RUMOR: Saints Targeting Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall?

foreverfan · 03-05-2008, 11:51 AM

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

03-05-2008, 11:51 AM	#1
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	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.... _____________________________________________ 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"... _____________________________________________ 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
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