Meeting People Mendenhall Is Easy...

To quote the wise and 100% mentally stable Britney Spears, "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction."

With the addition of Rashard Mendenhall, Limas Sweed and what we will affectionately call "the rest" for now, the Steelers will have a brand new look offensively in 2008. And since Mewelde Moore was added to the roster as a back up for Willie Parker as well as a kick/punt returner, this looks like it might spell the end for Najeh "chocolate softserve in the closet" Davenport. Although the good news is that this would free him up to collaborate with R Kelly on that new single he's been working on. But that's another topic for another time...

Anyways, let's just focus on Mendenhall for a minute. The Steelers' short yardage offense suffered last year due to Davenport's inability to understand that he is not a scat back. However, Mendenhall's ability to run between the tackles and break through the defense allows us more consistency moving the chains AND more options in the red zone. Why did Ben break Terry Bradshaw's single season touchdown record last year? Well, as most Willie Parker fantasy owners will tell you, he had loads of yards, but only reached pay dirt twice. Having a pounder like Mendenhall will create a short yardage threat in the red zone, while opening up plenty of play action opportunities...Red zone running game.......secured! Championship!

So what will Mendenhall's role be in the Steelers' offense in '08? Well, depending on his blocking prowess, he could definitely fit and excel as a 3rd down back. But personally, I'm hoping for much more. Like an intimate encounter over a candlelit dinner with violins and roses and...uh, wait, nevermind...all heterosexual here, thanks. No, in all seriousness, hopefully he will be used similar to Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville, as a sort of a "slash" in his own regard. Jones-Drew can convert shortyardage, play every down, and bust one on you if you give him a lane....I see the same attributes in Mendenhall.

Now that you've heard my take -- How do you guys see Rashard Mendenhall being used? How did you react when he was selected? Where would you draft Mendenhall in fantasy?

And where the hell is Cotter? What is his problem? This blogging business is cake...I don't know what he's crying about all the time. What a vag.