Fast Willie Parker sits out most of the 4th Q yesterday (1 Viewer)

[Urinal Mint]

At the point when FWP exited the game for good in the 4th quarter, he had just ripped off a 6-yd run and was waving his arms to get the crowd pumped while skipping off the field. He had just taken his 32nd touch and looked great the entire way.

Then, he doesn't come back in the game. The next play, Verron Haynes fumbles and Cincy goes ahead on the quick strike to Houshmandzadeh.

Pittsburgh Steelers at 07:59

1-10-PIT20(7:59) W.Parker right end to PIT 26 for 6 yards (R.Jeanty).

2-4-PIT26(7:22) V.Haynes left end to PIT 30 for 4 yards (K.Kaesviharn). FUMBLES (K.Kaesviharn), RECOVERED by CIN-B.Simmons at PIT 30. B.Simmons to PIT 30 for no gain (H.Miller).

Now, is Haynes the primary back because he's a better catch-and-run back? You notice at this point in the game Pittsburgh moves into it's hurry-up offense and a lot more dump passes are thrown underneath.I don't know if Parker hit his "touch limit" for the game and was pulled to preserve him, or if Haynes is just a better option for the dink-and-dunk game Pittsburgh was forced to play the remainder of the 4th quarter after going down 11.

Just thinking aloud here

 

[CA_7]

Now, is Haynes the primary back because he's a better catch-and-run back? You notice at this point in the game Pittsburgh moves into it's hurry-up offense and a lot more dump passes are thrown underneath.I don't know if Parker hit his "touch limit" for the game and was pulled to preserve him, or if Haynes is just a better option for the dink-and-dunk game Pittsburgh was forced to play the remainder of the 4th quarter after going down 11.

Very good questions. Seems to me that FWP is more of a home run hitter and PIT would try to use him more if they were down trying to get a quick score

 

[RageRhino]

At the point when FWP exited the game for good in the 4th quarter, he had just ripped off a 6-yd run and was waving his arms to get the crowd pumped while skipping off the field. He had just taken his 32nd touch and looked great the entire way.

Then, he doesn't come back in the game. The next play, Verron Haynes fumbles and Cincy goes ahead on the quick strike to Houshmandzadeh.

Pittsburgh Steelers at 07:59

1-10-PIT20(7:59) W.Parker right end to PIT 26 for 6 yards (R.Jeanty).

2-4-PIT26(7:22) V.Haynes left end to PIT 30 for 4 yards (K.Kaesviharn). FUMBLES (K.Kaesviharn), RECOVERED by CIN-B.Simmons at PIT 30. B.Simmons to PIT 30 for no gain (H.Miller).

Now, is Haynes the primary back because he's a better catch-and-run back? You notice at this point in the game Pittsburgh moves into it's hurry-up offense and a lot more dump passes are thrown underneath.I don't know if Parker hit his "touch limit" for the game and was pulled to preserve him, or if Haynes is just a better option for the dink-and-dunk game Pittsburgh was forced to play the remainder of the 4th quarter after going down 11.

Just thinking aloud here

It's because they went into the 2 minute / shotgun offense and that is haynes role. he is the pass catching 3rd down back.

 

[Texican]

Haynes is the hurry up / 3rd down back

 

[Urinal Mint]

Still, the Steelers showed no reservations about letting Parker lug the rock. 31 carries. He looked solid yesterday and showed oomph at the goalline.

 

[apalmer]

At the point when FWP exited the game for good in the 4th quarter, he had just ripped off a 6-yd run and was waving his arms to get the crowd pumped while skipping off the field. He had just taken his 32nd touch and looked great the entire way.

Then, he doesn't come back in the game. The next play, Verron Haynes fumbles and Cincy goes ahead on the quick strike to Houshmandzadeh.

Pittsburgh Steelers at 07:59

1-10-PIT20(7:59) W.Parker right end to PIT 26 for 6 yards (R.Jeanty).

2-4-PIT26(7:22) V.Haynes left end to PIT 30 for 4 yards (K.Kaesviharn). FUMBLES (K.Kaesviharn), RECOVERED by CIN-B.Simmons at PIT 30. B.Simmons to PIT 30 for no gain (H.Miller).

Now, is Haynes the primary back because he's a better catch-and-run back? You notice at this point in the game Pittsburgh moves into it's hurry-up offense and a lot more dump passes are thrown underneath.I don't know if Parker hit his "touch limit" for the game and was pulled to preserve him, or if Haynes is just a better option for the dink-and-dunk game Pittsburgh was forced to play the remainder of the 4th quarter after going down 11.

Just thinking aloud here

It's because they went into the 2 minute / shotgun offense and that is haynes role. he is the pass catching 3rd down back.

Exactly. Guys practice the plays they will be in for. Haynes is the guy who has practiced those plays. Pulling him for FWP on those plays increases the chances of mistakes.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I was wondering the same thing......

