By Mike Wilkening
Sept. 4, 2008

In Pittsburgh, we hear there is little long-term concern about the summer fumbling problems of rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall, who coughed up the ball three times in four preseason games. In the short term, the 5-10, 225-pound Mendenhall’s opportunities at getting significant work down near the goal line will be compromised, but he is too talented to keep off the active game-day roster, and he is likely to get a few first- and second-down carries spelling starter Willie Parker. Another talented but green rookie who won’t have a big role early in his rookie season is WR Limas Sweed, who struggled somewhat in the preseason and might not get many snaps as the No. 4 wideout. However, the Steelers remain high on Sweed, who works hard and figures to be a key part of the offense in the years to come, and perhaps as early as the 2009 campaign.