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LLT
05-31-2010, 04:23 AM
Steelers RB Mendenhall says a Fullback would be a welcome sight
by Matt Loede
nflgridirongab.com


Tim Lester.... Jon Wittman.... Dan Kreider..... John L. Williams.

A couple players in the past that have been and were solid fullbacks for the Black and Gold, opening holes for the likes of Jerome Bettis, Eric Pegram, Barry Foster and others.

Now the Steelers feature back is former first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall, and coming into the 2010 season, there’s no doubt the Steelers have at least talked about running the ball a whole lot more.

So where does a fullback fit into the picture? Count Mendenhall in as a player that would like to see the Steelers employ a blocker. One name that comes to mind to fill the hole – Frank “The Tank” Summers, whose rookie year in 2009 was cut short due to a back injury.

“A fullback in the backfield he can probably see a lot of things a tight end couldn’t,” said Mendenhall. “(Fullbacks) being ballcarriers they know what you’re trying to do, they know where you’re trying to go and they can get there before you so a lot of times the fullback will end up at the same place after reading a play.”

Mendenhall had a solid season after the team realized that Willie Parker couldn’t handle the load and wasn’t the same player he was a few years back. All Mendenhall did was rush for 1,108 yards and seven touchdowns. Imagine what he could do with someone opening holes for him like Summers.

“Frank’s starting to pick up on things and things are becoming more natural for him,” Mendenhall said. “He played a lot of running back so he can see and feel those things out.”

Maybe it’s time to get back to power football, otherwise known as “Steeler Football.” It would be a welcome sight for Mendenhall
http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2010/05/30/steelers-rb-mendenhall-says-a-fullback-would-be-a-welcome-sight/

steelpride12
05-31-2010, 08:36 AM
I hope BA's work's his game plan around the running game and have a solid FB for Mendy. Summer's for now is our guy and man do I miss someone blocking for our RB's! That was Steeler's football a few seasons back with Kreider blocking the way for the Bus, Staley, and Parker. Time to bring smash mouth back with the Steelers!

HometownGal
05-31-2010, 10:13 AM
As everyone knows, I totally support BA, but the one thing that I didn't like about his offense was him not wanting to utilize a FB. I'm hoping - praying - BEGGING - that he has changed his tune on this issue and we see the re-emergence of a FB in the backfield.

El-Gonzo Jackson
05-31-2010, 10:15 AM
Mendenhall seems like just another "hater" that wants to go back to Cowherball and hasnt clued in that the NFL is a passing league now. Silly RB that wants a FB.....what do they know. :doh:

BuddhaBus
05-31-2010, 10:30 AM
God I hope SOMEONE pans out as a fullback for us. It would be nice to have someone besides Carey Davis or a TE blocking for Mendy and company back there

steelpride12
05-31-2010, 10:59 AM
As everyone knows, I totally support BA, but the one thing that I didn't like about his offense was him not wanting to utilize a FB. I'm hoping - praying - BEGGING - that he has changed his tune on this issue and we see the re-emergence of a FB in the backfield.

You and me both. Always liked Arians and never disagreed much with his play calling on the field no matter what the outcome, but dang we just flat out need a fullback it's a proven success for our running game!

El-Gonzo Jackson
05-31-2010, 11:05 AM
You and me both. Always liked Arians and never disagreed much with his play calling on the field no matter what the outcome, but dang we just flat out need a fullback it's a proven success for our running game!

Arians never used a blocking FB in Cleveland with his offense. His Temple University offense with Paul Palmer was pretty much a single back offense too. I still dont expect to see a FB in it this season. Its not what he does.

steelpride12
05-31-2010, 11:10 AM
Arians never used a blocking FB in Cleveland with his offense. His Temple University offense with Paul Palmer was pretty much a single back offense too. I still dont expect to see a FB in it this season. Its not what he does.

Ya, but he knows it's the key to success. Im not expecting one either he will run it the way he as been, but just a wish is all I and many of us here im sure have!

LLT
05-31-2010, 11:31 AM
Arians never used a blocking FB in Cleveland with his offense. His Temple University offense with Paul Palmer was pretty much a single back offense too. I still dont expect to see a FB in it this season. Its not what he does.


I have never fully understood why he would rather use a TE (or center) to block out of the backfield in short yardage situations...instead of using a big back.

Maybe....Just maybe...that was why we drafted Summers. Summers might be used as a hybrid RB/FB...but that would be a lot more conventional then what we have done in the past

Devilsdancefloor
05-31-2010, 11:46 AM
Just as long as that FB isnt carey davis!

