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The Steel Tradition
What about Mewelde Moore?
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Mewelde Moore earlier this offseason to a three-year deal. Presumably, Moore was signed to be the Steelers’ primary return man, and their third down back. Moore probably also took note of Willie Parker’s health, and figured he’d be the first option in the Steelers’ backfield should Parker go down.
Moore has returned 74 punts for 768 yards with two touchdowns and 26 kickoffs for 503 yards. He also has 116 receptions for 1,093 yards with three touchdowns. These are good numbers for a returner, and a third down back, and obviously were the reasons that Pittsburgh signed Moore.
Then Rashard Mendenhall was available.
The Steelers’ drafting of Mendenhall surely must have been a surprise to Moore, since it more than likely was a surprise to the Steelers themselves. No, Mendenhall likely isn’t going to return kicks, but he still brings many attributes to the table as a third down back. It’s likely that Moore will start off with this job, with the Steelers working Mendenhall in as the season progresses. Mendenhall will also share the workload with Parker, but you can be sure he’ll be sharing that duty with Moore as well.
In other words, Mendenhall would be stealing Moore’s job, outside of the return game.
Mendenhall is a rookie, and that brings a certain unknown to the situation. All signs do seem to be pointing towards the Steelers bringing Mendenhall along as Parkers partner in the backfield. I’m sure that’s a job that Moore felt would be his if he earned it. It still may be. Still, if Mendenhall produces the way many expect him to, Moore could be the odd man out of the backfield. and we haven’t even talked about Najeh Davenport.
Moore will be a huge asset to the Steelers this season, even if it’s only as a return man. You do have to wonder if Moore would have signed a three-year deal with a team that would ultimately draft a running back in the first round.
With all of that said, Pittsburgh is a better team with Mewelde Moore on it. Not only does he give the Steelers a legitimate thread in the return game, but he also gives the Steelers an option should they need one at running back. I can safely tell you that things probably would have been different in last year’s playoffs had the Steelers had Moore as an option with Parker out. Mendenhall is just a rookie, and it will take time for the youngster to earn his stripes. Combine that with Parker’s health issues, and Moore should get ample time in the backfield over his three-year contract.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, May 11th, 2008 at 10:14 pm and is filed under Steel Tradition, Pittsburgh Steelers Rashard Mendenhall, Najeh Davenport, James Pete, Mewelde Moore, Willie Parker.
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20 Responses to “What about Mewelde Moore?”
May 11th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
i have loved what the steelers have done this off season!!! most fans are gripping about the lines but i believe we are going to be better in both areas this year.. i know ben got sacked alot but alot was his doing. we got a guy that can be a good return man(when have we had that?) something we needed for many years now. also can be a very good runnin back. had alot of distractions with alan last year and a first year head coach. i know our d line is getting older but we can address that next year.. we did not sign ben to 100 mil without helping him first did we? lee
May 12th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Why does Mr. Pete spend so much time bloviating and just let the Steelers work out the riddle that he is so much worried about. Or is it that he just likes to see his ideas in print?
May 12th, 2008 at 6:43 am
More than one quality back……………hmmm………nice problem to have.
GO STEELERS!!!
May 12th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Hey, Jim. Why are you reading a blog if you are not curious about what the Steelers may do. As far as JP is concerned, I have read and re-read his article and have not detected the slightest trace of pompousness in his opinion. It’s not like he brought Moore in and is now telling us it was a great pick. JP, keep up the good work. Jim, go “bloviate” somewhere else.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Sorry, Jim. my comment was for Robert Shumaker, not you.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Right, Stu, we Steeler fans love articles like these because we can’t get enough Steeler fodder in the off season….so we search blogs and such for interesting Steeler articles….good job JP! Keep ‘em coming…
May 12th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I MUST SAY, THAT TO BRING IN MOORE WAS A GOOD PICK-UP, AND THE DRAFTING OF MENDENHALL WAS ALSO A SMART MOVE. I WATCHED HIM ON SOME HIGHLIGHT FILMS, AND THIS DUDE IS THE SECOND COMING OF BARRY SANDERS. REALLY. THIS GUY CAN GO SIDELINE TO SIDELINE,WITH ABOUT 200 STEPS , AND MAKE EVERYONE MISS, AND RUN INTO EACH OTHER, THEN HEAD UP FIELD UNTOUCHED, AFTER ALL THAT RUNNING, AND JUKING, AND STILL SCORE A TOUCH DOWN.THAT IS SO BARRY SANDERS-ESQUE!
May 12th, 2008 at 10:05 am
YOU CAN BET DAVENPORT IS ON HIS WAY OUT. I WASN’T REALLY SOLD ON HIM ANYWAY, BUT I CAN SEE IT WRITTEN ON SOME SCRAP PAPER AS TO WHATS GONNA HAPPEN WITH NAHJAY. MENDENHALL IS JUST 2 YEARS AWAY FROM BECOMING THE STARTER, IF NOT FOR THE STEELERS, IT WILL BE WITH ANOTHER CLUB.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Soooooo… Where does this leave Willis Reed? Can we now say that the experiment of Reed as a KR/PR is finally over?
