Expect much from Mendenhall

Transcription

1 Harris: Expect much from Mendenhall - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Expect much from Mendenhall By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, June 17, 2008 The great Eric Dickerson rushed for a NFL rookie record 1,808 yards and 18 touchdowns in The Vikings' Adrian Peterson, a modern version of Dickerson, set the singlegame 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. "It's all reaction,'' Mendenhall said. "There's a hole, you run through it.'' First-round running backs and big plays go together like peanut butter and jelly. Since 2003, 13 running backs have gone in the first round. Five produced 1,000-yard seasons, six had 200-plus carries and seven rushed for at least five touchdowns. In 2007, the two running backs selected in the first round enjoyed monster seasons. Peterson carried the ball 238 times for 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns. Marshawn Lynch carried 280 times for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns. Other than Cleveland tackle Joe Thomas, no other offensive player taken in the first round had a bigger impact than Peterson and Lynch. Two-time Pro Bowler Willie Parker returns from a broken leg as the No. 1 running back, but it goes without saying the Steelers didn't change their draft plans when Mendenhall unexpectedly fell into their laps so he could be Parker's caddie. If Mendenhall doesn't play right away, it'll be because he's injured. Compared with other positions, the learning curve for a rookie running back is more like a straight line, making it easier to contribute early. "It's easier than a quarterback trying to pick up protections and plays and read

2 Harris: Expect much from Mendenhall - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 defenses,'' Mendenhall said. "It's a different kind of thing.'' Asked about the night-and-day difference between pro and college football, Mendenhall smiled and shrugged. "It takes you back to high school going to college,'' said Mendenhall, who started one season at Illinois. "It's just what you think it is. Everybody's big, everybody's fast, everybody's talented.'' Based on early returns from voluntary workouts that concluded Thursday, Mendenhall, in the venacular, is who we thought he was. His impressive blend of power and speed can take your breath away. Not only do the Steelers covet Mendenhall's ability to run between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield, they also worked him out returning kickoffs because of how quickly he reaches top speed. Mendenhall is a playmaker. Even when he's not in the backfield, the Steelers want to give him an opportunity to make plays. "I've got a lot of confidence,'' Mendenhall said, "but you've got to learn this playbook and this game. "Each day's practice you get more confidence. The more you do it, the better you are.'' Expect to see plenty of Mendenhall in John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

3 NFL Notebook: Accorsi to lead advisory board Page 1 of 2 NFL Notebook: Accorsi to lead advisory board Will oversee growth, integrity of the game Tuesday, June 17, 2008 From wire dispatches Former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi has been hired as a consultant to the NFL and will co-chair a new general managers advisory committee that includes Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations. NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson said yesterday that Accorsi will focus on assisting the league in monitoring compliance with rules and policies and achieving better communication with senior club football personnel. Accorsi retired from the Giants after the 2006 season following a 35-year NFL career, the last 14 with the Giants, including nine as general manager. He also served as general manager of the Cleveland Browns ( ) and Baltimore Colts ( ). The new advisory committee will provide advice on protecting and supporting the integrity of the game, expanded use of technology, player development and scouting opportunities, and ways to improve the Pro Bowl, Scouting Combine, NFL Draft and preseason. Anderson will co-chair the new general managers committee with Accorsi. Jets/Giants MetLife Inc. became the first of five major sponsors for the new Meadowlands stadium. The deal was announced but there was no word on how much the insurance and financial services company will pay the teams for the advertising space. A marketing expert said the deal could bring in $10 million to $15 million annually. The stadium will be named after one of the five sponsors, whose logo will appear outside and inside the $1.3 billion stadium being build adjacent to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Texans Houston signed free-agent linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, giving the team another pass rusher to pair with 2006 No. 1 draft pick Mario Williams. Colvin, 30, spent five years with the Patriots and was a member of two Super Bowl winning teams but was released by New England in February. He missed the last five regular-season games and the playoffs with a foot injury. Falcons Atlanta reserve safety Daren Stone has been arrested on a drunk-driving charge. Police said the second-year player was taken into custody early Sunday morning. Stone, 22, appeared in

4 NFL Notebook: Accorsi to lead advisory board Page 2 of 2 12 games for the Falcons last year and was credited with nine solo tackles. Elsewhere Former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, the 24-year-old brother of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, had his first court appearance to face a charge of driving under the influence rescheduled for Sept. 10. Vick was arrested early Friday after police said a uniformed bicycle patrol officer saw Vick and a woman involved in a dispute. First published on June 17, 2008 at 12:00 am

5 Police: Raiders WR Javon Walker hospitalized in Las Vegas - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 1 Powered by Police: Raiders WR Javon Walker hospitalized in Las Vegas LAS VEGAS (AP) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker was found unconscious on a Las Vegas street Monday after apparently being the victim of a robbery. Police spokesman Bill Cassell said in a statement that Walker was taken to a hospital with "significant injuries" after being found early Monday on a street off the Las Vegas Strip. Cassell said Walker remained in fair condition at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. A Raiders spokesman said the team was "in the process of gathering information" and had no further comment. Walker signed a six-year, $55 million deal with the Raiders after being released by the Denver Broncos in February. Walker injured his right knee for the second time in his career last season and was limited to eight games and 26 catches in Walker was a first-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2001 and had a breakout season in 2004 with 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. He tore a ligament in his right knee the next season and played only one game. He was traded to Denver in 2006 and bounced back with 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Find this article at: Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

6 ESPN.com - Philly DA wants more investigation on shooting case involving Harrison Page 1 of 1 ESPN.com: NFL [Print without images] Monday, June 16, 2008 Philly DA wants more investigation on shooting case involving Harrison By Sal Paolantonio ESPN.com The Philadelphia District Attorney's office has asked the city's police department to gather more evidence in the case involving the shooting outside Marvin Harrison's car wash and garage in North Philadelphia on April 29, meaning that the seven-week-old case has essentially stalled, sources with knowledge of the case said Monday. Detectives are still trying to piece together what happened, relying on ballistics tests and scant information from witnesses and two victims who have been less than fully cooperative, sources say. No charges have been filed. Unlike many other jurisdictions, in Philadelphia, the police department is the lead investigating authority, but the district attorney's office must approve the charges. "We don't approve charges unless we can prove them in court," said an official with the district attorney's office. Philadelphia District Attorney Lynn Abraham's office has asked police to reinterview witnesses, a police department source said. A spokesman for Abraham would say only that the "case is under investigation." Harrison, the Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts who grew up in North Philadelphia, was allegedly involved in a fistfight with a man in his bar, Playmakers, about seven weeks ago, police sources say. Sometime later, there was a shooting outside the garage and car wash. One man was shot in the hand, another shot in the back. Broken glass from a car window also sprayed a 2-year-old boy, who suffered minor cuts. About two weeks later, police investigators determined through ballistic tests that six of the bullet casings found near the shooting on April 29 came from a high-powered handgun that Harrison surrendered to police. Detectives are still trying to piece together enough evidence to determine who fired the gun. Under Pennsylvania law, even if Harrison was not the shooter, he would be charged with a misdemeanor if police determine that his gun was used in the commission of a crime. Harrison has told Colts head coach Tony Dungy that he was not involved in the shooting. Sal Paolantonio covers the NFL for ESPN. ESPN.com: Help PR Media Kit Sales Media Kit Report a Bug Contact Us News Archive Site Map ESPN Shop Jobs at ESPN Supplier Information 2008 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use (Updated 5/6/08) and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.