I understand guys have roles on teams.......but when you need points quickly....wouldn't you want probably your BEST playmaker on the field.....?....

Does FWP really suck at catching passes or something......I found this very strange......

 

[corpcow]

Now, is Haynes the primary back because he's a better catch-and-run back? You notice at this point in the game Pittsburgh moves into it's hurry-up offense and a lot more dump passes are thrown underneath.

Exactly. And Haynes is a better blocker. That's why he's the "third down back". The most encouraging thing for me as an owner was seeing Willie get the goal line carries - and converting them.

 

[Urinal Mint]

As a FWP owner, I'm actually glad they pulled him after 32 touches. I want him "fresh" for a late season run.

 

[milkyclr]

Cowher said in his press conference that Willie got speared on the play before he was pulled so I guess he was taking a minute to recover.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

geez another day, another chicken little FWP thread.

#1 - FWP will not be on the field if Pitt is Behind by 1 or 2 td's. Haynes gets the nod.

#2 - Davenport is no threat.

The reason for FWP not being on the field in the above situation is the coaches feel Haynes is better suited in the blocker and pass catching role.

 

[corpcow]

You have to remember, as I mentioned above, that it's above whether Willie Parker is a home run threat or a better receiver.

When the other team knows you are throwing, they can bring heat - and the RB is going to be counted on to block more. Haynes is a better blocker.

 

[GregR_2]

I was wondering the same thing......I understand guys have roles on teams.......but when you need points quickly....wouldn't you want probably your BEST playmaker on the field.....?....Does FWP really suck at catching passes or something......I found this very strange......

What corpcow said. I'm guessing here, but I'd find it more likely that Haynes is the 3rd down RB because of blocking ability, and that receiving ability isn't the deciding factor.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

Haynes is the hurry up / 3rd down back

I understand Haynes is l"abled" as the hurry up/ third down back.....but in these situations wouldn't it make more sense to have the guy that can take it to the house at any time, in that role.....I guess maybe it is more of a coaching question.....pass protection or something?....who gives you a better chance to score in that situation.....Haynes or Parker.....something tells me it is Parker and that's who I would want on the field....

 

[Two Deep]

You would hope that we will never have to hear again from the Willie Parker detractors who continually squawk "Willie Parker is not a goal line back". Now back to the question at hand. Haynes appears to be the hurry up offense back but after yestersday maybe they should rethink that.

 

[jetpack]

You would hope that we will never have to hear again from the Willie Parker detractors who continually squawk "Willie Parker is not a goal line back". Now back to the question at hand. Haynes appears to be the hurry up offense back but after yestersday maybe they should rethink that.

I think FWP would have been in there if he hadn't gotten the hip pointer. Everything I've read says that he took himself out.

 

[menobrown]

Cowher has some odd infatuation with Haynes. When he was an UFA this past off season Cowher was quoted as saying he was shocked Verron was not drawing more interest. My guess is because other teams in the NFL noticed Verron shows up on the injury list quite often for a third down back and basically never makes a big play.

Verron is a better pass blocker than FWP but the Steelers are missing the boat by not throwing more screen to FWP and allowing him to operate in space. If they need to limit FWP's touches I'd say it's about time to dust off Dookie and give him some work.

 

[nightshift]

Cowher has some odd infatuation with Haynes. When he was an UFA this past off season Cowher was quoted as saying he was shocked Verron was not drawing more interest. My guess is because other teams in the NFL noticed Verron shows up on the injury list quite often for a third down back and basically never makes a big play.

Verron is a better pass blocker than FWP but the Steelers are missing the boat by not throwing more screen to FWP and allowing him to operate in space. If they need to limit FWP's touches I'd say it's about time to dust off Dookie and give him some work.

Bingo! We have a winner!Haynes is the 3rd down guy for this reason. However, I think defenses don't respect him in the hurry up formation like they would FWP. If Willie was in there, defenses would have to commit an LB to guard for the run, freeing up Heath Miller.

But there's only so much FWP can do in one game!

 

[Koya]

I think the big problem we have here with FWP and just about every RB not named Ladanian or LJ, is the REALITY that almost no RBs are used in every package anymore.

Be it because of skills (receiving, blocking, short yardage situations) or because of the fact that guys need REST and coaches do that by random substitutions, or by putting another back in a package (ie Third downs), you have only a couple backs in the entire league that can be expected to shoulder the entire load.

So, if we are going to expect Willie Parker to be LT3, then yeah, you will be disappointed that he is not in their 2 min offense, or in on third downs.

If you recognize that Willie Parker is, like 90%+ of the starting backs in this league, going to get a breather and will have subs come in during certain game situations, then you can enjoy the production and not be so damn alarmed when the game situation takes away a few touches.

I mean goodness, week one he had 29 carries and this past week he had 31... plus he had all the goal line looks and they pounded it in, twice.

