No fing way. We’ll know more next year, so it would be possible that it happens then, but Mendy would have to blow people away at camp, and he certainly hasn’t done that. He’s been tentative hitting holes, and we all saw that hit he took in the first game because he was running upright. In other words he’s a rookie. If Chester Taylor fended off AP for half a season last year, I’m sure Parker has some time as the default starter.

ESPN = toolshed

I thought I might be premature saying that Mendenhall may supplant Parker as the starter within a couple of years! I don’t care how good he is in preseason, I wouldn’t start a rookie over one of the top 5 most productive RBs in the last 3 years. If our incumbent was someone who had less than 800 yards last year, I could see starting a big name rookie. But, no, Parker will be the starter at the beginning of the season. Mendenhall may even play himself into the starter role this year, but I don’t really think so. I think he will become the feature back within a year or possibly as many as three, and if Willie decides to take the Bus route, he’ll get a decent (not great) contract to finish his career as a Steeler. We’ll see down the road, but for now, it’s FWP.

not in a million years will he overtake FWP, Pitt’s gonna stick with the 2 running back system, but no way will Rashard be before Willie

Parker is the main back, he’s the vet, he’s got the longest run in SB history, and I love nothing better than seeing him scoot away from pursuit…

I had thought that Mendenhall was brought in as a complement to Parker’s running style – to be the Bettis type smash it down your throat back.

The clips (and admittedly its way early and limited exposure) of Mendenhall I see seem to show he’s more of an outside the tackles back too. So…maybe there is room to think he could become more prevalent in the offense over the year – but running with a similar style. There’s no way (barring injury) he’s going to be the starter over Parker for some time….I’d love to see a machine gun rotation of these guys to wear the heck out of an opposing offense. Just need to get the blocks.