Willie Parker Wants To Be A Steeler Again

[hawaiiansteel]

Willie Parker Wants To Be A Steeler Again

May 13, 2011

http://www.sportsblink.com/product_images/willie-parker-pittsburgh-steelers-super-bowl-touchdown-run-autographed-photograph-3352218.jpg


PITTSBURGH (KDKA) —

There’s a campaign going on right now out there in the “Twitter-verse” titled “Re-sign 39.”

It’s aimed at the Steelers bringing back Willie Parker. “Fast Willie” left in a hurry after the 2009 season when it became clear Rashard Mendenhall had surpassed him as the starting running back. So off to the Washington Redskins Willie went. That turned out to be the worst decision of his career and now he wants back in with the Black and Gold.
“When you’re going somewhere thinking the grass is greener on the other side,” Parker said, “and when you finally get there and you realize you left for the wrong reasons, it sucks.”

Willie actually turned down an offer to remain with the Steelers.

“I didn’t burn any bridges,” he said, “but at the end it was kind of my decision.”

He signed with the Washington Redskins, who told Parker he could be their starter. He now feels the Redskins pulled a fast one on “Fast Willie.”

“When you’re on top,” he said, “you know where your future’s headed. It’s a business. You go where the grass is greener, you think it’s a better situation, a better fit. Going to Washington, talking to them, before I made the decision, they’re going to lure me in the best way they can.”

Which was telling him he would start.

“They knew that’s what I wanted to hear.”

What he wound up finding in Washington was unlike anything he had ever experienced in his football career.

“Man, the opposite of the whole organization of Pittsburgh,” he said. “I never been in a situation like that.”

On the field, he felt undervalued and overworked to the point of injury.

“I used to dread going to practices. Absolutely dread it,” he said. “They had meetings with me, then with CP (Clinton Portis), and pretty much told us all, nobody’s the starter.”

“Me? My competitive nature, I felt I could beat anyone out if we go out and compete and everything’s even and no BS, that’s just me.

“Practice? There were days in practice when coaches were treating me like I was a rookie. Me and LJ (Larry Johnson). There were some days he [didn’t] get the ball, some days me. CP — he [didn’t] practice at all.

“So I’m like, they had me and LJ feel like we’re competing for the job and they had no intentions of keeping us at all.”

Off the field, he says, it was even worse.

“The players,” he said, “there were only a certain few I respected – only a certain few that could play in an organization like Pittsburgh,” Parker said.

“The rest, the only thing they do is party. They party all the time. I wasn’t about that. They tried to get me to go out, party, every day of the week,” he continued. “You got practice tomorrow? They partying. It’s a different type of partying. The go hard, and they don’t care too much about football and I care about football. I party last and football first as a priority.”

The situation was so bad, that after being cut by the Redskins, Parker had a chance to go back with them and turned it down.

“They called me midway through the season and tried to re-sign me. I called coach Cowher and I talked with coach Cowher and I tried to get some advice from him before I made the decision to go back. He told me, quote, ‘You better get your a– back on that field.’ That’s what he said.

“But then after I talked with him, we talked for a long time, and (he said) if you feel that way, and you feel that’s how it’s gonna be, if it’s really like that and I never heard anything like that when it come to coaches, I wouldn’t make that decision,” Parker said.
But the full season off allowed Parker to get fully healthy and realize where it is he wants to be.

“The bottom line,” he said, “I want to be back in Pittsburgh. The Black and Gold – I know the situation. Rashard’s the starter back or whatever, but I know what I can do.
“The thing about it is it’s not really about money right now. It’s about playing.

“It’s too bad it (took having) to go somewhere else to find out, what it was but I don’t regret any decision I made. But one thing I can say, if I could turn back the hands of time, I would’ve made a different decision,” he concluded.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/05/ ... ler-again/ (http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/05/13/willie-parker-wants-to-be-a-steeler-again/)

[flippy]

I'd be for bringing him back. Kid's a class act. Let him run a series or 2 a game to keep Rashard fresh. And who knows, he might hit a home run or 2.

[AngryAsian]

I wonder what he has left in the tank. "We rode the wheels" off FWP. I can't see him surpassing Redman on the depth chart and he doesn't have the soft hands that we need coming out of the backfield. I can't see the team fitting him anywhere. I agree... he was a class act.

[flippy]

And he doesn't even have a SuperBowl ring for himself yet. He's hungry. Didn't he have a list of people he was gonna give his SuperBowl rings too before he finally kept one for himself.

