Mendenhall - prospects? (1 Viewer)

[switz]

So, I was hearing after the draft that Wille Parker's value is going down because he can't score TDs and that's why they grabbed Mendenhall, and that he would thieve all the TDs.

Mind you I had Mendenhall at one point as my #1 rookie RB prospect... but I just don't see him performing well in the NFL. I discounted the offense he played in, but that may have been a mistake.

The other day it was reported that he was stuffed 3 times at the GL in practice... note: in practice. Not a real game where the defense is trying to take your head off, but in practice.

Mendenhall stuffed in goal-line drill

“They were coming fast, man, and that’s what the NFL is all about … everybody out here is a beast,” he said. “Everyone is so athletic. Everyone out here is such a competitor. There were a lot of men going at it. There was a lot of energy out there.”

Historically at training camp, the goal-line drill is a highly anticipated exercise, especially when the first-team offense is pitted against the first-team defense. Such was the case Sunday when the Steelers ended practice with the first “live” tackling session of camp.

The ball was placed just outside the 1-yard line. The first-team offense had three downs to run the ball into the end zone. On the first two snaps, the defense stopped Mendenhall cold. On the third try, Gary Russell replaced Mendenhall, but he was stuffed, too,

“We’ve been waiting all practice for this,” inside linebacker James Farrior. “That’s a good offense, but we don’t want them scoring on us.”

Later, after the second-team offense scored on two of three tries, the first-team offense begged for one more chance.

Again, Mendenhall was stopped cold.

OK, so one drill... but then again:Mendenhall improves

Rookie halfback Rashard Mendenhall, who failed to score on three tries from the 1 1/2 in the goal-line drill Sunday, made it in on his second try last night.

Tomlin said Sunday that Mendenhall had to run harder, and he gave him a better grade yesterday.

I know Pittsburgh has a good defense, but come on. Once in four shots?Add to that Willie Parker is asking Tomlin to use him more at the goalline, since he scored 16 TDs two years ago in that role, and only 2 last year with Davenport (unsuccessfully) having that role. Oh, and Parker hasn't been stopped at the GL yet in camp.

Anyone else just a little worried?

 

[EBF]

Much ado about nothing.

Remember all that talk about Marshawn Lynch being a bust because he averaged under 3 YPC in the preseason last year?

This is like that. You don't make any firm judgments about a player in his second week of practice.

 

[identikit]

So, I was hearing after the draft that Wille Parker's value is going down because he can't score TDs and that's why they grabbed Mendenhall, and that he would thieve all the TDs.

Mind you I had Mendenhall at one point as my #1 rookie RB prospect... but I just don't see him performing well in the NFL. I discounted the offense he played in, but that may have been a mistake.

The other day it was reported that he was stuffed 3 times at the GL in practice... note: in practice. Not a real game where the defense is trying to take your head off, but in practice.

Mendenhall stuffed in goal-line drill

“They were coming fast, man, and that’s what the NFL is all about … everybody out here is a beast,” he said. “Everyone is so athletic. Everyone out here is such a competitor. There were a lot of men going at it. There was a lot of energy out there.”

Historically at training camp, the goal-line drill is a highly anticipated exercise, especially when the first-team offense is pitted against the first-team defense. Such was the case Sunday when the Steelers ended practice with the first “live” tackling session of camp.

The ball was placed just outside the 1-yard line. The first-team offense had three downs to run the ball into the end zone. On the first two snaps, the defense stopped Mendenhall cold. On the third try, Gary Russell replaced Mendenhall, but he was stuffed, too,

“We’ve been waiting all practice for this,” inside linebacker James Farrior. “That’s a good offense, but we don’t want them scoring on us.”

Later, after the second-team offense scored on two of three tries, the first-team offense begged for one more chance.

Again, Mendenhall was stopped cold.

OK, so one drill... but then again:Mendenhall improves

Rookie halfback Rashard Mendenhall, who failed to score on three tries from the 1 1/2 in the goal-line drill Sunday, made it in on his second try last night.

Tomlin said Sunday that Mendenhall had to run harder, and he gave him a better grade yesterday.

I know Pittsburgh has a good defense, but come on. Once in four shots?Add to that Willie Parker is asking Tomlin to use him more at the goalline, since he scored 16 TDs two years ago in that role, and only 2 last year with Davenport (unsuccessfully) having that role. Oh, and Parker hasn't been stopped at the GL yet in camp.

