Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I think Mendenhall is the offensive version of Timmons. And Parker is the offensive version of Foote.

Both Mendenhall and Foote were heralded rookies and much was expected of them. But they failed to live up to those expectations as unusually young 20 year old rookies.

In Timmons' second year, the 21 year old split time with the veteran Foote. Foote was officially the starter because he has experience and the team won two championships with him as a starter, and has one reliable attribute, his run-stopping ability.

In Mendenhall's second year, I expect the 21 year old to split time with the veteran Parker. I think Parker will officially be the starter because he has experience and the team won two championships with him as a starter, and has one reliable attribute, his game-breaking speed.

In Timmons' third year, Foote was released so Timmons is now the starter. He always had more physical abilities, including pass rush, coverage, and bone-crunching suddenness, and now has the experience to allow him to put those natural abilities to good use.

In Mendenhall's third year, I expect that the team will not be able to re-sign Parker, making Mendenhall the starter. He always had more physical abilities, including pass catching, cutback ability, and running between the tackles, and will then have the experience to allow him to put those natural abilities to good use.

[DukieBoy]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I think Mendenhall is the offensive version of Timmons. And Parker is the offensive version of Foote.

Both Mendenhall and Foote were heralded rookies and much was expected of them. But they failed to live up to those expectations as unusually young 20 year old rookies.

In Timmons' second year, the 21 year old split time with the veteran Foote. Foote was officially the starter because he has experience and the team won two championships with him as a starter, and has one reliable attribute, his run-stopping ability.

In Mendenhall's second year, I expect the 21 year old to split time with the veteran Parker. I think Parker will officially be the starter because he has experience and the team won two championships with him as a starter, and has one reliable attribute, his game-breaking speed.

In Timmons' third year, Foote was released so Timmons is now the starter. He always had more physical abilities, including pass rush, coverage, and bone-crunching suddenness, and now has the experience to allow him to put those natural abilities to good use.

In Mendenhall's third year, I expect that the team will not be able to re-sign Parker, making Mendenhall the starter. He always had more physical abilities, including pass catching, cutback ability, and running between the tackles, and will then have the experience to allow him to put those natural abilities to good use.

Amen

[stlrz d]

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.

I have a question for you...does Coach Tomlin seem like the kind of guy who makes excuses for players?

Because I don't think he is and Jooser posted something in another thread where Tomlin said the fumble was on Kemo for getting blown up so Mendy was hit during the exchange, not when the ball was "securely handed to him".

Just sayin'.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

My thoughts on Mendy:

He did "OK".
I really WANT to say that he did great, and I continue to hold hope, but to this point he is "OK".

Details:

He DID have a couple of nice runs. But they were ones where there was a big hole and it looked like that was where the play was designed to go.

I didn't see any moves where he made someone miss and picked up an extra 10 yards. Or turned a no gainer into something. I didn't see him bull over or drag anyone to finish a run with an extra 2-3 yards.

The fumble sucked.

I was encouraged by the catches.

Jury is still out in my mind.

[Jooser]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

...and just for the record, Mendy had his largest gains running on the right side of the line, including the long sprint draw and his TD (where he was untouched). I think the opinion that Kemo and Starks are a bad running combo on the left is mostly accurate. I also think that Trai's big body on the right is helping to get that extra push on the right as well.

[papillon]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

What is there to settle? Parker is the starting tailback and Mendenhall spells him occasionally during the game for a little different look. If Parker gets injured and misses time then Mendenhall becomes the starter and probably limits Moore's snaps, because, Mendenhall can do everything that Moore does.

Nothing to settle from where I stand. Now, if you're talking about whether he settled the fact that he's a number one pick that hasn't played up to the potential that many believe he should then nothing has been settled. Those fans will be on his @zz until retires or isn't a Steeler and he can't settle that with them, ever.

Pappy

[Oviedo]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

What is there to settle? Parker is the starting tailback and Mendenhall spells him occasionally during the game for a little different look. If Parker gets injured and misses time then Mendenhall becomes the starter and probably limits Moore's snaps, because, Mendenhall can do everything that Moore does.

Nothing to settle from where I stand. Now, if you're talking about whether he settled the fact that he's a number one pick that hasn't played up to the potential that many believe he should then nothing has been settled. Those fans will be on his @zz until retires or isn't a Steeler and he can't settle that with them, ever.

Pappy

Anyone not named Jerome Bettis will be held to an unrealistic standard by a minority of the fans.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Think about your statement. We don't even have a Running Back controversy.. I wouldn't think it an unrealistic expectation for Mendy to be pushing Parker (who has his own shortcomings) for serious playing time. The fact that he is not is a disappointment to me.

What is there to settle? Parker is the starting tailback and Mendenhall spells him occasionally during the game for a little different look. If Parker gets injured and misses time then Mendenhall becomes the starter and probably limits Moore's snaps, because, Mendenhall can do everything that Moore does.

