Rashard Mendenhall vs. Reggie Bush: Which back will be better?

[THESMEL]

Ahhh
Feed the Mendenhall , sigh

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...hall-vs-reggie-bush-which-back-will-be-better


<LI class=news-predictions-author-avatar>

You must be registered for see images attach

<LI class=news-predictions-author-name>Elliot Harrison NFL.com<LI class=news-predictions-analysis>Bush is well-suited for the Lions' attack

Until the Cardinals shore up their offensive line -- which is a larger issue in Arizona than the tailback or quarterback position -- Reggie Bush will make the bigger impact.

While Detroit's penchant for employing a pass-pass-run-pass-pass-pass philosophy has been ever-present the past couple of years, the good news for Lions fans (and the organization) is that Bush is an effective receiver out of the backfield. That's one thing that has never been an issue throughout his checkered career, and it should serve both sides of this deal well.

• You must be registered for see images attach
• Jason Smith NFL.com
• It's all about being in the right place at the right time
  
  Success in the NFL is all about being in a position to do well, and Reggie Bush is in that category. He's not going to suddenly turn into a superstar -- at 28, he is who he is. But he can be a good complement to the aerial attack they have going on in Detroit. He'll be a weapon for the Lions, especially if they find ways to get him the ball out of the backfield, though he will share the load with (and lose red-zone opportunities to) Mikel Leshoure. This might not look like a great situation in two years, depending on how long Bush has before he loses a step -- and, in essence, his career.
  
  But compared to Rashard Mendenhall on the Cardinals, Bush looks like Arian Foster. Mendenhall is a pedestrian running back. He's not special, he doesn't break long runs and he doesn't break enough tackles. He was in a great position to succeed in Pittsburgh and instead gave the Steelers diminishing returns. Now he's with the Cardinals, who still don't have a quarterback, but do have the worst offensive line in football. This doesn't suddenly solve anything for Arizona. The running game will be just like it was the past few years.

• You must be registered for see images attach
• Dave Dameshek NFL.com
• Mendenhall in line for bigger numbers, though Bush will leave his stamp
  
  Rashard Mendenhall had a couple of nice seasons while Bruce Arians was the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator, so the assumption is Arians will know how to best deploy the running back with the Cardinals. Mendenhall, however, isn't the world's most instinctive or rugged runner, which is going to be a problem against the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. (In other words, don't be fooled by the muscular physique; he's soft.)
  
  Similarly, no one will mistake Reggie Bush for a latter-day Earl Campbell, but the Lions don't expect him to play that way -- Mikel Leshoure will be there to serve as the thunder to Bush's lightning. The Lions needed another playmaker besides Calvin Johnson, and now they've got one. Bush might not have his Heisman Trophy anymore, but he still has that wiggle.
  
  Based on the number of touches he's likely to get, Mendenhall might wind up with bigger numbers than Bush, but Bush will have the greater impact. Now, if only either team could cobble together a halfway decent offensive line ...

#rr-news-commented, #rr-news-liked{visibility: hidden;}

 

[Dr. Jones]

I think Reggie will be more productive in a landslide.

Jahvid Best with more durability. And Jahvid was electric in that offense when he was on the field.

Along with Leshore they will be a terrific one-two punch.

 

[Jetstream Green]

So THESMEL, your decade long mourning of Beannie Wells begins

 

[Goldfield]

Depends if we draft Warmack or not.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Jason Smith is an idiot..

Mendenhall averaged 1100 yards and 9 TDs for 3 seasons when he was healthy including a 1273 and 13 TD season, but somehow he is "pedestrian"? If he has a healthy season this year I wouldn't be at all shocked if he ends up over 1000 yards and somewhere near 10 TDs.

 

[GatorAZ]

Bush is a perfect with Detroit. He made the right choice.

 

[Zeno]

I can see where Smith says Mendenhall doesn't break many long runs his 3 longest TD runs in his career are 50, 38 and 13 yards. He isn't going to be a big play RB by any stretch...I am just hoping he is steady and can be consistently productive. If we can get similar numbers to Edge James in 2006 - 2007 that would be nice (although a better YPC would be great).

 

[JeffGollin]

The two RB's fill two different needs. Reggie is similar to LSH - only better.

Mendenhall is closer in size and style to Beanie (though my impression has always been that Rashard runs with a lower pad-level).

Which do you think is better: apples or avocados?