| Height: 5-10
Weight: 209
Born: Nov 11, 1980, Clinton, NC | |
| Newsbreakers |
August 9, 2008
Steelers running back Willie Parker is likely to get the team's carries at the goal line this season instead of rookie runner Rashard Mendenhall, according to Pro Football Weekly.
Our View:Fantasy owners weren't quite sure who was going to get those vital touches near the end zone, but this is great news for those who drafted Parker. It is equally frustrating news of Mendenhall owners, who were hoping to vulture a few goal line touchdowns.
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August 8, 2008
Willie Parker will get his first chance to show that his broken leg has healed sufficiently when the Steelers face the Eagles in tonight's preseason opener, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He has looked fast in training camp and said, "I keep talking about this leg. I'm tired about talking about this leg."
Our View:He will work with the first-team offense in the game, which means he won't see much action.
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August 5, 2008
Running back Willie Parker scored in his only goal line attempt on Tuesday, and he talked about the role afterwards. "You know I want to score some touchdowns," Parker informs TimesOnline.com. "That’s why I told (coach Mike Tomlin) to throw me in there. I want to score. I want to be the go-to guy down there. After I drive the ball down the field, I want to be the guy who scores the touchdown." Najeh Davenport often filled in as the goal line back in 2007, but Tomlin says he is at least considering Parker for the role in 2008.
Our View:The common assumption is that rookie Rashard Mendenhall will step into the short-yardage role, but it sounds like the Steelers are still working that out. Or, at the least, they're not tipping their hand. Fantasy owners who draft one Steelers back will ideally complete their handcuff.
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July 15, 2008
Willie Parker realizes that his workload in the Steelers' backfield will be reduced this season following the addition of prized rookie Rashard Mendenhall, according to USA Today. Parker was surprised the team selected Mendenhall in the first round of the draft, but said, "I understand. They felt like we didn't have any running backs when I went out. I want to be the best, and whatever makes me better, I'm all for it."
Our View:Mendenhall set a Illinois record with 1,681 rushing yards last season and will cut into Parker's production, even though he is reportedly fully healed from his leg injury. Parker has averaged more than 21 carries per game since 2006, and knows that sharing the workload will help prolong his career, however. If you decide to select Parker on draft day, be sure to handcuff Mendenhall as well.
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June 18, 2008
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said last summer that he would run Willie Parker "until the wheels came off," and one of them finally did -- in the 15th game of the regular season the NFL's leading rusher at the time, fractured his fibula.
Our View:So why is the NFL leading rusher of a year ago (assuming he would have retained that status had he played in Week 17) getting so little respect in summer Mock settings? Parker, a first rounder at this time last year, has slipped to the third and fourth round depending on the format. The fact that he scored only two 2007 touchdowns has a lot to do with his 2008 value, but the All Pro knows how to score and is until evidence proves otherwise, still the short yardage option for the run-first offense.
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April 22, 2008
On the first offensive huddle of the first practice of the Pittsburgh Steelers' new season, running back Willie Parker lined up at tailback behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Right now I'm a little shaky," Parker said, "but I'm at full speed, cutting and all that stuff. If not 100 percent, I'm real close to it."
Our View:This is great news for Parker, who was leading the NFL in rushing last season, before breaking his right fibula in Week 15. Keep an eye on the backfield situation in Pittsburgh, as there are rumors circulating that the organization wants to draft a back to reduce some of the workload on Parker.
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April 21, 2008
The pre-draft chatter from Pittsburgh is that the organization wouldn't mind finding a bigger back to complement, and reduce the wear-and-tear on running back Willie Parker, according to Pro Football Weekly.
Our View:The Steelers need offensive line help first and foremost, but could burn a second-round or second day pick to bring in some competition for Najeh Davenport, Gary Russell and Mewelde Moore.
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March 31, 2008
Willie Parker, who broke his lower right leg in late December, is progressing well and is already doing some running, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We're very optimistic, as are our doctors and trainers," head coach Mike Tomlin said of the Pro Bowl running back. "He's getting better every day." Good news that Parker is back on his feet running. We will continue to keep you updated on his progress, when additional information becomes available.
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February 9, 2008
The Steelers plan to stick with a grass field next season, rather than switch to an artificial surface, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Willie Parker's speed might best be used on a more stable surface, but it sounds like owner Dan Rooney believes grass is what the players are in favor of and that it causes fewer injuries. On the other hand, NFLPA surveys consistently rank the field among the worst in the league. And you can remember the mess it became in the rain this past season.
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