View Full Version : Willie Parker a different take than his critics
papillon
09-12-2008, 09:49 AM
Willie Parker's no fraud
By Joe Starkey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, September 12, 2008
Maybe it's because he isn't built like the larger-than-life running backs of Steelers lore - Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis and John Henry Johnson.
Maybe it's because he let down so many fantasy football owners last season.
Maybe it's because he will never match the man he replaced - Bettis - as a media darling.
Maybe it's because he was undrafted.
Whatever the case, "Fast" Willie Parker can't seem to outrun his critics. They call him a track-star back who can't get tough yards, or, as Baltimore Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce so memorably put it last season, "a fraud."
I must be missing something.
Are we talking about Amos Zereoue here, or a back who needs just 48 yards to pass Johnson for third place on the Steelers' all-time rushing list?
Parker has the best per-carry average (4.5) in franchise history, not to mention three of the club's top eight rushing seasons and two of its three highest single-game totals. He finished second in the NFL in 20-plus-yard runs last season, likely would have led the league in rushing if he hadn't been injured and had no problem grinding out tough yards two years ago, when he scored 13 rushing touchdowns.
Know what else? He keeps getting better. He has learned to change speeds and run more patiently.
But you go ahead and question Parker. Keep pointing out what he can't do. Keep finding reasons the Steelers should replace him.
He likes that.
"He's the first guy in here every day and probably the last guy to leave," receiver Hines Ward said.
True to form, Parker was among the last off the practice field Thursday. Dripping sweat and still trying to catch his breath, he considered the question carefully.
Why isn't he automatically mentioned when people speak of the NFL's top backs?
Fast Willie leaned forward, squinted and said, "One day, they are going to talk about me as one of the best. They'll have no other choice."
About the rap he is stopped too often at the line of scrimmage (31 times last season, fifth-most in the NFL according to an article on ESPN.com) and has too many negative-yardage carries?
"Watch me this year," Parker said. "That's all I'll say."
Then, he said some more: "In the past, I probably got too greedy and wanted to make the big play every time. Barry Sanders had that same problem. I know what to do now. I'm trying to get positive yards, even if it's two yards."
Parker's teammates back him on that. He flashed his form Sunday with a 138-yard, three-TD opener against Houston, stiff-arming tacklers, spinning away from them and running right through them.
"A lot of people think of him as a little back, and he's not," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of the 5-foot-10, 209-pound Parker. "He's a handful - a violent runner. I wouldn't trade him for anyone."
I would, but after LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, I'd have to think hard before trading Parker for any other runner - and it's not like Peterson has proved his durability. Parker has the third-most rushing yards (4,012) in the NFL over the past three years.
Ward was among those who eased Parker's concerns when the team drafted Rashard Mendenhall, pointing out that it could help him.
Pardon Parker if he didn't pop a bottle of champagne that day.
"I'm the type of person where I jump to the craziest conclusions anyway," Parker said. "I thought the worst. That's the way I was thinking. But then, after talking to some people, they made me calm down."
Seems to me, Mendenhall was brought in to preserve and enhance Parker, not to replace him.
Parker isn't perfect. He's just one of the best running backs in the NFL, and already, at age 27, one of the best in Steelers' history.
"If he didn't get hurt, he would have led the league in rushing last year," said backup quarterback Charlie Batch, who is on injured reserve but has seen numerous elite runners in his years in the league. "He's a proven runner, deserving of all the credit he's getting."
Or not getting.
Joe Starkey is a sports writer for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at
I've said this and I'll say it again, there's more to being a football player than the YPA, YPC, avg. carry, 0 yard gains, negative gains, etc., when you're a good teammate, hard worker and a warrior people take notice and the team is better. Intangibles. There's a reason our run game went south once Parker was hurt last year and it very little to do with the Oline, Ben, Najeh, etc., the heart of the running game was on the sideline and that's not where the Steelers needed it to be.
Enjoy the read...that's my 20 cents worth. :2c :P
Pappy
ANPSTEEL
09-12-2008, 10:49 AM
Why isn't he automatically mentioned when people speak of the NFL's top backs?
Fast Willie leaned forward, squinted and said, "One day, they are going to talk about me as one of the best. They'll have no other choice."
