I'm not buying the fumbling bit - there's got to be other issues going on behind the scenes. He's got 9 career total fumbles in a little over three full seasons, three this year in limited action. Adrian Peterson had 20 his first three years in the league.
EVERY running back who played deserved to be inactive after the Cleveland game based on their performance. I'm more concerned about Tomlin fumbling his coaching duties more than Mendenhall fumbling the ball at this point.
Array title="43Hitman has a reputation beyond repute">
True, but Mendenhall is no where even close to AP's talent level. Therefore it makes it a lot harder as a fan to be patient with a guy like Mendy.Originally Posted by The Bark
Array title="Seven has much to be proud of">
It isn't the amount of fumbles I'm worried about, it's his tendency to fumble in big moments. By the numbers he really isn't that bad, but every one of us knows when the pressure is on he has coughed it up in the past.
"If you are holding on to something that you no longer need to hold on to, I encourage you to let go." - Rashard Mendenhall
just the superbowl. when else has he coughed it up "under pressure?"
that fumble was just a great hit by matthews
I still think Mendy is our best back and, I know he has issues. It's time for him to shine beacuse, this is his last season here in the steel city. Unless a of some miracle.
And it was more David Johnson's fault than Mendenhall's. Nice whiff, D.
Array title="Seven has much to be proud of">
-Rookie season he continually gave the ball up in the preseason. After attention was given to the problem, it should have stopped - but it didn't. Pressure not to fumble resulted in fumbles.
-In the Super Bowl he fumbled. Big stage pressure resulted in a fumble. There is no reason he shouldn't have held onto that ball. Matthews wasn't blocked but was clearly in Mendenhall's line of sight.
-At Cleveland, he fumbled and was benched. Next time he saw the field he fumbled. Adversity resulted in a second fumble.
Every time this guy gets jitters he fumbles. Why would you trust him, after he quit on the team and was suspended, not to do it again. Particularly when Redman and Dwyer have both had better games this season than he has. You have two guys capable of giving you almost as much as Mendenhall, and more in certain situations. If this was Adrian Peterson, I would understand. But the difference in talent isn't that much to reward a guy who quit on his team with a start.
"If you are holding on to something that you no longer need to hold on to, I encourage you to let go." - Rashard Mendenhall
so basically he only fumbled under pressure in the superbowl. the preseason means close to nothing except for those trying to make the roster. cleveland was an important game, but not a must win game. san diego was an important game, but not a must win game. dallas was an important game, but not a must win game. so im not sure what your definition is of "under pressure," but must win situations are obvious pressure situations.
and i never said i trust mendenhall. im not even defending him, i just think the fumbling thing is overplayed. again, give credit to matthews inside of blaming mendenhall. great player that made a great play.
Array title="Seven has much to be proud of">
Everything you said here (and everything I said in my prior post) is a matter of opinion, not fact, so I see no reason to continue a discussion about it.
But my belief that it would be silly to give a guy who quit on the team playing time - when he is not head and shoulders better than his peers - remains.
"If you are holding on to something that you no longer need to hold on to, I encourage you to let go." - Rashard Mendenhall
thats what a forum is for.
Array title="Seven has much to be proud of">
Perhaps. But I'd rather not delve into the same discussion I've had with a number of users here half a dozen times over the last couple of months again when it's clear there aren't going to be any concessions on the part of Mendenhall supporters/apologists no matter what is said. I'd just rather not beat that dead horse.
"If you are holding on to something that you no longer need to hold on to, I encourage you to let go." - Rashard Mendenhall
im not a mendenhall supporter.
Array title="Seven has much to be proud of">
I'm not necessarily saying you are, I just don't want to go into that topic again. It's beat. I've done it too many times. The fumbles, how good a back he is in general, talent vs. production... I've just gone through it one too many times.
I do think it is silly not to at least acknowledge the fumbles. But basically I just feel as if he shouldn't play because he quit on this team and it baffles me that others disagree because he might be marginally better than Redman or Dwyer.
"If you are holding on to something that you no longer need to hold on to, I encourage you to let go." - Rashard Mendenhall
As I said many, many threads ago, I lost my respect for mendy in the Green Bay SB, when his fumble lost it for us. Then his constent fumbles just scares the hell out of me. Whenever he has the ball I hold my breath the whole time. He just doesn't know how to carry the damn ball !! And for someone reason no one on the coaching staff knows it either. I don't mind Dwyer and Redman, they seem to get the job done. And actually Dwyer seems to find a way 'around' the pile up and pick up a few more yards when necessary. Mendy's situation is really questionable to us all. We don't know what was said behind closed doors. As was said earlier, will he fumble on purpose ? How would we know when he hits the pile and just gives up and we lose yards.......or the ball ? When you are playing for your life towards the play-off is that the right time to play 'questionable' players, or do you play the players whose heart and soul is in the game and winning ? Again, we don't know what Mendy and Tomlin talked about or agreement they came up with, but is Tomlin sure that Mendy just didn't blow smoke up his butt in order to get back in the line up only to blow the play-off chance for the team and then hope he's somewhere else next year ? I just don't believe he can stop fumbling the way he does overnight. GO STEELERS
Array title="cold-hard-steel has a brilliant future">
Well if you want my input,and maybe you don't,The whole team needs to be looking in the mirror.That goes for the whole coaching staff on down.Seems like we are reverting back to the sixties.
Two bags are guarenteed to fit all sizes ,or your money back. If you are not completely satisfied call 1-800-GOO-DHELL We show 5 bags to choose from,most problems only need 2 bags
.
