1st round RBs in Tomlin era:. Mendenhall & Harris

Hindsight is 20/20. I had high hopes for the 2008 draft class and Mendenhall was the only pick that panned out. Both Mendenhall and Harris were drafted around the same pick in 1st round. Steelers were 10-6 in '07...and 12-4 in '20.....so both were late picks. Even.

2021 draft class, same high hopes.

Rashard Mendenhall vs. Najee Harris.

What makes Harris better than Mendenhall?

Discuss Tomlin era 1st round RB picks.

 

I was never a big fan of Rashard Mendenhall and really didn't know much about him at the time of the draft. My expectations were rather low compared to how I view Najee Harris whom I am very excited about. I think Najee is a very special player and my expectations are much higher for him.

 

Mendenhall made it to a Super Bowl and he was a valid contributor to the 2010 run. Harris may never see it. He may end up like Priest Holmes, Arian Foster and Adrian Peterson...great RB with no SB appearance.

 

He did make it to the SB on a very stacked team and if he didn't fumble on that whiffed block there is a very good chance that the Steelers could have won that game. Still I wasn't a huge fan of his during his career. Just didn't seem like a guy with a huge work ethic to me. Najee probably won't have the same kind of surrounding talent but I think the kid is more natural and has a better work ethic from what I've seen so far. I hope he gets to win a SB for for the Steelers but many pieces of that puzzle just aren't in place yet. With Ben here, it may be his best chance but it will take a small miracle to get that result.

 

Small miracle? Very optimistic.

 

Harris has Franco qualities? Maybe he is a leader?
Spit-balling here Heinz.

 

`Spendenhall didn't really like contact he was not really a great vision guy nor was he a great QB protector or a pass catcher..Harris Loves contact has better vision and is more athletic about the same so far as a protector but a much better pass catcher and route runner ..

So I would give Spendehall a C to a B minus I think Harris is a solid B plus to A plus level ..

 

Mendenhall did not love playing football. He never had the passion of the names you mentioned. Najee seems to have the passion for the game.

 

Winner Winner Chicken dinner. You My Friend have Hit the Nail on its Head.

 

Mendenhall had no heart. I doubt Harris is like that.

We will see.

 

Mendenhall had fumbling issues in preseason, then had his shoulder smashed by Ray Lewis a few games in.

I'm not seeing either of those things happen with Harris. Unless Lewis takes an intense dislike to him.

 

I liked the Mendenhall pick and thought he got a raw deal because they tried to make him Jerome Bettis 2.0, when he should have been in an offense like this one, running from shotgun spread, like he did in college.

That said, he's not the prospect Harris is.

 

I do remember when we drafted Mendenhall he seemed to offer a lot of options to the offense, but the main thing the draft pundits were talking about was his 'vision'. Vision is important, obviously, but I feel a bit more reassured when they talk about power, speed, blitz pick up etc.

I do also think a lot of folks took against Mendenhall early. I remember the criticisms that he 'danced' too much rather than hit the hole (which often simply wasn't there)... a few years later Lev Bell is getting praised for his 'patience'.

 

That's not a comparison of the RBs, but of the teams surrounding them.

Of course, I'd still make the argument they should have addressed OL earlier this draft, but that's water under the bridge.

 

since maybe only one of these linemen drafted earlier then ours will make it to the SB, how will you rate the others that don't?

 

Ray Lewis destroyed Mendenhall. Luckily for the Steelers and Najee Harris, Ray Lewis is retired.

 

Mendenhall was always soft both physically and mentally. Just didn't have the tools or desire for the game that a first round pick should have. I always thought it was a terrible pick and still do.

Should have taken Chris Johnson who was taken by Tennessee the very next pick.

2008 draft
Rd. 1 Pick 23 PIT Rashard Mendenhall Attempts 1081 Yards 4236 Rush TD's 37
Rec 95 Rec Yards 795 Rec TD's 2

Rd. 1 Pick 24 TEN Chris Johnson Attempts 2163 Yards 9651 Rush TD's 55
Rec 307 Rec Yards 2255 Rec TD's 9

 

I know its only the preseason and the Cowboys had plenty of 2nd stringers but NaHa looked as if he could be met at the line of scrimmage and manufacture a yard just by himself carrying someone and fall forward. We are going to need every positive gain given the early stage of cohesion of this Oline IMHO.
Imagine if he ran behind that Dallas line in the 90s. They would have to create a rule where the Oline actually would have to say 5 Mississippi. lol

 

Or he may end up being a first round bust

 

Character. Mendy didn't have it. Najee does. Both talented RB's. Najee is simply a more complete professional. We've argued the won't vs. can't issue about Ebron. This issue is want vs. can. Mendy could but didn't necessarily want to. Najee wants AND can.

 

Congratulations you win the first prize. You played right into HeinzMustards hand.

WE ARE DOOMED!

 

You heard it here first, folks. If Najee is a bust, it's strummerfan's fault.

 

A lot of things can , and Will happen, but N. Harris is not going 2 be a Bust.

 

I can't see that happening, but I can see him struggling this season if our OL doesn't play well. I'm afraid of him getting injured trying to do too much.

 

Go back to Noll, Franco is the only first round RB to live up to the billing. Noll also drafted Hawthorne, Abercrombie, and Worley, Cowher didn't draft any.

Hard to believe Najee won't at least be the 2nd best, but I hope he doesn't get discouraged early with the lack of blocking and winning,.