Anyone else just a little worried?

No, not in a dynasty league I'm not. He's a rookie, with the same steep learning curve that all rookies face.Mendenhall will get his opportunity; I can wait.

 

[PahtyTom]

I wonder how bad Pitt's O-line is looking

 

[Franknbeans]

So, I was hearing after the draft that Wille Parker's value is going down because he can't score TDs and that's why they grabbed Mendenhall, and that he would thieve all the TDs.

Mind you I had Mendenhall at one point as my #1 rookie RB prospect... but I just don't see him performing well in the NFL. I discounted the offense he played in, but that may have been a mistake.

The other day it was reported that he was stuffed 3 times at the GL in practice... note: in practice. Not a real game where the defense is trying to take your head off, but in practice.

Mendenhall stuffed in goal-line drill

“They were coming fast, man, and that’s what the NFL is all about … everybody out here is a beast,” he said. “Everyone is so athletic. Everyone out here is such a competitor. There were a lot of men going at it. There was a lot of energy out there.”

Historically at training camp, the goal-line drill is a highly anticipated exercise, especially when the first-team offense is pitted against the first-team defense. Such was the case Sunday when the Steelers ended practice with the first “live” tackling session of camp.

The ball was placed just outside the 1-yard line. The first-team offense had three downs to run the ball into the end zone. On the first two snaps, the defense stopped Mendenhall cold. On the third try, Gary Russell replaced Mendenhall, but he was stuffed, too,

“We’ve been waiting all practice for this,” inside linebacker James Farrior. “That’s a good offense, but we don’t want them scoring on us.”

Later, after the second-team offense scored on two of three tries, the first-team offense begged for one more chance.

Again, Mendenhall was stopped cold.

OK, so one drill... but then again:Mendenhall improves

Rookie halfback Rashard Mendenhall, who failed to score on three tries from the 1 1/2 in the goal-line drill Sunday, made it in on his second try last night.

Tomlin said Sunday that Mendenhall had to run harder, and he gave him a better grade yesterday.

I know Pittsburgh has a good defense, but come on. Once in four shots?Add to that Willie Parker is asking Tomlin to use him more at the goalline, since he scored 16 TDs two years ago in that role, and only 2 last year with Davenport (unsuccessfully) having that role. Oh, and Parker hasn't been stopped at the GL yet in camp.

Anyone else just a little worried?

Everyone who underestimates FWP should be worried

 

[IndyHavoc]

There is another thread bouncing around discussing about the same (Pitt offseason thread?). In that thread someone pointed out nearly the same discrepency in TD #'s between FWP's seasons. It really doesn't take that much time to come to the realization that he's quite effective in the chances he's had inside the 5-8 yrd line. The only problem was that for whatever reason, Tomlin and Arians decided that they didn't want him having those touches last season. Couple that with the inability of every DC they faced last year to actually defend the pass!

Pitt went from a pretty standard, if not top heavy ratio of runass inside the 10 to a very pass happy last season. Of those few times (maybe like 13-20) runs inside the 10, they were mostly given to Davenpoop. /shrug. Was there an actual reason for doing this?? You got me, man. I didn't see it coming last year, didn't understand it at all. Will Tomlin/Arians wake up and give FWP a chance to actually run a few in this season? FWP owners can hope, but I never put much faith in coaches realizing their weaknesses and making adjustments.

 

[switz]

I wonder how bad Pitt's O-line is looking

Parker has scored on every attempt, I don't think the OL is the problem.Note: Funny how you're trying to shift the blame for this rookie's struggles in reference to your attempt to downplay another rookie's early success.

 

[Godsbrother]

Mendenhall wasn't guaranteed the goalline job so if someone drafted him based on that then yes they should be worried.

At this stage in the game I think it is way too early to figure out which RB will win the goalline job, if any.

And if the season plays out like it did last year then it won't matter much who wins the job because the Steelers threw the ball so much in the redzone.

 

[tombonneau]

This was the leadoff on Mike Lombardi's blog this morning:

1. “I want to score some touchdowns," Willie Parker said after he scored on the first play of the goal-line drill that ended practice last night. “Thirty-nine is a guy who could potentially be a guy in that area. We'll see. He had a nice run." Tomlin said Sunday that Mendenhall had to run harder, and he gave him a better grade yesterday."I thought he was better. He was downhill. He went in standing up one time." This battle for the Short Yardage back in the Pittsburgh offense is critical for fantasy football players. And it appears to me that there is no clear winner…YET.

