"I met with most of the returning players coming back for Pro Day," Mendenhall said. "Hopefully they do well. I know they've been training hard, and I hope they get a chance to play.

I think it's really important for the players that that has always been a dream or aspiration to do, and there's no one that wants them to make it more than I do. There's also no one that wants to have them be more prepared to make it or be in the NFL more than I do, for all the unique challenges. I love watching the guys play. The games that I do watch during the season are usually not college games, they're NFL games and it's with the teams we have players on."

1. In the middle of spring practice he made a special effort to reach out to returning players. He very well may have done that in the past, but it appears to be evidence of trying to be more involved with alumni on some level.

2. He emphasized the importance of helping players who dream of making it to the NFL get there. Yes, there is a subtle allusion to "all the unique challenges" which still nests with his philosophy of ensuring players aren't putting all their eggs in a fragile basket. But he has been speaking publicly about his desire to help players get there. That does send a message.

No, it's not a NY6 bowl. But it does address a few of the criticisms that pop up on this board.