Nothing to settle from where I stand. Now, if you're talking about whether he settled the fact that he's a number one pick that hasn't played up to the potential that many believe he should then nothing has been settled. Those fans will be on his @zz until retires or isn't a Steeler and he can't settle that with them, ever.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

What is there to settle? Parker is the starting tailback and Mendenhall spells him occasionally during the game for a little different look. If Parker gets injured and misses time then Mendenhall becomes the starter and probably limits Moore's snaps, because, Mendenhall can do everything that Moore does.

Nothing to settle from where I stand. Now, if you're talking about whether he settled the fact that he's a number one pick that hasn't played up to the potential that many believe he should then nothing has been settled. Those fans will be on his @zz until retires or isn't a Steeler and he can't settle that with them, ever.

Pappy

hmm... well I think most Timmons detractors were convinced half way through last season...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

...and just for the record, Mendy had his largest gains running on the right side of the line, including the long sprint draw and his TD (where he was untouched). I think the opinion that Kemo and Starks are a bad running combo on the left is mostly accurate. I also think that Trai's big body on the right is helping to get that extra push on the right as well.

Well, when they run to the right, Kemo is typically pulling from his LG spot in order to lead the RB. Just sayin'.

[papillon]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Think about your statement. We don't even have a Running Back controversy.. I wouldn't think it an unrealistic expectation for Mendy to be pushing Parker (who has his own shortcomings) for serious playing time. The fact that he is not is a disappointment to me.

What is there to settle? Parker is the starting tailback and Mendenhall spells him occasionally during the game for a little different look. If Parker gets injured and misses time then Mendenhall becomes the starter and probably limits Moore's snaps, because, Mendenhall can do everything that Moore does.

Nothing to settle from where I stand. Now, if you're talking about whether he settled the fact that he's a number one pick that hasn't played up to the potential that many believe he should then nothing has been settled. Those fans will be on his @zz until retires or isn't a Steeler and he can't settle that with them, ever.

Pappy

He missed all of last season and is now in his second training camp. You believe that he should be pushing a 29 year old former pro bowl running back for playing time? I don't, what he should be pushing for is more and more touches per game as the relief for Willie Parker, again, unless, of course Parker gets injured then he has to step in and carry the load.

Moore isn't a 20 carry per game back and the others are unproven and probably will never be a 20 carry per game back. If Mendenhall fails on the chances he will get as part of the Steeler 1-2 punch at running back then we'll see if he's a disappointment or even a bust.

But, until he sees more than 20 carries in a year I'm not considering him a disappointment. Sweed appears ready to take the next step and so does Mendenhall at this point in time. He may or he may not, but, I'm not willing to label him a disappointment until I see him get through this season as Parker's understudy.

One of them is going to have a big year and possibly both, the Steelers will then have decisions to make for the future.

Pappy

[ikestops85]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

To me Mendy's runs look very similar to Parkers ... with the exception of him not breaking that one big run to improve his average ... and remember that run doesn't count or shouldn't count. Anyway, when Mendy was drafted many fans said he would be a better runner than FWP. He would have better vision, run harder and be able to cutback. That Willie was a one trick pony who could only run fast whose time had come and gone. We should trade Willie while he was worth something. I always defended Willie but I will also defend Mendy now.

Yes, he hasn't come out of college and become a phenom in the pros and the main reason once again is the offensive line. I know I sound like a broken record but if you are constantly dodging defenders in your backfield you generally aren't going to run too far. Give Willie a crease and he can do wonders with it. I think Mendy will be able to do the same. We just need to be able to do it more often. I must say the right side of the line has definitely improved its run blocking in the pre-season and I hope it continues into the regular season but the left side is as bad as ever.

Until the line improves our running game will remain inconsistent no matter who we put in the backfield (except for maybe Logan).

[NC Steeler Fan]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

I am in the "serious doubts" camp as far as Mendenhall goes.

I agree he runs too upright and he loses all momentum at first contact.

Saw a part of the buffalo game yesterday and caught Redman churning and churning those legs for an extra yard...that's what I expect out of Mendenhall.

By the way, heard Redman left the field with an injury...anyone got an
update?

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Is it just me, or does it look like he is gasping for breath after like 5 carries? Is he doing breathing techniques or WTF is up with that?

[NorthCoast]

Re: Anybody think Mendy settled anything tonight?

Not sure how old this is but Mike Freeman from CBSsports.com sums up the discussion pretty succinctly in his notes from camp:

2. Rashard Mendenhall is one of those players that when two people look at him can see different things. When I saw Mendenhall, he looked brilliant and explosive. To others, he’s had an ordinary camp, and still must prove himself. "The key for him, like all young guys, they have to play," Kirby Wilson, who coaches the Steelers' backs, told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "He's still trying to develop a style -- who he is, what kind of runner he's going to be in this league, his style, and the whole key." When I look at Mendenhall, he seems like a player who could replace Willie Parker sooner than later but there still appears to be some significant doubt about his abilities.

My expectations are modest. We need a chain-mover and a goalline back. If Mendenhall can learn to do those two things well he will be OK in my book.