His XL SuperBowl run is etched in my mind. I've never gone sooo nuts over one play until James Harrison's pick 6. And the throw by Ben to seal XLIII knocked Willie's run down another notch.

But c'mon, this guy raced pit bulls as a kid. That's like something Rocky would do to train. He's a legend in my book. And he barely played in college, so he's gotta have a little tread left. I remember his last game before he left Pittsburgh, and he was out there giving everything. And you could tell he still had something left.

He's playing ball now for the Virginia Destroyers. C'Mon, this is friggin Willie Parker. I think I like the underdog UDFA types :)

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I love Willie, but I'm sorry, I don't see a place on the team for him now. He's not a third-down back, and he ain't supplanting Mendy or Redman at this point.

Well, unless Mendy cuts his own throat via some more ill-advised Tweets...

[flippy]

Why not just bring him back to scare the younger guys out of leaving?

Throw him the vet minimum and save money as a result on Timmons, Woodley, etc. in future years. I think that's half the reason we brought back ARE and Foote.

[Djfan]

I'd love to have him back. Don't see how or where, but he always will be one of my favorite Steelers. Classy, all-in, great story.

[papillon]

Willie Parker will always be a player that I remember, a good guy whose effort was far greater than his talent. If he wants to come to camp and compete, why not let him? It won't cost the Steelers a boatload of dough and he was one of the good guys.

I don't think he'll make the team, but let him compete, it can only make the other backs work just as hard.

Pappy

[anger 82&95]

If there was just some way to truly utilize his linear speed in the open field…

[fezziwig]

If there was just some way to truly utilize his linear speed in the open field…


You got that right. I always liked Willie and thought he took the high road no matter what, came his way. My heart says, " bring him back." What is best for the team tells me differently.

If he just had some softer hands, the ability to make a cut or see when to make a cut he would probably still be the man. No doubt, he's a North to South runner but, how can we utilize that ? Maybe special teams........he'd have to be the first one down there on a kickoff.

[NJ-STEELER]

he should practice KO returns.

give himself a better chance of making the roster

[costanza2k1]

Guess that whole rushing title thing didn't work out in Washington.

[grotonsteel]

Willie Parker was a good RB for Steelers player especially for UDFA but he has reached his shelf life. I would not bring him even on vet min. I would sign a UDFA RB or a FA like Cadillac Williams.

Willie Parker greatest asset was his speed and unfortunately he has lost it. He ain't no more Fast Willie Parker and he can't catch.

[grotonsteel]

he should practice KO returns.

give himself a better chance of making the roster

Unfortunately for Willie Parker he can't catch and he definitely lacks vision. I think he has lost his speed after that injury against St Louis Rams where he twisted his ankle. I don't recollect Willie Parker hitting home runs after that injury. His negative plays killed the offense IMO.

[DukieBoy]

UDFA Willie Parker was a great story, and Fast Willie Parker was a really good Steeler. I loved that he was a Steeler and a champion. I'd root for him just to have another chance. If, after a year without the wear and tear, the "Fast" is gone, it will be tough for him. Obviously, championship teams can't make decisions on past performance, and can't usually wait much time for "potential" to come through. If Dwyer doesn't have it, and FWP still has something, what would the Steelers do?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Why not just bring him back to scare the younger guys out of leaving?

Throw him the vet minimum and save money as a result on Timmons, Woodley, etc. in future years. I think that's half the reason we brought back ARE and Foote.

Just read this post now. I swear I had not seen it before my very similar post in another thread about why we brought back BMac, Foote, ARE, and Lefty. Weird...

[NJ-STEELER]

he should practice KO returns.

give himself a better chance of making the roster

Unfortunately for Willie Parker he can't catch and he definitely lacks vision. I think he has lost his speed after that injury against St Louis Rams where he twisted his ankle. I don't recollect Willie Parker hitting home runs after that injury. His negative plays killed the offense IMO.

if he can still run (hopefully a 4.4) he should learn it.
catching a KO isnt as hard as a punt. as far as vision...all he needs to do is pick a hole and jet

[Shawn]

I like the youth movement in our backfield. I want to let Moore go and keep 4...Mendenhall, Redman, Batch and Dwyer. I think that's a strong line up.

[Steelgal]

I'm all for bringing him back and letting him try and make the team. Still have his jersey and would wear it again proudly!!!!

