Steelers Sign Every Rookie Except Mendenhall and Sweed

by cgolden on Jul 14, 2008 12:01 PM EDT

The Steelers have worked quickly this offseason and with only a couple of weeks remaining until players report for the start of camp (July 27th), only two rookies remain unsigned. The Steelers opened July by inking three picks to contracts on the 7th. Bruce Davis, Tony Hills and Dennis Dixon all agreed to three year contracts and each had minimum base salaries. Two more picks, Mike Humpal and Ryan Mundy, agreed to terms last Friday and both contracts were for three seasons with league minimum salaries. First round pick, Rashard Mendenhall and second round pick Limas Sweed are the only rookies who aren't under contract yet, but they'll be the most difficult to finalize.

That Steelers aren't behind by any means though considering that only a handful of first or second round picks have been signed so far. In fact only three first rounders and one second rounder have signed contracts as of the middle of last week. With basically 13 days left before players report to camp, they'll have to starting working out the details quickly. No one wants to see a camp hold out, especially from two guys who should contribute early and often as rookies. Does everyone feel pretty confident that we'll see both Mendenhall and Sweed on the field in Latrobe on July 28th?

Poll

Will the Steelers get both Mendenhall and Sweed signed by the start of camp?

Of course

312 votes

Nope, at least one will still finalizing a deal when camp starts

104 votes

416 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 5 comments

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Comments

I dont see why they wont be signed before the start of training camp. As far as the rookie signings go, I believe the Steelers are ahead of schedule (in relation to previous years). I am confident in them to get this accomplished before the start of training camp.

by k7brown on Jul 14, 2008 12:14 PM EDT 0 recs

Sure Hope So

I really hope we can get both of these guys signed an into camp on time. I believe it’s very important for rookies to take part in the camp. Every year it seems like there are a gew guys that hold out forever – and really put themselves in a bad position. Let’s hope these two guys won’t fall into that bunch.

by smashmouthsteel on Jul 14, 2008 12:37 PM EDT 0 recs

Any news leaks about the status of negotiations?

It seems like, overall, the rookie class is moving along decently with regards to signings. Are there continuing, active discussions or is someone holding out for some reason?

by HinesField on Jul 14, 2008 1:22 PM EDT 0 recs

Signings

I’m not worried about Sweed. He’ll be in a battle for the #3 WR spot with Nate if he signs, but I’m fine with Nate holding onto that role this year. Sweed would only hurt himself by holding out. All we need is for Sweed to get a little more integrated into the offense by the end of the year so we can feel better about letting Nate go as a FA and have a little more leverage renegotiating Ward’s ridiculous cap number.

While we’d be okay with Parker and Moore, having Mendy from day one takes us from an acceptable backfield to an exceptional one. Furthermore, the pessimist might ask how both his injury and the heavy workload of 2007 may affect Parker going forward. Having Mendenhall ready to start would go a long way toward eliminating those concerns. He could hold out based on his projected draft position, but he seems like a good kid, and apparently all he wants with his signing bonus is to buy some shoes.

by BadMaafala on Jul 14, 2008 2:49 PM EDT 0 recs

I expect both to sign on time

I’m not worried about them holding out yet. Sure, it’s possible that their agents may try to get them a deal closer to where the Steelers projected them than where they picked them, but that rarely works, unless it’s a top 5 pick who may have been a surprise to slide from 1 or 2 to 4 or 5. I think they’ll be signed and in camp on time.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jul 14, 2008 3:43 PM EDT 0 recs