Hindes204
05-31-2010, 11:58 AM
Hopefully BA will have a change of heart this year, with the QB situation the way it is, the running game should play a much bigger role in the beginning of the year. And with thr running game playing a bigger role hopefully he will utilize the fb

Vincent
05-31-2010, 12:06 PM
Mendenhall seems like just another "hater" that wants to go back to Cowherball and hasnt clued in that the NFL is a passing league now. Silly RB that wants a FB.....what do they know. :doh:

I hate haters. And I hate that people would hate me for that.

El-Gonzo Jackson
05-31-2010, 12:55 PM
I have never fully understood why he would rather use a TE (or center) to block out of the backfield in short yardage situations...instead of using a big back.

Maybe....Just maybe...that was why we drafted Summers. Summers might be used as a hybrid RB/FB...but that would be a lot more conventional then what we have done in the past
I think he likes multiple TE's as better pass catching options, with the belief that they can block if needed. Likewise, he has indicated his belief that "you can get 2 yards by passing just as easy as running".

Never really valued a blocking FB in cleveland offenses and they struggled in short yardage too. I think the best option for the current offense is to try and avoid 3rd and short situations. Its almost better to be in 3rd and 5 than 3rd and 2.........the way the Steelers currently play.

Galax Steeler
05-31-2010, 02:29 PM
I wouldn't mind seeing a full back in Pittsburgh. It would definetly help out the running game and would save the miles on Mendenhall. It will be interesting to see what Dwyer can bring to the table it could turn out to be a pretty good two headed monster.

JoeCactus
05-31-2010, 02:54 PM
Steelers RB Mendenhall says a Fullback would be a welcome sight
by Matt Loede
nflgridirongab.com


Tim Lester.... Jon Wittman.... Dan Kreider..... John L. Williams.

A couple players in the past that have been and were solid fullbacks for the Black and Gold, opening holes for the likes of Jerome Bettis, Eric Pegram, Barry Foster and others.

Now the Steelers feature back is former first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall, and coming into the 2010 season, there’s no doubt the Steelers have at least talked about running the ball a whole lot more.

So where does a fullback fit into the picture? Count Mendenhall in as a player that would like to see the Steelers employ a blocker. One name that comes to mind to fill the hole – Frank “The Tank” Summers, whose rookie year in 2009 was cut short due to a back injury.

“A fullback in the backfield he can probably see a lot of things a tight end couldn’t,” said Mendenhall. “(Fullbacks) being ballcarriers they know what you’re trying to do, they know where you’re trying to go and they can get there before you so a lot of times the fullback will end up at the same place after reading a play.”

Mendenhall had a solid season after the team realized that Willie Parker couldn’t handle the load and wasn’t the same player he was a few years back. All Mendenhall did was rush for 1,108 yards and seven touchdowns. Imagine what he could do with someone opening holes for him like Summers.

“Frank’s starting to pick up on things and things are becoming more natural for him,” Mendenhall said. “He played a lot of running back so he can see and feel those things out.”

Maybe it’s time to get back to power football, otherwise known as “Steeler Football.” It would be a welcome sight for Mendenhall
http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2010/05/30/steelers-rb-mendenhall-says-a-fullback-would-be-a-welcome-sight/

Personally, I think the NFL "copy cat" mindset has retrogressed the ability to run ever since Joe Gibbs invented the H back concept because he had all purpose backs in Riggans and Rogers. Now all the teams have a "blocker" as a fullback. Misnamed and dissing real fullbacks in the past like John Henry Johnson, Jim Taylor, Alan Ameche, and of two other greats Earl Campbell and the best running back ever Jim Brown. These guys were fullbacks!!!! I like the two back offense, two backs that can run either with power or speed and two backs that can block and two backs which can catch. It makes offense so much easier to be awesome. The Browns with Mack and Byner had two such backs, the Packers with Hornung and Taylor won two Super Bowls with them and OH YEAH the Steelers won four Super Bowls with two such backs (the fullback) Franco Harris and the halfback Rocky Blier....and Miami did well with the fullback Larry Csonka and the halfbacks Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick.

Now are having the Wildcat Offense as a craze.........same as the single wing of 30's and 40's.......

