The Mendenhall-Felix debate has another chapter

[superpunk]

YOU TAKE THE EVERYDOWN/FRANCHISE BACK!!!!!

PITTSBURGH -- The running back was confused about his assignments and didn't appear to know his playbook, so he found himself on the bench. No carries, no yardage, no recognition.

Happens all the time in Pop Warner football, and high school ball, too. College football? Not so often. The NFL? C'mon, you've got to be kidding.
Rashard Mendenhall is the embarrassed exception.

One week after tearing off a 39-yard run against Chicago that demonstrated some of the ability that caused the Pittsburgh Steelers to make him a first-round draft pick last year, he didn't carry once against Cincinnati.

Coach Mike Tomlin denied him the ball, effectively saying that if Mendenhall played like he practiced, he didn't want to see what might happen in a game that counted.

Now, with Pittsburgh (1-2) facing a pivotal game Sunday against the San Diego Chargers (2-1), the Steelers want to see if Mendenhall is getting the message before they give him the ball. Even if Willie Parker's big toe injury might leave them with no other option other than Mendenhall and third-down back Mewelde Moore.

"We're here now, that's in the past, it's another week," Mendenhall said.

What Mendenhall must be concerned about is whether the Steelers are willing to put his bad week into the past so quickly, since he has repeatedly disappointed them.

A year ago this week, he irritated them by bragging to a friend with Baltimore that he expected a big game against the Ravens. Baltimore's defense was motivated by the comments, and linebacker Ray Lewis put him out for the season with a fractured shoulder.

The Steelers didn't see much of Mendenhall after that as he only occasionally stopped by their practice complex during his rehabilitation.

He said he spent some time going to museums and doing the things football players don't normally do during the season. Especially Steelers players, injured or not.

It didn't help when he had an ineffective training camp this summer, again failing to flash the strong cutting ability, durability and power he displayed in college at Illinois.

"It's a learning experience," Mendenhall said. "You learn in the NFL that the minor things are major, so you have to stay on top of everything. I just look forward to getting an opportunity to get to play and show the fans and my teammates what I can do."

The Steelers are waiting to see it, too. Parker, a three-time 1,200-yard runner, is unsigned past this season and the job was expected to go to Mendenhall if Parker didn't return.

Tomlin said that if a player such as Hines Ward is momentarily confused and doesn't run the correct pass route, a coach simply moves on. But that coach can't be as forgiving if a young player such as Mendenhall or wide receiver Limas Sweed makes such a mistake.

A week after Mendenhall was stuck to the bench except on special teams plays, Sweed may find himself there this week. Sweed dropped a pass in the end zone Sunday during the 23-20 loss in Cincinnati, much like he dropped what would have been a key reception during the AFC championship game against Baltimore in January.

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Twice was enough for Tomlin, who hinted Sweed won't see the ball again until the Steelers are convinced he won't drop it.

Mendenhall's change for redemption may arrive a little sooner.

"Young guys ... have to make coaches comfortable with their ability to execute details of their assignment," Tomlin said. "They need to make the other guys in the huddle very comfortable with their ability to execute."

Interestingly, Parker tried to deflect some of the heat, saying he was so hard on Mendenhall last week it might have been distracting.

"That's probably the reason he was making the mistakes," Parker said. "Coach holds each and every one of us to a high standard and expects us all to perform like professionals in practice."

The Steelers need to see more in games, too. So far, Mendenhall has gained only 107 yards in seven games during his short career. This season, the normally reliable Steelers running game is 27th in the NFL.

"It's frustrating, you want to take advantage of opportunities," Mendenhall said. "You want to prove to the team and the organization what you can do and I wasn't able to do that last week, so I'm looking forward to this week."

 

[SLATEmosphere]

So glad we got Felix.

Kudos to the FO.

 

[wileedog]

The knock on Mendenhall was always that he was lazy, and put just enough work together his senior year to get himself drafted. Almost like a collegiate "contract year."

Then again our guy ain't getting on the field much either....

