Mendenhall almost quit football

by Billito on Jun 16, 2008 3:46 PM CDT

Wow, this may make some of you guys change your tune about drafting El Gato instead of mendenhall. According to this story Mendenhall was considering quitting before last season and just getting a job after finishing school.

Obviously the kid has talent but when I see all the interviews and stories with El Gato, a guy who lives and breathes football, this makes me really glad about our pick. I'm sure Mendenhall will be a good player but if a player comes out and says "I almost quit" as opposed to a guy who says "football is my life", I'll take the latter anytime.

The garbage pile of ex NFL players is littered with extremely talented guys who lacked the heart and desire (Hello Matt Jones) - things you can't teach.

El Gato will end up a much better pro then Mendenhall with better stats in every category - you heard it here first.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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preachin' to the choir guy....He's a Shaun Alexander clone....no heart to compete..

A couple nagging injuries, his displeasure of playing BEHIND Willie Parker, and his overall outlook on football will be his demise…look for this to fester, and rear it’s ugly head…Those aren’t the comments a team wants to hear BEFORE they dish out 4-5 million to a guy that has 13 career college starts, and has already had the idea of walking away in his head…....good luck…Felix Jones will be one player that you all will be telling your grandson about….you wait and see…IF Garrett has gained any creativity at all in his first year, and utilizes this guy correctly…I have Felix Jones being named offensive rookie of the year….and I’ve had that projection even BEFORE we drafted him….you’ll see.

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on Jun 16, 2008 6:18 PM CDT reply actions

I'm not sure about OROY, but big impact for sure

It’ll be hard for El Gato to beat out a guy like Stewart, who should be the starter in Carolina, but he’s got a good shot. Regardless of any awards, I think he’ll make a big impact on a team that will godeep into the playoffs, and that counts for something in my book.

by grapejoos on Jun 17, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions

btw...i had posted the same quoted article on BTB "fanshot" ....which i felt was more appropriate...

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Jun 16, 2008 6:19 PM CDT reply actions

+1

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jun 16, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions

-1

"No bear or disco for Juan" - Mr. Santos

by miles on Jun 16, 2008 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Didn't see your fanshot

and I posted it because there was so much debate after the draft but this is the LAST thing I would want my rookie RB to say. Maybe it’s immaturity but it takes a lot more than talent to survive and thrive in the NFL.

by Billito on Jun 17, 2008 7:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Fanshot might be the right place for this

But I will admit that I rarely remember to look at the fanshots. Habits from the old layout, I suppose….

by grapejoos on Jun 17, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

The problem with fanshots

is that they hardly get any comments and during the dry time of year like this, any tidbit of news that can generate discussion seems worthwhile to me. During the season, this is definitely a fanshot but today, there’s no way this would have gotten even two comments in a fanshot.

by Billito on Jun 17, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions

I think the lack of comments

Is due to the fact that they’re far down the page and people are still accustomed to the diary system. I’ll get it eventually!

by grapejoos on Jun 17, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions

grapjoos....which is exactly why i mentioned "fanshots".....cuz that's where this news shoould be placed...

I understand Bilito’s reasons for posting it…cuz of the long standing debate of us not drafting him instead of Felix…..same ordeal as Ware vs Merriman.,,,,,,,,and i think we got the better deal out of both those scenarios…

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Jun 17, 2008 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Understood

I was just expressing my kind of frustration at how the fanshots aren’t more visible on the front page. I guess I just need to get in the habit of looking at them, there’s always interesting stuff there. I did not mean to undermine the fanshot efforts :)

by grapejoos on Jun 18, 2008 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Eh, I agree in general

But he was 19 at the time those statements were made. If there’s one thing college taught me, 19 year olds have no idea what they’ll do with their lives, so that’s not what I hold against him. Being a one year wonder, moreso.

And he’s hardly the first guy who had a problem with [Name Redacted]

by learned hand on Jun 16, 2008 11:40 PM CDT reply actions