leftcoaststeelerfan
09-02-2008, 11:15 AM
http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/nfl/news?slug=be-noise_082608
...The name of this year's ultimate fantasy fetish: Rashard Mendenhall.
The first-round pick out of Illinois is Pittsburgh's Undertaker. Not to be confused with the heavily tatted, Tombstone-driving WWE star with the same nickname, Mendenhall's moniker stems from his ability to inflict devastating punishment on opposing tacklers. Try taking him down at full-speed and you'll likely wind up six feet under. Just ask Eagles' strong safety Quintin Mikell.
Described by many NFL scouts as the league's most complete rookie back, Mendenhall has struggled transitioning from the college to pro game. Occasionally, he's run with noticeable conviction and speed (e.g. in Minnesota). Other times, he's appeared timid and unassertive (e.g. against Buffalo). But, despite two lost fumbles and a decent 4.3 YPC in three exhibition games, Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians isn't concerned about the youngster's inauspicious start, noting to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Aug. 20:
"I have no problems using him in any phase right now, whether it's first-and-10, short-yardage, goal-line or third-down. But we're still two weeks away. He'll find his actual role."
Given Mendenhall's violent running style, quick feet and tremendous cutback ability, he seems like a slam dunk to reprise the Jerome Bettis role. A tenacious inside runner, he will almost certainly supplant incumbent Willie Parker in goal-line sets. Once he stops overanalyzing mistakes and learns to run more instinctively, the YAC beast within will be unshackled. That is, if his arms survive the constant barrage of swiping hands from his teammates this week.
Sure, unless a significant injury fells Parker, the 21-year-old likely won't be a fantasy monolith this season, especially with Pittsburgh's questionable O-line. But the Steelers' rededication to smash-mouth football will turn him into a dependable RB3 in 12-team leagues. Anticipate common weekly tallies around 12 carries, 50 yards and 1 TD. That output isn't spectacular, but regular 8-12 fantasy point bursts would deem him 'consistent' in deeper formats.
Yes, the Noise's arm still aches from reaching for Mendenhall in our recent Yahoo! Friends and Family draft (Round 5, Pick 58), but, as many of you know, man-passions are insanely difficult to squelch. The thought of someone else owning him would have been unbearable.
Other than Mendenhall and excluding noteworthy superstars and previous infatuations, here are the remaining members of the 2008 Big Noise Man-Crush team:
I like it......
...The name of this year's ultimate fantasy fetish: Rashard Mendenhall.
The first-round pick out of Illinois is Pittsburgh's Undertaker. Not to be confused with the heavily tatted, Tombstone-driving WWE star with the same nickname, Mendenhall's moniker stems from his ability to inflict devastating punishment on opposing tacklers. Try taking him down at full-speed and you'll likely wind up six feet under. Just ask Eagles' strong safety Quintin Mikell.
Described by many NFL scouts as the league's most complete rookie back, Mendenhall has struggled transitioning from the college to pro game. Occasionally, he's run with noticeable conviction and speed (e.g. in Minnesota). Other times, he's appeared timid and unassertive (e.g. against Buffalo). But, despite two lost fumbles and a decent 4.3 YPC in three exhibition games, Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians isn't concerned about the youngster's inauspicious start, noting to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Aug. 20:
"I have no problems using him in any phase right now, whether it's first-and-10, short-yardage, goal-line or third-down. But we're still two weeks away. He'll find his actual role."
Given Mendenhall's violent running style, quick feet and tremendous cutback ability, he seems like a slam dunk to reprise the Jerome Bettis role. A tenacious inside runner, he will almost certainly supplant incumbent Willie Parker in goal-line sets. Once he stops overanalyzing mistakes and learns to run more instinctively, the YAC beast within will be unshackled. That is, if his arms survive the constant barrage of swiping hands from his teammates this week.
Sure, unless a significant injury fells Parker, the 21-year-old likely won't be a fantasy monolith this season, especially with Pittsburgh's questionable O-line. But the Steelers' rededication to smash-mouth football will turn him into a dependable RB3 in 12-team leagues. Anticipate common weekly tallies around 12 carries, 50 yards and 1 TD. That output isn't spectacular, but regular 8-12 fantasy point bursts would deem him 'consistent' in deeper formats.
Yes, the Noise's arm still aches from reaching for Mendenhall in our recent Yahoo! Friends and Family draft (Round 5, Pick 58), but, as many of you know, man-passions are insanely difficult to squelch. The thought of someone else owning him would have been unbearable.
Other than Mendenhall and excluding noteworthy superstars and previous infatuations, here are the remaining members of the 2008 Big Noise Man-Crush team:
I like it......