Official 2008 NFL Draft Thread

[Cbus cardsfan]

How can Jones be gone before RM. Memories of Thurman Thomas.

 

[azsouthendzone]

For those who are enamored by Mendenhall, teams have seen what I brought up yesterday. He has a tendancy to go down easily. He ran through gaping holes last year, but when hit he went straight down. In the NFL as a RB you need to create holes. M<endenhall may in fact be the real deal, but there is a reason why he has fallen.

 

[Shane]

If you are conceding my earlier point (Shane H: "That may be true."), then you are defining a reach. That's why I responded to you the way I did.

I conceded that he is a better player. Not that Brown was a reach. He is only a better player based on overall impact.

 

[WildBB]

I say Mendenhall goes right here to Pittsburgh.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Willie Parker was hurt, Mendy to the Steelers?

 

[PACardsFan]

Lookls like the Steelers are going with Mendenhall.

 

[Pariah]

I conceded that he is a better player. Not that Brown was a reach. He is only a better player based on overall impact.

Jaysuz, Shane. If AP is a better player than Brown, how are you NOT reaching for need when you pass him by?

 

[dogpoo32]

cards will now how to face RM 2x a year, seattle will pick him up

looks like pitt might. unless seattle is calling way ahead.

 

[imaCafan]

Maybe coach trades with his old team???????? Still want RM (with a chip on his shoulder)......

 

[WildBB]

How can Jones be gone before RM. Memories of Thurman Thomas.

mendenhall is definately the better bACK. Jones was the better fit for them.

 

[Dr. Jones]

# 23 - Pittsburgh Steelers

Rashard Mendenhall


RB | (5'10

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", 225, 4.45) | ILLINOIS
Scouts Grade: 96

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Strengths: Thickly and powerfully built back. Possesses adequate height, a strong lower body and enormous arms. Runs with adequate pad-level and will generate lots of yards after initial contact. Drives his legs and always seems to be falling forward. Vision and patience are adequate to good. Shows above-average initial quickness and outstanding burst when bouncing runs outside. Very few backs his size share such a noticeable second-gear (see: 2008 Rose Bowl vs. USC). He is a reliable pass-catcher with a good feel for getting open underneath. Can pluck the ball on the run and is dangerous in the open field with a head of steam. Is more than willing in pass pro and possesses the size/strength to anchor versus blitzing linebackers. Does not have a lot of wear on his tires and his best football should be ahead of him.

Weaknesses: Not overly elusive and won't generate many yards by making defenders miss in space. Had some fumbling issues earlier in his career. Only one season as fulltime load carrier at collegiate level. Will need some time to adjust to blitz pickup in NFL. Awareness in that regard is only decent. While he has been a productive receiver, he needs to do a better job of catching with his hands rather than allowing it to frequently get into his body. Off-season conditioning has never been his strength. Doesn't have much room left on frame to add bulk, so he will need to guard against adding unnecessary weight.

Overall: After graduating high school early and arriving on campus in the spring of 2005, Mendenhall contributed immediately as a true freshman. In 10 games, he ran for 218 yards on 48 carries and had 13 receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. In 2006, he ran for 640 yards and five TDs on a Big Ten-best 8.2 yards per carry, adding another 164 yards and a score on 12 receptions. As a junior, Mendenhall delivered 1,999 total yards and 19 TDs in 13 games. He led the conference and ranked eighth in the nation in rushing yards (1,681). Mendenhall peaked as a junior, which was his first season as a fulltime starter at Illinois. While he still can improve as a football player, there are no glaring weaknesses to his game. Mendenhall is a powerful runner with the burst to hit the occasional homerun. He also is more than capable in the passing game  both as a receiver and blocker. With good coaching and attention to detail, Mendenhall has a chance to rank among the upper-echelon starters in the NFL a couple years from now. Mendenhall is worth a mid-to-late first round pick and he should be the second or third running back selected in April's draft.

oooff...... That's pretty scary.

 

[WildBB]

Maybe coach trades with his old team???????? Still want RM (with a chip on his shoulder)......

Next years 1st. i'd do it!

 

[Pariah]

# 23 - Pittsburgh Steelers



oooff...... That's pretty scary.

And THAT is why good teams stay good. BPA, baby.

