Fan Pulse: Mendenhall is Darnell Jefferson

By Neal Coolong  |   Wednesday, August 27, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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Steelers receiver Hines Ward instituted something of a kangaroo court move inside the Steelers' locker room this week.

In the wake of rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall's two fumbles in a 12-10 preseason win at Minnesota last weekend, Ward declared that Mendenhallhad to carry a football around with him wherever he went, and any player who was able to get it from him would be paid $100. "

From Mendenhall. And if that football was delivered to the running backs meetings, the bill would go up to $500.

It's a tactic employed in the popular movie "The Program," which stars James Caan and, according to some, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin's alter ego, Omar Epps.

It's not a coincidence that the character in the movie who suffered this activity was a freshman - Darnell Jefferson, played by Epps - and Mendenhall is in his first season in the NFL. Reactions from Steelers fans posting on the Pittsburgh Live forum, hosted by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper, range from hilarious to sarcastic concern for Mendenhall's mental well-being.

"Mendenhall will now be publicly embarrassed and ruined for life. He needs support of Tomlin and team members right now."

Vikings All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams ran Mendenhall down in the backfield, leading to a first-half fumble. While the two turnovers masked an otherwise impressive night for Mendenhall, it just highlights the issues that the Steelers' top two picks in the 2008 draft -- Mendenhall and Texas WR Limas Sweed -- have had holding onto the ball. Sweed had a puncher's chance of being the team's No. 4 WR this year, but going into the final cuts, he looks like he'll begin his career as the No. 5. Fumbles and dropped passes are more than enough to wrangle the ire of Steelers fans expecting discipline from their rookies.

"If it works, great! Last thing any team wants is a 1st rd draft pick that develops fumblitis. I don't want to rain on anyones parade, but RM doesn't seem to be able to do much with the starters, and lots with the scrubs. Was this RB worth the 1st rd pick? Same with Sweed, he was rd 2 pick, and so far he's got dropsies. So far neither has distinguished themselves as class acts worthy of the selection. Lets hope they get better as time goes by."

On a team with Willie Parker, Santonio Holmes and Ward, a rookie RB and WR probably won't be counted on for too much, regardless of their preseason performances. One poster makes note of that, pointing out that Holmes, the NFL's leader in yards per catch last season, did not fare well his rookie year. He also fumbled five times on offense and special teams.

"I am aware that the position of running back usually requires less of a transition but you're already forming opinions based on three pre-season games?! As far as Sweed, he'll will make little impact this year and everybody is aware of that, neither did Holmes as most receivers don't... Did I mention it was week three pre-season?"

Holmes wasn't put through the same drill, but he's not a running back, and the Steelers would have to go back close to 20 years to find the last time the Steelers took an RB with their first-round pick (Tim Worley, 1989).

"He need to do something because he's gonna waste his talent on the bench and become a what if...if he doesn't learn to hold on to the ball."
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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