MVN - Most Valuable Network

What about Mewelde Moore?

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Mewelde Moore earlier this offseason to a three-year deal. Presumably, Moore was signed to be the Steelers’ primary return man, and their third down back. Moore probably also took note of Willie Parker’s health, and figured he’d be the first option in the Steelers’ backfield should Parker go down.

Moore has returned 74 punts for 768 yards with two touchdowns and 26 kickoffs for 503 yards. He also has 116 receptions for 1,093 yards with three touchdowns. These are good numbers for a returner, and a third down back, and obviously were the reasons that Pittsburgh signed Moore.

Then Rashard Mendenhall was available.

The Steelers’ drafting of Mendenhall surely must have been a surprise to Moore, since it more than likely was a surprise to the Steelers themselves. No, Mendenhall likely isn’t going to return kicks, but he still brings many attributes to the table as a third down back. It’s likely that Moore will start off with this job, with the Steelers working Mendenhall in as the season progresses. Mendenhall will also share the workload with Parker, but you can be sure he’ll be sharing that duty with Moore as well.

In other words, Mendenhall would be stealing Moore’s job, outside of the return game.

Mendenhall is a rookie, and that brings a certain unknown to the situation. All signs do seem to be pointing towards the Steelers bringing Mendenhall along as Parkers partner in the backfield. I’m sure that’s a job that Moore felt would be his if he earned it. It still may be. Still, if Mendenhall produces the way many expect him to, Moore could be the odd man out of the backfield. and we haven’t even talked about Najeh Davenport.

Moore will be a huge asset to the Steelers this season, even if it’s only as a return man. You do have to wonder if Moore would have signed a three-year deal with a team that would ultimately draft a running back in the first round.

With all of that said, Pittsburgh is a better team with Mewelde Moore on it. Not only does he give the Steelers a legitimate thread in the return game, but he also gives the Steelers an option should they need one at running back. I can safely tell you that things probably would have been different in last year’s playoffs had the Steelers had Moore as an option with Parker out. Mendenhall is just a rookie, and it will take time for the youngster to earn his stripes. Combine that with Parker’s health issues, and Moore should get ample time in the backfield over his three-year contract.

Mark Madden’s feud with…everyone

Mark Madden certainly does his job well, whether you like him or not. He’s a talking head that sprouted from the world of talk radio, and you and I both know that to make money, you have to make heads turn. Madden has done a good job of that over the years, whether you like him or not. This past week’s headlines certainly will do nothing but help his cause.

A year and a half ago, Mark Madden was dismissed from his job on WTAE’s ‘Action Sports Sunday.’ The official word given was that Madden had used the term ‘jackass,’ and it offended the Steelers to the point that they threatened to disallow Steelers to come onto their program. Madden, known for his feuds with high-ranking sports’ personalities, had recently taken aim at Hines Ward. There was speculation, especially from Madden, that Ward was at the center of his dismissal.

Ward recently appeared on Bob Costas’ HBO show Costas Now, and made comments about sports talk show hosts being negative. Ward made reference to Mark Madden’s show in particular, talking about not wanting to associate himself with that (negativity).

The Post-Gazette’s Bob Smizek, embroiled in his own feud with Madden followed up with commentary of his own on the subject.

Madden, not to be left out of the equation, followed up with commentary of his own, in a letter to the Post-Gazette’s editors.

Ah, the media becoming a story…you have to love the NFL offseason, don’t you?

Steelers’ first rounder Mendenhall robbed at gunpoint in Chicago

Rashard Mendenhall is not having a very good week.

Mendenhall, home in Chicago, was walking along the south side city lakefront at 2 a.m. when two men wearing hoodies and ski-masks robbed Mendenhall at gunpoint, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The two perps attacked Mendenhall, robbing him of a cell phone, his wallet and some cash.

According to the Sun-Times, Mike McCartney, Mendenhall’s agent said,

“It was obviously a scary moment, but he is fine. He is doing great. He said he doesn’t have anything that is worth his life.”

Mendenhall, who suffered a strained hamstring during his first Steelers mini-camp practice this past weekend, isn’t due back in Pittsburgh until May 16th. Hopefully it will be in one piece.

Minicamp nightmare: Mendenhall injures hamstring on first day

Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers #1 draft pick in 2008, injured his hamstring yesterday in what is becoming a regular occurance for Steelers’ high draft picks. Mendenhall will miss the rest of mincamp, but Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic that the running back will be ready to resume spring workouts with the club in two weeks.

In 2007, Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley both found themselves injured after their first minicamp. Timmons’ groin injury was so severe that he missed all of that spring’s drills. Many consider the long draft process to be a precursor for the players’ injuries. With high draft picks visiting nearly every pro city, it’s easy to see why players come into camp out of shape. As strange as it sounds, these specialized workouts often leave players out of shape for real workouts.

Let’s hope this injury doesn’t effect Mendenhall as it did Timmons last season.