Rashard Mendenhall News: Pro Sports Daily

Steelers' Parker taking a professional stance

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December 26

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Willie Parker may well play his final home game in a Steelers' uniform Sunday. If Parker, who is in the final year of his contract, signs elsewhere after the season, he will leave Pittsburgh as one of the more distinguished running backs in Steelers history - though probably not on the terms he envisioned. Parker lost his starting job to Rashard Mendenhall earlier this season, and the sixth-year veteran has seen only spot duty since the middle of October. What he hasn't done since a toe injury and Mendenhall's emergence left him with a vastly reduced role is sound off or pout. That has earned the Steelers' third all-time leading rusher the admiration of his coaches and teammates. "Willie's ..."

Mendenhall shows double-threat versatility

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December 25

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Steelers might have become a pass-first team, as their quarterback so strongly noted this week. That does not necessarily mean their backs are ignored. Take Rashard Mendenhall -- not only should he become the seventh different back in Steelers history to hit 1,000 yards for a season Sunday, he also will become their most versatile in at least 17 years. Once Mendenhall runs for those 22 yards that he needs to reach four figures, he will become the first back to have 1,000 yards rushing and at least 230 yards receiving since Barry Foster did it in 1992. Mendenhall has 23 receptions for 231 yards. Foster had many more yards rushing on what was a run-first offense in Bill Cowher's first ..."

Steelers' Mendenhall nears 1,000-yard mark

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December 17

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Rashard Mendenhall could be the comeback player of the year - for last year and also this year. Mendenhall's rookie season was cut short a year ago when a Ray Lewis' tackle broke his shoulder during a Week 4 game. This year, the first month of the season saw Mendenhall touch the ball nine times, get benched, then get called out by coach Mike Tomlin for "not being on details" during practice during the week. What a difference the past three months have made for the former first-round pick. Mendenhall was inserted into the starting lineup after Willie Parker was injured in the Week 3 loss to Cincinnati, and hasn't looked back. Mendenhall needs 60 yards against Green Bay on Sunday to surpass ..."

Abandoning run leads to lost season

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December 12

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

columnist John Harris

"Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall averaged four yards on his first four carries against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. It stood to reason that Mendenhall could push the pile on third-and-1 on the Steelers' opening drive. Mendenhall never received the opportunity. Instead, the Steelers spread the field with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger operating from the shotgun. Roethlisberger was sacked for a 9-yard loss. "You figure that is a run down. Third-and-1, that's usually a down for our running backs,'' right tackle Willie said Colon, shrugging his shoulders. "We're just flat-out trying to get this monkey off our backs. He don't want to leave us,'' Colon said. The next time the ..."

Steelers forgot about Mendenhall late

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November 23

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Remember when it was fashionable to trash Rashard Mendenhall, to snark on his fumbling, riff on his evident indecision, bewail his questionable status as a force for good on an offense laced with All-Pros and Super Bowl MVPs? Well there's good news: RasharMendenhall's progression might have made him the best player on the field yesterday. Too bad the rest of the organization blew past him in the opposite direction. Losing to the Kansas City Chiefs probably isn't the worst thing you can do in this league, but its degree of difficulty might suggest otherwise. Until yesterday, you should note, the Chiefs hadn't won twice in a row in more than two years. "That is not us; it won't be us, but it ..."

Mendenhall responds to Tomlin

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November 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Some players do not respond well when embarrassed publicly, benched for a game and called out by the head coach for not practicing well. One of them was not Rashard Mendenhall. Mike Tomlin apparently pushed another right button when he did not play his young running back on offense in Cincinnati Sept. 27. The coach cited this as his reason after that game, a 23-20 Steelers loss: "Rashard wasn't on his details this week, so I chose not to play him on offense." Imagine how Larry Johnson or Allen Iverson might react to that kind of public humbling. Mendenhall responded by not only paying attention to details but starting the past five games and helping the Steelers to five consecutive ..."

Steelers' Mendenhall needs to seize starting opportunity

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October 27

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

columnist John Harris

"I'm not an agitator, just curious. Curious minds want to know why Rashard Mendenhall won't take the Steelers' starting job and run with it. Why doesn't Mendenhall protect the football, especially around the goal line? Why does he shy away from contact despite weighing a muscular 225 pounds? Every time Mendenhall fumbles or doesn't take a defender head-on, I'm reminded that he slipped to the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was projected to go much higher, which is why the Steelers didn't hesitate drafting him even though they didn't personally interview him or dig deeply into his background because never in their wildest imagination did they think he would be there. ..."

