will remain the primary passing situation back. In other words, it wont be much different than Parker.