One thing that you would not expect to hear in Steeler Nation: the prospects of a running back controversy. After all, the typical Steelers RB depth chart these days is usually Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and one with possibly another RB bringing up the rear.
But the rumor was floating out there that perhaps Parker would have a harder time maintaining his incumbent spot as the starting RB, due to sitting out of three of the four preseason games the team has played. Yet according to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on Friday:
“Willie Parker’s our runner. Rashard’s done a nice job and he’s going to get an opportunity to get his touches, but more important than anything else, Willie Parker is our runner.”
During the news conference that took place on Friday, Tomlin squashed any speculation that Parker and Mendenhall would split carries during the season. That aside, Parker’s future success rides on the success and health of his offensive line. Right guard Darnell Stapleton (knee) is MIA and is currently replaced by Trai Essex.
So rest assured Steelers fans, unless soemthing of monumental proportions happens to the team’s offensive line or to Parker, you can expect a RB depth chart along the lines of: Parker, Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore and maybe Frank Summers.
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Blitz
September 5, 2009 at 9:44 am
I’d like to see Redman clear waivers and make it to our practic squad. He actually had a better pre-season and camp than Mendenhall.
DrGeorge
September 5, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Redman is not the second coming of J. Bettis, but his solid preseason performance excited broad fan support and interest and his release inspired an equal measure of disappointment. He is clearly a better short yardage back than Mendenhall, who falls down when touched and lacks the power to break tackles. He may be a better over all back, potentially, although we don’t know if Redman can protect the quarterback and catch swing passes as well as Mendenhall, since he had too few opportunities to evaluate. But Redman’s preseason success was widely reported and well followed in the NFL; the odds of him clearing waivers are slim. And without Redman, the team lacks a dependable short yardage \ goal line RB — unless Tomlin has plans to turn J. Harrison into a latter day version of Refrigerator Perry.
HarrisCHRISTY
March 5, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I guess that to get the business loans from banks you must present a good reason. However, one time I have received a car loan, just because I wanted to buy a house.