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Thread: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

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    Senior Member Array title="polamalubeast has a reputation beyond repute">

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    Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    We have another interesting "Poll Friday" question, and this week it focuses on the running game.

    The question: Who is the best running back in the AFC North? There are four good choices, and all rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season.


    Is Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens the No. 1 tailback in the AFC North? Rice is one of the most versatile and dynamic offensive players in the NFL and is a threat in the running and passing games for Baltimore. Rice already has been to one Pro Bowl in three seasons.

    Or is it Rashard Mendenhall of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Mendenhall's running added balance to Pittsburgh's offense and helped the team get to the Super Bowl last season. Mendenhall also improved his toughness in the red zone and between the tackles by scoring a career-high 13 touchdowns last season.


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    http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/pos...b-in-afc-north

    Right now

    Ray Rice:32%

    Rashard Mendenhall:33%

    Peyton Hillis:29%

    Cedric Benson:6%

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    Administrator Array title="fansince'76 has a reputation beyond repute"> fansince'76's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Hate to say it, but at this point I'd take Rice over Mendenhall.

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by fansince'76 View Post
    Hate to say it, but at this point I'd take Rice over Mendenhall.
    Really? Why?

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    Administrator Array title="HometownGal has a reputation beyond repute"> HometownGal's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    I think at this point in their careers, they are pretty much even as far as versatility and sheer rushing power go.






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    Administrator Array title="fansince'76 has a reputation beyond repute"> fansince'76's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by steeldawg View Post
    Really? Why?
    Mendenhall still seems tentative to me at times. Thankfully, those times have been steadily decreasing.

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by fansince'76 View Post
    Hate to say it, but at this point I'd take Rice over Mendenhall.
    I think Rice is a little more versatile. How ever I think the gap is small enough that I will go with who I think is better in the running game, Mendenhall.

    AML

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    I lean towards Ray Rice, I am not ready to put Mendenhall ahead of Rice yet

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Rice over Mendy for me as well.








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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by HometownGal View Post
    I think at this point in their careers, they are pretty much even as far as versatility and sheer rushing power go.
    Not even close in that aspect
    Quote Originally Posted by XxKnightxX View Post
    We are not Buffalo, We are not Miami. We are the Steelers, we dont blow out teams, we cock tease for ratings and keep games close.

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    1 at a time Array title="Count Steeler has a reputation beyond repute"> Count Steeler's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Rice over Mendy. Rice faces our defense twice a year. Mendy only has to face the Ratbirds.

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Hate to say it, but Rice is a GREAT receiving back...

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by fansince'76 View Post
    Hate to say it, but at this point I'd take Rice over Mendenhall.
    agree
    Hater = Realist

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by fansince'76 View Post
    Mendenhall still seems tentative to me at times. Thankfully, those times have been steadily decreasing.
    agree again. he's not as bad as he was when he first entered the NFL. yep, let's hope his shyness fades away with each carry
    Hater = Realist

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    The Virginia Hillbilly Array title="Galax Steeler is a splendid one to behold"> Galax Steeler's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    I think Rice is better right now but it seems like Mendy is improving everyday.

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    Administrator Array title="HometownGal has a reputation beyond repute"> HometownGal's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by Psycho Ward 86 View Post
    Not even close in that aspect
    We'll have to agree to disagree.






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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    By the time Mendy rises to elite status, his wheels will be worn off. He still runs too high which causes him to fumble. He is a better blocker and bigger target though.
    All Defense!

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    Senior Member Array title="JayC is a glorious beacon of light"> JayC's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    rice for sure but mendy isn't far behind

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    Attitude is everything Array title="SteelerFanInStl has a reputation beyond repute"> SteelerFanInStl's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Rice is more versatile but a lot of that is because of the way that the Ravens use him. Mendy is very capable at catching the ball out of the backfield but we just don't use him enough for that. You can't argue with Rice's production but I'll still take Mendy in our offense. He's just going to keep getting better.

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by steeldevil View Post
    Hate to say it, but Rice is a GREAT receiving back...
    This.

    I love Mendenhall, but as of now Rice is more of a dual threat.

    I don't know if I would trade Mendenhall for Rice, that is a tough subject, but Rice definitly has my respect as a RB.
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    Senior Member Array title="El-Gonzo Jackson has a reputation beyond repute"> El-Gonzo Jackson's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    I give Rice the slight edge at this point.

    Interesting thing to see is if the fact that Ray Rice had 910 rushing attempts in college, while Mendenhall had 388....does that extra mileage on Rice catch up to him sooner in his career than Mendenhall?

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    Senior Member Array title="zulater has a reputation beyond repute"> zulater's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    I find it curious that no one uses the offensive line as a defense for Mendy? I mean if the subject were Ben in comparison to another qb I'm sure it would have come up by now, so why not for Mendenhall?
    "A man's got to know his limitations."

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by zulater View Post
    I find it curious that no one uses the offensive line as a defense for Mendy? I mean if the subject were Ben in comparison to another qb I'm sure it would have come up by now, so why not for Mendenhall?
    Don't know that a better O line would help in Mendy's catching ability. The receiving is what seems to differentiate Rice and Mendy in this discussion.

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by zulater View Post
    I find it curious that no one uses the offensive line as a defense for Mendy? I mean if the subject were Ben in comparison to another qb I'm sure it would have come up by now, so why not for Mendenhall?
    Honestly, from a run blocking standpoint, the Steelers O-line is pretty good. I think that most could agree that guys like Kemo, Pouncey, Colon, Flozell Adams, Hartwig, Starks, are decent enough run blockers that he has had the past couple seasons.

    You could make an arguement that the O line has been injured a lot recently and Mendenhall has had to deal with that...but you could also argue he has one of the best blocking TE's in Miller, when the offense actually chooses to run the ball.

    I dont think the O line is as big of a crutch in running the ball. Maybe we can agree that RG spot with Essex, Foster, Legursky hasnt been solid running the ball.

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Quote Originally Posted by SteelerFanInStl View Post
    Rice is more versatile but a lot of that is because of the way that the Ravens use him. Mendy is very capable at catching the ball out of the backfield but we just don't use him enough for that. You can't argue with Rice's production but I'll still take Mendy in our offense. He's just going to keep getting better.
    Well put, if i was putting together a team and the choices were mendy or rice i take mendy.

  25. #25
    Original Member Array title="steelerdude15 has a brilliant future"> steelerdude15's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    I would take Rice over Mendy. I feel that the two have different running styles, Mendy seems to be a more physical, aggressive back while Rice is a dual threat that is a little more flashy and can juke well.

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    Black & Gold Metal Array title="SteelGhost is on a distinguished road"> SteelGhost's Avatar

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    Re: Poll Friday: Best RB in AFC North?

    Yep, at this point I think Rice is slightly better than Rashard, on the other hand Hillis is freaking awesome, he has made a great job in that poor team he plays for.

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