Good-Bye Rashard...and THANKS!

Can't blame him though....

He would be a Heisman candidate next year for sure!

Agreed, in a sport like football and in a position like running back I understand his pro years are numbered.  Now it's up to Aurelius Benn to step up next year, hope he can stay healthy...I would love to see Rashaad downing the orange and blue for Halas' other team...da Bears

The Bears can use anyone. Cedric sucks and Adrian I think is really trying but just not good enough to be the #1 guy.

Although if Kyle is our guy than hell it doesn't make a difference if we have LT in the backfield cause the Bears can't live on a running game only.

I think he was a stud this year for us and really flourished in the offense after a couple of years into it. He has great size and speed, but has he had enough hype to get into the first round? I see McFadden first, then Rice from Rutgers, then Hart from Michigan all going before him, and maybe even the kid from South Florida that almost broke Sanders record if he comes out. Maybe it's just because I want him to stay so badly, but I'm not sure he's the second RB taken. In any event, I still think Dufrene can do a great job, and this would only help us recruit a stud since the position is somewhat available for immediate playing time.

mendenhall is a true stud running back and the Illini probably wont have another back come along like him for another decade.  he could do it all and do it all great.

as of right now, many evaluators have mendenhall as a first round selection.  as for the thoughts of rice, hart and smith going ahead of him, that's just hype that those players have received.  mendenhall will definetely soar ahead of those players once the evaluations are done based on size, speed and hands.  mendenhall is better than those three in all those areas.  plus mendenhall appears to be a class act, so that will move him up on the charts as well. 

hopefully, Mendenhall and Leman can end up on the same team and that team does not play in the State of Illinois.

I think with Mendenhalls size, speed, awareness, and footwork combo...he will go ahead of Hart or Rice..

i hope Mendenhall avoids Kansas City since that coach there abuses running backs while playing for field goals.  but on the other hand, i'd like for Kansas City to draft mendenhall and leman so I can at least have something to watch while that coach runs the Chiefs into the ground. 

Thomas can be a solid back in the NFL.  However, I think you are forgetting that New Orleans already has a 1-2 punch with Duece and Bush.  I dont kjnow how much longer Duece is under contract or how much he makes, but Duece did score 10 TD's just a season ago.  Hopefully, Thomas gets another opportunity because he showed what he can do when given a chance.

good call pointing out Thomas' performance as a rookie in the NFL.  new orleans also has the former Illini punter, Weatherford. 

adding on....i do hope that Thomas sticks around in New Orleans because he could really shine there since Bush is a RB/WR, so Thomas could get 10 plus carries a game while the team does various things with Bush.  That is really an ideal situation for a back up running back