View topic - to early to say running back controversy?

[Fire Arians Profile]

as soon as willie is healthy again does this mean mendenhall will be back on the bench? or will we see more of a 2 headed monster? or mendenhall winning the position? thoughts?

dude was a monster tonight and led the entire nfl in week 4 rushing. i'd be totally pissed off about the near-collapse in the 4th quarter, but have to be happy with this kid right now

from what I've seen, mendenhall is clearly better at getting yards after contact than parker, and is more of a big play threat

[lancastill Profile]

mendenhall has done everything and more in one game than willie has the whole season. he can catch in the flats, he can run between the tackles and he can get around the tackles and he can get long runs, even when hes tackled behind the line he gets more yardage than willie. i can never forget the 75 yd run in sb 40 and that game with browns, i cant remember his stats right now, but he hasnt had a great game like that in awhile. if im wrong let me know and ill stand corrected, but im just all go for mendenhall rite now

[1fourdathumb Profile]

ALSO THE LINE BLOCKED VERY WELL FOR SOME REASON TODAY AND MENDY HIT THE HOLES LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL. YOU DON'T TAKE HIM OUT IMO, WHEN WILLIE IS HEALTHY. LOVED TO SEE LEGURSKY AT THE GOAL LINE...REMINDED ME OF A BABY FRIDGE....ASIDE FROM THE D-FENSE TAKING A HUGE DUMP IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, I THOUGHT THE PLAY CALLING WAS A NICE MIX OF RUN AND PASS...AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW...A HALF BACK PASS...WELL KISS MY GRITZ

[StillLifer Profile]

I've always said that Parker was too soft to get any yardage inside without a good block. He just bounces off defenders. His best bet nowadays is getting a good angle and running outside. Even then, if he hesitates, he doesn't get far enough ahead for his speed to really kick in. Say what you want about Bettis, but at least he could gain a couple just by falling forward.

I think Mendy gives us more strength in the RB position considering the lousy run blocking from our OL. I know WP is fast, but Mendy is, too. Sorry to Willie, but if I'd have the chance, I would have made Mendy our #1 by now.

Moore has done fairly well. Logan looks like he could be our Sproles (he just needs a bit better judgement- more experience). I don't know what it is that makes Logan look so much better than Parker. Maybe he's getting more room to run on ST than Parker would with a regular offensive play? Or maybe Logan reads the holes better than Parker? I've just been unimpressed with Parker all of last season and the games so far this year have reinforced that feeling.

Speaking of picking up a couple, I feel like Ben would be better off after scrambling from a missed sack and just running for a few (instead of throwing it away or making those terrible risky tosses). I mean, if he's going to be running for his life, he may as well be running toward the first down marker. Am I the only one that's seeing this?

[BigE Profile]

Mendy is a much better blocker and pass catcher than Willie. This is fwp's last year

[SteelTank Profile]

There's a reason why Parker didn't start in college... He just wasn't that good at cutting and seeing the holes. Then again, there's a reason why Park was a good NFL RB - he's got plenty of speed.

That is all he has however.

Mendy could be the real deal and should be given every opportunity to prove that he is this year.

Good luck in your travels Willie.

[deltadweller Profile]

If Mendy isn't the answer, Parker still isn't the answer. He's a one trick poney. He's fast. Maybe we could trade him to the Raiders for a high pick. Rashard ran against a poor defensive team that played tonight, but you could see the vision and leg drive that Parker doesn't have. Thanks Willie for being an able fill in for a few years, and the memories.

[7.62x39 Profile]

Parker should be 3rd on the depth chart. The offense is much more effective with Mendy or Moore in there. I'm not sure what Tomlin is thinking if he sticks with Parker when he's healthy again.

[UncleDick Profile]

Granted it was just one game vs a Charger D without Jamal Williams, but the Oline looked like we started 5 different people out there.

I think once they saw Mendy running hard they wanted to block and played harder, it shouldnt be that way but hell it does happen. They see a guy fighting for yards and hitting the holes hard and they give a little extra.


As for who the starting running back will be, Im not a fan of someone playing 2 series then another player playing 1. Stick a guy in there, let him bang and come out when you are gassed. No 12 carries for one guy and 9 for another, put a horse in there and ride him. If the Chargers D was not gassed in the 4th we may have lost, and Mendy did that.

Can Mendy do that every game?? Probably not, but willie as much as i hate to say it, cant do it at all.

Mewelde = Clutch!

[oldschoolhunkie Profile]

There's a reason why Parker didn't start in college... He just wasn't that good at cutting and seeing the holes. Then again, there's a reason why Park was a good NFL RB - he's got plenty of speed.

This is absurd. Who cares what he did or did not do in college.. how soon you all forget.. look how many yards FWP has gained as a stiller.

having said that I totally think it is time to move Mendy in, but don't say "oh, willie was never that good. he didn't even star tin college." He gained some serious yardage for this team and was crucial in two SB runs. show some gratitude, fools!

[Pump-N-Iron Profile]

I think once they saw Mendy running hard they wanted to block and played harder, it shouldnt be that way but hell it does happen. They see a guy fighting for yards and hitting the holes hard and they give a little extra.

As much as everyone will deny it, this does happen in the NFL for RBs and QBs. Every O-Line blocks better for those they perceive to be worthy. Maybe they are tired of watching FWP go down when the LB's fingernail accidentally gets caught on Willie's shoe lace. Don't get me wrong, I like FWP, but I think his days as the starter are numbered.
BTW... did anyone catch the look on his face every time the cameras flashed to him on the sidelines? Sure he looked happy for the team, but he knew that every big run by Mendy was a dagger in his chest. I felt kinda bad for him in a small way.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

Charger's run D is as soft as they come. FWP had his best games last year against the Chargers. Mendenhall got embarassed last week to try really hard. I keep likening Mendy to Chris Benson. It took Benson being sent to Cinci before he got the picture.

Mendenhall excelled in college because Illinois ran the spread offense. He is still best in that scheme because he is not a bruiser and runs too high.

Mendenhall should do well if they keep it spread out.

[number1steelerfan Profile]

FWP is statistically the third best RB in Steelers history... Yinz fans that want to throw him under the Bus are crazy 'n at... I can't wait for the 1-2 punch when Fast and Delicious are both healthy behind this blossoming O-line. Bring on the last 3/4 of the season, I can't wait!

[thesteelhammer Profile]

No controversy.
We use them both this season when they are both healthy.
When they aren't, we are lucky to have the other.

If Mendy can keep up like last night, FWP is gone after this season.
no controversy

[HereWeGo Profile]

willie was gone after this season before the season started.

rashard has come to play, yall. glad we still have moore in reserve and redman on the PS.

i woulda traded him in the off-season.