Cardinals sign Mendenhall

[Ozzie]

The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a one-year deal with former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Rashard Mendenhall after releasing running back Beanie Wells last week.

Mendenhall's disappointing last season consisted of recovery from a torn ACL in 2011 and then a strained Achilles, a one-game suspension, and a game in which he had two fumbles in four carries.

Interesting note: Cards coach Bruce Arians was Mendenhall's OC in Pittsburgh for a while, so they're familiar with each other.

Thoughts on the signing? How do you guys think Mendenhall will come back from his less-than-stellar last season.

 

[Cam Cam]

Rashard Mendenhall has never been that great of a running back, but this past season really killed things for him in Pittsburgh. The Steelers sent contract offers to Dwyer and Redman, but I don't believe they sent one to Mendenhall, and that was definitely on purpose. I think he has a better chance of succeeding being back with Bruce Arians, but that won't help him in the long run. He will be decent in Arizona, but that's all.

 

[Moss44]

I'm SO glad that we got rid of Mendenhall. He's just a lazy idiot. I question why we didn't release him right after he skipped the one game. Dwyer and Redman and even Larod Stevens-Howling are better than him. He shouldn't have been picked up this early in free agency and I hope/think he will do miserably for the Cardinals, who shouldn't go for underperforming veteran starters but go for proven players like Michael Turner or look towards the draft.

 

[Cam Cam]

I think Dwyer and Redman are better than him as well, but that really isn't saying much. Speaking of the Steelers, I am actually kind of annoyed that they didn't let all of their running backs go to free agency. They had their running back group of Mendenhall, Dwyer, Redman, and Rainey last season. They released Rainey because of off the field issues. They let Mendenhall go to free agency. They could have went ahead and let Dwyer and Redman go as they are better off looking towards the draft, but they chose to send them both contract offers. Honestly, I think the Steelers are playing to just try to be relevant next season. They know the rebuilding years are coming, and they seem to just be postponing it, but in doing this, they are just setting themselves up for a few seasons where they are around the 50% winning percentage mark, so 8-8 or so. I would rather them just test themselves to the draft instead of trying to make a playoff run, as we aren't a playoff team at this point, and if we somehow get lucky and make the playoffs, we won't do much in the playoffs. That's why Pittsburgh is waiting their time with Dwyer and Redman, but especially Redman. Redman fumbles the ball whenever he can.

I am personally sour towards Mendenhall because of that fumble Clay Matthews forced in Super Bowl XLV, honestly. I wish him the best of luck, but I think his career is near the ending.