I'll be watching the situation closely. I started a thread the other week inquiring about why Parker is so severely undervalued. Wasn't satisfied with any of the answers, and very early returns on the rookie have me less worried.Something tells me a lot of owners will be very happy scooping up Parker as their RB2 in the 3rd or 4th.

 

[PahtyTom]

I wonder how bad Pitt's O-line is looking

Parker has scored on every attempt, I don't think the OL is the problem.Note: Funny how you're trying to shift the blame for this rookie's struggles in reference to your attempt to downplay another rookie's early success.

Pitts o-line was bad last year and got worse...I am interested to see how they look, that is all

 

[PatsWillWin]

How many threads are you going to post this non-story in?

 

[omahabrad]

Personally, I'm waiting to see for myself.

I think it might be more the defense doesn't want to get shown up by a rookie and the head coach wanting to knock him down a peg or two and lighting a fire under Mendenhall.

 

[TheFanatic]

The way I see this is that I'm not worried yet. Talk to me after he comes in during a preseason game and gets stuffed. Then I'm worried. The season is a month away. The kid will get a shot is some live fire drills against guys fighting for jobs. That's when I will be looking closely at how he does at the goal line...

 

[Righetti]

could this be a situtation similar to Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne?

bring in a big back who you expect to take the short-yardage plays but not effective at it, while the veteran continues to make plays in that set?

 

[Godsbrother]

Pitts o-line was bad last year and got worse...I am interested to see how they look, that is all

This is yet to be seen. Marvel Smith was nursing a bad back all of last season and his play suffered. When he finally went down even Troy Essex was an upgrade. Smith is said to be 100% now and if so the LT position is solid. Sean Mahan was a disaster at C and the Steelers signed Justin Hartwig who should be a significant upgrade. Faneca is gone which hurts but most Steelers fans agree his played had slipped quite a bit since the 2005 season. Kemoeatu, if he can stay healthy, shoudl be able to step right in and do a good job.I think this season's line has the potential to be much better than last season. Of course that could just be homer wishful thinking...

 

[Todem]

FWP represents great value this season. He has proven over 3 years now he is a big time player. He did not get the goal line chances in 2007 like he did in Cowers last season.

If they hand it to him inside the goaline area he will score...he has proven that. 2006 showed what he can do as the workhorse. I expect 6-9 TD's for FWP this season. Again great value.

 

[EBF]

If your convictions are so flimsy that you'll be swayed by a news item as hollow as this one then you probably never believed in Mendenhall in the first place.

Here are some positive Mendenhall blurbs:

http://www.steelersfever.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26219

"Willie look okay hitting the hole, but he doesn’t have that extra gear he had in 2005. He better get it back before the start of the season, because Mendenhall is the most pro-ready back I’ve seen at these practices since I started coming here, and I go back to the days of Sydney Thornton. Everyone may assume Willie is the starter, but I don’t think Mendenhall is ready to concede that just yet. If Willie doesn’t get that extra burst back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mendenhall start right away. He sees the hole better than Willie, He cuts better than Willie, he has a better lean to the end of his runs (remember that Barry Foster lean that got a couple extra yards at the end of runs?), and he’s a better blocker."

http://pit.scout.com/2/774162.html

Watching the backs and tight ends on backers passing drills, I was surprised at how fluid No. 1 pick Rashard Mendenhall looks running patterns. He also knows how to get open. On one play, he exploded into linebacker Keyaron Fox at the line of scrimmage to create space and immediately turned to catch the ball and scoot into the flat.

http://pit.scout.com/2/773186.html

Rookie No. 1 draft pick Rashard Mendenhall caught and ran as well as expected, but just as importantly he showed off solid blocking skills. In the blitz pickup drill, Mendenhall stuffed Larry Foote. He also fought Lawrence Timmons to a draw.

