looks similiar to Kevin Faulk’s of New England. Solid returner, great 3rd down/checkdown back. Can be pressed into starting duty. Davenport or someone else will be cut to make room. I’d imagine early in the season as Mendenhall is still getting the playbook under him that Moore will get a few more carries as the 2nd RB option, as the season goes on he’ll become the #3 again.

I disagree that Moore will earn the 3rd down duties. Think about the skill set that Mendenhall brings. He’s bigger than Moore. He’s faster than Moore. He’s a good receiver. He’s a good blocker. He’s the ideal 3rd down back. Willie will get about 250-300 carries and be the primary 1st and 2nd down back. I would imagine that Arians is looking into having both Mendenhall and Parker on the field at the same time on some early downs as well, but Rashard’s main contribution this year could very well end up being as the 3rd down back. Sorry Mewelde, I don’t see much of a role in the offense unless there is an injury.
He will still be a kick returner unless Willie Reid finally has the light turn on.

As for Davenport, I would imagine you are all right. His days as a Steeler are numbered. I’m sure the Steelers are shopping his services already. I was a little surprised they didn’t try to get a late round pick for him on the second day of the draft…

as well. A one-year starter isn’t likely to be great blitz pick-up, which last year at least was the primary duty of our 3rd-down back. (That may shift a little this year, I hope.)The possibility of injury to either Parker or Mendenhall has to be mentioned as well. I wouldn’t say either is exactly fragile, but you can lose a guy for the season any time he steps on the field, and it’s nice to have an above-average runner like Moore on the roster. In terms of our play-calling, i’m okay with a rough 50/50 balance. I don’t see it as a question of running more, but running more effectively. Being able to grind out a short third-down as opposed to throwing it will do wonders for an offense, and we should be able to use Parker more on the outside instead of throwing him into the line and hoping he finds a hole.

I’d say he’s worth a roster spot even as a returner, given his history and ours. I’m tired of struggling with field position while we virtually spot the opposing teams TDs (see MJD, playoffs) if we don’t give one up outright.

Should be on his way out. The only reason he wouldn’t is that he’s been working as a fullback, that could help him.

Still, though, I would hope that Russell would be able to fill in if Davis went down. I’d prefer to see the roster be Parker, Mendenhall (taking some 1st, 2nd down carries off FWP), Moore (starter as the 3rd down back, could lose it to Mendenhall later in the season), Carey Davis as the fullback or occasional short yardage back (with Mendenhall), and Gary Russell as the project / depth backup.

The best thing about that line up is that i think we have 3-4 guys who could be starters. That’s fantastic depth.

wirtes in the Tribune-Democrat that Moore didn’t return punts in minicamp. Jeremy Bloom, Santonio, and Reid handled that instead.

That may change by camp, but an interesting wrinkle.

that Davenport and Russell will be battling for the last Rb spot, but doesn’t say whether he thinks that’ll be the fourth or the fifth. Davis was not mentioned in the article.

I truly cannot remember in all of my years of being a Steelers fan (and comparatively speaking its a lot of years) that we have been so talent rich in all of the offensive skill positions. Pro Bowl caliber players at every position (Ben, FWP, HInes, Santonio, Heath), and capable complements and backups that are either very good already or have tremendous upsides, plus a group of adequate players and projects who we would, under normal circumstances, be glad to have but this year will have to cut or trade (Davenport, Baker, Reid, Trannon, Bloom(?). A truly nice problem to have. And perhaps a necessary feature of team with championship aspirations given the difficulty of our schedule. We may need every single one of these guys in order to be competitive.

is also an excellent goal-line back. i know he doesn’t have “Bus” size that all us Steelers fans want (but no other back ever really has that size) but I know one year I had Moore in fantasy, he was a goal-line beast. just gets in the end-zone.

Moore signed an affordable contract for a third down RB, so there is no big risk from the Steelers P.O.V. I think everyone is getting ahead of themselves with Mendenhall. First of all, he is just 20 years old. Secondly the reservations about him coming out were his relative lack of experience and a propensity to cough up the ball. I think the Steelers will bring him along a lot more slowly that the fanbase anticipates.

Glad to hear the news about Russell. Do not count him out. I think it takes at least a year for Mendenhall to catch Russell on the depth chart. Gary did most of the things that Rashard did as a junior, while still a sophomore at Minnesota. If Russell has added a solid 10 pounds, the two are virtual twins, with Russell just 9 months older. Najeh Davenport will likely end up as the team’s fullback. He is as big as Dan Kreider, and a better than average blocker. Moore is a handy fill in type RB, which is about the best he could hope for at the NFL level in any case. He is versatile, and a character player who will likely accept whatever role is assigned to him.

My RB/FB depth chart – Willie Parker, Gary Russell, Najeh Davenport, Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, Carey Davis. Davis would be the bubble guy, but you have to think at any given time, there would likely be one of the six who was physically unable to perform.