Arians on Mendenhall: Starter?

[Duckjake]

Bruce Arians hinted that newly-signed running back Rashard Mendenhall would be the starter this season. "I prefer one guy," Arians said, and he gushed about Mendenhall since the two have a history going back to Pittsburgh....................."He never has to come out of the game."

http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/players/playerpage/561926/rashard-mendenhall

Sounds familiar. Also contrary to what most believe about RBs these days. I have no problem with it at all. But I am sure getting mixed reviews on Rashard.

He's like the products on Amazon where half the people give it 4-5 stars and the others 1.

 

[Shane]

his production in 09 10 and 11 cant even be argued! Hes proven hes a good RB. If he is healthy I have ZERO problem with it!

 

[Cheesebeef]

his production in 09 10 and 11 cant even be argued! Hes proven hes a good RB. If he is healthy I have ZERO problem with it!

his production in 09/10 can't be argued, but in 11 he was really mediocre, ranking 18th in rushing despite starting 15 games... and last year he was awful... and a locker room cancer. if he's healthy, he's can be a decent back, but only time will tell if that happens.

 

[JeffGollin]

Question about Mendenhall has to be:

"But what if he doesn't stay healthy?" Logical answer: "Ryan Williams."

Logical follow-up question: "But what if Williams can't stay healthy?" Logical answer: "Uh....I dunno - Hey Steve, find us another backup RB. (maybe 2)."

 

[NashDishesDimes]

His YPC wern't bad in 2011 considering he was somewhat hurt and Pittsburgh's line was nearly as bad as ours. My only question is why did Pittsburgh let him go? They invested a 1st rounder in 2008 on this guy.

 

[GatorAZ]

His YPC wern't bad in 2011 considering he was somewhat hurt and Pittsburgh's line was nearly as bad as ours. My only question is why did Pittsburgh let him go? They invested a 1st rounder in 2008 on this guy.

He was a cancer. Doesn't necessarily mean he'll be one in Arizona, though.

 

[Duckjake]

He was a cancer. Doesn't necessarily mean he'll be one in Arizona, though.

Maybe he had a problem with Haley? Seems odd that Arians would bring him in if RM had an attitude problem overall.

Again confusing information on Mendenhall.

 

[desertdawg]

Makes me wonder who our two tight ends will be.

 

[Duckjake]

Makes me wonder who our two tight ends will be.

Arians likes to go with one guy in his Two Tight End Sets.

 

[Cheesebeef]

His YPC wern't bad in 2011 considering he was somewhat hurt and Pittsburgh's line was nearly as bad as ours. My only question is why did Pittsburgh let him go?

that there my friend is the biggest red-flag.

 

[ajcardfan]

If you think Mendenhall took a one year deal so quickly because he was told nothing more than he "would get a chance to compete" then you are fooling yourself. The only real draw we could hold out to players is the chance to start and prove themselves.

Mendenhall, Brinkley, Alexander........ these guys are starting.

 

[Quinn McCollum]

Arians is a one back type of coach.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

The last 2 years, he has been very similar to Chris Wells. You know, the RB everyone was so happy to see let go.

 

[Zeno]

Maybe he had a problem with Haley? Seems odd that Arians would bring him in if RM had an attitude problem overall.

Again confusing information on Mendenhall.

I don't think Haley had anything to do with some of the ignorance he spouts on Twitter and that probably had a lot of impact on how his teammates felt about him.

"Anyone with knowledge of the slave trade and the NFL could say that these two parallel each other,”

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style"

Or this one about Bin Laden...

"I'm not convinced he was even behind the attacks we have really seen no evidence to prove it other than the gov telling us."

And then him questioning people celebrating the death of Bin Laden, saying we never got a chance to hear Bin Ladens side of the story.

He is the anti-Tillman.

 

[THESMEL]

ouch

That makes me miss Beanie,

I don't think Haley had anything to do with some of the ignorance he spouts on Twitter and that probably had a lot of impact on how his teammates felt about him.

"Anyone with knowledge of the slave trade and the NFL could say that these two parallel each other,”

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style"

Or this one about Bin Laden...

"I'm not convinced he was even behind the attacks we have really seen no evidence to prove it other than the gov telling us."

And then him questioning people celebrating the death of Bin Laden, saying we never got a chance to hear Bin Ladens side of the story.

He is the anti-Tillman.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

I don't think Haley had anything to do with some of the ignorance he spouts on Twitter and that probably had a lot of impact on how his teammates felt about him.

"Anyone with knowledge of the slave trade and the NFL could say that these two parallel each other,”

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style"

Or this one about Bin Laden...

"I'm not convinced he was even behind the attacks we have really seen no evidence to prove it other than the gov telling us."

And then him questioning people celebrating the death of Bin Laden, saying we never got a chance to hear Bin Ladens side of the story.

He is the anti-Tillman.

Phoenix will hate him, Tucson will love him

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Question about Mendenhall has to be:

"But what if he doesn't stay healthy?" Logical answer: "Ryan Williams."

Logical follow-up question: "But what if Williams can't stay healthy?" Logical answer: "Uh....I dunno - Hey Steve, find us another backup RB. (maybe 2)."

I am not saying I agree or disagree with the plan, but there have been a few signs that the Cardinals are going to bring in some very late round and/or UDFA running backs.

