mendenhall gets stuffed

[frankthetank1]

[url="http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/08217/901721-66.stm"]http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg ... 721-66.stm[/url]

maybe fwp wasnt the problem in short yardage situations last year

[costanza2k1]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

It seems as if Gary Russell is a good problem to have.

[Oviedo]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

It seems as if Gary Russell is a good problem to have.

This is why we don't have the luxury of carrying a return specialist like Drummond. Russell needs to be active on game days. I also think that Mendenhall will improve. If you read the article the problems he had were correctable.

In the 4th Qtr when we have a lead I want Mendenhall and Russell running and beating defenses into submission. It is really good that both seem to be very good receivers. They are our backfield of the future.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

Point 1: In his college spread offense, he was used to lining up as a sidecar to a QB in the shotgun as opposed to running out of an I-formation with the QB under center with multiple TE's at the goal line. This different style of running takes a little getting used to, but the fact that he was able to sniff the goal line 17 times last year means he does indeed have a nose for the end zone. He'll be fine in time. It was his first live goal-line experience in the NFL. He'll work on it some more this week. I will look forward to him having success at the goal line this Friday night against the Eagle d-line.

Point 2: He was running against the first team defense that, when healthy, is probably the toughest front in the league to run against. It is kind of pathetic to say this, but it is tougher to run against the Steeler D in a live goal line drill at camp than it is to run against the sorry Bengals in an actual game.

[AkronSteel]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

Point 1: In his college spread offense, he was used to lining up as a sidecar to a QB in the shotgun as opposed to running out of an I-formation with the QB under center with multiple TE's at the goal line. This different style of running takes a little getting used to, but the fact that he was able to sniff the goal line 17 times last year means he does indeed have a nose for the end zone. He'll be fine in time. It was his first live goal-line experience in the NFL. He'll work on it some more this week. I will look forward to him having success at the goal line this Friday night against the Eagle d-line.

Point 2: He was running against the first team defense that, when healthy, is probably the toughest front in the league to run against. It is kind of pathetic to say this, but it is tougher to run against the Steeler D in a live goal line drill at camp than it is to run against the sorry Bengals in an actual game.

I'm sure Jom will love that last statement! I think Mendenhall will be fine, he's young and it might take a minute. We have nice depth at the position, I don't think he have to worry about rushing him to be a pro-bowler.

[BIG FAN]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

Identifying problems early to work them through is what TC is all about.
He's a rookie, he will learn.
Everyone gets a baptism by fire.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

Point 1: In his college spread offense, he was used to lining up as a sidecar to a QB in the shotgun as opposed to running out of an I-formation with the QB under center with multiple TE's at the goal line. This different style of running takes a little getting used to, but the fact that he was able to sniff the goal line 17 times last year means he does indeed have a nose for the end zone. He'll be fine in time. It was his first live goal-line experience in the NFL. He'll work on it some more this week. I will look forward to him having success at the goal line this Friday night against the Eagle d-line.

Point 2: He was running against the first team defense that, when healthy, is probably the toughest front in the league to run against. It is kind of pathetic to say this, but it is tougher to run against the Steeler D in a live goal line drill at camp than it is to run against the sorry Bengals in an actual game.

I'm sure Jom will AGREE WITH that last statement! I think Mendenhall will be fine, he's young and it might take a minute. We have nice depth at the position, I don't think he have to worry about rushing him to be a pro-bowler.

Fixed that for you. Just like if he mocked the sorry state of our o-line, I would have to nod my head in unfortunate agreement. He knows his team never could stop the run. I think that half of Bettis' career rushing yards came against Cincy.

[Jom112]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

Point 1: In his college spread offense, he was used to lining up as a sidecar to a QB in the shotgun as opposed to running out of an I-formation with the QB under center with multiple TE's at the goal line. This different style of running takes a little getting used to, but the fact that he was able to sniff the goal line 17 times last year means he does indeed have a nose for the end zone. He'll be fine in time. It was his first live goal-line experience in the NFL. He'll work on it some more this week. I will look forward to him having success at the goal line this Friday night against the Eagle d-line.

Point 2: He was running against the first team defense that, when healthy, is probably the toughest front in the league to run against. It is kind of pathetic to say this, but it is tougher to run against the Steeler D in a live goal line drill at camp than it is to run against the sorry Bengals in an actual game.