Mendenhall got 'careless'

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October 26

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Rashard Mendenhall's second lost fumble in as many games won't threaten his status as the Steelers' primary ball-carrier. That is what coach Mike Tomlin said Sunday after the Steelers' overcame Mendenhall's fumble in a 27-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field. Tomlin said Mendenhall, who started his fourth consecutive game, got a "little careless" when he fumbled inside the Vikings' 5-yard line on the second play of the fourth quarter. Take away the fumble, and Mendenhall had a solid game. He had as many rushing yards (69) as Adrian Peterson, and Mendenhall had eight fewer carries than the Vikings' All-Pro running back. Mendenhall was not in the game during the Steelers' final ..."

Parker plays, but Mendenhall gets starting nod

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October 18

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Willie Parker will play, as expected, today against the Browns but Rashard Mendenhall will start at running back for the Steelers. The Steelers will have a new fullback as well with David Johnson getting the call over Carey Davis, who is inactive for the 1 p.m. game. In addition to Parker, strong safety Troy Polalamu will play for the first time since he sprained his left knee in the Steelers' season opener on Sept. 10. Joining Davis on the Steelers inactives list are wide receiver Limas Sweed, linebacker Andre Frazier, who is nursing a thigh injury, cornerback Keenan Lewis, guard Kraig Urbik, defensive end Sunny Harris, offensive tackle Tony Hills and quarterback Dennis Dixon."

Steelers' Mendenhall has illness that puts his status in doubt

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October 16

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The Steelers sent running back Rashard Mendenhall home Thursday because of an illness, putting into question how much he will be able to play Sunday against the visiting Browns. Mendenhall has started the past two games for the injured Willie Parker (turf toe) and rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns. If the illness is a lingering one and limits Mendenhall in the 1 p.m. game, the Steelers will probably be able to lean on Parker. Parker was a full participant in drills again yesterday. Said offensive coordinator Bruce Arians: "He's looked real good in practice." Arians said if both Parker and Mendenhall are close to full strength Sunday, it will be a game-time decision as to how the ..."

Parker still the starter

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October 9

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Even after Rashard Mendenhall's breakout performance last Sunday, the pecking order in the Steelers' backfield hasn't changed. "Willie Parker's a proven commodity," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of the injured veteran who is still first on the depth chart at running back. "When Rashard is (proven), then we'll re-evaluate him. I hope it gets to that problem. I'd like to have those two healthy at the same time." The Steelers are not there yet. Parker did not practice Thursday because of turf toe. The injury has put his availability for Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Detroit Lions in doubt, although Arians remains hopeful Parker will play. Mendenhall rushed for 165 yards and two ..."

Unofficially, Mendenhall due to start vs. Detroit

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October 9

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Rashard Mendenhall, from outhouse to penthouse in seven days, will make his second consecutive start for the Steelers Sunday in Detroit. No one said that officially, but the eyes and ears do not lie, and neither does Willie Parker's big left toe. That turf toe remained painful after Parker ran a little while his teammates practiced yesterday. You do not have to be Mike Tomlin to make this call. Even Parker understands. "You know what type of game this is; if you don't play, somebody else comes in and they pretty much shine, that's the nature of the beast," Parker said. "I have to get back on the field and do what I do." It's possible he may not get that chance at all on Ford Field's poor ..."

Steelers' Mendenhall might get another opportunity to start

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October 8

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Willie Parker didn't practice Wednesday because of turf toe, putting the veteran running backs' availability for Sunday's game at Detroit in question. Parker didn't play in the Steelers' 38-28 win over San Diego last Sunday. If Parker is unable to play against the Lions, it will provide another opportunity for Rashard Mendenhall. Making his second career start last Sunday, Mendenhall rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned Mendenhall AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. • In addition to Parker, left guard Chris Kemoeatu (ankle) and inside linebacker Andre Frazier (shoulder) didn't practice yesterday for the Steelers because of injuries. • Among the Lions that ..."