You mean like Ben did in that Raven game? You remember Hines called him out on National Tv? Hines said the "LOCKER ROOM WAS DIVIDED". Do you really want to take this stance? Mendenhall SHOULD start. Do you think Ben would want to travel if Tomlin demoted him for a guy he is better than? Start Leftwich and see how Ben acts and he should be ticked. Ben is better than Byron. Just like Mendenhall is better than Dwyer and Redman.
Those guys limit our playbook. We cant run sweeps, counters or stretch plays. They are too slow to get to the edge. Mendenhall has been benched, he paid his price. Let him play so he can help his quarterback.
- - - Updated - - -
Who had more turnovers Mendy or Ben? Ben had a pick 6. Man you guys are biased as heck
Array title="Count Steeler has a reputation beyond repute">
Mendy was suspended, he has met with Tomlin, he doesn't seem to be apologetic to the team.
Regardless of what has been said in the media, Tomlin has the responsibility of putting his best team on the field, ready and able to succeed. I think Mendy deserves to play, but with a short leash. I think he will put forth a good effort and we will be pleasantly surprised. If he gives up on his team on Sunday, he should be released outright on Monday. Merry Christmas.
Array title="zulater has a reputation beyond repute">
I don't know if Mendenhall or Redman is the Steelers best overall back at the moment? I do think they're both better than Dwyer though. Regardless I'm fine if the coaches start with Mendenhall, just so long as they don't lock into him if he isn't producing.
As far as fumbling goes. I think Tomlin has overreacted with all these backs and come off looking silly they way he's benched them when and how he has. Going back to Dwyer in the Raider game when he was met 2 yards deep in the backfield and fumbled before he really had a chance to secure the handoff. And then the whole ordeal in Cleveland. It's one thing to take a guy out for a play or even a series and have a coach go over and stress ball security to him. But to exile someone over a fumble comes off as a fanboy reaction. Not that of a considered professional.
"A man's got to know his limitations."
Not to mention we dont Play Green Bay in the Super Bowl if it wasnt for Mendenhall. Remember that game vs the Jets? Must be nice to win a AFCCG with a 33 QB rating. Thx Mendenhall
Array title="zulater has a reputation beyond repute">
I'm not a Mendenhall basher. So I'm not getting into that with you.
But Ben's qb rating for that game wasn't really reflective of the way he played and what he contributed. If Ben doesn't make those plays at the end of the game we don't go to the Super Bowl.
"A man's got to know his limitations."
MVP of that game was Mendenhall. So Ben makes a few clutch plays at the end and we disregard how bad he played? How come the same doesnt apply to Wallace? Mendenhall? Tomlin? Haley? Ike? Arians? Why just Ben? Really?
Array title="zulater has a reputation beyond repute">
Ben didn't play bad that game.If you think he did you're either not really a Steelers fan or have a poor memory or bad perception. He helped put those early points on the board as much or more than anyone on the team.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/playby...23023&period=0
Once we established the big lead we went into our prevent offense mode, so I don't blame that on the qb.
Look I'm not getting into a multi front war with you and branching off into all the names you're trying to bring into the topic at the end of your post.
Just sticking to the topic of Mendenhall. I thought he was one of the league's ten best backs in 2010. I thought he was on the verge of breaking through to the next level in 2011.
But it didn't happen.
Should he start tommorow? If the coaches say so that's fine by me. I would hope that he showed well in practice this week and earned the start with what he showed there, and wasn't given the start on some sort of desperate emeritus hail Mary heave.
So I hope if he does start he plays well and helps the team win. Just as I hope Ben, Wallace and Tomlin all do their jobs well too.
"A man's got to know his limitations."
Array title="43Hitman has a reputation beyond repute">
Because Ben is the QB. The Field General.
Array title="zulater has a reputation beyond repute">
One last thing before I hit the sack tonight. And sorry to derail the thread off topic.
But to the b.s. that Ben had a bad game against the Jets in the 2010 AFC championship game, basing that opinion strictly on his passer effeciency rating.
Over a season passer rating has some validity. But for a specific game that's not always the case. Over his career I can find you at least half a dozen examples where Ben posted a passer rating above 90 and played like absolute shit.
Ok that had to be said, now let's get it back to Rashard.
Good luck against the Bengals Rashard!
"A man's got to know his limitations."
With next year's cap situation the Steelers will need to cut corners. A good corner to cut would be Mendenhall.
Hater = Realist
Array title="Seven has much to be proud of">
There is a huge difference between a franchise quarterback and a solid runningback. The QB is, of course, going to get much more leway in terms of turnovers because he is much harder to replace.
"If you are holding on to something that you no longer need to hold on to, I encourage you to let go." - Rashard Mendenhall
Array title="Seven has much to be proud of">
Mendenhall will be active today. No word yet on who is starting. All five runningbacks are dressing.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/23/mendenhall-will-be-active-for-steelers/
"If you are holding on to something that you no longer need to hold on to, I encourage you to let go." - Rashard Mendenhall
Does that mean that if BR doesn't make "the tackle" that you would have lost respect for Bettis?
“They say all marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning.”
― Clint Eastwood
Thats a great point!
Array title="zulater has a reputation beyond repute">
I think there's valid reasons to play and sit Mendenhall. But I don't think his fumble in SB XLV has any relevance.
That was a turning point in the game no question. But it was only one play out of about 140. You can't pin the loss on him, or at least you shouldn't. Also I wont defend every fumble, but that was more about a good play by Mathews than carelessness on Mendy's part.
Now back to today.
"A man's got to know his limitations."
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote