Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects Mendenhall to start the season as a complementary back to Willie Parker with an opportunity to grow, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Analysis: Mendenhall has many of the attributes to star for the Steelers as a rookie, but Tomlin will monitor his progress closely. "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." Mendenhall's training camp performance will be even more important to his development than typical rookies. If he struggles, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get off to a slow start, something that some fantasy owners seem to be discounting.

Sounds like a smart coach.

Let the rookie prove that he can not only run hard, but that he can absorb the playbook, run against NFL defenses, and then the thing most seem to ignore when it comes to rookie running backs, understand and properly execute blocking assignments.

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Okay, let's say that Tomlin does indeed use Mendenhall this way and eventually he works his way into a regular rotation with him and FWP. Do we think that the Steelers may shop around Parker next season or continue on using both backs?

Much of that depends on how Willie Parker takes to the role he ends up with. He will still have two years left on his contract, and it is a pretty favorable contract for the Steelers (4 years 13.6 Million, signed in 2006).

If Parker is happy in his role, I think the Steelers would hang on to him.

i dont see FWP going anywhere. i like mendenhall, but how quickly we all forget that it took mendenhall 2 years to do anything at all in college. hes not a proven fast learner here. lets not just write of FWP just yet.

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Most FF managers have a short memory....this leads to ridiculous value...for others.

Amen! Keep tracking Mendenhall folks...I will gladly take Parker in the 6th or later...and be very happy!!

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wow, 6th or later? Is FWP really falling that low?

I think Mendy will actually help FWP in the short term.

have seen it in a few. I think his ADP is late 4th early 5ht though