I'm sure Jom will AGREE WITH that last statement! I think Mendenhall will be fine, he's young and it might take a minute. We have nice depth at the position, I don't think he have to worry about rushing him to be a pro-bowler.

Fixed that for you. Just like if he mocked the sorry state of our o-line, I would have to nod my head in unfortunate agreement. He knows his team never could stop the run. I think that half of Bettis' career rushing yards came against Cincy.

Unfortunately I do agree with you Ruthless. Hopefully Sims and/or Shirley can step up and we'll cut John Thornton. Nice guy and a good leader but probably gets pushed back by every interior linemen in the league including Mahan.

Also for this "goal line" drill Ruthless wasn't Hampton out and Hartwig playing center?

[SteelTorch]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

TRADE HIM WHILE WE CAN!!!!!!

Seriously, Mendy will be fine. I´m not worried.

Although, I've been saying all along that O-line blocking was the real culprit behind our woes, not Parker. We all complain about their pass blocking, but their run blocking was below average as well, especially to the right side.

Which is of course, one reason why I'm still PO'd at the office for signing Simmons for a few more years. In my opinion, the only reason he started in front of Kemo was that he was a vet and bitched to the media last season. But aside from Mahan, he was probably the worst player on our line.

[Mr Smartmonies]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

WE DIDN'T NEED A SHORT YARDAGE BACK.

AFC Leaders: %First Down, Run on 3rd/<3 (Thru Dec. 30, 2007)
(.625 Rushes/Game)

Rank Player Team Stats
1 Joseph Addai Ind 86.7 ( 13/15 )
2 LaDainian Tomlinson SD 81.8 ( 9/11 )
3 Najeh Davenport Pit 76.9 ( 10/13 )
4 Ron Dayne Hou 75.0 ( 12/16 )
5t Justin Fargas Oak 71.4 ( 10/14 )
5t Kenton Keith Ind 71.4 ( 10/14 )
7 Larry Johnson KC 70.0 ( 7/10 )
8 LenDale White Ten 64.7 ( 11/17 )
9 Kenny Watson Cin 63.6 ( 7/11 )
10 Kolby Smith KC 60.0 ( 9/15 )
11 Maurice Jones-Drew Jac 57.9 ( 11/19 )
12 Thomas Jones NYJ 50.0 ( 7/14 )
13 Marshawn Lynch Buf 40.0 ( 6/15 )


AFC Leaders: %Touchdowns, Run Inside 3 (Thru Dec. 30, 2007)
(.313 Rushes/Game)

Rank Player Team Stats
1 LenDale White Ten 71.4 ( 5/7 )
2 Joseph Addai Ind 57.1 ( 4/7 )
3 Willis McGahee Bal 50.0 ( 3/6 )
4 Jamal Lewis Cle 43.8 ( 7/16 )
5 Najeh Davenport Pit 37.5 ( 3/8 )
6t Ron Dayne Hou 33.3 ( 3/9 )
6t Heath Evans NE 33.3 ( 3/9 )
6t LaDainian Tomlinson SD 33.3 ( 2/6 )
9 Maurice Jones-Drew Jac 30.0 ( 3/10 )
10 Thomas Jones NYJ 11.1 ( 1/9 )


AFC Leaders: %Touchdowns, Running in 10 (Thru Dec. 30, 2007)
(.625 Rushes/Game)

Rank Player Team Stats
1 Kenny Watson Cin 38.9 ( 7/18 )
2 Najeh Davenport Pit 36.4 ( 4/11 )
3 Chris Brown Ten 35.7 ( 5/14 )
4 Joseph Addai Ind 31.0 ( 9/29 )
5 Ronnie Brown Mia 30.8 ( 4/13 )
6t Heath Evans NE 30.0 ( 3/10 )
6t Sammy Morris NE 30.0 ( 3/10 )
8t LaDainian Tomlinson SD 28.6 ( 8/28 )
8t Travis Henry Den 28.6 ( 4/14 )
10t Jamal Lewis Cle 25.9 ( 7/27 )
10t LenDale White Ten 25.9 ( 7/27 )
12t Laurence Maroney NE 25.0 ( 5/20 )
12t Ron Dayne Hou 25.0 ( 4/16 )
14 Justin Fargas Oak 21.4 ( 3/14 )
15 Marshawn Lynch Buf 21.1 ( 4/19 )
16 Greg Jones Jac 20.0 ( 2/10 )
17 Rudi Johnson Cin 18.8 ( 3/16 )
18 Maurice Jones-Drew Jac 18.5 ( 5/27 )
19 Willis McGahee Bal 16.7 ( 4/24 )
20 Willie Parker Pit 6.3 ( 1/16 )

[Shawn]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

This doesn't surprise me. Mendenhall is a tough runner...but he is tough after building a little steam...he breaks alot of open field tackles. When Mendenhall gets to the second level...he is probably the best on the team at losing that last tackler. Is he a goaline back? Ehhh...he's better than Parker, and Davenport.