 

[WildBB]

I called that!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

For those who are enamored by Mendenhall, teams have seen what I brought up yesterday. He has a tendancy to go down easily. He ran through gaping holes last year, but when hit he went straight down. In the NFL as a RB you need to create holes. M<endenhall may in fact be the real deal, but there is a reason why he has fallen.

How many games have seen him play?

 

[Shogun]

Yay, now we're done with the Mendenhall talk!

 

[WildBB]

And THAT is why good teams stay good. BPA, baby.

What a value. Like the Rams getting Jackson at 24, I think.

 

[Cheesebeef]

just to clarify, although I do think we made a mistake in passing on Mendenhal, at least we took someone with HUGE upside with Cromartie as opposed to what I believed to be a gaffe made last year that I knew we'd lament for a decade the second it happened.

 

[Dr. Jones]

That took a while. Glad that he's in the AFC.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

At least Seattle didn't get him.We just got rid of Alexander we didn't RM terrorizing us for 6 years.

 

[WildBB]

Whew, at least Seattle doesn';t get him!!!!!

 

[WildBB]

At least Seattle didn't get him.We just got rid of Alexander we didn't RM terrorizing us for 6 years.

You beat me by a full two seconds.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Rice, Charles, or Johnson in round 2. I would've liked to take a chance and traded fro Mendy. BUt not at too prohibitive a price.

 

[Dr. Jones]

# 24 - Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson

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Selected by: Tennessee Titans
Round: 1
Pick (Overall): 24(24)
RB | (5'11", 197, 4.24) | EAST CAROLINA
Scouts Grade: 87

Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position(D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy

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Strengths: Possesses elite speed. Is an explosive open-field runner. Brings excellent versatility to the table thanks to his experience at RB, WR and KOR. He can explode through a hole. Gets from 0-to-60 mph faster than most RB's. Shows excellent burst to and through the hole, as well as the second-gear to run away from defenders in space. Vision and patience were much improved as a senior in 2007. He has a compact running style and will do a decent job of protecting his body. He displays very soft hands as a receiver and return specialist. Has great experience working out of the slot and knows how to separate as a route runner. Can pluck on the run and gets upfield in a hurry after the catch. Shows good vision and run instincts when he gets into space; knows when to cut back against the grain and how to set up blocks.

Weaknesses: Is undersized and must add more bulk to frame in order to hold up physically at the next level. Has better strength than frame indicates but still not strong enough to break lots of tackles or push the pile as an inside runner. Doesn't always drive his legs and finish runs strong. Durability was a problem throughout college and most concerning is his history of neck injuries. Lacks ideal running instincts and got away with a lot at the college level because of his speed that he won't get away with in the NFL. Will get overwhelmed at the point of attack versus bigger linebackers in pass pro. Will struggle to hold up in that facet of the NFL game. Ball security has been a problem at times, as he turned the ball over seven times on fumbles during his first three seasons. He also has small hands (7 ¼ inches).

Overall: Johnson became a starter as a true freshman and during his career at East Carolina served as a running back, wide receiver and kickoff return specialist. In his first three seasons (2004-'06), he played 34 games (23 starts) and ran for 1,559 yards and 15 touchdowns on 388 carries (4.0 average). In that span, he also had 88 receptions for 768 yards (8.7 average) and four touchdowns, plus 79 kickoff returns for 1,706 yards (21.6 average) and four touchdowns. Johnson broke out as a senior, starting all 13 games and leading the nation in all-purpose yards per game (227.7). He had 1,468 yards and 17 touchdowns on 236 carries (6.0 average), 37 receptions for 528 yards (14.3 average) and six scores, and 36 kickoff returns for 1,009 yards (28.0) and another TD. In 2006, Johnson had offseason neck surgery that forced him to miss spring drills but no playing time. He missed one game and was limited in others later that season because of a turf toe injury on his left big toe. Johnson shares a lot of similarities with Jerious Norwood, who was selected by the Falcons in the second round of the 2006 draft. Like Norwood, Johnson is a homerun threat with exceptional speed and versatility but marginal size and below-average strength. A team that can afford a luxury item like Johnson will be able to maximize his big-play potential as a runner, receiver and return specialist. However, we are not convinced he's capable of handling a fulltime role at running back in the NFL, which is why we don't grade him out as high as some. Regardless, Johnson is vying to become the first senior running back off the board. He projects as a second or third round pick.

 

[Pariah]

Bummer. C. Johnson gone.

I don't really like Rice.