Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

2. Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
Height: 5-10 Weight: 225
College stats: 14 starts, 388 carries, 2,539 yards, 22 TDs; 59 receptions, 5 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.45 40-yard dash

Mendenhall is a one-year starter and the limited carries is a plus for teams looking for under-used college backs. I watched the Penn State and USC games and Mendenhall has the power to burst through the line and the speed to have a significant number of explosive plays in the NFL. He has excellent weight room strength and can take contact. Sees the field well and will take advantage of over-pursuing defenses. Many draftable defensive players mentioned him as the best back they faced. Catching the ball is easy for him and an expanded pass attack around him is a strong possibility. He has 397 less carries than McFadden. Draft projection: Round 1.

If Mendenhall is so GREAT how come he couldn't beat out Pierre Thomas. I think we have another top pick in Pierre

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

because PT was a SR at the time and mendenhall was a soph...

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

you guys give PT too much credit based on a few games... AB came in and lit the world on fire for a few games too... see how that turned out for us...

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

Mendenhall was a one-year starter with limited carries. Is a plus for teams looking for under-used college backs.

Does this spell SAINTS if Deuce does com back. I do believe Deuce will be back. He'll redo his contract.

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

But How many games are you willing to lose waiting for Deuce to return to his old form is ever?

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

Same argument as always. So I'll bite.

What makes you think that Deuce was the reason that we lost games?

Let's not forget that Deuce played in 3 games last year before he was injured. Stats: 24 carries for 92 yards. The team went 0-3.

Certainly not burning up the world there.

All the Saints need is an effective running game to complement the passing offense. Deuce's value was getting the tough 4 yards when necessary. There's no proof that Deuce, PT23, or even Bush cannot handle that load.

What the Saints needed last year is what every NFL team needs: a decent defense that won't let the game get away from them.

We don't need Deuce to win games. We need a decent defense, an efficient running game, and an upright Brees spraying the ball all over the place without a ton of picks.

Do those three things and the Saints will do well in 2008.

SFIAH

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

Well said and I agree with all of it.

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

The same argument of a one year wonder could just as easily apply to Mendenhall as to Thomas. Is a running back going to help the turnover differential get into the positive? Or get us off the field on 3rd and hey look at the secondary blow their assignment? Let someone who actually needs offensive help (I'll give you a hint: it ain't us) and give me Rivers, or DRC, or swing a trade for Dorsey and get us help where we need it.

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

Just something to think about - if Deuce can not regain form, then a good in between the tackles runner like Mendenhall can help the offense continually move the chains and keep the defense fresh and off the field. Does it directly address the defensive woes? No, but it certainly helps keep the weak spot on the team off of the field. Think back to 06. Our defense was no better than it was now. But a productive Deuce allowed the offense to not only score points in bunches forcing the opposing offenses to be 1 dimensional, but also allowed the defense to be much more fresh when they are on the field.

Re: Rashard Mendenhall, Question
 

06,06...i don't think we made it to superbowl in 06.....i think getting burnt deep actually prevented that...rex grossman "allstar qb" had his way with us and fred thomas was only 1/4 of the problem
1/4 safety help
1/4 pass rush
and 1/4 failure to commit to run
give or take a 1/32

i'm not against mendenhall wearing a saints jersey but if they aren't going to use him then whats the point
sure PT only gets credit for a few games but thats no fault of his own
when he was called upon he answered and i bet he beats out mendenhall in camp

that being said, i trust in payton to make the right choice if mendenhall is the pick than so be it, I'll be watching every game routing for him

GO SAINTS!

btw ....half my fridge is empty now so take it with a grain of salt ;)