It's official FWP still ..................

[stlrz d]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

This debate is going around in circles. I have to chime in here (or GONG in here ).... The sentiments regarding Parker's utilization in certain situations is the crux of this argument. Parker's skillset has never been gaining the tough yards or within plays that have run between tackles. He's a home run hitter to the outside when you have guards pulling to the outside and very competent blocking by our beastly TE and our equally beastly blocking WRs Hines/Holmes. He has been outstanding over the years when you consider that we've been using him as our primary ground weapon. This isn't his strong suit.

That is why, as fans we should have more confidence in this year's ground game because we have two bruisers in the backfield like Mendy/Russell to punish the defenses... and its an added bonus that both these backs have above average hands... (in the passing game). Mendy still needs time to adjust to the big league pace.... but without a doubt our three headed monster will be extremely effective, even with our so-so line.... when these chess pieces utilized correctly.

Here's the problem.... Arians doesn't show even a hint of being a Master Strategist.... so even if he has all this talent, how will that reap us dividends this season. This is where the blame should shift. The proper play called at the proper time using the proper talent, would be a home run for this offense..... and Parker doing his part within the right situation.

Arians is a joke too don't get me started on that douche bag. I loved the plays last night with Roethlisberger out as a receiver and another where he is in motion. By the way both were direct snaps to FWP who gained maybe 2 yards combined on both.

I actually liked those plays, but once again... the "Master Strategist" had his pieces confused. Put Dixon in where Parker was and you have a true threat in the air as well as creating space with his athleticism. I like Parker, but he is a situational back and the moment the coaching staff actually sees this fact, the more production we'll have at the RB position.

It was brought up during the game that they probably would play it that way in the regular season.

I don't think the Steelers liked the idea of having only Lefty should DD and Ben somehow get hurt on the same play in a pre season game!

[Ghost]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

3 years of 1200 yards or more. Leading the entire NFL in rushing into December last season. Yeah, that's a guy who sucks...

If you want to make a statement about how a player is used situationally it's one thing but to use a broad statement "he sucks" makes a person sound foolish.

A lot of those third and long situations are due to poor blocking and even poorer play selection. Be creative - open the game up and you'll see FWP running to daylight. Would I use him on 3rd and 2 with 8 men on the line - of course not. But then there's not a back on the roster I'd trust with this line.

[ikestops85]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

Sorry LVG but I also have to disagree with you on this. Being a power runner is not FWP's forte but how can you discount what he did in 2006. Thirteen rushing TDs means you have to be getting some tough yards. I think the old adage in football is the line gets the back through the first level. What the running back does from the 2nd level on determines how good he is. I think FWP has shown what he can do given a fighting chance and there aren't too many backs in the league that I would take over him.

I think I understand your frustration in that Willie is not the type of back that the Steelers generally have had in the past. We normally have the back that runs 3-5 yards and then falls down. Well, I shouldn't say they fall down. It's generally the weight of all the defenders hanging off of them that drags them down. The difference is they could do that consistantly. Thats not Willie and from what I've seen so far it's not Mendy either. About the only one on our current roster who comes close to showing that ability is Russell and even he hasn't done it consistently.

While you may not like Willie's style I don't think it is prudent to say about any back that averages 1300 yards rushing a season in the NFL that they 'SUCK'. It just doesn't sound intelligent.

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

If you want to make a statement about how a player is used situationally it's one thing but to use a broad statement "he sucks" makes a person sound foolish.

Statements like that will turn this back into the trib board. He may not be what you look for in a back, but his stats speak for themselves.

[LasVegasGuy]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

1300 yards equals 81 yards a game. Not that impressive. Now take away his longest run of the game and I bet he wouldn't have 700 yards. Averaging below 3 yards a carry puts you close to the suck category IMO

[frankthetank1]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

1300 yards equals 81 yards a game. Not that impressive. Now take away his longest run of the game and I bet he wouldn't have 700 yards. Averaging below 3 yards a carry puts you close to the suck category IMO

its actually 93 yards a game. he only played 14 last year. the oline was so bad last year it wouldnt of mattered who was at rb. LT wouldn't of averaged 4 yards a carry behind that line

[frankthetank1]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

1300 yards equals 81 yards a game. Not that impressive. Now take away his longest run of the game and I bet he wouldn't have 700 yards. Averaging below 3 yards a carry puts you close to the suck category IMO

its actually 93 yards a game. he only played 14 last year. the oline was so bad last year it wouldnt of mattered who was at rb. LT wouldn't of averaged 4 yards a carry behind that line

[stlrz d]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

1300 yards equals 81 yards a game. Not that impressive. Now take away his longest run of the game and I bet he wouldn't have 700 yards. Averaging below 3 yards a carry puts you close to the suck category IMO

You'd lose that bet.