[hawaiiansteel]

Harris: Parker's ship has sailed ... with Steelers

By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, May 14, 2011


I can't believe what I think I heard the other day. Asked on TribLive Radio about making a comeback with the Steelers, ex-running back Willie Parker replied, "There's definitely a possibility ... when this lockout is over, that's going to be my first priority — talking with the Steelers operation.''

Then, Parker added faster than he used to hit the hole, "Me and Coach T (Mike Tomlin), we're pretty cool. That's how it's supposed to be ... Never burn bridges in case you want to go back.''

Parker is dreaming.

Contrary to what he believes, burned bridges or not, he doesn't fit in the Steelers' plans.

With friends like Tomlin, who needs enemies?

When Tomlin took over in 2007, he vowed to run Parker until his wheels fell off. True to his word, Parker ranked among the NFL leaders in carries when he suffered a broken leg in the 15th game that season.

Parker was never the same.

In their very next draft, the Steelers selected Rashard Mendenhall to replace Parker, who held on for two more seasons before he was phased out.

The odds of Parker, 30, returning to the Steelers this season range between slim and none.

Parker couldn't catch on with Washington last season. Asked about the brief time he spent there, Parker said on another radio show that the Redskins "don't care about football.''

So much for not burning bridges.

I think it's great that Parker wants to play for the Steelers again. However, the feeling has to be mutual. It isn't.

If it was, the Steelers wouldn't have let Parker get away only to now consider bringing him back for old time's sake.

The Steelers already have enough 30-and-older players. It's essential that they begin developing young talent.

Parker enjoyed some great years with the Steelers. He made two Pro Bowls and bolted for a 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XLV, the longest run in Super Bowl history.

There was a time when Parker ranked among the fastest players in the NFL. That time has passed.

The Steelers now have Mendenhall, who has rushed for nearly 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns the past two seasons. Tomlin now promises to run Mendenhall until his wheels fall off, but that doesn't mean Parker is equipped to fill that void, ill-advised Twitter comments or not.

There's also Parker's age to consider. He cracked the 30-year barrier in November, which is the glass ceiling for running backs. Injuries and attrition robbed Parker of the quick burst, which earned him the nickname 'Fast Willie Parker.' What's more, his pass catching skills were never that good to begin with.

The Steelers have better options at running back. There's Isaac Redman, a bruising blocker and short-yardage specialist who has earned more carries. There's also Jonathan Dwyer, who spent his rookie season on the practice squad learning how to become a pro. Rookie Baron Batch is a set of young legs who could replace Dwyer on the practice squad. Moreover, veteran Mewelde Moore is an unrestricted free agent whose future with the team is uncertain.

As a result, there could be room for another veteran running back on the roster.

So where does Parker fit in? Actually, he doesn't — even if he thinks he does.

The Steelers aren't in the habit of re-signing players who lose their starting jobs, inside linebacker Larry Foote notwithstanding.

If Parker wasn't good enough to play for Washington, what makes anyone think he can still be an effective player for the Steelers?

Maybe Parker feels that his relationship with Tomlin is solid enough to withstand the fact that Mendenhall beat him out under Tomlin's watch. Maybe Parker believes the lockout will favor veterans like himself who will be ready to play on short notice.

Maybe Parker has found the Fountain of Youth and still has another 1,000-yard season left in him.

Parker has the right idea — returning to finish his career with the Steelers. But his timing is all wrong. His 40 time, that is.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... z1MMw5mcSo (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_737050.html#ixzz1MMw5mcSo)

[Mister Pittsburgh]

No thanks. We got better options.

[RuthlessBurgher]

The Steelers have better options at running back. There's Isaac Redman, a bruising blocker and short-yardage specialist who has earned more carries. There's also Jonathan Dwyer, who spent his rookie season on the practice squad learning how to become a pro. Rookie Baron Batch is a set of young legs who could replace Dwyer on the practice squad. Moreover, veteran Mewelde Moore is an unrestricted free agent whose future with the team is uncertain.


Dwyer wasn't on the practice squad. He was on the 53 man roster, but was inactive for all but one game last season (rushing 9 times for 28 yards in week 17 vs. Cleveland). Then again, it wouldn't be a John Harris article if there wasn't at least one glaring error that would be avoidable with even a tiny bit of research).

[RuthlessBurgher]

I like the youth movement in our backfield. I want to let Moore go and keep 4...Mendenhall, Redman, Batch and Dwyer. I think that's a strong line up.