“I’m not going to pat him on the back just yet,” said Tomlin. “The guys are probably being a little nice to him on Day One since he’s new to the drill, but he did give a good representation of himself. He’s a competitor. We expect big things from him.”

http://pit.scout.com/2/773299.html

The other top draft pick, Rashard Mendenhall, has IT. We reported on his blocking skills last night, but two other plays stood out. Mendenhall caught a pass in the flat with only Deshea Townsend on that side of the field. The veteran cornerback moved in for the kill (or touch, as sane men will do during practice), and Mendenhall put a nifty move on him and Deshea swatted at air as Rashard chugged down the sideline for what in a game would’ve been an 80-yard touchdown. The first-round draft pick used the same move to change holes during the 9-on-7 run game. He picked up fullback Matt Spaeth through an opening and made what would’ve been another long run in a game. ...

I don't put a ton of stock in this stuff. Most players will do some good things and some bad things. I don't let it affect my judgment unless it's overwhelmingly positive or alarmingly negative. I'd be worried if six dead hookers and a pound of coke were found in Mendenhall's hotel room. I'm not worried about him getting stuffed on three carries. That means nothing.

 

[kaa]

Much ado about nothing.Remember all that talk about Marshawn Lynch being a bust because he averaged under 3 YPC in the preseason last year? This is like that. You don't make any firm judgments about a player in his second week of practice.

Switz didn't ask anyone to make a firm judgement. He just asked if it was worrying. To be specific, the Switz quote is:

Anyone else just a little worried?

 

[Franknbeans]

I don't put a ton of stock in this stuff. Most players will do some good things and some bad things. I don't let it affect my judgment unless it's overwhelmingly positive or alarmingly negative. I'd be worried if six dead hookers and a pound of coke were found in Mendenhall's hotel room. I'm not worried about him getting stuffed on three carries. That means nothing.

I'd be more concerned with what Tomlin thinks of it and he wasn't too happy. What Mendenhall does to rectify the situation remains to be seen. Last I read, they were considering using Russell down there because Tomlin said Russell seemed to understand that a back needs to find a hole and hit it.

 

[PahtyTom]

If your convictions are so flimsy that you'll be swayed by a news item as hollow as this one then you probably never believed in Mendenhall in the first place.

Here are some positive Mendenhall blurbs:

http://www.steelersfever.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26219

"Willie look okay hitting the hole, but he doesn’t have that extra gear he had in 2005. He better get it back before the start of the season, because Mendenhall is the most pro-ready back I’ve seen at these practices since I started coming here, and I go back to the days of Sydney Thornton. Everyone may assume Willie is the starter, but I don’t think Mendenhall is ready to concede that just yet. If Willie doesn’t get that extra burst back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mendenhall start right away. He sees the hole better than Willie, He cuts better than Willie, he has a better lean to the end of his runs (remember that Barry Foster lean that got a couple extra yards at the end of runs?), and he’s a better blocker."

http://pit.scout.com/2/774162.html

Watching the backs and tight ends on backers passing drills, I was surprised at how fluid No. 1 pick Rashard Mendenhall looks running patterns. He also knows how to get open. On one play, he exploded into linebacker Keyaron Fox at the line of scrimmage to create space and immediately turned to catch the ball and scoot into the flat.

http://pit.scout.com/2/773186.html

Rookie No. 1 draft pick Rashard Mendenhall caught and ran as well as expected, but just as importantly he showed off solid blocking skills. In the blitz pickup drill, Mendenhall stuffed Larry Foote. He also fought Lawrence Timmons to a draw.

“I’m not going to pat him on the back just yet,” said Tomlin. “The guys are probably being a little nice to him on Day One since he’s new to the drill, but he did give a good representation of himself. He’s a competitor. We expect big things from him.”

http://pit.scout.com/2/773299.html

The other top draft pick, Rashard Mendenhall, has IT. We reported on his blocking skills last night, but two other plays stood out. Mendenhall caught a pass in the flat with only Deshea Townsend on that side of the field. The veteran cornerback moved in for the kill (or touch, as sane men will do during practice), and Mendenhall put a nifty move on him and Deshea swatted at air as Rashard chugged down the sideline for what in a game would’ve been an 80-yard touchdown. The first-round draft pick used the same move to change holes during the 9-on-7 run game. He picked up fullback Matt Spaeth through an opening and made what would’ve been another long run in a game. ...

