Jul 26th 2008 1:26PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Steelers, AFC North, NFL Draft, NFL Fans
I’ll admit it: in the weeks and months leading up to the NFL draft, I hated the idea of the Steelers drafting a running back with their first-round pick. There were much bigger needs along the offensive and defensive lines, and running backs, in general, are pretty easy to scare up and for relatively little cost (hi, Willie Parker!).
On draft day, however, that’s exactly what happened: Pittsburgh used the 23rd overall pick on Rashard Mendenhall, running back. Thing is, given how events unfolded during the first 22 picks, it was hard to fault the Steelers; they did what diehard draft nerds are always preaching: took the best player available.
And now, two days before training camp begins, the club has signed Mendenhall to a five-year deal. Obviously, Parker is the feature back (or, at the very least, is listed atop the depth chart), but head coach Mike Tomlin has plans for the revamped rushing attack. “Our initial plan is he’s going to be a supplemental runner,” Tomlin said. “The growth of his role will be determined on his ability to execute from an assignment standpoint, how he deals with being a professional athlete.
“To this point he’s shown he’s mature and unique for a 21-year-old guy. Hopefully, that translates into him growing and developing as a member of this football team quickly.” With plenty of lingering questions about the state of the offensive line, the skill position players will be responsible for keeping Ben Roethlisberger upright. If the offense can create match-up problems at running back and wide receiver, the o-line deficiencies could be minimized. If that doesn’t happen, it could be a long, painful 2008 for Big Ben.