Unofficially, Mendenhall due to start vs. Detroit

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October 8

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Rashard Mendenhall, from outhouse to penthouse in seven days, will make his second consecutive start for the Steelers Sunday in Detroit. No one said that officially, but the eyes and ears do not lie, and neither does Willie Parker's big left toe. That turf toe remained painful after Parker ran a little while his teammates practiced yesterday. You do not have to be Mike Tomlin to make this call. Even Parker understands. "You know what type of game this is; if you don't play, somebody else comes in and they pretty much shine, that's the nature of the beast," Parker said. "I have to get back on the field and do what I do." It's possible he may not get that chance at all on Ford Field's poor ..."

Steelers' Mendenhall named AFC Offensive Player of the Week

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October 7

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has been named the NFL's AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his career game against San Diego Sunday night. Mendenhall, the Steelers top pick in the 2008 draft out of Illinois, rushed for a career high 165 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in a 38-28 win over the Chargers. He also caught a pair of passes for 26 yards in his second career start."

Mendenhall has 'cool' moment in Chicago

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September 26

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"In front of family and friends, back home in the sprawl that locals call Chicagoland, he produced seldom-seen flashes: the longest run and the longest catch of his all-too-brief career, not to mention the Steelers' longest run in about 29 regular-season games. "It was cool, you know what I mean?" Rashard Mendenhall said, with the Bears -- much like his 39-yard rush and 13-yard reverse-field catch-and-run play a week ago at Soldier Field -- shrinking in his rear-view mirror. "But that was one day. One game." One catch. One run. "You're trying to put together a resume," he added. It was the sixth game of his once-interrupted NFL career. It was the 26th rush, the previous ones totaling a ..."

Mendenhall way ahead on shoulder rehab

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February 20

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall has recovered so well from a broken shoulder blade that he could have played the final month of the regular season and into the postseason if he hadn't been placed on injured reserve, said director of football operations Kevin Colbert. Mendenhall, the team's No. 1 draft pick, was injured in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens when he was tackled by linebacker Ray Lewis. Mendenhall did not have surgery. Such an injury is more associated with car accidents than football games. "He's way ahead on his rehab," Colbert said. "He looks good at this point and all the medical reports indicate he'll have a full recovery." There have been instances where the ..."

Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall must sit out Super Bowl for Steelers

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January 31

Chicago Tribune

"Injury is not keeping Rashard Mendenhall from playing in Super Bowl XLIII. Injured reserve is. Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson said Mendenhall's broken shoulder has healed enough for him to resume practicing and playing. The problem is the Steelers put him on injured reserve in September, ending his season. "He's missing it," Wilson said. "He would love to have a helmet and run out of that tunnel with the rest of his teammates. Unfortunately, he can't, and he might never get back here with the way this league is. Hopefully he'll get many more chances because he's with the best organization in football." NFL officials are discussing changing injured reserve rules to allow players ..."

Similarities fuel Ravens-Steelers rivalry

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January 16

Baltimore Sun

"It is a rivalry of similarity and proximity rather than difference and distance. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are midsized cities on the water that are separated by a four-hour drive and the Allegheny Mountains. Both reached heights of prosperity in the Industrial Age and watched too many jobs ebb away in the late 20th century. Both have pinned hopes for the future on service and research industries and on downtown redevelopment. And yes, both love pro football above any other sport. When the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers clash Sunday in their highest-stakes game ever, they will do so with a brotherly intensity. Ravens linebacker Bart Scott calls Sunday's game "an opportunity for one of our ..."

Steelers lose Simmons, Mendenhall for season

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September 30

ESPN.com

"The Pittsburgh Steelers lost starting right guard Kendall Simmons and first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall to season-ending injuries during their 23-20 overtime victory over Baltimore on Monday night. The Steelers (3-1) now face a short week before playing Sunday night at Jacksonville (2-2), a game in which fourth-string running back Mewelde Moore may have to start if Pro Bowl runner Willie Parker misses a second successive game with a sprained knee. Simmons (torn right Achilles) and Mendenhall (fractured left shoulder) will be placed on injured reserve, coach Mike Tomlin said, and thus cannot return this season. A torn Achilles can be an especially difficult injury for a lineman to ..."

Expect much from Mendenhall

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June 17

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

columnist John Harris

"The great Eric Dickerson rushed for a NFL rookie record 1,808 yards and 18 touchdowns in 1983. The Vikings' Adrian Peterson, a modern version of Dickerson, set the single-game rushing record with 296 yards last season while becoming the first rookie in league history to tally two 200-yard rushing games. Three running backs were selected in the first round of this year's draft. Steelers rookie Rashard Mendenhall, the No. 23 overall pick, said he understands the lofty demands expected from his position."