Just something to think about.

WVSaint · 04-02-2008, 12:19 AM

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.

FireVenturi · 04-02-2008, 08:33 AM

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?

pakowitz · 04-02-2008, 08:48 AM

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

SaintFanInATLHELL · 04-02-2008, 10:17 AM

Yet another post that gives me the feeling of:

Originally Posted by WVSaint

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.

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...

I know we need defense first, we all know that.

So then why are we having this discussion?

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.

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.

I really think if you take way some of his INTs we wouldve made the playoffs.

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 is by getting that ground game back, keeping our D off the field and eating up the clock.

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

TheDeuce · 04-02-2008, 01:01 PM

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).

LordOfEntropy · 04-02-2008, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by TheDeuce

I think all we really need is to keep our offense intact and upgrade on defense where we need to (DT, CB, LB).

Agreed. And don't forget safety.

rjakapeanut · 04-02-2008, 02:47 PM

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.

WVSaint · 04-02-2008, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by rjakapeanut

I don't think picking Mendenhall is a risk at all

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.

lsutigerfan · 04-02-2008, 04:08 PM

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.

thesaintsfan · 04-02-2008, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by lsutigerfan

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.

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.

04-02-2008, 08:33 AM	#2
FireVenturi Cold as Ice! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Da Big Easy Posts: 2,978	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?

04-02-2008, 08:48 AM	#3
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	Re: Just something to think about. i would say that mendenhall was a sophmore trying to beat out a SR.

04-02-2008, 10:17 AM	#4
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,776	Re: Just something to think about. Yet another post that gives me the feeling of: Originally Posted by WVSaint 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. 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... I know we need defense first, we all know that. So then why are we having this discussion? 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. 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. I really think if you take way some of his INTs we wouldve made the playoffs. 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 is by getting that ground game back, keeping our D off the field and eating up the clock. 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
	Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

04-02-2008, 01:01 PM	#5
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	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).
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

04-02-2008, 01:58 PM	#6
LordOfEntropy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,838	Re: Just something to think about. Originally Posted by TheDeuce I think all we really need is to keep our offense intact and upgrade on defense where we need to (DT, CB, LB). Agreed. And don't forget safety.

04-02-2008, 12:19 AM	#1
WVSaint 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 807	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.

Latest Blogs
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey

04-02-2008, 02:47 PM	#7
rjakapeanut 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 204	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.
rjakapeanut 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 204	http://tinyurl.com/24uuaf

04-02-2008, 04:01 PM	#8
WVSaint 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 807	Re: Just something to think about. Originally Posted by rjakapeanut I don't think picking Mendenhall is a risk at all 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.

04-02-2008, 04:08 PM	#9
lsutigerfan 500th Post Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: born And raised in NOLA, now live in Los Angeles Posts: 811	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.

04-02-2008, 04:32 PM	#10
thesaintsfan The Real Deal Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 174	Re: Just something to think about. Originally Posted by lsutigerfan 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. 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.