RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall?
 

I've said it more than once, what the Saints need most is a replacement for Deuce and it looks like Payton agrees....
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According to this poster on NOLA.com forums, we are.
Please take with a grain of salt...

"Mendenhall is one of the three first round choices the Saints are targeting. The other two are Sedrick Ellis (if he drops to #10) and Keith Rivers. Both are USC guys recruited by Ed Orgeron. Some think Mendenhall is the guy that Payton wants. He moves the chains."

He then responded with his source stating: "Source was from Jags coaching staff. After Jax game Payton told him he wants a player like Maurice Jones-Drew to compliment Reggie and Payton likes Mendenhall."

Remember, Muller (in the Sportswrap interview) said that "we like to add another RB to the mix"...
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Rashard Mendenhall Scouting Report - 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Height: 5-105/8 | Weight: 225 | 40-Time: 4.45
Strengths:
Terrific size and bulk...Excellent timed speed...A natural runner with great instincts and vision....Strong and powerful...Keeps his legs moving on contact and picks up extra yards...Has pretty good hands and can be a weapon catching the ball out of the backfield..More than holds his own as a blocker...Does not have much mileage on his tires...Tough and durable...Smooth and a very good athlete...A hard worker and team player with top-notch intangibles....Still improving and has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Only carried the load for one season...Has some issues with ball security...Is not overly elusive...More quick than fast...Doesn't always play to his timed speed....A between-the-tackles-type who could have trouble turning the corner in the pros.

Notes:
Older brother Walter is also a running back for the Illini...National Top 100 recruit coming out of high school...Backed up Pierre Thomas, who made the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent, the first two years of his college career....One year wonder who took a while to fulfill his potential but really came on as a junior and emerged as a top pro prospect..Has a rare blend of size and speed with all of the physical tools you look for..A workhorse runner and terrific all-around weapon

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

Please no, please. Seriously, the guy is a very good running back, but we need to go after Rivers or Ellis.

I almost forgot to mention... look at how many running backs we have on the roster. We are paying Deuce and Reggie starting RB money, which is a lot of freaking money!!!! We can't be paying three running backs starting money, that's just absurd.

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

smokescreen, u can get good backs in later rounds. Jones drew was in the 2nd!

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

You're assuming that Deuce will still be on the team in two weeks.

If they do this, they better trade down a few spots first. I could live with the pick if it means an extra second rounder. This is, after all, a good draft class for both linebacker and cornerback.

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

That better not happen if it does I can see the signs now all mover the dome FIRE PAYTON.

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

Hagan, how far back would the Saints have to trade to pick up another second rounder?

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

Forte is every bit as good as Mendenhall and he will be there in the second,along with some other really good backs. I say D-tackle first pick. Pierre Thomas and Stecker can get the job done at RB.

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

Yeah, Payton announced a week or so ago that they were keeping Deuce. He might have been lying, but I don't think you say that about somebody who means so much to the franchise like Deuce. I think they'll give him another shot.

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

Did he definitely say that, or did he say that they would like to keep him? You have to pay attention to how coaches and GM's word things. They are like politicians in a way.

Re: RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenh
 

i dont get this either, sure mendenhall is a talent, but we can get a defensive starter and then someone like forte or ray rice in the later rounds.