View topic - Doubts about Mendenhall

[thesteelhammer Profile]

The mainstream press is starting to wonder, what many of us have been thinking for a while.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/08/15/steelers.mendenhall.ap/index.html?eref=si_nfl

[Crucible-steel-kid Profile]

I HOPE THIS GUY PANS OUT. THE LAST THING WE NEED IS TO BURN A ROSTER SPOT FOR ANOTHER BUST DRAFT PICK...

[SteelCityFan Profile]

Yikes. This guy can't suck, that's all there is to it. I think Tomlin will put his boot far enough up Mendy's ass so that we will see results. At least that's what I'm hoping.

[Coke Oven Profile]

Name me one great back who didn't show signs that he was gonna be a good one the first time he set foot on the field. Unlike quarterbacks and receivers great backs look the part from the get go. I'm not seeing that from Mendenhall, are you?

[IronCity__Man Profile]

Mendy is going to tear it up when given the chance. The collective Steelers community are assessing his potential on 19 carrries and a whole lot of press. If we use that assessment for other players then Joe Burnett is going to be a hall of famer because he made some interceptions in practice and a preseason game. I still think Mendy can slash into a hole better than any other back we have. Perhaps he is thinking a bit too much right now but he isn't going to get any running room in preseason so we won't know anything until later. I still think FWP is the starter no matter what. We need FWP bounce to the outside because of our poor interior line blocking.

It is all about the 0-line. Denver churns out presumably great running backs because of their o-line ability and probably their scheme.

[Witchblade Profile]

Name me one great back who didn't show signs that he was gonna be a good one the first time he set foot on the field. Unlike quarterbacks and receivers great backs look the part from the get go. I'm not seeing that from Mendenhall, are you?

That fact that you don't like him is a pretty good indication to the rest of that he is going to be just fine.

[punum123 Profile]

I think its a bit early to say he's just avg.

However, if he doesn't watch his back, Redmen will be eating his lunch.

Let the competition begin!

[PSUPERCY Profile]

Name me one great back who didn't show signs that he was gonna be a good one the first time he set foot on the field. Unlike quarterbacks and receivers great backs look the part from the get go. I'm not seeing that from Mendenhall, are you?

That fact that you don't like him is a pretty good indication to the rest of that he is going to be just fine.

CokeOven may be right. I can't think of even one great RB who hadn't flashed something by now. Someone please name one. I can't. Hell, even Carey Davis flashed in the 07 preseason. Carey Davis.

[Still CA Still Profile]

Easy , Men. There is not enough evidence of anything-either way-to annoint or dismiss Mendy. Expecting flashes of brilliance at this time of the season and at this stage of the O-line's development is crazy. Keep your powder dry and let's see what unfolds but don't be surprised if some "big name" back on the B&G is packaged off for picks before the season begins.

[Coke Oven Profile]

"That fact that you don't like him is a pretty good indication to the rest of that he is going to be just fine."

I don't like you either. I suppose that means that you too will be just fine in spite of the fact that you're so fucked up.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

The only "very good" back that I can think of is a late bloomer is Tiki Barber. Season rush values of his first four years were 511,166,258,1006, then ended with a string of 1500+ seasons. Giants didn't need him to win a superbowl either.

[LambertoCincoOcho Profile]

Walter Payton ran for less than a thousand his rookie year. OJ Simpson was almost moved to WR early in his career. All three are in the Hall Of Fame.

1975 Walter Payton 196-679 7 TD 3.5 avg.
1971 John Riggins 180-769 1 TD 4.3 avg.
1969 OJ Simpson 181-697 2 TD 3.9 avg.

One thing I have noticed is that the first tackler usually brings him down. The team will be patient with him because of their investment. He will stick around at least as long as Jamain Stephens.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Mentioning Mendy in the same breath as sweetness, Juice, or Riggins is crazy talk.
He isn't them, and never will be.

What he is right now is OVER-PAID

[LambertoCincoOcho Profile]

the point is a subpar rookie year doesn't always doom a RB to a failed career dumbass

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Point is those guys are the exception. It's much more likely he'll be a average to good or even a bust than a HOF RB - dumb ass

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

Tough to run when you're hit 2 or 3 times before you get to the L.O.S. ( sometimes even before he got the handoff!)

Arians and his run formations with 2 TE's and Hines in tight make for crowded line and predicability. Defense with 8 in the box is tough to beat, no matter who you are. A little creativity would break the box down and get backers off the line and thinking.

Memo to Bruce: You are allowed to fake out the oppenent. Hit wallace or Sweed or Tone with crossing or quick outs (aka Welker anyone?). Like 'em or not, how many times have you seen Pats & Faulk run for 1st down off 3rd & 5 or more because they have taken backers off the L.O.S.? Can't stand 'em but their system works and I believe our weapons are better than theirs. Throw in Ben as a "scrambler" and we clean their clocks if our offense had more than 5 plays.

Gosh, Arians is a joke.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Tough to run when you're hit 2 or 3 times before you get to the L.O.S. ( sometimes even before he got the handoff!)

Arians and his run formations with 2 TE's and Hines in tight make for crowded line and predicability. Defense with 8 in the box is tough to beat, no matter who you are. A little creativity would break the box down and get backers off the line and thinking.

Memo to Bruce: You are allowed to fake out the oppenent. Hit wallace or Sweed or Tone with crossing or quick outs (aka Welker anyone?). Like 'em or not, how many times have you seen Pats & Faulk run for 1st down off 3rd & 5 or more because they have taken backers off the L.O.S.? Can't stand 'em but their system works and I believe our weapons are better than theirs. Throw in Ben as a "scrambler" and we clean their clocks if our offense had more than 5 plays.

Gosh, Arians is a joke.

Excellent points.
I am by no means throwing the towel in on this kid.
I'm just saying, he ain't a HOF running back.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

I wish the Steelers would abandon this single back crap. I am willing to bet the Steelers have a greater avg. rushing play with a fullback lead. This experiment has gone down a bad path and we don't even have a blocking fullback on the roster. I still can't determine what Carey Davis's role is on this team. He is not a blocking fullback (maybe on the pass), not a goal-line plunge back, and not a 3rd down receiver out of the backfield - or at least not a dangerous one.

NFL teams are scrambling to find new ways to gain 4 yds per rush with the wildcat and the spread. Line up in the I-form and plow it down the middle.

[Witchblade Profile]

Summers looked real good as a FB on the Redman scores and a few other plays when he lined up there. I'd like to see him at the position earlier in the game. As far as the formations go, it is just PS so BS Arians gets a pass. One thing you might consider is the fact that the coaches didn't play Mendy more. If they were as doubtful as some of yall wouldn't ya think they'd play him more? I would if I had questions.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

FWP, Mendy, Redman, Tank and Moore. You have speed, experience, youth, blocking, pass-catching and game experience in this crew. Don't see where Davis is a "must keep". Need Moore as 3rd down safety valve and insurance for FWP again.
Do we win division last year without him? I think not.
I would even say we don't get to SB without his superb fill-in work and teamwork.

I read where they are thrilled with last pick TE Johnon's blocking. Does this push McHugh out the door?
Any inside scoop anyone? I'm in SC and all I get is website, Pgh papers online.