Published: May 06, 2008 11:59 pm            

Jim Wexell | Mendenhall off to a strong start

PITTSBURGH — Scenes in the mind of a sportswriter who just covered the Steelers’ spring minicamp:

n It’s difficult to gauge running backs in shorts, but Rashard Mendenhall’s receiving skills stood out. He catches the ball naturally and twice I saw him juke the first defender and gain 10 to 20 yards with his speed.

n I won’t call him “Rocket Rashard” until he does it in live action.

n At lunch, I noticed Limas Sweed sitting across from Rashard at the table next to me. Sweed reached out to shake his hand and said something motivational about being teammates and starting off on long NFL careers with a great organization. It was nice to see two potential superstars act more “geek” than cool.

n It’s too early to tell if Sweed can play, but he goes hard every snap. Even during a simple special-teams drill, when the rest of the Steelers were working at their above-average tempo, Sweed was going full speed.

n The bottom line on Sweed: He’s a big athlete who works as hard as he can. There’ll be a payoff with him, but as a raw route-runner he’ll need time. Try to remember that.

n The Steelers say third-round pick Bruce Davis could move inside, but I re-watched the Senior Bowl and his run-stopping instincts in the middle are non-existent. His speed, though, is nothing like the 4.8 he registered with scouts. He told me he was running uphill – up the UCLA field crown – when he was timed. After watching the tape again, I believe him. He’s too quick, and it showed on special teams. He was routinely the first player down the field to cover Senior Bowl kicks.

n Fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon didn’t receive much work. I did see his two snaps Sunday: The first was intercepted by undrafted rookie Roy Lewis and the second ended in him scrambling down the field … during seven-on-seven passing drills. We used to make fun of Kordell Stewart for that.

n On Dixon’s interception, it looked like he threw from his ear. It was an ugly push pass that deserved its fate.

n Dixon also needs a new number. No. 2 just doesn’t work for a quarterback, or anybody.

n Jeremy Bloom, Willie Reid and Santonio Holmes worked as punt returners Friday afternoon. Mewelde Moore, expected by the media to take on that role, wasn’t used. I asked Santonio if there was talk he’d return punts this season. “We’ve been talking about it,” Holmes said. “If push comes to shove and we have to get rid of some guys, I should be able to fit in.” That tells me Reid is sitting on the bubble with both cheeks.

n I see the last backfield spot being contested by Najeh Davenport and Gary Russell. Davenport worked at fullback this weekend, so he has an edge in versatility. But Russell is still only 21 years old and has added 10 solid pounds. He put one slick move on a linebacker in the open field that’s stuck in my memory banks. I wouldn’t cut him. No chance.

n The best-looking young receiver is Matt Trannon. He made some great leaping, twisting catches, but that’s been Trannon’s history, that he’s great in shorts but doesn’t take particularly well to contact. Just another angle to watch at camp.

n Don’t count out WVU safety man Mike Lorello from making this team. In his third year he’s moving with much greater confidence and has also put on extra muscle. Perseverance goes a long way with the Steelers.

n Max Starks looks better, more comfortable at left tackle, but Marvel Smith is feeling great. I’d never had such a friendly talk with Marvel, who’s a tough guy to figure out. But he smiled so much during conversation that I figure his back must feel as good as he says it does.

n I don’t expect Larry Foote to hold off Lawrence Timmons for an inside linebacker job. I looked up at one deep ball and saw Timmons covering Holmes. Holmes had Timmons by two steps, but no other linebacker would’ve been that close. Timmons has too much speed to sit this year. Foote, a great, great guy who won’t sulk, will be a valuable backup.



Jim Wexell is a freelance writer who covers the Pittsburgh Steelers for The Tribune-Democrat.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.