PITTSBURGH -- Rashard Mendenhall fumbled twice against Minnesota on Saturday night, so teammate Hines Ward came up with a game for the Steelers' No. 1 draft pick on Monday.

"It's not fun for him, but it's fun for the other guys in the locker room," running back Willie Parker said.

In the movie, "The Program," Omar Epps played college freshman Darnell Jefferson -- a talented young running back with a case of fumble-itis.

To teach Jefferson a lesson, his coach made him carry a football everywhere he went -- and if someone knocked it away from him at any time, he would have to pay up.

So now, Mendenhall is carrying a football everywhere he goes at the Steelers' South Side practice facility -- even to lunch.

If Mendenhall's teammates are able to take the ball from him, he has to pay them $100. And the penalty is higher -- $500 -- if someone brings the ball to Coach Mike Tomlin.

"It's real tough -- a little unrealistic, if you ask me," Mendenhall said. "Eighty guys all day."

But the rookie said he's taking it all in good fun, and "The Program" is one of his favorite movies, so he understands what the team is trying to do.

"Yeah, I'm losing money, but I'll be all right," he said. "It's not a confidence issue with me at all. It's never been."

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