With Parker Doubtful, Is Mendenhall Ready To Shoulder The Load?

Rashard Mendenhall has certainly made an auspicious start to his NFL career, logging 107 yards in seven games since being drafted in the first round last year by the Steelers.

Last week, his personal stock took yet another hit when Steelers coach Mike Tomlin effectively benched him for failing to prepare effectively and practice professionally before the team's game against the rival Cincinnati Bengals.

Now, with Willie Parker suffering from an untimely case of turf toe, Tomlin may have no other choice but to insert Mendenhall into the Steelers' backfield.

But is he ready?

The biggest problem with analyzing Mendenhall is that he has only played in seven games since being drafted. There's too small a sample size to really gauge his effectiveness in games that count.

Mendenhall has also had two rather pedestrian training camps, this year's being worse than last year's. That makes the Steelers wary of playing him.

But Mendenhall has shown flashes of what made him a high draft pick. Most recently, he ripped off a 39 yard run against a stout Chicago defense that set up the Steelers deep in Chicago territory.

But Mendenhall doesn't always run hard and, as Mike Tomlin pointed out in his recent assessment of the back, he often misses blocking assignments and open holes. This makes him a huge liability as an every down back.

It appears, though, that Mendenhall will get his chance. A good game against the ailing Chargers won't absolve him of all his woes, but it would go a long way to the coaching staff gaining confidence in him.

A poor performance against the Chargers, however, could place Mendenhall squarely on the bench. With the versatile Mewelde Moore also available, Tomlin won't hesitate to use the hook if Mendenhall is unfocused or ineffective.

He, like Limas Sweed, is on a very short rope.

My bet is that Mendenhall will start against the Chargers, with Moore mixing in to keep him fresh. I think that this is the perfect chance for Mendenhall to have a big game.  Shawne Merriman is banged up and the Chargers haven't exactly been staunch against the run this season. 

A big game here earns him a bigger role, or at least a chance to contribute regularly in tandem with Parker. Mendenhall is still the top choice to replace Parker, who is unsigned after this season, so he will be given every opportunity to earn his pay and his starting job.

This storyline, especially now that Parker is doubtful on the injury report, definitely bears watching Sunday night.