So when I sat down to write my second annual "50-50" column -- the largely speculative piece that makes grand sweeping statements of little actual substance as to which first-round picks will fail and which will succeed, I figured I'd hear from fans, as I did last year.

I just didn't guess right which fans would be most angered.

Last year, my picks were not very good based on rookie seasons, and who knows how accurate I'll be with this year's version. But if my prognostication skills as to which readers I'd hear from is any indication, I am in for a second straight bad year.

I assumed Jets fans would haze me for saying Vernon Gholston won't live up to the hype. I figured I was due a good lashing from Broncos fans about my Ryan Clady comments. And I banked on at least one Seahawks fan calling me an idiot. It happens every year.

But what I did not prepare for was the Steelers and Chargers fans who came after me regarding my Rashard Mendenhall and Antoine Cason comments respectively. First, here are some Steelers thoughts on my bad prediction ...

 From Eric in Las Cruces, NM:

You have to be kidding about Mendanhall?  Parker is not a more complete back.  Mendanhall is a better blocker and receiver, and will supplant “Fast” Willie as the starter in a few years.  Parker lacks the power to run effectively between the tackles and at the goaline.  The Steelers struggled last year in short yardage situations, but Mendanhall will remedy that this year.  This may be the best 1-2 punch in the league, get a clue.

And from Eric -- what's with all these Erics? -- in Pittsburgh:

I have to disagree with your assesement of Mendenhall.  Granted, I am a Steelers fan and might have a little bias, but I want to address a few things you mentioned.  For starters, he left Illinois early because he and coach Ron Zook didn't get along as evidenced by Zook taking away Mendenhall's brother's scholarship days after he declared for the draft.  As someone who grew up watching Zook coach the Steelers ST I can safely say Zook is a big time SOB.  Second, the buzz around Pittsburgh is that Mendenhall is actually a more complete back than Willie Parker because his receiving skills are already polished and he caught out of the backfield extremely well in mini camp and OTAs.  From what the coaching staff and FO have mentioned so far, Mendenhall will see his fair share of carries and will most likely be the number one back in red zone packages.  The Steelers are grouping a line of maulers and we should look to lead the NFL in rushing again.  I for one see Mendenhall as being a big part of that.  There, I would rate him as a boom type player.  Please, if you could, write back because I am interested to hear your take and respect your view.

As for the Cason-philes, there are at least two of them out there.

First, Chris in Santa Barbara, CA:

SD’s Cason is a bust? Really the guy understands hard work, and realizes that he really doesn’t have all that much pressure to be a starter right away. Plus most of his assignments will be underneath zone coverage anyways. Plus AJ Smith has been an absolute beast the last couple of years with his draft picks, what makes you think he’s just going to take a flyer on this kid?

And from Tosh in Vancouver, BC:

I don’t love the Cason (SD Chargers) pick either but I am not gonna try to make a living betting against Smith.  That being said I guess no one bats 1000 in the first round forever.  

Excellent points, guys. Really. Be sure to check back in with me in January when I am no doubt proven wrong for a second straight season.