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Mendenhall comparable to Egde?


Guest Chappy
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Guest Chappy

Did the Cowboys draft the wrong RB and are FWP owners in trouble? You'd have to think you'd answer yes to both.

 

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08120/87746...id=steelers.xml

 

Mendenhall Comparable To Edge?

New Pittsburgh Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall is being compared to RB Edgerrin James by a familiar source- Steelers OC Bruce Arians. Arians described Mendenhall as "a bigger, faster Edgerrin James" and further stated "He's 10 pounds heavier than Edge was and a tenth faster. He has those types of hands and power. Edge, I thought, did as good a job as anybody running the clock out, when he was in Indianapolis for sure. Being able to split out of the backfield is a unique kind of talent."

 

This is a rather ringing endorsement from someone very familiar with Mendenhall and James. Arians was actively involved in the scouting of Mendenhall and was also an assistant coach in Indianapolis when the Colts drafted James in 1999. Arians further described Mendenhall in comparison to RB Willie Parker as "a high-caliber guy, close to him, yet different." We will watch the involvement and use of Mendenhall very carefully in camp. Arians has already spoken of Mendenhall as the possible RB to run the clock out late in games and has also appeared to favor his size in the passing game as well. Not the greatest of news for Willie Parker owners.

 

| April 30, 2008 7:27 PM

 

 

And to think FWP wasn't even being used exclusively when healthy last year and had to share time with Navenport and others. Now he's recovering from an injury and has major competition for carries. I'd have to say he really falls down draft boards and Mendenhall shoots up a bit.

Edited by Chappy
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I have never considered fwp a legit nfl back. I look for Mendenhall to take his job within the next two years. Mendenhall is the most complete back to come into the nfl since LT2.

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As a Steeler fan, I'm thrilled with the pick. He simply has too much potential to not take with their pick.

 

As a Willie Parker owner, this is certainly not a good thing. Parker will be the starter, and I still like what he brings to the table, but, I think Mendenhall will slowly take touches away and by mid-season, they will be at close to a 50-50 split. I think Mendenhall is the starter coming out of camp next year. At that point, the Steelers might continue to use both, or look to see if they can move Parker for a solid O-lineman. This is all just my prediction based on, obviously seeing every play Parker has played in the NFL, and seeing a ton of Mendenhall in college, as I watch a lot of Big-10 football as a PSU fan. I have a lot of Steeler-love for Willie Parker, but, I loved this pick by the Steelers.

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He was picked #5, and the #1 rb picked by a long shot that year.
Not saying the comment about him being the best since LT2 was correct but your argument is not really a good one because as we know, the number they go at does not determine their real value. If that was the determining factor, both Ronnie Brown and Reggie Bush were taken earlier than LT2.

 

How do they say...ah yes...That's why they play the game.

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Not saying the comment about him being the best since LT2 was correct but your argument is not really a good one because as we know, the number they go at does not determine their real value. If that was the determining factor, both Ronnie Brown and Reggie Bush were taken earlier than LT2.

 

How do they say...ah yes...That's why they play the game.

 

your point was that a lot of people disagreed that LT2 was going to be a great player. I don't specifically remember that to be the case, but i was pointing out that not a lot of teams passed on him as they did with Mendenhall.

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This has major RBBC written all over it and has even been said by the Steelers. Don't forget and or dismiss FWP as the back of the past thinking they will try to just move on to something new. FWP is proven in what he can do and is a Pro Bowl running back. I think Mendenhall will see his share of carries but I know they Steelers are thinking they have a great 1-2 punch that will wear down teams and keep each back a little fresher because of the other. FWP even suggested before this draft that he would like to see the Steelers draft a back to help keep him fresh. Mendenhall was to good to pass on with the Steeler pick but they did not draft him to replace FWP but rather to complement.

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As a Steeler fan, I'm thrilled with the pick. He simply has too much potential to not take with their pick.