My view, bring back the two real running pass catching backs .......and watch the whole league copy.....once again.......it gives an offense way more looks to defend.........too bad it is now dufused and obsolete.......when it was always ahead of the game.......sorta like pulling guards which were deemed obsolete not long ago........but are now being used again

If were a coach, that what I would be doing........and winning......waiting for "copy cats"

SteelerSal
05-31-2010, 03:31 PM
Some backs are comfortable without a fullback..if Mendy prefers one, I'd say give him what he wants if he feels he can perform better. IMO

El-Gonzo Jackson
05-31-2010, 04:52 PM
Personally, I think the NFL "copy cat" mindset has retrogressed the ability to run ever since Joe Gibbs invented the H back concept because he had all purpose backs in Riggans and Rogers. Now all the teams have a "blocker" as a fullback. Misnamed and dissing real fullbacks in the past like John Henry Johnson, Jim Taylor, Alan Ameche, and of two other greats Earl Campbell and the best running back ever Jim Brown. These guys were fullbacks!!!! I like the two back offense, two backs that can run either with power or speed and two backs that can block and two backs which can catch. It makes offense so much easier to be awesome. The Browns with Mack and Byner had two such backs, the Packers with Hornung and Taylor won two Super Bowls with them and OH YEAH the Steelers won four Super Bowls with two such backs (the fullback) Franco Harris and the halfback Rocky Blier....and Miami did well with the fullback Larry Csonka and the halfbacks Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick.

Now are having the Wildcat Offense as a craze.........same as the single wing of 30's and 40's.......

My view, bring back the two real running pass catching backs .......and watch the whole league copy.....once again.......it gives an offense way more looks to defend.........too bad it is now dufused and obsolete.......when it was always ahead of the game.......sorta like pulling guards which were deemed obsolete not long ago........but are now being used again

If were a coach, that what I would be doing........and winning......waiting for "copy cats"

First, the H-back was designed by Joe Gibbs, because you cant have a RB blocking, or helping block Lawrence Taylor....he added a TE in the backfield that was also a receiving threat and could also help with LT.

Second, the old school guys you mention were FB size, but many teams were running a split back (pro set, or pony backfield) set like the 49ers west coast teams of the 80's. Its designed to give multiple threats of running, closer to the line of scrimmage as opposed to the I formation. Those guys were not FB's that would lead an I formation run.

I think what this article and Mendenhall is referring to is a lead FB from an I formation (of offset I ) who can recognize a running lane, lead thru it and block the LB. Running behind a FB is like paining by numbers....you follow the FB and run to the side opposite of the tackler that he blocks. Its easy, but a lot of teams today run a zone block with a single back that picks his lane or cuts back.

As much as you think things are evolutionary in the NFL, they are not.....they are revolutionary in that everything comes around again. The Wildcat is just adapation of the single wing offense. Basically, Mendenhall is saying he would like to run from an I formation and that isnt gonna likely happen.

Psycho Ward 86
05-31-2010, 04:54 PM
Likewise, he has indicated his belief that "you can get 2 yards by passing just as easy as running".


Now that is just blatantly stupid

JoeCactus
05-31-2010, 08:35 PM
First, the H-back was designed by Joe Gibbs, because you cant have a RB blocking, or helping block Lawrence Taylor....he added a TE in the backfield that was also a receiving threat and could also help with LT.

Second, the old school guys you mention were FB size, but many teams were running a split back (pro set, or pony backfield) set like the 49ers west coast teams of the 80's. Its designed to give multiple threats of running, closer to the line of scrimmage as opposed to the I formation. Those guys were not FB's that would lead an I formation run.

I think what this article and Mendenhall is referring to is a lead FB from an I formation (of offset I ) who can recognize a running lane, lead thru it and block the LB. Running behind a FB is like paining by numbers....you follow the FB and run to the side opposite of the tackler that he blocks. Its easy, but a lot of teams today run a zone block with a single back that picks his lane or cuts back.

As much as you think things are evolutionary in the NFL, they are not.....they are revolutionary in that everything comes around again. The Wildcat is just adapation of the single wing offense. Basically, Mendenhall is saying he would like to run from an I formation and that isnt gonna likely happen.

Did you really listen to what I said. Kevin Mack could block a horse..........and run over one too and catch passes...........the idea is to have two great backs inside outside, at least capable of blocking and both capable of catching passes......opens up the whole offense and what you said about Gibbs and the H back mirrors what I said............

86WARD
05-31-2010, 08:40 PM
Bruce Arians has no idea what that is Rashard...sorry...

kmsteelerwr15
05-31-2010, 08:45 PM
Just as long as that FB isnt carey davis!

:amen:

Psycho Ward 86
05-31-2010, 09:02 PM
Just as long as that FB isnt carey davis!

Week 1: Frank Summers goes on IR
Week 2: David Johnson goes on IR
Week 3: Sean McHugh goes on IR
Week 4: Issac Redman goes on IR
Week 5: Demetrius Taylor goes on IR


Hmmm.... :chuckle:

Chidi29
05-31-2010, 09:09 PM
And this is Arians fault...how?

You guys do realize that he has made at least an effort in putting a guy like McHugh, Johnson, or Legursky (in goalline situations) at the fullback spot.

Do you really think Frank The Tank can be a Krieder clone?

Don't blame Bruce. Blame Tomlin or Colbert if you really resent the fact we don't have a blocking fullback. It's their call.