About the rap he is stopped too often at the line of scrimmage (31 times last season, fifth-most in the NFL according to an article on ESPN.com) and has too many negative-yardage carries?
"Watch me this year," Parker said. "That's all I'll say."
I think the most important criteria to being great, at anything, is the desire to do so.
Its easy to talk- but i dont think talking is Willie's game.
Of course this could mean absolutely nothing- but watching how FWP ran last week- was a stark contrast to his running style in prior years.
Willie showed more vision, balance, and patience than I can recall ever seeing before-
on multiple carries he cut or spun to find the seam for more yards; whereas in the past he would have run directly into the pile- for a short gain.
on at least one carry, i was certain it was Mendenhall carrying the ball- before i saw the jersey number.
One game does not make a career- but I think it is telling- It looks like FWP has spent some time in the off season perfecting his trade, and the Steelers will be better for it.
Oviedo
09-12-2008, 11:06 AM
Willie Parker's no fraud
By Joe Starkey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, September 12, 2008
Maybe it's because he isn't built like the larger-than-life running backs of Steelers lore - Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis and John Henry Johnson.
Maybe it's because he let down so many fantasy football owners last season.
Maybe it's because he will never match the man he replaced - Bettis - as a media darling.
Maybe it's because he was undrafted.
Whatever the case, "Fast" Willie Parker can't seem to outrun his critics. They call him a track-star back who can't get tough yards, or, as Baltimore Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce so memorably put it last season, "a fraud."
I must be missing something.
Are we talking about Amos Zereoue here, or a back who needs just 48 yards to pass Johnson for third place on the Steelers' all-time rushing list?
Parker has the best per-carry average (4.5) in franchise history, not to mention three of the club's top eight rushing seasons and two of its three highest single-game totals. He finished second in the NFL in 20-plus-yard runs last season, likely would have led the league in rushing if he hadn't been injured and had no problem grinding out tough yards two years ago, when he scored 13 rushing touchdowns.
Know what else? He keeps getting better. He has learned to change speeds and run more patiently.
But you go ahead and question Parker. Keep pointing out what he can't do. Keep finding reasons the Steelers should replace him.
He likes that.
"He's the first guy in here every day and probably the last guy to leave," receiver Hines Ward said.
True to form, Parker was among the last off the practice field Thursday. Dripping sweat and still trying to catch his breath, he considered the question carefully.
Why isn't he automatically mentioned when people speak of the NFL's top backs?
Fast Willie leaned forward, squinted and said, "One day, they are going to talk about me as one of the best. They'll have no other choice."
About the rap he is stopped too often at the line of scrimmage (31 times last season, fifth-most in the NFL according to an article on ESPN.com) and has too many negative-yardage carries?
"Watch me this year," Parker said. "That's all I'll say."
Then, he said some more: "In the past, I probably got too greedy and wanted to make the big play every time. Barry Sanders had that same problem. I know what to do now. I'm trying to get positive yards, even if it's two yards."
Parker's teammates back him on that. He flashed his form Sunday with a 138-yard, three-TD opener against Houston, stiff-arming tacklers, spinning away from them and running right through them.
"A lot of people think of him as a little back, and he's not," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of the 5-foot-10, 209-pound Parker. "He's a handful - a violent runner. I wouldn't trade him for anyone."
I would, but after LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, I'd have to think hard before trading Parker for any other runner - and it's not like Peterson has proved his durability. Parker has the third-most rushing yards (4,012) in the NFL over the past three years.
Ward was among those who eased Parker's concerns when the team drafted Rashard Mendenhall, pointing out that it could help him.
Pardon Parker if he didn't pop a bottle of champagne that day.
"I'm the type of person where I jump to the craziest conclusions anyway," Parker said. "I thought the worst. That's the way I was thinking. But then, after talking to some people, they made me calm down."
Seems to me, Mendenhall was brought in to preserve and enhance Parker, not to replace him.
Parker isn't perfect. He's just one of the best running backs in the NFL, and already, at age 27, one of the best in Steelers' history.
"If he didn't get hurt, he would have led the league in rushing last year," said backup quarterback Charlie Batch, who is on injured reserve but has seen numerous elite runners in his years in the league. "He's a proven runner, deserving of all the credit he's getting."
Or not getting.