 

As a Willie Parker owner, this is certainly not a good thing. Parker will be the starter, and I still like what he brings to the table, but, I think Mendenhall will slowly take touches away and by mid-season, they will be at close to a 50-50 split. I think Mendenhall is the starter coming out of camp next year. At that point, the Steelers might continue to use both, or look to see if they can move Parker for a solid O-lineman. This is all just my prediction based on, obviously seeing every play Parker has played in the NFL, and seeing a ton of Mendenhall in college, as I watch a lot of Big-10 football as a PSU fan. I have a lot of Steeler-love for Willie Parker, but, I loved this pick by the Steelers.

 

Absolutely a great pick and I think the Cowboys will regard passing on him for Felix Jones. I had been hoping for the Panthers to take him at #13, but I wasn't surprised that they opted for Stewart as he is more like a younger, faster, stronger version of Stephen Davis and probably fits the Panthers power running game a little better than Mendenhall, but I think both guys will be very strong backs in the NFL for many years to come.

 

I was also surprised to see Limas Sweed fall to the Steelers in the 2nd round, talk about getting lucky to find too very good players fall right into their laps. Excelllent choices by the Steelers!

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As a Steeler fan, I'm thrilled with the pick. He simply has too much potential to not take with their pick.

 

You ought to be. I am still trying to figure out how in the Seven hells he dropped into PIT's lap - of course, I'm trying to figure how Dorsey dropped to KC also.

 

The guy seems like a great fit in PIT and with Parker could set up a re-establishment of a "pony" type backfield like they used with Harris & Bleier. Between that & Sweed in the 2nd round - who should have been a 1st round pick - PIT's O got a whole lot more fearsome.

 

It's the "most complete RB since LT2" statement that appears to be just a wee bit over the top...

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Agree that Mendenhall is a great pick that fell to the Steelers. Also think Sweed adds a lot as well.

 

But they won't be good enough to overcome Winshieldburger getting killed if they have no OL. He's great at "feeling" pressure, and just misses some big hits. But I think one or two of those are gonna catch him if the line continues to deteriorate.

 

Remember - No Name backs have frequently flourished behind good lines. Rarely has a spectacular back flourished behind a suspect one.

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Agree that Mendenhall is a great pick that fell to the Steelers. Also think Sweed adds a lot as well.

 

But they won't be good enough to overcome Winshieldburger getting killed if they have no OL. He's great at "feeling" pressure, and just misses some big hits. But I think one or two of those are gonna catch him if the line continues to deteriorate.

 

Remember - No Name backs have frequently flourished behind good lines. Rarely has a spectacular back flourished behind a suspect one.

 

Very good point here. Although I'm thrilled with the value they got from Mendenhall and Sweed, offensive line is still a MAJOR concern. I do feel that Hartwig will be a major upgrade over Mahan at Center, and Mahan will provide some depth at Center and Guard. However, the loss of Faneca is going to be felt, as he was the best player on an offensive line that played poorly last year. Willie Colon & Chris Keomatau are going to have to continue to improve in a big way this year, and hopefully, Hills will turn out to be a good pick from the 4th round, but, those are a lot of "if's". On offense, IF the offensive line comes together, their offense will be tough to stop.

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I do feel that Hartwig will be a major upgrade over Mahan at Center, and Mahan will provide some depth at Center and Guard.

 

Hartwig was a bust in Carolina and had a problem staying healthy. His groin has been a problem for him and hopefully he is healthy, but don't be surprised if he is on the Injury List on a regular basis. He was let go not because of a big cap #, but because he underperformed the contract that he signed with the Panthers. Just a note to temper your expections on him.

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Hartwig was a bust in Carolina and had a problem staying healthy. His groin has been a problem for him and hopefully he is healthy, but don't be surprised if he is on the Injury List on a regular basis. He was let go not because of a big cap #, but because he underperformed the contract that he signed with the Panthers. Just a note to temper your expections on him.

 

I think of Hartwig as average at best, but, still a huge upgrade over Mahan, who was the worst starting center in the NFL last year

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