Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

[Jooser]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I think he definitely took a step in the right direction last night. He looked good for the most part and I was cheering him on. I agree with what the announcer said last night though in that he needs to make that one guy miss, if he can do that, he'll be off to the races. I think he is going down quick, but I say that some of that is because he's still adjusting to the speed of the game. He's running hard and fast and seems to lack balance because of it. I think he'll find that balance with some patience. He's going to learn the more he's out there, and sooner or later he'll find rhythm. Reps is the key here, but all in all, I was pretty darn happy with him last night, though it was against the lowly Bills.

Go Steelers!

[DukieBoy]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

The reps in real time game situations will help develop him. He's got a high ceiling for growth, being so young and inexperienced.
Given Tomlin's high-expectation strong-support coaching, and building on experience, he will become more confident and instinctive, and I think he will be very good.

A few of his runs, including the fumble, were stuffed in the backfield by the Billls D line surges. I liked seeing the two receptions and his yardage after catch --- he looked real good on those plays.

I'd like to see more him run over some tackler and either keep his feet or tack on a couple yards at the end ofthe run.

[fezziwig]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I was all in Mendys corner but after last night, he looked okay but not like a number one draft pick.

It just isn't coming natural to him. One more thing, with all those muscles, why doesn't he try running some of those guys over ?

[feltdizz]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I didn't see the game but they had an NFLN live look in and I watched Mend run through a huge hole for 9 yards.. shook my head and said that was what I wanted to see..

then the next play they fumble the exchange... I don't know..

I hate to do the "1st rounder should be this and that.." but... he isn't running through tacklers and he doesn't look like he has that sense of urgency.. that "hunger" to take FWP's spot.

[feltdizz]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

watched a few more highlights and I admit... besides the fumble he ran hard.. holes were nice but he hit them..

I would have loved to see a cut back on the play he fumbled on.. he was a great cutback runner in college... once he starts to use his natural talent and stops worrying about being a RB robot he will break out...

I wonder if we resign FWP after this year?

[steelsnis]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I would have loved to see a cut back on the play he fumbled on..

Watch that play again. Kemoeatu got blown up and his guy was 3 yards into the backfield when Mendenhall got the handoff. He literally had no where to go when he got the ball in his hands and got hit by both Kemo and the defender at the same time.

[Snatch98]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Yea the fumble definitely wasn't his fault. The announcers also made the same comment. THe line got blown up and he had no where to go. I was very pleased with his performance. I guess we'll find out.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Earlier I had a pretty negative vibe to my initial response. But I wasn't really thinking of his age or that he had one starting season at Illinois. He is still a young guy and can get better.

One other thing I tried to keep in mind was what Kevin Colbert had to say. He said that a guy, in this case Mendenhall, is only a first rounder because they made him that, and if he isn't that, it isn't his fault. They just misevaluated that player.

Overall our young guys are making plays and also learning from mistakes. Last night I noticed on Heaths reception, it looked like if Mike Wallace had actualy blocked his man instead of just shoving him for a second and letting him release, Heatch could have taken that reception to the house.

Sweed looked good overall last night. Some nice, tough catches in traffic.

[feltdizz]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Earlier I had a pretty negative vibe to my initial response. But I wasn't really thinking of his age or that he had one starting season at Illinois. He is still a young guy and can get better.

One other thing I tried to keep in mind was what Kevin Colbert had to say. He said that a guy, in this case Mendenhall, is only a first rounder because they made him that, and if he isn't that, it isn't his fault. They just misevaluated that player.

Overall our young guys are making plays and also learning from mistakes. Last night I noticed on Heaths reception, it looked like if Mike Wallace had actualy blocked his man instead of just shoving him for a second and letting him release, Heatch could have taken that reception to the house.

Sweed looked good overall last night. Some nice, tough catches in traffic.

yes indeed, Mend is young and we are fortunate to have so much depth we don't really need our 1st rounders to start...

but it would be nice/fun to see Mend live up to the hype like Felix Jones or Chris Johnson did..

this is where I think the sports reporters failed Mendy.. they spoke of tough inside running, ability to break tackles...

he was never that kind of runner in his one year of college, Tomlin tried to warn us of the youth of Mend.. but fans ran with the college highlights. Mend will be fine in my opinion..

but the fan craze for 1st round production may do him in as a fan favorite

[Shoe]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Yea the fumble definitely wasn't his fault. The announcers also made the same comment. THe line got blown up and he had no where to go. I was very pleased with his performance. I guess we'll find out.

How could you say the fumble wasn't his fault? Even if the line gets "blown up", you should be able to hold on to a ball that was securely handed to you. Five guys could've came through; you still should be able to hold on to the ball.

It's just another symptom, sad as I am to say it. This guy only has his moderate gains when he has a gaping hole in which he can plant his leg and just sprint. He hasn't ever made something out of nothing, broke a tackle (that I recall; he broke a shoulder, not a tackle), or really done anything significant.

[feltdizz]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I would have loved to see a cut back on the play he fumbled on..

Watch that play again. Kemoeatu got blown up and his guy was 3 yards into the backfield when Mendenhall got the handoff. He literally had no where to go when he got the ball in his hands and got hit by both Kemo and the defender at the same time.

well, fumbles do happen.. but I would rather he hold onto the ball..

[MaxAMillion]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I would have loved to see a cut back on the play he fumbled on..

Watch that play again. Kemoeatu got blown up and his guy was 3 yards into the backfield when Mendenhall got the handoff. He literally had no where to go when he got the ball in his hands and got hit by both Kemo and the defender at the same time.

Therein lies the real issue. Kemo got beat several times yesterday. He really isn't that great. I have a hard time getting past the play of the OL. I think Kemo and Starks make a bad tandem on the left side. Most of the rushing yards went behind Colon last year. That most likely won't change.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I would have loved to see a cut back on the play he fumbled on..

Watch that play again. Kemoeatu got blown up and his guy was 3 yards into the backfield when Mendenhall got the handoff. He literally had no where to go when he got the ball in his hands and got hit by both Kemo and the defender at the same time.

Therein lies the real issue. Kemo got beat several times yesterday. He really isn't that great. I have a hard time getting past the play of the OL. I think Kemo and Starks make a bad tandem on the left side. Most of the rushing yards went behind Colon last year. That most likely won't change.

As did most of the false starts. I'm guessing he might have had a part in more rushing yards than in 5 yard penalties (or is it 10?), but I wouldn't bet the house on it.

Having said that I don't think he had any false starts last night. Something to build on!

[flippy]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Sweed looked good overall last night. Some nice, tough catches in traffic.

Sweed's starting to look like the guy that was the first rounder that's ready to play.

He's made a couple spectacular catches on some high throws from Ben.

The coaches have a tough decision between him and Wallace.

Wallace's speed is sensational to take the top of the defense.

But I think Sweed can help Ben more on 3rd down conversions so he's gonna get the #3 nod.

[Chavezz]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Sweed was a 2nd rd pick.