Joe Starkey is a sports writer for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at
I've said this and I'll say it again, there's more to being a football player than the YPA, YPC, avg. carry, 0 yard gains, negative gains, etc., when you're a good teammate, hard worker and a warrior people take notice and the team is better. Intangibles. There's a reason our run game went south once Parker was hurt last year and it very little to do with the Oline, Ben, Najeh, etc., the heart of the running game was on the sideline and that's not where the Steelers needed it to be.
Enjoy the read...that's my 20 cents worth. :2c :P
Pappy
Don't you know that some people live their lives and try to explain life through statistics. I agree with you. Statistics lie and are used to manifest half truths. Parker is a high character, high performing RB. I'm glad we have him to set the example for Mendenhall and Mendenhall will be better for it if he embraces Parker's example.
papillon
09-12-2008, 11:31 AM
Don't you know that some people live their lives and try to explain life through statistics. I agree with you. Statistics lie and are used to manifest half truths. Parker is a high character, high performing RB. I'm glad we have him to set the example for Mendenhall and Mendenhall will be better for it if he embraces Parker's example.
Not to mention that Mendenhall is pushing Parker as well, not that he needed to be pushed, but, the drafting of Mendenhall has refocused Willie on the task at hand. It's a very good situation for the Steelers to be in right now.
Pappy
blacknblue80s
09-12-2008, 11:46 AM
I'll admit that his 0 and negative yard gains have been a concern, but Willie has a huge heart and would be sorely missed if traded.
After the AFCC game against the Colts, when Bettis had almost fumbled the game away, Buses' parents were worried about him. I'll never foreget Randle El and Willie being there saying "we got him Mrs. B, we got him". I love those guys!!
Shawn
09-12-2008, 11:58 AM
Several things would have to happen for me to consider trading WP
1) Mendenhall would have to prove without a doubt he is a franchise back....a complete back
2) A team would have to be willing to trade a first and second rounder for him
3) Russell would have to prove that he can play...be a very good #2 back.
If not...I choose to keep him and work on teams with possibly the best RB duo in the league.
WP is running with more patience this season. He is running harder...and thats what I want to see from him. Either way...we are good at RB...very very good.
papillon
09-12-2008, 12:08 PM
:Agree
And, since, no one would give us a 1st and 2nd for Willie, it will be a few years before we know if Mendenhall is a complete back and the jury is still out on Russell everyone needs to get used to having willie Parker on this team for the near future. :tt1 :Clap
Oh, yea, and to the Willie Parker :Hater s -- the Steelers will be successful. :Cheers
Pappy
Oviedo
09-12-2008, 12:17 PM
Several things would have to happen for me to consider trading WP
1) Mendenhall would have to prove without a doubt he is a franchise back....a complete back
2) A team would have to be willing to trade a first and second rounder for him
3) Russell would have to prove that he can play...be a very good #2 back.
If not...I choose to keep him and work on teams with possibly the best RB duo in the league.
WP is running with more patience this season. He is running harder...and thats what I want to see from him. Either way...we are good at RB...very very good.
:Agree
The only way I see Parker leaving is through a contract issue. I think that when his current contract expires it will be interesting to see if he wants to stay like Bettis or be greedy and leave like Faneca. Right now---I'm betting on the former not latter.
papillon
09-12-2008, 12:51 PM
Several things would have to happen for me to consider trading WP
1) Mendenhall would have to prove without a doubt he is a franchise back....a complete back
2) A team would have to be willing to trade a first and second rounder for him
3) Russell would have to prove that he can play...be a very good #2 back.
If not...I choose to keep him and work on teams with possibly the best RB duo in the league.
WP is running with more patience this season. He is running harder...and thats what I want to see from him. Either way...we are good at RB...very very good.
:Agree
The only way I see Parker leaving is through a contract issue. I think that when his current contract expires it will be interesting to see if he wants to stay like Bettis or be greedy and leave like Faneca. Right now---I'm betting on the former not latter.
I'll go with the latter, since, he hasn't really received his big payday yet and he deserves one.
Pappy
BURGH86STEEL
09-12-2008, 01:15 PM
Willie Parker's no fraud
By Joe Starkey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, September 12, 2008
Maybe it's because he isn't built like the larger-than-life running backs of Steelers lore - Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis and John Henry Johnson.
Maybe it's because he let down so many fantasy football owners last season.
Maybe it's because he will never match the man he replaced - Bettis - as a media darling.
Maybe it's because he was undrafted.
Whatever the case, "Fast" Willie Parker can't seem to outrun his critics. They call him a track-star back who can't get tough yards, or, as Baltimore Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce so memorably put it last season, "a fraud."
I must be missing something.
Are we talking about Amos Zereoue here, or a back who needs just 48 yards to pass Johnson for third place on the Steelers' all-time rushing list?
Parker has the best per-carry average (4.5) in franchise history, not to mention three of the club's top eight rushing seasons and two of its three highest single-game totals. He finished second in the NFL in 20-plus-yard runs last season, likely would have led the league in rushing if he hadn't been injured and had no problem grinding out tough yards two years ago, when he scored 13 rushing touchdowns.
Know what else? He keeps getting better. He has learned to change speeds and run more patiently.
But you go ahead and question Parker. Keep pointing out what he can't do. Keep finding reasons the Steelers should replace him.
He likes that.
"He's the first guy in here every day and probably the last guy to leave," receiver Hines Ward said.
True to form, Parker was among the last off the practice field Thursday. Dripping sweat and still trying to catch his breath, he considered the question carefully.
Why isn't he automatically mentioned when people speak of the NFL's top backs?
Fast Willie leaned forward, squinted and said, "One day, they are going to talk about me as one of the best. They'll have no other choice."
About the rap he is stopped too often at the line of scrimmage (31 times last season, fifth-most in the NFL according to an article on ESPN.com) and has too many negative-yardage carries?
"Watch me this year," Parker said. "That's all I'll say."
Then, he said some more: "In the past, I probably got too greedy and wanted to make the big play every time. Barry Sanders had that same problem. I know what to do now. I'm trying to get positive yards, even if it's two yards."
Parker's teammates back him on that. He flashed his form Sunday with a 138-yard, three-TD opener against Houston, stiff-arming tacklers, spinning away from them and running right through them.
"A lot of people think of him as a little back, and he's not," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of the 5-foot-10, 209-pound Parker. "He's a handful - a violent runner. I wouldn't trade him for anyone."
I would, but after LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, I'd have to think hard before trading Parker for any other runner - and it's not like Peterson has proved his durability. Parker has the third-most rushing yards (4,012) in the NFL over the past three years.
Ward was among those who eased Parker's concerns when the team drafted Rashard Mendenhall, pointing out that it could help him.
Pardon Parker if he didn't pop a bottle of champagne that day.
"I'm the type of person where I jump to the craziest conclusions anyway," Parker said. "I thought the worst. That's the way I was thinking. But then, after talking to some people, they made me calm down."
Seems to me, Mendenhall was brought in to preserve and enhance Parker, not to replace him.
Parker isn't perfect. He's just one of the best running backs in the NFL, and already, at age 27, one of the best in Steelers' history.
"If he didn't get hurt, he would have led the league in rushing last year," said backup quarterback Charlie Batch, who is on injured reserve but has seen numerous elite runners in his years in the league. "He's a proven runner, deserving of all the credit he's getting."
Or not getting.
Joe Starkey is a sports writer for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at
I've said this and I'll say it again, there's more to being a football player than the YPA, YPC, avg. carry, 0 yard gains, negative gains, etc., when you're a good teammate, hard worker and a warrior people take notice and the team is better. Intangibles. There's a reason our run game went south once Parker was hurt last year and it very little to do with the Oline, Ben, Najeh, etc., the heart of the running game was on the sideline and that's not where the Steelers needed it to be.
Enjoy the read...that's my 20 cents worth. :2c :P
Pappy
Good read. It is really ashame that some fans do not appreciate that this team has a RB of Parker's abilities. Not only that but he appears to be a quality individual and teammate. How many RBs with his stats would be pressing the team for more money?
stlrz d
09-12-2008, 03:12 PM
Outstanding read! :Clap
BIG FAN
09-12-2008, 03:36 PM
Willie Parker's no fraud
By Joe Starkey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, September 12, 2008
Maybe it's because he isn't built like the larger-than-life running backs of Steelers lore - Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis and John Henry Johnson.
Maybe it's because he let down so many fantasy football owners last season.
Maybe it's because he will never match the man he replaced - Bettis - as a media darling.