 

[dbair1967]

There was never any debate IMO, Felix was the better choice for us all along.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

The knock on Mendenhall was always that he was lazy, and put just enough work together his senior year to get himself drafted. Almost like a collegiate "contract year."

Then again our guy ain't getting on the field much either....

That's not under his control, though. OUR guy is a great kid with a super work ethic & one of the top talents in the NFL. I love OUR guy.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

There was never any debate IMO, Felix was the better choice for us all along.

I keep hearing that ALOT of people here were upset about us drafting Felix over Mendenhall

:laugh2:

 

[UnoDallas]

Mendhall was a one year wonder

 

[jazzcat22]

I keep hearing that ALOT of people here were upset about us drafting Felix over Mendenhall

:laugh2:

Yes they were and I was not one of them. I was all for Felix 1st.

 

[DallasEast]

The knock on Mendenhall was always that he was lazy, and put just enough work together his senior year to get himself drafted. Almost like a collegiate "contract year."

Then again our guy ain't getting on the field much either....

True, but when he has stepped on the field, he has been very productive and not just on offense.

 

[wileedog]

That's not under his control, though. OUR guy is a great kid with a super work ethic & one of the top talents in the NFL. I love OUR guy.

Didn't mean to insinuate otherwise, I was on board with the pick on draft day, and he was the player I was most excited to see last year and this year. Its been unfortunate that's its worked out the way it has.

Hopefully its just fluky stuff and he's back in a couple of weeks and goes the rest of the way. Was just pointing out that an injured player is just as useless as a dumb one.

 

[DallasEast]

Flashback | CowboysZone | NFL Draft | 2008

http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/DaBoys4LifeFelixQuote.png

 

[Bleu Star]

Well if no one else will step up and own their opinions (and there were many on draft day... I remember) ... I will admit I was one of those that was a little upset we didn't Take Mendenhall when we drafted Felix. I'll take that crow sandwich with hot sauce please.

Thanks. MMMM

Even though Felix has shown some durability issues, He has been truly electric when in the field. I'm glad I was wrong and hope he can find a way to bring that electricity in a more consistent manner.

 

[adbutcher]

Flashback | CowboysZone | NFL Draft | 2008

http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/DaBoys4LifeFelixQuote.png

Who was the genius that made that comment?

 

[NextGenBoys]

We took the everydown back.

His name is Tashard Choice.

This is a non-issue. Felix was the correct choice.

 

[rkell87]

Didn't mean to insinuate otherwise, I was on board with the pick on draft day, and he was the player I was most excited to see last year and this year. Its been unfortunate that's its worked out the way it has.

Hopefully its just fluky stuff and he's back in a couple of weeks and goes the rest of the way. Was just pointing out that an injured player is just as useless as a dumb one.

yeah but that injured player has more yards on 2 carries this season than the other has in his career.

 

[superpunk]

Some draft day react....

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117688&highlight=DRAFT+FELIX+MENDENHALL

You got it wrong, JJT...

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117564&highlight=DRAFT+FELIX+MENDENHALL

I think this is more about Bennett but I gotta get theogt anyhow...

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117466&highlight=DRAFT+FELIX+MENDENHALL

And the immediate post-pick dislike.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117399&highlight=DRAFT+FELIX+MENDENHALL

 

[wileedog]

yeah but that injured player has more yards on 2 carries this season than the other has in his career.

And will go on to have a much better career.

But I don't think the pick is worth crowing about as much if Felix only plays a handful of games per season, or can only touch the ball a few times a game. We all expected more.

Not raining on anyone's gloating parade, just pointing that out.

 

[Bleu Star]

We took the everydown back.

His name is Tashard Choice.

This is a non-issue. Felix was the correct choice.

I remember being pissed that we didn't get Choice when we took Felix. I was like.. no Choice or Mendenhall? What the???? Then we took Choice and all confidence was restored...

 

[DallasEast]

Who was the genius that made that comment?

DaBoys4Life.

 

[Bleu Star]

DaBoys4Life.

That's quite a statement. Glad it wasn't my name up in lights...