What more do you want?

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I think the big problem we have here with FWP and just about every RB not named Ladanian or LJ, is the REALITY that almost no RBs are used in every package anymore. Be it because of skills (receiving, blocking, short yardage situations) or because of the fact that guys need REST and coaches do that by random substitutions, or by putting another back in a package (ie Third downs), you have only a couple backs in the entire league that can be expected to shoulder the entire load.So, if we are going to expect Willie Parker to be LT3, then yeah, you will be disappointed that he is not in their 2 min offense, or in on third downs.If you recognize that Willie Parker is, like 90%+ of the starting backs in this league, going to get a breather and will have subs come in during certain game situations, then you can enjoy the production and not be so damn alarmed when the game situation takes away a few touches.I mean goodness, week one he had 29 carries and this past week he had 31... plus he had all the goal line looks and they pounded it in, twice. What more do you want?

I do not think anyone is complaining about his touches.....just merely wondering why THE GUY who seems to be your most explosive player is not on the field when you need some explosive things to happen....has nothing to do with "touches" as far as I am concerned.....

 

[mbuehner]

Seriously guys. Everybody knows Haynes is the 3rd down back, that has been a given for 2 years running. After Parker came out the Steeler threw the ball on 27 out of the next 29 plays, and one of those was a draw play from the shotgun formation. Haynes is a pretty good pass catcher, but more importantly he is an excellent blocker. Steeler just dont target their RBs in the pass game much, Parker missed 2 carries and about 25 blocks, im not concerned.

 

[Koya]

I think the big problem we have here with FWP and just about every RB not named Ladanian or LJ, is the REALITY that almost no RBs are used in every package anymore. Be it because of skills (receiving, blocking, short yardage situations) or because of the fact that guys need REST and coaches do that by random substitutions, or by putting another back in a package (ie Third downs), you have only a couple backs in the entire league that can be expected to shoulder the entire load.So, if we are going to expect Willie Parker to be LT3, then yeah, you will be disappointed that he is not in their 2 min offense, or in on third downs.If you recognize that Willie Parker is, like 90%+ of the starting backs in this league, going to get a breather and will have subs come in during certain game situations, then you can enjoy the production and not be so damn alarmed when the game situation takes away a few touches.I mean goodness, week one he had 29 carries and this past week he had 31... plus he had all the goal line looks and they pounded it in, twice. What more do you want?

I do not think anyone is complaining about his touches.....just merely wondering why THE GUY who seems to be your most explosive player is not on the field when you need some explosive things to happen....has nothing to do with "touches" as far as I am concerned.....

Game situation. For various reasons (explained in this and other threads, primarily because there are better pass blockers out there and the Steelers decided that this, coupled with the need to give a breather to FWP do not have him involved in that particular offensive package) FWP will not be on the field for obvious passing downs. The result of this is in a game when that package is on the field a great deal - i.e. when Pitt is behind late in the game - Willie will be MIA.As noted, FWP likely does not practice with that offensive set so he is unlikely to get into the game during those situations.

 

[Urinal Mint]

To be honest I was worried about him being hurt since nothing was said on the telecast.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

As noted, FWP likely does not practice with that offensive set so he is unlikely to get into the game during those situations.

and I guess that is what this comes down to......should the Steelers look at this.......keeping your most explosive player on the sidelines when you need big things to happen.........?

 

[Koya]

As noted, FWP likely does not practice with that offensive set so he is unlikely to get into the game during those situations.

and I guess that is what this comes down to......should the Steelers look at this.......keeping your most explosive player on the sidelines when you need big things to happen.........?

Well, Cowher would have to answer that. As noted, Parker is not an especially good blocker. Also consider that in the times that the two min offense is out there, the RB is a last option usually - you want to get the ball down the field. So, when you are looking to minimize unnecessary contact for your primary offensive weapon and you have an option that might better suit the needs of the package (ie Blocking) then I can understand their perspective.Personally, I agree with you. It is one thing to try to get a score at the end of the half - but to have your best playmaker out of games when you may need him most doesnt make much sense to me. Just trying to put the logic behind such a decision out there so people can better understand why FWP is not on the field in certain game situations.

 

[Godsbrother]

Cowher said in his press conference that Willie got speared on the play before he was pulled so I guess he was taking a minute to recover.

This is the correct answer. FWP pulled himself out because he was woozy after the hit.After the fumble the Bengals scored a TD and the time to run was over...

 

[Lemmiwinks]

Haynes sucks, but Parker can't touch the ball 40 times a game or he will die.

 

[Two Deep]

Cowher said in his press conference that Willie got speared on the play before he was pulled so I guess he was taking a minute to recover.

This is the correct answer. FWP pulled himself out because he was woozy after the hit.

After the fumble the Bengals scored a TD and the time to run was over...

That can get you arrested.