Maybe it's because he was undrafted.
Whatever the case, "Fast" Willie Parker can't seem to outrun his critics. They call him a track-star back who can't get tough yards, or, as Baltimore Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce so memorably put it last season, "a fraud."
I must be missing something.
Are we talking about Amos Zereoue here, or a back who needs just 48 yards to pass Johnson for third place on the Steelers' all-time rushing list?
Parker has the best per-carry average (4.5) in franchise history, not to mention three of the club's top eight rushing seasons and two of its three highest single-game totals. He finished second in the NFL in 20-plus-yard runs last season, likely would have led the league in rushing if he hadn't been injured and had no problem grinding out tough yards two years ago, when he scored 13 rushing touchdowns.
Know what else? He keeps getting better. He has learned to change speeds and run more patiently.
But you go ahead and question Parker. Keep pointing out what he can't do. Keep finding reasons the Steelers should replace him.
He likes that.
"He's the first guy in here every day and probably the last guy to leave," receiver Hines Ward said.
True to form, Parker was among the last off the practice field Thursday. Dripping sweat and still trying to catch his breath, he considered the question carefully.
Why isn't he automatically mentioned when people speak of the NFL's top backs?
Fast Willie leaned forward, squinted and said, "One day, they are going to talk about me as one of the best. They'll have no other choice."
About the rap he is stopped too often at the line of scrimmage (31 times last season, fifth-most in the NFL according to an article on ESPN.com) and has too many negative-yardage carries?
"Watch me this year," Parker said. "That's all I'll say."
Then, he said some more: "In the past, I probably got too greedy and wanted to make the big play every time. Barry Sanders had that same problem. I know what to do now. I'm trying to get positive yards, even if it's two yards."
Parker's teammates back him on that. He flashed his form Sunday with a 138-yard, three-TD opener against Houston, stiff-arming tacklers, spinning away from them and running right through them.
"A lot of people think of him as a little back, and he's not," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of the 5-foot-10, 209-pound Parker. "He's a handful - a violent runner. I wouldn't trade him for anyone."
I would, but after LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, I'd have to think hard before trading Parker for any other runner - and it's not like Peterson has proved his durability. Parker has the third-most rushing yards (4,012) in the NFL over the past three years.
Ward was among those who eased Parker's concerns when the team drafted Rashard Mendenhall, pointing out that it could help him.
Pardon Parker if he didn't pop a bottle of champagne that day.
"I'm the type of person where I jump to the craziest conclusions anyway," Parker said. "I thought the worst. That's the way I was thinking. But then, after talking to some people, they made me calm down."
Seems to me, Mendenhall was brought in to preserve and enhance Parker, not to replace him.
Parker isn't perfect. He's just one of the best running backs in the NFL, and already, at age 27, one of the best in Steelers' history.
"If he didn't get hurt, he would have led the league in rushing last year," said backup quarterback Charlie Batch, who is on injured reserve but has seen numerous elite runners in his years in the league. "He's a proven runner, deserving of all the credit he's getting."
Or not getting.
Joe Starkey is a sports writer for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at
I've said this and I'll say it again, there's more to being a football player than the YPA, YPC, avg. carry, 0 yard gains, negative gains, etc., when you're a good teammate, hard worker and a warrior people take notice and the team is better. Intangibles. There's a reason our run game went south once Parker was hurt last year and it very little to do with the Oline, Ben, Najeh, etc., the heart of the running game was on the sideline and that's not where the Steelers needed it to be.
Enjoy the read...that's my 20 cents worth. :2c :P
Pappy
:Bow
Iron Shiek
09-12-2008, 04:41 PM
I liked Willie's comment so much I put it in my sig line. Lets see him live up to that billing. He's driven, gotta give him that.
AngryAsian
09-12-2008, 08:20 PM
Don't you know that some people live their lives and try to explain life through statistics. I agree with you. Statistics lie and are used to manifest half truths. Parker is a high character, high performing RB. I'm glad we have him to set the example for Mendenhall and Mendenhall will be better for it if he embraces Parker's example.
