Tomlin says Sweed, Mendenhall talks going well

[The Picks Commissioner]

www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_579027.html
Tomlin says Sweed, Mendenhall talks going well
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Whatever concerns Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has going into training camp, injuries and the fact that the team's first- and second-round draft picks remain unsigned apparently aren't among them.

Tomlin said at a news conference today that he doesn't expect first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall or second-round selection Limas Sweed to miss any practice over their contract situation.

The two, he said, are expected to sign with the Steelers before Sunday when players are required to report to training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.

"We don't anticipate any of these guys having hold ups as far as participating," Tomlin said today at the Steelers' South Side facility.

He said the same thing about several veteran players who worked through injuries during the offseason, most notably strong safety Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Parker.

Polamalu, who was plagued by knee problems last season, skipped the optional offseason practices so he could train in southern California.

Tomlin said he has spoken to Polamalu over the phone and expects the perennial Pro Bowler to be 100 percent for the start of camp.

Parker, he said, will also be at full speed even though interest the Steelers recently showed in running back Kevin Jones fueled speculation that the team has concerns about Parker's right leg.

When asked if Parker coming back from a broken leg has anything to do with the Steelers' interest in Jones, Tomlin said, "Not at all."

Some players will be limited at the start of camp because of minor injuries, Tomlin said, but he said the team is in good shape from a health standpoint.

"Right now it looks like everybody is going to be ready to go at training camp."

[Gene]

The NFL really has to step in here and change the policy for signing draftees. These guys hold out before they even take an NFL snap because they want multi million dollar deals. The majority of them underachieve once they do play and arent worth half of what they get.

[The Picks Commissioner]

post-gazette.com/pg/08208/899756-66.stm

Mendenhall, Sweed sign with Steelers
All draft choices will be on hand for start of camp tomorrow
Saturday, July 26, 2008
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers will have all of their players under contract for the fourth consecutive year when they report to training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe tomorrow.

Yesterday, the reached agreements with their top two draft choices, running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed.

Mendenhall, their-first round draft pick, came to terms on a five-year, $12.55 million contract. Sweed, their second-round choice, agreed to a four-year contract in principle. Terms are not yet available.

Mendenhall's deal includes bonuses of $6.83 million, guarantees of $7,125,000 and total cash value of $9,855,000 with an escalator that makes the contract worth $12.55 million.

"Rashard's excited," said agent Mike McCartney of Priority Sports in Chicago. "For the rookie, it's great to know the business part is finished and he can concentrate on what Rashard loves most, football. He even has a day or two to celebrate, so it works out good for him."

The Steelers have had few problems over the past decade getting their rookies into camp on time. The last one who missed any time was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who signed four days after the opening of training camp in 2004. The only two players who missed more than a week over the past decade were third-round draft choice Hank Poteat in 2000 and first-round pick Alan Faneca in 1998.

McCartney credited negotiator Omar Khan with facilitating the process.

"I give Omar credit. He does a great job working with you, there's a good amount of give and take. He works very hard to get a fair deal for both sides."

The agent said there was never a hint that the Steelers' process of working out their ownership affected negotiations.

"No, I didn't think it would impact our negotiations at all and I don't think it did. If anything, our negotiations were affected a little by the uncertainty of the CBA because of the changes in rules over the next couple years affecting us."

The NFL's collective bargaining agreement was shortened by the owners this year and will end in the spring of 2011 with no salary cap for the 2010 season unless it is extended further in talks between the owners and the NFL Players Association.

Even before he had the contract agreement, Mendenhall continued to work out at the Steelers' facility through the end of this week.

"He's in good shape," McCartney said. "He's hungry to prove that he deserved to be drafted where he was. He's excited to be with a great city and a great team. He was real excited when I talked with him."

Mendenhall could not be reached for comment, and a Steelers spokesman said no one from the club would comment until tomorrow.

Mendenhall (5 feet 10, 225 pounds) rushed for 2,539 yards and 22 touchdowns in three seasons for Illinois. He set school records with 1,681 yards rushing last season and 17 touchdowns. He's the first running back drafted in the first round by the Steelers since 1989, when they drafted Tim Worley of Georgia.

[The Picks Commissioner]

Looks like we'll be all systems go. The team reports tomorrow.