Just something to think about.
 

First I wanna make it clear that I'm not saying anything negative about PT.
I just wanna bring up some recent history with some of our guys. It seems in the last few years we always have that one player at the end of the year that seems like hes finally put it together and is ready to break out. Aaron Brooks, Boo Williams, Zach Hilton, Devery Henderson, but for some reason or another, come the follow up season, they fall flat of what we expected. Im sure theres plenty of other guys that Im skipping over, those are just the ones off the top of my head. Sure, PT showed some flashes of what he is capable of, but personally Im not sold on our RB corp at all.

I know we need defense first, we all know that. Part of me however, is starting to think that maybe Mendenhall is the wisest choice for us at #10. Our offense soared in 06 due to the fact we could throw it and pound it and Deuce (as much as I love the guy) is no longer the long term solution. We found out last year what the lack of a ground game does and in the end it forced more turnovers from Brees. I really think if you take way some of his INTs we wouldve made the playoffs. Maybe the biggest help we can add to our defense is by getting that ground game back, keeping our D off the field and eating up the clock.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

All very good points WV, I still dont know about Mendenhall. What do you think about the point that he didn't beat out PT in college?

Re: Just something to think about.
 

i would say that mendenhall was a sophmore trying to beat out a SR.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

Yet another post that gives me the feeling of:

:bang::bang::bang::bang::bang:

A gentle reminder: PT23 is our 4th string running back. 4th string.

Choosing a 1st round pick based on the production of the teams 4th string RB...

:bang:

So then why are we having this discussion?

The lack of ground production wasn't due to a lack of talent. The lack of ground production was due to a lack of committment. Spending yet another #1 pick for an offense that fundamentally is not interested in running the ball isn't in the team's best interest.
We take away the 32 opposing TDs and the continual giving up long plays especially on third down, we would have made the playoffs.

If Payton hadn't run that phenomenally stupid reverse against TB at the end of the game, we would have made the playoffs.

It's not the running game. Not by a long shot.

Maybe the biggest help we can add to our defense are players and scheme that can actually get themselves off the field without giving up TDs.

Defenses that depend on offenses to win for them do not win championships.


SFIAH

Re: Just something to think about.
 

If you really think about it, last year was not so different than the year before that in total wins, except on a couple really dumb plays. We eliminate a few dumb plays and we're right back where we were in 2006.

1. Don't run the reverse againt Tampa. We win that game and we're 8-8.
2. Olindo Mare makes a field goal from the 3 yard line against Carolina. We win that game and we're 9-7.

I'm not sure if that would've gotten us in the playoffs, but we would have been tied with the Bucs, split the season series with them, and been 4-0 against the other NFC South teams.

I don't really know what the point of this is, but maybe it's that we don't need to go risky in this draft and take somebody like Mendenhall. I think all we really need is to keep our offense intact and upgrade on defense where we need to (DT, CB, LB).

Re: Just something to think about.
 

Agreed. And don't forget safety.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

I don't think picking Mendenhall is a risk at all, IMO I think he'll turn out to be a better pro than McFadden. honestly.

but we don't need another RB. RBs can go undrafted, come in and get you some tough yards. it's not a ridiculously hard position to play like QB. you can get a RB in the 6th round who can come in and give you some decent production. I like Mendenhall alot and if we had an extra 1st I'd be dying to grab him becuase he is the best Deuce replacement in this entire draft, but you can't have everything.

with the 10th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

that is my point. can we really afford to take a risk on another player that might not pan out? this is one of those drafts that unless someone falls we might be taking a big risk. Mendenhall seems like hes one with a greater chance of working out. We cant afford to miss with our high draft choices anymore.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

I really beleave theres a chance Jonathan Stewart will fall to us in the second round if that happens I'd jump all over him. I'm just not sold on Mendehal if it wasn't for the Rose Bowl nobody would be talking about him.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

I'm with you on Stewart. He's a stud and if he fell to us we would have to take a long look. I don't think he makes it that far though. I don't agree about Mendenhall though, people were talking about him all year before the Rose Bowl. He's a great talent.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

I agree with that which means about one year ago PT beat him out and he was/is better. A couple of my draft books question his work ethic....thats just what we need. Although we do seem to like those kinda guys in the first!

Re: Just something to think about.
 

I'm sorry, but I think some of you guys are bailing on Duece a bit prematurely. He, IMO, won the playoff game against Philly, almost single handedly, and also, IMO, was looking damn good against Chicago, until pass happy Payton decided to abandon the run early, in a SNOW GAME I might add, to start passing the ball on every down.

Duece is NOT old. He is 28. And even with the knees, this kid is still a gamer. Mark my words, IF he is still a Saint when the season begins, which I pray he is, you are all going to see what he does for this offense. Hell, until Brees and Colston came along, he was just about the only offense we had.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

.. and exactly what makes you think Mendenhall is going to do any better than PT or Stecker or Bush?

Re: Just something to think about.
 

Stecker isnt here for the long term benefit. Bush worked better in 06 splitting carries and catching passes, with Deuce defenses had to account for both.
As I said before, nothing against PT, but I'm not 100% sold on him at the moment.
IMO, Mendenhall, might be the safest pick at #10. Nothing is for sure, but taking DRC or Rivers at #10 is very questionable at the moment.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

We don't need to get a RB in round 1. There will be several good young RB's in rounds 2 and 3 Forte', Stewart, Rice, Kevin Smith...

Re: Just something to think about.
 

You didn't answer my question. My question was: exactly what makes you think that Mendenhall is going to do any better than PT or Stecker or Bush?
You must think he'll do better than those 3. Otherwise, what's so "safe" about the pick?
Answering "the other 3 didn't do so hot" doesn't really say much about Mendenhall.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

Bundy has it right again.

Deuce will have at best 1 season left in the tank. One. Next year we will be picking 32nd, and we won't be able to get Deuce's ultimate replacement. Besides, has any of you considered that RB is the least risky pick you can get when you're drafting this high?

The real question is what's in Payton's mind.
It doesn't matter what this forum thinks. It’s already been said that Payton loves Mendenhall (no link but he said it) and the pick does secure he legacy as a great offensive guru. (see picture below) Payton wants an offense that creates mismatches and he needs a primary RB/weapon. With this, he and Drew will be able to once again dictate at will.

Thomas should be used as the primary backup and if you love Deuce, you should realize that he should retire before he ends up a cripple in 10 years.

Re: Just something to think about.
 

.. but why you want to put PT as a backup? What makes you think that Mendenhall is going to do any better than PT?