No FA love for Parker

[stlrz d]

I don't understand the revisionist history when it comes to Parker. He'd make a fine back up to Mendenhall at this point. I hope he comes back.

Revisionist history? Am I making something up? Please elaborate. WP breaking off some big runs in 2005 do not translate to the 2010 version of WP. We can agree to disagree about the traits important in a running back but you can't disagree with the fact that he hasn't been remotely productive in 2 years. I don't see how he will help our red zone woes or help us control the ball late in games. Those are our issues...and Parker's "skill set" are not condusive to helping in those areas.

I'm referring to the comments about him not being able to break tackles, not having any vision and not being able to catch the ball.

While his is no Mike Alstott, there are plenty of highlights of Parker breaking tackles. While he is no Barry Sanders, there are plenty of highlights of Parker cutting back with nothing there and making something out of it.

Re: Catching passes - Mendenhall had 25 receptions last season. Parker had 23 in 2007. The Steelers simply don't throw the ball to the RB that often. They haven't for a long time. Perhaps that will change? Who's to say. But history shows the Steelers just haven't thrown to the RB all that much for many years.

Ehh I think you are stretching a bit. First, there was an article speaking about Parker's hands and his inability to turn and catch a ball properly. This was a couple years back. There was even a comment from one of the coaches about it. I wish I had a link but like I said it was a couple years ago. He has had only two seasons where he broke 20 receptions and only 3 where he broke 150 yards. Mendenhall last season caught 25 balls for 260+ yards...not bad for his first starting season. But, I expect more from him in that area this season.

As for power well like I said before...in 2005 during the playoffs...Parker ran 45% of the time for one yard or less. While I'm not saying he was a porcelin doll...he certainly isn't known for being a tough between the tackles runner. He has some ability to break tackles but certainly doesn't do so consistantly enough to move sticks.

As for vision...I don't think it's a coincidence that Parker ran his best behind a FB who picked his holes for him. For his first two seasons I watched him miss hole after hole to run up the back side of one of his linemen. In Parkers good playing years he was a threat...but only as a speed back...one dimensional speed back.

He can't catch like a WR, but not many backs can. Wish I had saved my post from the trib forum on catches by Steelers' RBs. You have to go all the way back to John L. for any serious numbers at that position.

Parker ran his best inside when following a FB. And that was because someone was taking out a big body so he had room to run. He's not Bettis. Heck, even Bettis had some of his best games with a FB in front of him.

[Shawn]

I'm actually shocked that so many fans like Parker. He clearly had many deficits in his game but many fans love him.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I'm actually shocked that so many fans like Parker. He clearly had many deficits in his game but many fans love him.

It could just be rooting for underdog undrafted free agents. You tend to think of any production that you get from UDFA's as a bonus, so you root for guys like Willie Parker, James Harrison, Dan Kreider, etc. who are successful in spite of the odds being stacked up against them from the start. However, I found the seething hatred for Nate Washington by many to be puzzling. He was a productive player that we found at freaking Tiffin, but many wanted to dump him as soon as humanly possible. Never really understood that perspective.

[stlrz d]

I'm actually shocked that so many fans like Parker. He clearly had many deficits in his game but many fans love him.

It could just be rooting for underdog undrafted free agents. You tend to think of any production that you get from UDFA's as a bonus, so you root for guys like Willie Parker, James Harrison, Dan Kreider, etc. who are successful in spite of the odds being stacked up against them from the start. However, I found the seething hatred for Nate Washington by many to be puzzling. He was a productive player that we found at freaking Tiffin, but many wanted to dump him as soon as humanly possible. Never really understood that perspective.

Ranks right up there with the people who still dislike the QB who's largely responsible for our 2 most recent titles. And I'm talking dislike for him ON the field, not OFF of it.

[Steel Life]

I'm actually shocked that so many fans like Parker. He clearly had many deficits in his game but many fans love him.

It could just be rooting for underdog undrafted free agents. You tend to think of any production that you get from UDFA's as a bonus, so you root for guys like Willie Parker, James Harrison, Dan Kreider, etc. who are successful in spite of the odds being stacked up against them from the start. However, I found the seething hatred for Nate Washington by many to be puzzling. He was a productive player that we found at freaking Tiffin, but many wanted to dump him as soon as humanly possible. Never really understood that perspective.

Because of those players you mention is one reason UDFA's like to come here - they know they'll get a shot to compete. And you're right, the love/hate dynamic for Nate was weird, but he's an All-Star compared to Sweed...thank god for Wallace.