Say what you will but I have noticed a fair amount of success, relative to other positions in the NFL, with UDFA at RB.

Plus I am not about to lock down roster spots for Anthony Sherman, William Powell, or Alfonso Smith.

The Cardinals have a 90 man roster to work with in camp so they can take few RBs and pick the best 2, 3 or 4 for the roster to back up Mendenhal and Williams

 

[MoeIsBetter]

I don't think Haley had anything to do with some of the ignorance he spouts on Twitter and that probably had a lot of impact on how his teammates felt about him.

"Anyone with knowledge of the slave trade and the NFL could say that these two parallel each other,”

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style"

Or this one about Bin Laden...

"I'm not convinced he was even behind the attacks we have really seen no evidence to prove it other than the gov telling us."

And then him questioning people celebrating the death of Bin Laden, saying we never got a chance to hear Bin Ladens side of the story.

He is the anti-Tillman.

I don't agree with his thought on those matters, but I really couldn't care a less what his opinions are. All I care about is how he runs the rock. I'll take a good RB with crappy opinions over a crappy RB with good opinions 10 days out of the week.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

As for Mendenhal as the starter?

Lukewarm on the guy. There is trouble in paradise in Pittsburgh, IMO. So, whatever the issue was in Pit for Mendenhal, I am ready to give him the benefit of the doubt at this point.

I mean at one point last year I remember reading a blurb about how Pittsburgh didn't like ANY of their running backs.

ALL of them where no good? I dunno.

Yet, at the same time it is known Mendenhal walks to the beat of his own drum, public opinion be damned. He is "different" which is concerning. If Arians can get Mendenhal invested, like he says he can, there is no questioning the production Mendenhal can provide. But, if doesn't get Mendenhal invested then the report is Mendenhal will get distracted and his play will suffer.

We will see.

Yet, I will say this. Skill wise? This is the best running back we have had in the desert in a long time.

 

[Chopper0080]

As for Mendenhal as the starter?

Lukewarm on the guy. There is trouble in paradise in Pittsburgh, IMO. So, whatever the issue was in Pit for Mendenhal, I am ready to give him the benefit of the doubt at this point.

I mean at one point last year I remember reading a blurb about how Pittsburgh didn't like ANY of their running backs.

ALL of them where no good? I dunno.

Yet, at the same time it is known Mendenhal walks to the beat of his own drum, public opinion be damned. He is "different" which is concerning. If Arians can get Mendenhal invested, like he says he can, there is no questioning the production Mendenhal can provide. But, if doesn't get Mendenhal invested then the report is Mendenhal will get distracted and his play will suffer.

We will see.

Yet, I will say this. Skill wise? This is the best running back we have had in the desert in a long time.

I would argue that Wells is actually more athletic than Mendenhall. What Wells struggles with is his feet and his vision/instincts. Wells needs a FB in front of him to lead him into the hole and a line that can clear out the muck. Wells also struggles with his feet on the cutback. He is good at bouncing a play outside, but he struggles seeing the cutback holes. This is why Wells was not a great fit for Arians' offense.

I haven't watched enough of Mendenhall to have a huge opinion on his acutal running ability, but I would argue he is not the pure athlete Wells is.

 

[GuernseyCard]

I would argue that Wells is actually more athletic than Mendenhall. What Wells struggles with is his feet and his vision/instincts. Wells needs a FB in front of him to lead him into the hole and a line that can clear out the muck. Wells also struggles with his feet on the cutback. He is good at bouncing a play outside, but he struggles seeing the cutback holes. This is why Wells was not a great fit for Arians' offense.

I haven't watched enough of Mendenhall to have a huge opinion on his acutal running ability, but I would argue he is not the pure athlete Wells is.

How can you state this after saying you haven't watched much of Mendenhall?

 

[DakotaCardsFan]

I'll take a good RB with crappy opinions over a crappy RB with good opinions 10 days out of the week.

Not me - just one day out of the week.

 

[john h]

Bruce Arians hinted that newly-signed running back Rashard Mendenhall would be the starter this season. "I prefer one guy," Arians said, and he gushed about Mendenhall since the two have a history going back to Pittsburgh....................."He never has to come out of the game."

http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/players/playerpage/561926/rashard-mendenhall

Sounds familiar. Also contrary to what most believe about RBs these days. I have no problem with it at all. But I am sure getting mixed reviews on Rashard.

He's like the products on Amazon where half the people give it 4-5 stars and the others 1.

I was under the impression that NFL teams are moving towards using two RBs so you had fresh legs on most plays? Clearly a RB will have a longer NFL life if he is not running every play during a game.

 

[john h]

Question about Mendenhall has to be:

"But what if he doesn't stay healthy?" Logical answer: "Ryan Williams."

Logical follow-up question: "But what if Williams can't stay healthy?" Logical answer: "Uh....I dunno - Hey Steve, find us another backup RB. (maybe 2)."

Since the RB hs the shortest NFL career of any NFL position (4 years) it makes sense to have at least 3 RBs. Maybe even 4 in our case.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I don't agree with his thought on those matters, but I really couldn't care a less what his opinions are. All I care about is how he runs the rock. I'll take a good RB with crappy opinions over a crappy RB with good opinions 10 days out of the week.

This