Biggest example of this fact wearing Black and Gold is in the hall of fame. Lynn Swann. Statistically, his numbers are nowhere near his contemporaries at the position. But was he a huge factor in a dynastic best 4 SB championships in 6 years? Absolutely.
blacknblue80s
09-12-2008, 09:00 PM
Don't you know that some people live their lives and try to explain life through statistics. I agree with you. Statistics lie and are used to manifest half truths. Parker is a high character, high performing RB. I'm glad we have him to set the example for Mendenhall and Mendenhall will be better for it if he embraces Parker's example.
Biggest example of this fact wearing Black and Gold is in the hall of fame. Lynn Swann. Statistically, his numbers are nowhere near his contemporaries at the position. But was he a huge factor in a dynastic best 4 SB championships in 6 years? Absolutely.
He was the only WR that could float out of bounds, catch the ball and float back in bounds for the completion.
Lynn Swann = :Bow
RuthlessBurgher
09-12-2008, 09:14 PM
Don't you know that some people live their lives and try to explain life through statistics. I agree with you. Statistics lie and are used to manifest half truths. Parker is a high character, high performing RB. I'm glad we have him to set the example for Mendenhall and Mendenhall will be better for it if he embraces Parker's example.
Biggest example of this fact wearing Black and Gold is in the hall of fame. Lynn Swann. Statistically, his numbers are nowhere near his contemporaries at the position. But was he a huge factor in a dynastic best 4 SB championships in 6 years? Absolutely.
He was the only WR that could float out of bounds, catch the ball and float back in bounds for the completion.
Lynn Swann = :Bow
Swannie's the man. Met him up in the nosebleed bleacher section in the 3rd regular season game played at Heinz Field (it still wasn't even 2 months post-9/11, hence our headwear). Since I was born in the year of the first Super Bowl, I don't remember the dynasty firsthand, and unfortunately, my Dad (who obviously does remember those days) missed that game (my brother the black sheep Dolphin fan was with me instead).
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u62/niqueoh/RonandSwann_001.jpg
stlrz d
09-12-2008, 10:54 PM
RB - WTF were you doing sitting amongst the Ratstains fans??? :shock:
RuthlessBurgher
09-12-2008, 11:02 PM
RB - WTF were you doing sitting amongst the Ratstains fans??? :shock:
I believe I am the last row of season ticket holders. The five rows right behind me always tended to be fans of the opposition for the first few years (had some interesting interaction with groups of Bengals fans a few times). I assumed that those were the seats that the Steelers gave to the opposing team to sell or distribute (worst seats in the house...end zone, upper deck, bleachers, last 5 rows). Recently, the have all been Steeler fans back there, but no season ticket holders. I guess those are the single game tickets that they sell at the beginning of the season.
Regarding that particular game, I believe a big group of members of Rod Woodson's and Carnell Lake's families were sitting together one section over from me (they were both playing for Baltimore at the time) and Swannie was up there with their families for the first half of that game (I was lucky to catch him for this pic at halftime right before he left...hopefully for better seats!)
SanAntonioSteelerFan
09-12-2008, 11:16 PM
RuthlessBurgher -
:Bow :Bow :Bow :Bow :Bow
blacknblue80s
09-13-2008, 12:46 AM
Don't you know that some people live their lives and try to explain life through statistics. I agree with you. Statistics lie and are used to manifest half truths. Parker is a high character, high performing RB. I'm glad we have him to set the example for Mendenhall and Mendenhall will be better for it if he embraces Parker's example.
Biggest example of this fact wearing Black and Gold is in the hall of fame. Lynn Swann. Statistically, his numbers are nowhere near his contemporaries at the position. But was he a huge factor in a dynastic best 4 SB championships in 6 years? Absolutely.
He was the only WR that could float out of bounds, catch the ball and float back in bounds for the completion.
Lynn Swann = :Bow
Swannie's the man. Met him up in the nosebleed bleacher section in the 3rd regular season game played at Heinz Field (it still wasn't even 2 months post-9/11, hence our headwear). Since I was born in the year of the first Super Bowl, I don't remember the dynasty firsthand, and unfortunately, my Dad (who obviously does remember those days) missed that game (my brother the black sheep Dolphin fan was with me instead).
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u62/niqueoh/RonandSwann_001.jpg
:mrgreen: WOW!!!
I guess because I was so young, 5 years old in 1979, I was mesmerized by Swann and his acrobatic catches.
He has been my all-time favorite Steeler, though Ben is moving in on that position. :tt1
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