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Parker watches role diminish
Sunday, October 25, 2009
BY DALE GRDNIC
For The Patriot-News
[url="http://www.pennlive.com/nfl/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1256353804262110.xml&coll=1"]http://www.pennlive.com/nfl/patriotnews ... xml&coll=1[/url]
PITTSBURGH - Steelers running back Willie Parker is like Avis in the old rent-a-car commercials: He's No. 2 but trying harder.
Due to Parker's turf-toe injury, Rashard Mendenhall has started the past three games and played well, while Parker missed two games and came off the bench last week.
Mendenhall is expected to start again when the Steelers (4-2) host the NFC's Minnesota Vikings (6-0) at 1 p.m. today at Heinz Field.
"Rashard has earned the right to take the majority of snaps as we proceed," coach Mike Tomlin said. "[Parker will be rotated in] with the emphasis on giving us the best chance of winning."
That's OK with Parker, for now.
"He's the coach," Parker said. "He has to make a decision and live with it. He thinks that's the best for our offense right now, and pretty much I have to prove him wrong. I'm cool with it, [but] I'm not all the way back. ... I'm not myself right now."
Parker has been injury-prone the past few years, and he is not yet back to being the runner he was prior to breaking a leg in 2007. He missed a handful of games last year.
In his return against the Cleveland Browns last week, Parker ran for 26 yards on seven carries. Mendenhall had 62 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and has 304 yards and four scores in the past three games.
Parker's days with the Steelers might be numbered. He's in his final contract year and could be a free agent after this season. At most, he could be the No. 2 back with Mendenhall as the starter.
"With the way our offense is going right now, I'm not going against coach's decision," Parker said. "I just have to prove him wrong whenever I get my chance.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
BY DALE GRDNIC
For The Patriot-News
[url="http://www.pennlive.com/nfl/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1256353804262110.xml&coll=1"]http://www.pennlive.com/nfl/patriotnews ... xml&coll=1[/url]
PITTSBURGH - Steelers running back Willie Parker is like Avis in the old rent-a-car commercials: He's No. 2 but trying harder.
Due to Parker's turf-toe injury, Rashard Mendenhall has started the past three games and played well, while Parker missed two games and came off the bench last week.
Mendenhall is expected to start again when the Steelers (4-2) host the NFC's Minnesota Vikings (6-0) at 1 p.m. today at Heinz Field.
"Rashard has earned the right to take the majority of snaps as we proceed," coach Mike Tomlin said. "[Parker will be rotated in] with the emphasis on giving us the best chance of winning."
That's OK with Parker, for now.
"He's the coach," Parker said. "He has to make a decision and live with it. He thinks that's the best for our offense right now, and pretty much I have to prove him wrong. I'm cool with it, [but] I'm not all the way back. ... I'm not myself right now."
Parker has been injury-prone the past few years, and he is not yet back to being the runner he was prior to breaking a leg in 2007. He missed a handful of games last year.
In his return against the Cleveland Browns last week, Parker ran for 26 yards on seven carries. Mendenhall had 62 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and has 304 yards and four scores in the past three games.
Parker's days with the Steelers might be numbered. He's in his final contract year and could be a free agent after this season. At most, he could be the No. 2 back with Mendenhall as the starter.
"With the way our offense is going right now, I'm not going against coach's decision," Parker said. "I just have to prove him wrong whenever I get my chance.
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