Mendenhall Breaks Out Sunday Night

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has been dogged since having fumbling problems as a rookie, but an injury to Willie Parker, put Mendenhall into the starting lineup on Sunday Night Football against the San Diego Chargers and the real Rashard Mendenhall finally showed up.

He showed up with a break out performance rushing for 165 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns. He added 26 yards on two catches.

Mendenhall was the Steelers #1 pick of the 2008 draft out of Illinois, but missed most of the season with a knee  injury.

The Steelers would like to have a pounding-back like Mendenhall to complement the speed of Willie Parker.  Both can be good fantasy backs because Mendenhall will get the goal line carries and Parker has the big-play-ability and should get more receptions.

Sin City Scout

The Clock is Ticking.......

There are only a few hours left until we can all enjoy the greatness that is the NFL.

Here are some players to keep an eye on during the first week.

Rashard Mendenhall RB PIT– The second year RB out of Illinois should provide a change of pace for Steelers. Willie Parker is still the main guy, and if healthy will see the majority of the carriers, but with Mendenhall’s size 5’10” 225 he should be used a lot to punish the defenses, and wear them out as the game goes on. Could they be the next thunder and lighting duo?

Carnell “Cadillac” Williams RB TAMPA – He is currently the starter in Tampa according to several websites, and this comes a bit of shock to me. It’s not that he isn’t talented, but that the Bucs went off and signed Derrick Ward in the offseason, and like me people I projected him to be the starter with Earnest Graham backing up. I was a big fan of Mr. Williams coming out of Auburn so I hope that this is his breakout year.

Mike Bell RB NO - Given the current injury status of Pierre Thomas, and Reggie Bush look for Bell to get a lot of carriers against Detroit. So far in the preseason he has look pretty good. I see Bush being the starter this week, but I think Bell will get significant amount of carriers.

Lee Evans WR BUF – This is a player that has always interested me. At times he can be a beast then other times he doesn’t do anything. Personally I think that is more of a reflection on the offense then on Evans. The real question will be how T.O. will effect Evans production. My bet is he will actually trend upward due to being opposite a player many defense will have a tendency to cheat a safety towards.

New York Giants WR Group – Who will step up to be Eli’s main go to guy? Steve Smith and Domenick Hixon are listed as the starters with Sinorice Moss, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham backing them up. I’m putting my money on Steve Smith. This is more of a gut feeling then anything. In fact while writing this blog I jumped over to my league and added him to my team.

- Texas Scout

Draft Risers & Fallers

Moving Up

Chris Henry - The once troubled receiver is having a great training camp and preseason and back on the fantasy radar. With a healthy Carson Palmer, the Bengals pass game could finish among the top five and Henry could finish as the #2 statistically in front of Laveranues Coles at a much cheaper draft price.

Ray Rice - He continues to start at running back, but he will split carries with Willis McGahee. He has the talent to be a stud and can catch passes too.

Rashard Mendenhall -He will likely be the goal line back in Pittsburgh and the Steelers are adamant about getting him the ball and at least creating a two-back attack.

Bernard Scott - He is about to pass Benson in the rankings if he continues to play well. He could be the starter by seasons end.

Carnell Williams - The former #1 pick looked good in his preseason debut, but he has a lot of competition with Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham.

Earl Bennet - The young, upcoming WR could be the #1 man in Chicago. He played college ball with Cutler.

Sam Hurd - The injury to Williams put Hurd on the radar. He has been very good in camp and has surpassed Miles Austin at this point.

Moving Down

Marion Barber - There is not a reason other than the worry of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice eating into his time, but nevertheless his ADP is below his ranking. If you are picking between 20-25 and he is there, he is a bargain.

Jonathan Stewart - His achilles injury is a worry, especially for someone who missed almost all of his 2008 training camp and preseason. Stewart has a ton of talent and if healthy is better than Williams. He is out of the top 50, but could be a draft day bargain in the right spot.

Antonio Bryant - His injury, though not serious, combined with QB questions and a shaky history has Bryant falling below his value.

Ben Roethlisberger - His poor fantasy 2008 performance combined with more off season turmoil has his draft stock tumbling.

Draft Bargains

Chris Cooley - Simply because he caught only 1 TD in 2008 he has fallen far past his value. If you need a stud tight end at a cheap price wait until the 8th round or so and grab Cooley.

Kellen Winslow - Owners are staying away from Winslow after a horrible 2008 and his subsequent trade to the QB-troubled Bucs. Whoever the QB is, the tight end over the middle will do well and Winslow has overall #1 TE talent.

Correll Buckhalter - He is currently the starter in Denver with Knowshon Moreno injured and if Moreno is healthy, he should still see plenty of playing time. He has been going near the bottom of the drafts so grab him late, but grab him.

Chris Chambers - He is still the starter in San Diego with Phillip Rivers throwing to him. He has big-time talent, but has injury issues has scared away owners. Nevertheless he can have some big games and he is falling far in the draft.

Sin City Scout

Mendenhall To Start For Steelers

Rookie Rashard Mendenhall will make his first NFL start Monday night against Baltimore. Willie Parker is out with a sprained left knee. The Steelers #1 pick has been up and down in the preseason, but he should be good for 80 yards and a possible TD. Sin City Scout