Why Mendenhall fell, and perhaps why we passed on him

[theogt]

From the Houston Chronicle:

People are mad that the Texans passed up on Rashard Mendenhall but I have to tell you that there is more than one team who used the "p-word" when describing Mendenhall. I never heard anyone from the Texans use it, but there is a thought that he is soft. If Jonathan Stewart had fallen to them at 18, I'm not sure that there isn't more conversation in the war room about him. I could be wrong on that one because Brown was clearly a player they had targeted. The fans have been outraged about the lack of offensive line selections in the first round so I guess those fans shouldn't complain much about Brown.

From another article (no link but it's been posted here before):

3. RASHARD MENDENHALL, Illinois (5-10, 225, 4.42, 1) - Third-year junior didn't start until '07, when he gained 1,681 yards and was Big Ten offensive player of the year. "He's going to be a really, really good back," Buffalo VP of college scouting Tom Modrak said. "He's big, you don't catch him, he makes people miss." Straight-line style somewhat reminiscent of Herschel Walker. "He can't break down, cut and change direction," one scout said. "I was surprised how stiff he was. He takes a beating because he can't avoid people." Graduated from Niles West in Skokie, Ill., and scored 23 on the Wonderlic. "I think when adversity strikes he may fold tent," another scout said. "I don't see grinder mentality with him. I see analytical." Said a third scout: "I just don't know how he's wired. I don't know how competitive he is. I don't know how much he wants to take the beatin' he's going to take."

Now, from TB's recap this morning of a Jerry Jones interview:

We had the Jones/Mendenhall debate in the War Room. We took Jones because of his open field ability and his work ethic. Felix Jones has a work ethic like Michael Irvin which we had very few players that had that. That is something that is very important in our evaluation of players.

Could emphasizing Jones' work ethic be code for Mendehall's lack of work ethic or mental toughness?

 

[skinsscalper]

Good post theo and it makes me feel better about passing on him. All I know is Jones is a Cowboys and I hope he lights **** up!

 

[Duane]

Good stuff Theo. Like others have stated, you had to wonder why so many RB starved teams passed on him.

 

[utrunner07]

wow, if Jerry Jones is really emphasizing work ethic like that I would be fairly impressed.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was thinking here...

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2059712&postcount=1

I know some people think Jerry wanted his Arky player no matter what, but work ethic is an extremely important quality to consider when evaluating players.

 

[FCBarca]

Nice posts of info...Yeah, even Jerry was quoted as emphasizing that when debating the two, one of the factors that trumped Felix was his work ethic/drive...I suppose, that makes me come around to Felix as well

I have to say, on a side note, I'm kinda impressed with some of these UDFAs that we're seeing get signed, non?

 

[DasTex]

Well that won't fly in crapsburg. I guess we'll find out these next couple of years how true some of that is.

There has to be a reason that he couldn't beat out Pierre from NO. I know Pierre showed this past season he has some talent, but given the size, speed, and strengh Mendenhall showed at the combine, you would have thought he could have easily become the starter on that team.

 

[TheCount]

Good points, if that's the case, then I'm glad we passed.

 

[theogt]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was thinking here...

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2059712&postcount=1

I know some people think Jerry wanted his Arky player no matter what, but work ethic is an extremely important quality to consider when evaluating players.

Wow. I guess that's exactly what they were thinking:

Jerry says, "That is a bad place not to have a mentally tough guy."

Then Wade says, "You're getting a great work ethic from one guy..."

Then Jerry: "Let's take Jones."

Sorry, I missed this thread before in the flurry of threads.

 

[superpunk]

Very illuminating information, theogt and CL. You've gotta love good work ethic guys. That's basically why we're so successful now, because we've got a locker room full of guys working out together in the offseason, being pushed by strong dog Terrence Newman, or whatever they call the strongest guy.

I feel giddy with all this new talent. I might faint.

 

[Idgit]

Good thread. Still, work ethic and toughness are factors that should go into setting the board. Fitness for our team, too, for that matter. (For the record, I like the F Jones pick, I just don't understand why they didn't have him higher on their board than RM. It's not like it didn't occur to them before the draft that one of the other four big backs might drop).

 

[dbair1967]

From the Houston Chronicle:

From another article (no link but it's been posted here before):


Now, from TB's recap this morning of a Jerry Jones interview:

Could emphasizing Jones' work ethic be code for Mendehall's lack of work ethic or mental toughness?

good find Theo

definitely helps explain it further

and if he truly hated being a backup, he was best served not being here (although it isnt a slam dunk he starts in Pittsburgh either, if Parkers gets healthy in TC/PS)

David

 

[Goldenrichards83]

Good work Theo and Clab. This tells me all I need to know.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Well all the guys drafted this year has great work ethic from all accounts... We needs those kind of players on this young team!

 

[thewireman]

My brother n law who's a big Bears fan said taking Felix Jones was a really good draft pic for us, he also said Felix is a beast and he expects the Boys to have the best RB tandom and he hates that

 

[big dog cowboy]

Could emphasizing Jones' work ethic be code for Mendehall's lack of work ethic or mental toughness?

Simply great work.

Outstanding thread Theogt.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

great reporting Zoners!

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Excellent information. Thanks for bringing this stuff to light. This should help make the decision more clear for some fans.

 

[theogt]

Simply great work.

Outstanding thread Theogt.

Eh...I stole this from a draft forum. The Jerry quote was what reminded me of it.

 

[Angus]

Eh...I stole this from a draft forum. The Jerry quote was what reminded me of it.

Admirable honesty. But however you brought it to us, we appreciate it. Thanks.