I don't put a ton of stock in this stuff. Most players will do some good things and some bad things. I don't let it affect my judgment unless it's overwhelmingly positive or alarmingly negative. I'd be worried if six dead hookers and a pound of coke were found in Mendenhall's hotel room. I'm not worried about him getting stuffed on three carries. That means nothing.

the pass blocking stuff is

 

[switz]

Much ado about nothing.Remember all that talk about Marshawn Lynch being a bust because he averaged under 3 YPC in the preseason last year? This is like that. You don't make any firm judgments about a player in his second week of practice.

Switz didn't ask anyone to make a firm judgement. He just asked if it was worrying. To be specific, the Switz quote is:

Anyone else just a little worried?

I really love the attacks in this thread for bringing some recent news to light

 

[King of the Jungle]

How many threads are you going to post this non-story in?

 

[identikit]

Much ado about nothing.

Remember all that talk about Marshawn Lynch being a bust because he averaged under 3 YPC in the preseason last year?

This is like that. You don't make any firm judgments about a player in his second week of practice.

Switz didn't ask anyone to make a firm judgement. He just asked if it was worrying. To be specific, the Switz quote is:

Anyone else just a little worried?

I really love the attacks in this thread for bringing some recent news to light

If you believe that because the majority of the posters think it's a non-issue is an 'attack', then consider yourself attacked, I guess.

 

[TheFanatic]

Much ado about nothing.

Remember all that talk about Marshawn Lynch being a bust because he averaged under 3 YPC in the preseason last year?

This is like that. You don't make any firm judgments about a player in his second week of practice.

Switz didn't ask anyone to make a firm judgement. He just asked if it was worrying. To be specific, the Switz quote is:

Anyone else just a little worried?

I really love the attacks in this thread for bringing some recent news to light

If you believe that because the majority of the posters think it's a non-issue is an 'attack', then consider yourself attacked, I guess.

And I'm normally the first to slam Switz and haven't done so. just to say I'm not worried......yet...

 

[IndyHavoc]

WTH switz! This thread isn't about Favre!? :shocked:

 

[switz]

WTH switz! This thread isn't about Favre!? :shocked:

Or Felix Jones :whoosh:

 

[switz]

If you believe that because the majority of the posters think it's a non-issue is an 'attack', then consider yourself attacked, I guess.

And I'm normally the first to slam Switz and haven't done so. just to say I'm not worried......yet...

I was referring to commments like:

You don't make any firm judgments

If your convictions are so flimsy

How many threads are you going to post this non-story in?

I didn't make any firm judgement. What's with attacking my convictions? And it's not a non-story.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I like what Mendenhall could be, but if you told me that he would be another Anthony Thomas (very good year or two, but not great career; not shifty or explosive enough; a plodder), then I wouldn't argue. I just took him in a keeper league, but I'm not so sure of his talent that I'm thrilled to get him.

 

[EBF]

If you believe that because the majority of the posters think it's a non-issue is an 'attack', then consider yourself attacked, I guess.

And I'm normally the first to slam Switz and haven't done so. just to say I'm not worried......yet...

I was referring to commments like:

You don't make any firm judgments

If your convictions are so flimsy

How many threads are you going to post this non-story in?

I didn't make any firm judgement. What's with attacking my convictions? And it's not a non-story.

My answers weren't directed at you so much as they were directed at the general readership. If someone is really worried by the fact that Mendenhall got stuffed on a tiny number of attempts then they're jumping to conclusions and they probably never had much faith in his ability in the first place.

 

[baconisgood]

If your convictions are so flimsy that you'll be swayed by a news item as hollow as this one then you probably never believed in Mendenhall in the first place.

Here are some positive Mendenhall blurbs:

http://www.steelersfever.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26219

"Willie look okay hitting the hole, but he doesn’t have that extra gear he had in 2005. He better get it back before the start of the season, because Mendenhall is the most pro-ready back I’ve seen at these practices since I started coming here, and I go back to the days of Sydney Thornton. Everyone may assume Willie is the starter, but I don’t think Mendenhall is ready to concede that just yet. If Willie doesn’t get that extra burst back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mendenhall start right away. He sees the hole better than Willie, He cuts better than Willie, he has a better lean to the end of his runs (remember that Barry Foster lean that got a couple extra yards at the end of runs?), and he’s a better blocker."

http://pit.scout.com/2/774162.html

Watching the backs and tight ends on backers passing drills, I was surprised at how fluid No. 1 pick Rashard Mendenhall looks running patterns. He also knows how to get open. On one play, he exploded into linebacker Keyaron Fox at the line of scrimmage to create space and immediately turned to catch the ball and scoot into the flat.

http://pit.scout.com/2/773186.html

Rookie No. 1 draft pick Rashard Mendenhall caught and ran as well as expected, but just as importantly he showed off solid blocking skills. In the blitz pickup drill, Mendenhall stuffed Larry Foote. He also fought Lawrence Timmons to a draw.

