Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette has reported that Steelers running back Willie Parker still has a “hamstring thing going on.” In Bouchette’s chat transcript, he was asked if Parker was nursing an injury. Bouchette responded, “Parker had “back spasms” early in the preseason and then came down with a hamstring injury. It’s my understanding there’s still a slight hamstring thing going on.” This injury has not been confirmed by Parker or the Steelers.
This would not be a shock, as you could just see Parker was a bit slower than usual on Thursday vs the Titans. The Bears run defense is simply not that good, so if this team struggles again this Sunday the team may have to make some changes to get this run game turned around – fast.
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mark
September 16, 2009 at 12:48 pm
That would be unfortunate for Parker as well as the Steelers. FWP has not been the same since he broke his leg 2 years ago. True he has had some big games since, but mostly Parker is an afterthought when it comes to stopping the run against the Steelers. I know that sounds crazy, but Mewelde Moore was the most productive RB last year and was arguably a team MVP.I like FWP but unless he has a spectacular year, he will be a goner.His size and style along with a less than strong o-line in regards to the run probably means a short career, at least in Pittsburgh.Mendenhall should be standing on his head for playing time and really putting up some numbers knowing that Parker is more than likely not coming back. should the Steelers go back to the FB and power-back of the last 40 years? With Ben passing, the air attack is formidable. My question is this, if we throw more and the league is now a passing one, how come Ben has 3,000+ yards a year but only 17 or so TD’s?
Phil
September 17, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I can’t wait until we get rid of Parker. He doesn’t have the size to drive it up the middle and he doesn’t punish defenses like the big RBs. I think he’s a great option back and can definitely run on the outside. But enough is enough, drop him and get back to Steelers football, with big RBs that wear the defense down.
jay
September 17, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Parker has NEVER had good running back vision….to say he’s not the same implies he once did! His line back then was better. He gained thousand yards and left 500-1000 on the field with his misreads. It’s been his M.O. since day one. I wish we’d look at him objectively and look at the WAY he runs in lieu of his once (inflated) numbers. I love the Steelers but, as a (die-hard) fan, I am allowed to dislike certain players and, above all, I am allowed to retain an objective viewpoint…Parker is a good character guy, has (great) speed and is relatively durable…Those are undebatable. Parker has pathetic running back vision, does not break tackles and has below average juke moves and agility for a “smallish” running back, does not catch passes well and is only a marginal blocker…those too are undebatable…weigh the pros and cons for yourself…watch him run and pay no attention to the (former) numbers…Ben doesn’t put up great numbers but he’s a great quarterback. I’m not saying the offensive line is not to blame…not at all but as I mentioned in an earlier blog, they are what they are; oversized, low-rounders who have difficulty firing off the ball against smaller, quicker interior D-Linemen especially in 4-3 schemes—that’s not changing until we draft higher round O-Linemen who have quickness and agility to go along with their size—until then we might need a back who possesses exceptional ability to compensate and Parker isn’t him…Problem is, unless Redman is a silent gem, I don’t think we have him on the roster because Mendenhall certainly doesn’t look like it either!
mark
September 18, 2009 at 8:31 am
Jay, you make good points.However, I do think that Parker is a good RB. His vision has always been questioned, but he has been productive none-the-less. I personally do NOT think he has recovered from the broken leg. Not that it hasnt healed, but his speed is in doubt now. I too would like to see the Steelers go back to the powerback but its not going to happen. This is now a passing team, a spread formation team and 1 back offense for the most part.
Jay
September 18, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Mark,
I didn’t say anything about BIG running backs; Phil did. And; if his speed is gone, he only has two things: durability and character—if his speed is gone due to a (former) broken leg, he only has one thing, character…there’s lots of nice guys in the world and most of them don’t play football. Bottom line is his cons outweigh his pros by a long shot!
mark
September 19, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Jay, your probably right. I see Mendenhall getting every chance to win the job in the next few games. If he can show any way to move the chains, Parker will be a memory come the off-season. Personally, I like Mewelde Moore. I doubt he can start 15 games, but the offense seems to move the ball better when he is in the backfield. Maybe its his dual-threat? Maybe the line blocks better for a runner like Moore or Mendenhall then they do for a speed back like Parker? Anyway, Parker will not be a Steeler next season and if he doesnt start moving the ball, he will be a ghost this season.