:Agree I'm good with that foursome.

[Prowler]

I would not take Fumblelina back for any reason whatsoever. Why would anyone want the worst RB in football on our team again? You know the guy with 5 straight seasons of declining stats, the guy who always falls backwards down on first contact every single time and the former player who once led the league in fumbles. No thanks, never again!!!

[flippy]

I like the youth movement in our backfield. I want to let Moore go and keep 4...Mendenhall, Redman, Batch and Dwyer. I think that's a strong line up.

:Agree I'm good with that foursome.

I think Batch and Dwyer are competing with one another. And Moore brings a unique skillset and should be safe. He's a great pass catcher on 3rd down and while his role is limited, he can make a play here or there that can be the difference in the season.

Batch is probably on the PS. And I'm not big on Dwyer from what I've seen so far.

[eniparadoxgma]

I would not take Fumblelina back for any reason whatsoever. Why would anyone want the worst RB in football on our team again? You know the guy with 5 straight seasons of declining stats, the guy who always falls backwards down on first contact every single time and the former player who once led the league in fumbles. No thanks, never again!!!

Wow. Hyperbole much?

[flippy]

I was just gonna say I think he's mixing up FWP and Amos Zeroue.

[hawaiiansteel]

Because There's Little Else To Discuss at the Moment, I'll Play Devil's Advocate in the Willie Parker Discussion

by Michael Bean on May 23, 2011

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/1305346/52723_chargers_steelers_football.jpg

Gene J. Puskar - APMore photos


Make sure you read that title twice. I'm taking a stab at this primarily because there will continue to be no major NFL news until June 3rd when oral arguments are heard in a St. Louis courtroom.

Also worth noting up front is the fact that I am like the rest of you -- I don't think the Pittsburgh Steelers will show any real interest or put any substantive thought into bringing back Willie Parker; I do however believe that it wouldn't be a terrible idea to invite him to training camp (assuming there is one). And finally, I'll go on the record to say that if Parker does get an opportunity to make a roster in 2011, he will exceed expectations. Considering there are no expectations for Parker at this stage in his career, that might not be saying much. But I do think if he can make his way to camp with the right team, he will find a way to stick and contribute with the occasional carry in 2011.

A couple quick thoughts on why I see no harm in the Steelers bringing Parker to camp this year.

First, what's the harm? At this stage in his career, Parker is looking for an opportunity to make a team, not sign a big contract. Obviously it would require the same level of financial commitment as it would to bring in any old undrafted free agent rookie that faces an uphill battle to make it through camp.

Is it too much of a stretch to say that Parker's presence would be uplifting while also serving as a stark reminder to young and old players alike that fortunes can change in a heartbeat in this league, so best not take anything for granted? I don't think so.

I say that partly because Parker didn't burn any real bridges with the organization or his former teammates. At least not that I know of. In other words, his presence wouldn't be viewed as a distraction by guys that Parker had alienated himself from at the end of his tenure with the Steelers.

Nothing too controversial there, but what about the fact that there doesn't appear to be any real niche on the RB depth chart for Parker to occupy? Well, it's hard to argue that the Steelers are in need of too much added depth or versatility at the position. Rashard Mendenhall obviously has established himself as a legitimate No. 1 workhorse back; Isaac Redman was adept in short-yardage situations and proved he can pass-block, catch the ball out of the backfield and fit in nicely within the team concept; Jonathan Dwyer is eagerly awaiting the chance to see the field; and either Mewelde Moore or Baron Batch look like solid candidates to play on third down.

All told, the Steelers don't appear to be lacking bodies at RB. But what happens if Mendenhall or Redman suffers an injury?

For those who believe that Parker has never, and will never, be the same type of explosive back since he broke his leg in Week 16 of the 2007 season, a year in which his rushing title dreams were dashed when he broke his fibula in the opening moments of the Steelers' easy win over the Rams. True, Fast Willie probably said goodbye forever to his world-class speed on that unfortunate Thursday evening. But it wasn't just recovering from the broken leg that set him back so noticeably the following season in '08. Parker also injured his knee late in the Steelers' atrocious 15-6 loss to the Eagles early in the year. A freak accident in which he stepped in a pothole during practice re-aggravated the injury in October. He also dealt with a torn labrum later in the SB season, an injury that did not require surgery. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, Parker was hampered by a lingering toe turf injury for much of the 2009 season, a typically crippling malady that prematurely derailed the career of Jack Lambert and countless others.