“I’m not going to pat him on the back just yet,” said Tomlin. “The guys are probably being a little nice to him on Day One since he’s new to the drill, but he did give a good representation of himself. He’s a competitor. We expect big things from him.”

http://pit.scout.com/2/773299.html

The other top draft pick, Rashard Mendenhall, has IT. We reported on his blocking skills last night, but two other plays stood out. Mendenhall caught a pass in the flat with only Deshea Townsend on that side of the field. The veteran cornerback moved in for the kill (or touch, as sane men will do during practice), and Mendenhall put a nifty move on him and Deshea swatted at air as Rashard chugged down the sideline for what in a game would’ve been an 80-yard touchdown. The first-round draft pick used the same move to change holes during the 9-on-7 run game. He picked up fullback Matt Spaeth through an opening and made what would’ve been another long run in a game. ...

I don't put a ton of stock in this stuff. Most players will do some good things and some bad things. I don't let it affect my judgment unless it's overwhelmingly positive or alarmingly negative. I'd be worried if six dead hookers and a pound of coke were found in Mendenhall's hotel room. I'm not worried about him getting stuffed on three carries. That means nothing.

the pass blocking stuff is

I love young backs who can pick up the blitz. Guys like Jerome Harrison (I'm a browns fan) look solid in the preseason running and catching the ball but barely sniff the the active roster because they don't block well. finding the things like these that will allow players to get on the field is what you want when trying to predict the rookies who will preform.

 

[TheFanatic]

I love young backs who can pick up the blitz. Guys like Jerome Harrison (I'm a browns fan) look solid in the preseason running and catching the ball but barely sniff the the active roster because they don't block well. finding the things like these that will allow players to get on the field is what you want when trying to predict the rookies who will preform.

This is a very important point. The team is Big Ben. If a guy can't keep the QB upright then he's not going to see the field.

 

[moderated]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.

He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.

I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

 

[EBF]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

 

[TheFanatic]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

I really don't think he has the body type to be a COP back. The guy RB not some sort of 3rd down scat back...

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

I'd wait to see Mendenhall in a game before drawing conclusions, but I'd bet that the Steelers 2008 redzone/goalline options:

Roethlisberger's arm >>> All of their running backs

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

Not exactly.Kid had 78 carries for 640 yards (8.2 AVG led Big 10) in 2006 (as a sophomore) and torched a very good Penn State defense with 14 carries for 161 yards.

 

[Franknbeans]

I'd wait to see Mendenhall in a game before drawing conclusions, but I'd bet that the Steelers 2008 redzone/goalline options:Roethlisberger's arm >>> All of their running backs

How Sweed it is!

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I view Mendenhall no differently than Addai in dynasty. Solid all around back in solid offense for the future.

I have Mendy in my Top 10 dynasty RB's.

 

[joffer]

i think it's possible that both Parker and Mendenhall are good values at their current ADP. I really like the Pitt offense this year.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

Is this a Maroney=Speed alias?

 

[supermark_28]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

Is this a Maroney=Speed alias?

I thought he only visited JStew threads?

 

[joffer]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

Is this a Maroney=Speed alias?

please don't circumvent my ignore function. TIA

 

[switz]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

Is this a Maroney=Speed alias?

Hmmm... spelling is far too good to be M=S

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Mendenhall playing in a very open offense at illinois where juice opened huge running lanes for him.He had one good year in that gimmicky offense.I don't think he has what it takes to be a feature RB in the NFL. His best hope is to become a COP back, maybe getting 8-10 touches a game.

Is this a Maroney=Speed alias?

Hmmm... spelling is far too good to be M=S

 

[Burning Sensation]

Between the rumors of him almost quitting football, only one really good year at college, sliding to the end of round one, being drafted after Felix Jones, and less than spectacular news out of camp. Not to mention the fact that he is in a true RBBC for the forseeable future, i am starting to think Mendenhall might be the RB bust of this draft.