I think Mendenhall will be the BMOC (”Big Man On Campus”) of this running back group in the near future. Fast Willie is great and all, home-run-hitter there, but he’s not consistent enough for me. Mendenhall seems like the total, all-around package that we need at this position. FWP can be his complement, the #2 to the 1-2 punch.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Having Mendenhall, Parker, and Moore is an intellegent move for the Steelers. Parker is still the featured back and was the leading rusher up until his injury. Moore will contribute as a return specialists and is still probably a better choice as a third down back then Mendenhall at this point. Mendenhall is the future back if he can live up to his potential. He is the proto-typical back that Steeler fans are used to having in the backfield. Should be a very exciting offense to watch this year.
May 12th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
We could end up having the most dangerous offense in the NFL, if our blocking on the OL holds up. I truly believe Ben is a top-three QB (with Peyton and Tom being the other two). Give him Hines, Santonio (raise your hand if you think he’ll turn into the next Steve Smith — Carolina’s version), Washington, and now Limas. Throw in Rashard and Willie, and we could could have the greatest show on turf. And, we also need to find ways to get the ball to Heath Miller in the red zone. Of course, OL blocking needs to be decent, everyone must stay healthy, and the new guys need to deliver on potential (though, it might take a while for Sweed).
Let’s rack up some points!!!
May 12th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
When the season ended I felt like we were only solid at quarterback and tight end. Now I feel like we are deep at receiver, running back, and linebacker. If Mundy works out and Clark gets healthy then add safety to the list. I’m knocking on wood for the O line; and the health of the D line. I would love to see a breakout year for BMAC; that could be huge. I am predicting that the Steelers are going to be near imposssible to defend. Ben must be smiling under that sombrero
May 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
The steelers did very well with all there picks this yearplus the free agents they picked up will contribute as tomlin said when he came to pittsburgh all the teams or most of the teams that make it to the bowl have a 1-2 punch in the backfield we have three that is awesome are front line was injured last year with guys having to play different positions they usually don’t thats tough for any one & ben was still the # 3 qb in the league our front line is young we have depth there they will get better the steelers have one of if not the toughest schedule this year they will step up to the challenge get ready for great football oh yeah lets not forget about the #1 defence in the league there healthy again I cant wait to see the black & gold play this year god bless the pittsburgh steelers.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Moore is fairly unique as far as running backs are concerned. His pass catching skills and return skills seperate him from the other backs on the roster to a large extent. He is also a solid citizen by all indications, and doesn’t have a huge contract to live up to. I would think he is fairly safe.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Let’s face it, since Bettis left the steelers have not been good at running the ball in the red zone. Mendenhall gives the steelers a legitimate north-south runner and moore gives them several options on 3rd downs. I would bet most teams would like to have the steelers dilemma with moore, mendenhall and parker in the same backfield. Go steelers!!!
May 13th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Mewelde was signed before Mendenhall was drafted and having him is depth and a bonus,not to mention a solid punt returner which we lacked since Randle El.Hartwig will win the center spot which will solidify the line along with a healthy Marvel,plus I believe we have OL depth through FA and the draft and guys who are 1 year more experienced.I hope rookie FA Kevin Marion(WR/KR) will push Willie Reid for a spot,he ran kicks/punts back at Wake Forest,so one or the other needs to win this slot with effort,not by default.1st and Goal at the 5 yard line-Hines,Santonio,Limas,Heath,Willie,Mendenhall,Mewelde,Nate-pick 5,any 5,not to mention Ben running or throwing-potent stuff-ooh!
May 13th, 2008 at 7:20 am
I saw a film yesturday of the steelers against the Browns with Tommy Madox in 2002 and felt so good about kendrel Bell, Jason Gildon, Joey Porter even Farrior was there and so poor in the corners? now we have a great QB great RBs, good corners and yet the mark of the steelers the LBs?? ahh maybe timmons will wake up from his dream in Disney world and join the great before him! Woodley will do!! hey and that draft pick, the QB from the Oregon Ducks, didn’t you think immediatly of all those plays and roles that A. Randal el use to play, hello Ben time to Beat New England and avange those loses and beat Dallas in the Superbowl again to set peace to all of us for the next ten years! last 40 have been nice but still we thirts for more
May 13th, 2008 at 8:24 am
IMO, the Moore signing was outstanding because he provides two valuable roles for the team: He gives Bruce Arians the ability to be more creative with his game plan. Moore also provides coach Tomlin with another proven player for his Special Teams unit and we all know that coach Tomlin is adamant about improving that area of the team.
With the addition of Mendenhall in the first round of the draft Mike Tomlin must still be pinching himself knowing what he has in his stable of RB’s.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I hope the tandem of Mendenhall and Sweed in short term become major factors in the Steelers offense. They should be given the opportunity to represent the new Steelers, the next generation of talented leaders.
Mendenhall and Sweed should be given every opportunity to become starters for the Steelers. Each have the talent to become players the other team must account for. We have not had that since Bettis and Thigpen. No offense, but Hines was never a deep threat.
This could be the best offensive draft since 1974
May 14th, 2008 at 9:43 am
When it comes 2 running backs my Steelers fans look for 1 key thing. Does the running back fall forward instead of backward? If he does that then expect good things to come. If he does not then expect another Davenport at best. I like Carey Davis. The times I’ve seen him run he has always fell forward, however does he hang on 2 the ball. That is my ?. I know he plays at fullback but fullbacks can get 2 and 3 yards 2. If Mr. Moore falls forward he will be a asset. If he just runs around he will not b effective. Special teams need help. I hope he becomes a dangerous threat at that position. If not we need draft at that position.
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