The Lendale White Saga

     A lot of talk has been occurring about Lendale White (LW) and how he fits into the 2006 draft.  LW is a highly touted junior coming into the draft early and initially was projected to be one of the first backs taken.  His stock has now, supposedly, dropped and more discussion has focused on him being on the board at 1.32, when the Stillers are scheduled to make a selection.

     Fellow Stiller fans are split over the possibility of landing USC�s all time touchdown leader.  The ever scientific Stillers.Com Poll has 62% wanting to pick up LW if he is still available.  I�m one that is split, but my initial inclination is to pass on him, if he is available.

A Look at White:

Pros:

• A powerful RB capable of punishing defenders.
• Extremely productive last season as a #2 back.  Sat behind Reggie Bush and was still able rush for over 1300 yards and 24 TDs averaging 6.6 yards per carry.  Led the Nation in TDs.
• Had 14 passes thrown to him in 2005 and he averaged 15.6 yards per catch.
• Has not fumbled in 541 carries.
• He played for USC.  The Trojans and Carroll were a potent offensive machine.  Carroll was a pro coach and that pro mentality was surely taught to White.

Cons:

• Has an injury, albeit a minor hamstring tear.
• He played at USC behind a bunch of studs blocking for him. 
• LW purportedly has some weight issues.
• Work ethic is in question, causing his stock to drop.
• Needs to accelerate faster.
• Pass blocking ability.
• 21 years old.  Word on the street is he has been acting like it.  Immature.      

     On paper, LW�s stats are impressive, especially considering that he was playing behind the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, Reggie Bush.  So why has his stock dropped, at least in the mock draft folk�s eyes?

• Injury.  MRIs, including one conducted during a Pittsburgh visit, confirmed a tear in his hamstring.  While this injury is certainly recoverable and may not be all that serious, injuries don�t bode well for NFL hopefuls.  LW can command a great chunk of money and owners, GMs and team doctors get nervous about inking a large contract with a player that has an injury.  A hamstring injury is particularly questionable when that player runs the ball for a living.

• Strength.  SI.Com has reported that during a USC Pro Day event, LW did not perform well during the 225 bench press event.  He pressed 15 reps, 13 fewer than teammate Bush who weighs significantly less than White.  LW did one more rep than punter Tom Malone.  A power back requires strength and while the bench press or 40 yard sprint may not be the best metrics to determine a RB�s strength, it does send a signal to scouts.  Is he working hard?  Does he care?  In the media, this strength test and failure to run the 40 yard dash equate to a less than desirable work ethic.  The Combine and Pro Day events are interviews and as we all know, first impressions count and that is true in football.  A NFL scout attending a session was commenting on White�s weight gain and said something to the tune that �LW looks like he needs a bra.�  After the Pro-Day, reporter Mike Silver (SI) quoted a scout, �He looked like a guy who just didn't have a clue. I'm telling you, the kid might have cost himself millions of dollars today."  His first impression do not appear to be positive.

Why I hope the Stillers Avoid White:

     The Stillers currently have three running backs (Willie Parker, Duce and Haynes) under contract on the roster plus big Fred Staton (5�, 10�, 250lbs) from Tusculum.  Parker was one of those rare finds, similar to Priest Holmes.  Undrafted out of College (never started for North Carolina) and winds up starting in a Super Bowl.  Duce, in my mind is a very capable back, but took a backseat to Bettis.  Duce doesn�t play special teams and that is where Haynes brings value to the roster.  Haynes is a capable third down back and special teams player. 

     Duce will start some debate about his health and ability to play a 16+ game season.  The fact is in 2005-06 Duce wasn�t hurt the entire season; he was ready to play after the bye week, week # 4.  Duce is not an every down type of back so Willie will get much of the work.  I like Duce and thought he was one of the better off-season acquisitions the Stillers landed.  He is especially gifted in the receiving game, something the Stillers have not exploited since he has been in town.  Also, don�t confuse Inactive with Injury.  Duce was inactive most of last season.  That means he didn�t show up on an injury report.  He was paid a small fortune to ride the pine and let Jerome end his career and this was a choice of Bill Cowher.  Cowher was comfortable with the running back rotation and Duce just wasn�t in it.  The Stillers had to inactivate a RB to cover special team�s assignments.  Willie and Bettis didn�t contribute to special teams and that left Duce with the short straw.  The same thing will happen again if we draft LW.  We will pay a lot of money for someone to watch the games in sweats.

     Question:  Why does Pittsburgh need a big power back?

     Answer:   They don�t.

     The 2005 Stillers were a more balanced team and relied less on a big/bruising back.  The outcome was the Lombardi Trophy with the lion share of the running game put on little (5�, 10�, 209lbs) Willie Parker�s shoulders.    The Stillers had a total of 5,149 passing and rushing yards last season; 57% of the time a pass play was called while they ran the ball 43%.  Drafting Big Ben perhaps shifted the paradigm from a run centric team to a more balanced type of offense.  We are comfortably set in the RB position and we don�t need four or five on the active roster to be successful in 2006.  Duce will be fine.

     LW may become one of the best RBs to play the game.  I�m willing to pass on him though.  There will be others available at 1.32 that fit the team�s more urgent needs.  This is a rare instance in which I say pass on the best player available and draft to fill a need.  However, I�m not sold that LW is the best player available if he is alive at 1.32.