 

[EBF]

Between the rumors of him almost quitting football, only one really good year at college, sliding to the end of round one, being drafted after Felix Jones, and less than spectacular news out of camp. Not to mention the fact that he is in a true RBBC for the forseeable future, i am starting to think Mendenhall might be the RB bust of this draft.

 

[Burning Sensation]

Between the rumors of him almost quitting football, only one really good year at college, sliding to the end of round one, being drafted after Felix Jones, and less than spectacular news out of camp. Not to mention the fact that he is in a true RBBC for the forseeable future, i am starting to think Mendenhall might be the RB bust of this draft.

It seems inevitable that one of the top 3 RB's(Mcfadden, Stewart and Mendenhall) will be a bust. I may be wrong, but right now things seem to be pointing towards RM. I am starting to get a Barlow/Benson feel from him, not that my gut is always right, but its served me pretty well in the past.

 

[jwb]

Mind you I had Mendenhall at one point as my #1 rookie RB prospect... but I just don't see him performing well in the NFL. I discounted the offense he played in, but that may have been a mistake.

I only watched him play twice in college (and I'm no college expert, so I admit my opinion isn't very learned), but nothing I saw said "elite back". I was far more impressed with McFadden, Rice, Smith, etc. The thing that bugged me about Mendy is whenever I saw him try to run between the tackles, he'd dance. Almost every time. He wasn't this beast of a player who ran downhill, hit the hole hard, and fought for yards. I saw more fight from McFadden (and many others). Mendy, to my eyes, played very soft. I've avoided him (the one league I drafted him in I traded him for K Smith and P Thomas - was planning to trade him all along.) I just think he becomes another Ron Dayne - someone who came in perceived as Thunder, but is really nothing of the sort.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Shaun Alexander II

 

[EBF]

Between the rumors of him almost quitting football, only one really good year at college, sliding to the end of round one, being drafted after Felix Jones, and less than spectacular news out of camp. Not to mention the fact that he is in a true RBBC for the forseeable future, i am starting to think Mendenhall might be the RB bust of this draft.

It seems inevitable that one of the top 3 RB's(Mcfadden, Stewart and Mendenhall) will be a bust. I may be wrong, but right now things seem to be pointing towards RM. I am starting to get a Barlow/Benson feel from him, not that my gut is always right, but its served me pretty well in the past.

There are legitimate reasons to be wary of Mendenhall, but you didn't name any of them.

Between the rumors of him almost quitting football

Rumors are just rumors. Even if he did consider quitting football, he never actually did it. He's not considered a head case or a lazy bum. I've heard almost nothing about him being a character risk. If you watch interviews with him, he's very articulate for a pro RB.

only one really good year at college

Meh. He only played three seasons. As a sophomore he put up very solid stats splitting time with an NFL back. As a junior he had a monster season and helped lead an otherwise mediocre team to a BCS bowl game. I don't see any cause for concern here.

sliding to the end of round one

You say that like it's a bad thing. Many of the best RBs in the NFL were late first round picks. That group includes Joseph Addai, Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson, Shaun Alexander, Willis McGahee, and Deuce McAllister. Getting picked anywhere in the first round is very hard to do. If anything, it's an endorsement of his skills, especially when you consider the team that drafted him. The Steelers have a phenomenal record of pulling good players out of the first round.

being drafted after Felix Jones

That was one team's preference. Even Jerry Jones admitted that they had Mendenhall slightly higher on their board. They wanted Jones because he offered more of a complement to Barber's bruising style. Even so, the fact that one player was picked ahead of another doesn't really prove much. Kevin Dyson was picked ahead of Randy Moss. Ron Dayne was picked ahead of Shaun Alexander. This is just a silly argument.

and less than spectacular news out of camp

What news? That he got stuffed on four runs? If you judged every player's merits on the basis of four carries then you'd get some interesting results. The main thing that genuinely worries me about Mendenhall is his lack of top combine numbers. He ran a great 40 for a 220+ pound back, but his jump numbers were less than impressive. In that sense there is a slight resemblance to Benson, although Mendenhall has none of the obvious character concerns and is in a much better situation to succeed.

I agree that not all of these rookies will succeed, but I don't agree that Mendenhall is the most likely to fail.