And Just Like That, Mike Tolbert Is No Longer A Consideration

Maybe I was right after all. 

I posted not 12 hours ago that Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune San Diego passed along word that free agent running back Mike Tolbert was drawing interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers. News that came hard upon a report that Tolbert and the Chargers were about to separate after contract negotiations went sour.

Kevin Acee, though, may have been misled regarding the Steelers’ supposed interest in Tolbert.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette just posted on his Twitter account, @GerryDulac, that Tolbert hasn't any visit lined, and that no deal is happening. 

Specifically, Dulac said, “Go easy on Mike Tolbert to Steelers talk. No visit. Not happening.”

Bringing in Tolbert might have made sense for the Steelers because of Rashard Mendenhall’s ACL tear against the Cleveland Browns at the end of the season, but obviously the Steelers see things differently.

I blogged a week or so ago about the Steelers running back situation being an unknown commodity. At the same time, though, it could be an embarrassment of riches. Time will tell. 

Running Back Mike Tolbert May End Up With The Steelers

I blogged a few days ago that Mike Tolbert, free agent running back with the San Diego Chargers, did an interview where he mentioned the Pittsburgh Steelers as a desired possible destination. I was plain at the time that I didn't expect it to happen.

I may have been wrong.

U-T San Diego columnist Kevin Acee reported via his Twitter account that Mike Tolbert could end up in either Pittsburgh or Carolina.

He posted this to his account: “Mike Tolbert expected to land in Pittsburgh or Carolina ... I'm told this isn't like Malcom Floyd, who returned last yr after deal was dead.”

Later Acee, @UTKevinAcee on Twitter, tweeted: "I think Pittsburgh is the leader for Tolbert, but how perfect would Carolina be? He'd join Turner, Brees, Sproles, Jackson in NFC South.”

It's well known that the Steelers feature running back, Rashard Mendenhall, will start training camp and presumably the season on the PUP list. Mendenhall could be on the shelf anywhere from week 7, once he's off of the PUP list, to as late as week 13 because of how the rules read for such players.

Pittsburgh could be concerned over whether he'll come back as strong and as dynamic of a runner as before. They also could simply be cover themselves for any eventuality.

The Steelers would potentially have gone into training camp with six or seven running backs. If, that is, you include unrestricted free agent Mewelde Moore. Regardless, this is worth watching.

For more from this developing story and Kevin Acee: http://m.utsandiego.com/news/sports/chargers/

Mike Tolbert Talks Free Agency On Sirius XM

Mike Tolbert, the San Diego Chargers running back, was on Sirus XM NFL Radio this morning and spoke of his free agency choices.

When asked by host Adam Schein what he thinks about playing on certain teams with various running game needs, he said, "I think I could fill that void pretty good."

Tolbert discussed the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay, Denver, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Green Bay and the Giants as teams in which he's interested.

Tolbert also said, "But, you know, 4 o’clock tomorrow we’re going to see really how it heats up and what happens. So I’m excited. I’m ready to go.” http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/13162/tolbert-says-he-can-fill-jacobs-void

This is true, but I doubt "we're going to see" the Steelers put their hat in the free agent ring regarding Tolbert. That's despite feature running back Rashard Mendenhall being on IR and the likelihood of him starting the season on the Reserve PUP list also. Nor will they with Brandon Jacobs, who was released by the Giants, which prompted this interview in the first place.

Mike Tolbert was correct about something, though, 4 p.m. EST Tuesday will see things heated up.