That's a lot to overcome -- perhaps too much -- but don't point to the broken leg in December of '07 as the beginning of the end. Parker was hardly dominant in the 11 games he played in '08. But who could have been running behind that offensive line? The fact that he averaged 3.8 yards per pop in his 210 carries is fairly impressive actually.

Don't forget, against a tired Chargers defense in the divisional round of the playoffs, Parker's explosiveness and speed to the edge reemerged. He made firm and decisive cuts en route to a 27-carry, 146-yard and two touchdown performance.

Since helping the Steelers win Lombardi No. 6, Parker has carried the ball a grand total of 98 times, all during his final season with the Steelers in '09. 52 of those carries came before the sixth game of the season in mid-October. He had zero rushing attempts last season in Washington.

Translation: the man has had plenty of time to finally get healthy.

And it's not as if he's had to recover from many years of absorbing bone-crunching hits.

Parker accumulated very little wear and tear during his college career at North Carolina, and his 1,253 regular season career carries is nearly 1900 fewer than LaDainian Tomlinson's career total of 3,099 and nearly 1,000 fewer than Clinton Porti's 2,230 career carries. Parker's total is also just a handful more than the total of 25-year old Adrian Peterson (1,198), and fewer than Cedric Benson (1,256), Julio Jones (1,280), Frank Gore (1,371) and Willis McGahee (1,541) to name but a few of the active backs.

There's just no reason to necessarily categorize him in the same class of backs who have taken a beating physically for a prolonged period of years.

Speaking of which, Rashard Mendenhall might not be able to handle such a huge workload this season. His 324 carries last season were the 123rd most in a single-season in league history, and three more than Parker's total of 321 in '07. Mendenhall had 61 postseason carries last season though giving him 385 on the year. If you're a believer in the 'Curse of 370' then you might be concerned that Mendenhall's in for a less productive season in 2011. Hopefully not, but whether he averages 5 yards per carry or 3.5, I sure hope Mendenhall's carries are limited to the low 300 range at the very most this coming season.

So, in conclusion, again I'll say that I don't think it's going to happen -- Willie Parker's days in Pittsburgh have probably come and gone. But were the Steelers to invite him to training camp, I would support the decision wholeheartedly. From where I'm sitting, it'd be just as cost-effective to sign Parker for a one-year deal at the veteran minimum as it would be to re-sign free agent Mewelde Moore to a two or three year deal at what I imagine would be around $800-$1.1 million per season.The Steelers could then use some combination of Parker, Isaac Redman and Baron Batch as your third-down backs, with Redman handling short-yardage situations and the trio of Redman/Parker/Dwyer competing for the infrequent series to give Mendenhall a rest.

If he looks fresh in camp, great, you've got yourself an experienced change of pace back to spell Mendenhall throughout the year, insure against an injury to any of the RBs, and play on the infrequent passing down (Parker was a plenty adept pass blocker). If he looks slow and not worthy of a precious roster spot during camp, so be it. No harm no foul.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/20 ... lay-devils (http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/5/23/2186108/because-theres-little-else-to-discuss-at-the-moment-ill-play-devils)

[RuthlessBurgher]

Parker accumulated very little wear and tear during his college career at North Carolina, and his 1,253 regular season career carries is nearly 1900 fewer than LaDainian Tomlinson's career total of 3,099 and nearly 1,000 fewer than Clinton Porti's 2,230 career carries. Parker's total is also just a handful more than the total of 25-year old Adrian Peterson (1,198), and fewer than Cedric Benson (1,256), Julio Jones (1,280), Frank Gore (1,371) and Willis McGahee (1,541) to name but a few of the active backs.

That's an awful lot of touches for a locked out rookie. :stirpot :lol:

[hawaiiansteel]

Parker accumulated very little wear and tear during his college career at North Carolina, and his 1,253 regular season career carries is nearly 1900 fewer than LaDainian Tomlinson's career total of 3,099 and nearly 1,000 fewer than Clinton Porti's 2,230 career carries. Parker's total is also just a handful more than the total of 25-year old Adrian Peterson (1,198), and fewer than Cedric Benson (1,256), Julio Jones (1,280), Frank Gore (1,371) and Willis McGahee (1,541) to name but a few of the active backs.

That's an awful lot of touches for a locked out rookie. :stirpot :lol:


no wonder the Falcons traded the farm in order to move up for Julio Jones... :D