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The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with their first-round pick in the 2008 draft, running back Rashard Mendenhall.
The former Illinois standout, who parlayed one solid year into his lofty draft status, will receive $7.125 million in guaranteed money on a five-year deal. The package has a total value of $12.555 million.
Mendenhall joins Willie Parker in a backfield that also includes Mewelde Moore, and that almost included Kevin Jones. Parker suffered a broken leg suffered late in the 2007 season, and the team could be looking for ways to extend his career by limiting the pounding he takes.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Thank God, now let’s just ink Sweed and get started already!
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Ditto man Come on Steelers lets have no holdouts this year, I cant wait for this season to start! I am going to the EAgles steelers game! Go Steelers1
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Alright! Time for the real season to start. Sweed, get to camp.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Congratulations Rashard, welcome to the NFL… the bad news- nothing was done to improve the steeler’s below average offensive line, so be ready to get the snot knocked out of you all year.
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Rating: 1.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Can not wait to watch him plow over the Brownies and da bungles… and Ray Ray better watch out the Mendenhal train is going to run all over you
lets go Sweed sign that contract adn get into training camp!!
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
first and foremost… philly sucks.. go stillers
2nd- 19-0
3rd- yoi double yoi
peace snitches
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
yoi double yoi…. eagles suck.. go stillers
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, says Florio’s Salaries estimates are low and that Limas Sweed has also signed.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I’d have loved to have had Sweed too, CD (or any of the big WRs instead of the smurf from Cal we did pick up). Don’t count on him too much the first year though. Mendenhall will have a much greater impact this year, assuming your OL comes together. That said, Eagles beat the Steelers in September - That’s the only month McNabb consistently plays great.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
They signed Sweed as well. All draft picks will be in camp on time.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
As much as Florio doesn’t think so, I think the Stillers can go 11-5 and at least make it to the AFC title game, even with the difficult schedule.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Chalk up another AFC North championship.
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Rating: 4.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I hate the “Stillers” but was very impressed by Mendenhall this year. He looks like a good pickup for them.
IMO, the Steelers will walk away with this Division if their O line can perform. Roethlisberger was getting the bum’s rush near the end of the season and he won’t be able to take the pounding week in and week out.
The Steelers are still a better team than Cleveland.
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Rating: 4.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I definitely have a Steeler bias, but from an objective view, I really think this draft class has a chance to be special.
Also, don’t think Sweed won’t touch the ball. When the Steelers get to the red zone the options are going to be Ward, Miller, Holmes , Spaeth (who is like 6′7) then Sweed. Thats a lot of attention not directed his way. I think thats where most of his production this year will be.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Moore will help Ben as he will have a reliable pass catching RB to dump the ball off too. Which should help with the holding on to the ball too long at times.
Good to have Sweed & Mendenhall signed !
Here we go Steelers !
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Great to have all of the picks signed. Now the next step is to make sure the training staff can keep the rookies from pulling hamstrings left and right this year…
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
The line will be slightly better than last year, even with the loss of Faneca.
People underestimate the effectiveness of a solid center, the anchor of the line. Mahan was so horribly bad, tipping off the snap count by looking between his legs, unable to handle any DT over 300 without the help of both guards, ended up on his ass 2/3 of the time.
Justin Hartwig will (and has been) a solid performer, not a Pro Bowler, but solid enough to act as an anchor. This, and the health of Marvel Smith will be a HUGE improvement over last year, not to mention the progression of Colon and Starks, who will both vie for the RT slot, Colon even working at RG some. Kemoeatu is a prodigy as well, and will most likely be the heir apparent for Faneca.
Health and a solid center will overcome the loss of Faneca, and the line will be passable enough for Ben and crew to succeed. Remember, Willie was the leading rusher last year until he got injured, even with that shotty line.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Thunderlipps, you do realize that the Steelers line problems were pass blocking, not run blocking don’t you? If memory serves me right Willie Parker was leading the league in rushing when he broke his leg.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 25th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I hear Kemoeatu is getting rave reviews by the coaching staff.
Smith, Kemoeatu, Hartwig, Simmons, Starks
By no means great, but should be more than enough.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 26th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Parker and Mendenhall………Thunder and Lightening!
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