Now, Russell is an entirely different player. He is tough as nails...and as I said before our toughest power runner. He will be our short yardage back unless Mendenhall can get alot better. Russell was known for his ability to get those 3-4 tough yards. He compared favorably to his teammate Barber in that respect. His running style is very Clarettesque is his vision, ability to follow the flow of blockers, to find open space and then to explode through a hole. In that respect he is VERY impressive. In all honesty, he is the best power runner we have had since we had a young Bettis. He makes this squad and just might find a niche to get some PT.

[blacknblue80s]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

This doesn't surprise me. Mendenhall is a tough runner...but he is tough after building a little steam...he breaks alot of open field tackles. When Mendenhall gets to the second level...he is probably the best on the team at losing that last tackler. Is he a goaline back? Ehhh...he's better than Parker, and Davenport.

Now, Russell is an entirely different player. He is tough as nails...and as I said before our toughest power runner. He will be our short yardage back unless Mendenhall can get alot better. Russell was known for his ability to get those 3-4 tough yards. He compared favorably to his teammate Barber in that respect. His running style is very Clarettesque is his vision, ability to follow the flow of blockers, to find open space and then to explode through a hole. In that respect he is VERY impressive. In all honesty, he is the best power runner we have had since we had a young Bettis. He makes this squad and just might find a niche to get some PT.

I realize most of you have seen this from a different thread on this very sight but Chemsteel did shed some light on the Mendy goaline stuffage situation...

I was a little confused about Coach Tomlins comments concerning the goal line drill and Mendenhall's failures. The coach should have stated that the blocking for Mendenhall was zone on three straight calls and the first team defense knew the calls. Russell ran two plays with a man on man scheme and the holes were there even without Dan Kreider.

Mendenhall was looking for a hole. It is just a rookie mistake that is easily corrected knowing that you have minimal time in goal line running. The defense just stacks.

[Shawn]

Re: mendenhall gets stuffed

This doesn't surprise me. Mendenhall is a tough runner...but he is tough after building a little steam...he breaks alot of open field tackles. When Mendenhall gets to the second level...he is probably the best on the team at losing that last tackler. Is he a goaline back? Ehhh...he's better than Parker, and Davenport.

Now, Russell is an entirely different player. He is tough as nails...and as I said before our toughest power runner. He will be our short yardage back unless Mendenhall can get alot better. Russell was known for his ability to get those 3-4 tough yards. He compared favorably to his teammate Barber in that respect. His running style is very Clarettesque is his vision, ability to follow the flow of blockers, to find open space and then to explode through a hole. In that respect he is VERY impressive. In all honesty, he is the best power runner we have had since we had a young Bettis. He makes this squad and just might find a niche to get some PT.

I realize most of you have seen this from a different thread on this very sight but Chemsteel did shed some light on the Mendy goaline stuffage situation...

I was a little confused about Coach Tomlins comments concerning the goal line drill and Mendenhall's failures. The coach should have stated that the blocking for Mendenhall was zone on three straight calls and the first team defense knew the calls. Russell ran two plays with a man on man scheme and the holes were there even without Dan Kreider.

Mendenhall was looking for a hole. It is just a rookie mistake that is easily corrected knowing that you have minimal time in goal line running. The defense just stacks.

I did see Chem's analysis...but it really doesn't change my opinion. It has actually been my opinion since Mendenhall was drafted. Mendenhall is a tough runner...but I believe Russell is a tougher runner. I wrote a lengthy post comparing the two but basically I feel that Parker and Mendenhall should be 1a and 1b...and Russell should be our short yardage back. Also, Russell is used to running in a traditional 2 back system. Russell is an absolute beast between the tackles....the kind of guy that can find 4 yards from 1. Mendenhall is the complete package and will be just fine in short yardage situations. But Mendenhall is not better at short yardage than Russell...that I would bet money on.