Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians views third-year running back Rashard Mendenhall as a combination of Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James, and plans to strap a saddle on his back in 2010, Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports.

"He is such an explosive player that you just don't take those guys off the field," Arians said.

Mendenhall missed all but four games of his rookie season with a shoulder injury, but rebounded in 2009 to carry the ball 242 times for 1,108 yards and 7 touchdowns, with 25 receptions for 261 yards and a touchdown as a receiver out of the backfield.

The Steelers plan to use him on all three downs, and in short-yardage/goal-line situations.

"There are not a lot of those types of players in the NFL that can play in every situation," Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson said. "He is capable physically and athletically to play in all those areas."