[url="http://www.nfl.com/players/willieparker/gamelogs?id=PAR468944&season=2007"]http://www.nfl.com/players/willieparker ... eason=2007[/url]

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

Sorry, LVG, I saw the VIkes game and disagree. I thought he ran hard, broke tackles, and showed a lot of heart.

You have a problem with the number of runs he has that have a lowish YPC average? Do you know who has the most "negative yard" runs in the history of the NFL? Barry Sanders, that's who*. By the same criteria he would suck too, I guess?

* I actually have no idea if that's true or not, but the facts should not get in the way of making a good point.

Seriously though, I really do feel that FWP doesn't "suck". As a matter of fact, I think he is pretty darn good, and I can't wait for him to win two or three games turning the corner for us.

[Oviedo]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

1300 yards equals 81 yards a game. Not that impressive. Now take away his longest run of the game and I bet he wouldn't have 700 yards. Averaging below 3 yards a carry puts you close to the suck category IMO

Then most every RB in the NFL sucks because FWP was leading the league in rushing when he was hurt. You can't ignore that fact. You can't also say take away this run and that run. Tomlinson benefits hugely from big runs just like FWP, so did Adrian Peterson last year. It is the nature of the NFL now.

[feltdizz]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

The FWP sucks is getting old... especially in a game where we watched Adrian Peterson get stuffed by our pathetic run stopping defense...

How can you blame FWP for 3rd and longs when our OL is to blame? It's not like FWP is missing holes...

Don't get me wrong, FWP's vision frustrates me, but I think part of the problem is Willie is trying to prove he can run inside when he needs to stick to what made him special.. bouncing outside and outrunning the D. Bettis would look like trash behind this OL.

RM will help, I do beliee FWP is better when he shares carries, but all this talk about FWP being the problem is too funny.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

SUCKS!

Again, I watched this guy put us in bad 3rd and longs situations because he can't shake off tacklers or get any yards up the middle. Teams have already figured it out that he always bounces to the outside and now they are just waiting for him. Maybe he should be returning kicks and let the real men run the ball. The days of picking up all his yardage to the outside appear to be over.

Stats:
10 Carries - 18 Yards (actually his longest carry was 9 yards, take away the 9 yard carry and you have 9 carries for 9 yards and a whopping 1 yard per carry).

Now before everyone says the O-Line is the problem Mendenhall had 15 carries, 79 yards, case of the dropsies and his longest run was a 21 yarder. Take the 21 yard run away and you are looking at 14 carries for 58 yards which is a little over 4 yards a carry.) The fumbles can be corrected but FWP's running style can't be.

Hey LVG, what do you think about the AFC player of the week so far this season

I don't know if he'll be able to keep it up, you may be right in the end, but here's hoping some combination of a new line, a new year, and a new willie* translates into some W's this year that we wouldn't have had otherwise.

So far he's doing fine!

* Isn't that a certain very painful surgical procedure?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

Sorry, duplicate post.

[Shawn]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

I'm not a Willie Parker fan...but it's not because he doesn't have skills. He has skills...just not the skills that move chains, eat clock, and run those tough 3rd and 3's.

I'm a fan of backs that can do it all. If you can't find that back you need to go with 2 backs that complement each other. If you didn't know I wasn't a Bettis fan either. Why? Because, he couldn't make D's respect the edges. He couldn't be a threat in the passing game. Combine a young Bettis and Parker...well that would be something to watch. Especially, if you could find creative ways to get them on the field at the same time.

Which leads me to our current situation. We drafted a back in the first for a reason. Parker...by himself...against all teams...is not enough. We drafted a guy that runs hard and can catch...the things Parker doesn't do all that well. But, we got a bonus...a top 10 talent fell into our laps. He is the complete package. He can do it all. He runs with authority, speed, vision, and has soft hands. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see Mendenhall starting by first game next season. Parker while skilled is limited in what he can do...hence the great divide in opinion.

[frankthetank1]

Re: It's official FWP still ..................

smg how is it that you were not a bettis fan? the guy is in the top ten all time for total yards. he was a physical rb who took so many hits and was able to do it for a long time. if you would only be happy with a complete back i guess that would only be barry sanders, emmit smith and walter payton. are there any complete backs in the nfl today? peterson isnt all that consistent YET and even LT has had some not so great games. my point is if your that critical of a rb than you may never be happy with any rb the steelers have. last sunday fwp was very consistent. what was his longest run like 15 yards or so?