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Will the Steelers draft a RB.... (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter fridayfrenzy
- Start date
fridayfrenzy
Footballguy
So you see them drafting a RB in one of the first 2 rounds??With the way Parker played, and the success they had with him, I believe that they may draft a bulldozer RB, but only to serve a role like Bettis.
The Steelers rush the ball, what seems like an infinite amount, and I can not see them going into the season with Parker, Staley and Haynes as their only RBs.
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AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
With where the Steelers are roster-wise, and picking #32, I don't think anyone can say they for sure see them doing anything as a certainty. I think on day one they really will just go BPA. There's at least 5 positions that the Steelers need some help/depth in, but I'm not sure any single one really sticks out. WR, RB, OL, DL, LB all can be adressed. And hell, they could go DB with their first pick and I wouldn't be suprised. I agree with what was said above, though. *IF* they take a first or second round RB, he should be in the mix by mid year.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
All good points. I think the Steelers are pleased with Parker but I do see them taking another RB. I just think they'll wait until the 3rd or 4th round to take one.Of course that could all change if LenDale White is there at 32. If his visit with the staff goes well today then I think he is just too good of a player and too good of a fit to pass on.
mydixie
Footballguy
IF White makes it past Denver and Carolina, the Steelers would probably take him. He would not be taking over the featured roll however. With Haynes freshly signed and Staley still on the roster, other than short-yardage situations will be hard to come by. Pittsburgh will most likely take someone like Maurice Drew who would be able to return kicks if they did take RB.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Also a good point. The one area the Steelers are going to address in the draft is a punt returner. Colclough is no Randel El...
Texasmouth
Footballguy
I think if White is there the Steelers should take him but if he isn't, they dont need to reach for another guy. They seem to be set at RB in my opinion. ##### should finally be healthy and can assume Bettis' role of filling in when they need to pound the rock after defenses have gotten tired of chasing Parker. Haynes fills in nicely as well. No need to reach for a guy if he isn't really needed.
Maybe they should look to draft a QB to groom as a back up for Roth since Charlie Batch sucks and Maddox is unemployed.
Maybe they should look to draft a QB to groom as a back up for Roth since Charlie Batch sucks and Maddox is unemployed.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I agree the Steelers will take a QB in the draft (probably 4th round) but I don't think Batch sucks. He played pretty well last year when he got the chance. The problem with Batch is he gets hurt all the time.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Absolutely not.
Even if they draft White (or even Maroney for that matter) at #32, he will not usurp Parker as the lead back, rather become part of a change-of-pace RBBC. Parker still gets little respect, but do you really think the Steelers are going to put his 4.7 ypc and home run ability on the bench for an unproven rookie?
Only way a rookie is the Steelers' "lead back" at any point this season is if Parker gets hurt. Otherwise, it's going to be RBBC at best. Don't forget Staley - I know he gets hurt a lot, but an incoming rookie is going to have to prove he's better between the tackles than Staley, who has produced pretty damn solid numbers in this offense when he's right.
Even if they draft White (or even Maroney for that matter) at #32, he will not usurp Parker as the lead back, rather become part of a change-of-pace RBBC. Parker still gets little respect, but do you really think the Steelers are going to put his 4.7 ypc and home run ability on the bench for an unproven rookie?
Only way a rookie is the Steelers' "lead back" at any point this season is if Parker gets hurt. Otherwise, it's going to be RBBC at best. Don't forget Staley - I know he gets hurt a lot, but an incoming rookie is going to have to prove he's better between the tackles than Staley, who has produced pretty damn solid numbers in this offense when he's right.
Sopranos
Footballguy
White wont make it past Indy. There is just no way..He is what B Polian described what they were looking for. A power runner. With Rhodes in the mix White will have time to get in shape and not have to carry the load. If the Colts pass on him i think the city will be burnt down. Not one person in Indy thinks Rhodes cann handle the job. Its all coaches and owners talk. They dont want to show their cards.If any of the top 4 RB's are there they will pick them even if they are injured and miss half the season. They need another franchise RB and they wont pass. no way
jurb26
Footballguy
Come on now Evil. You can't possibly believe all of this. The only way a RB takes over is if Parker gets hurt. How about if he is just flat better? Unproven rookies can very easily prove themselves by the midway point of the season. Staley.... don't even get me started on that guy. Nealry any RB can look good between the tackles behind the Pitt Oline and in their scheme. Parker however is not one of those nearly anybodies. Until he is, I say there is a window of opportunity for a young RB with the skills to make something happen.
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
It's not as pronounced as it has been in say, Denver or Kansas City, but there is some truth to this. If that is the case then, why would you draft a power back in the first round if you can simply plug Duce Staley in and he'll get the job done? If they didn't want Staley around, he'd have been cut already. The guy is a consummate pro and has done a fine job as their power back when he's been healthy (which isn't often.) However, the guy hasn't had a carry in almost a year, so he should be healed and capable of carrying the ball 8-10 times a game.I'm also eager to hear why people are so quick to dismiss Parker. While I agree, he isn't great at grinding out the tough yards late in games, he's also got a dimension to his game that no Steeler RB in my recollection has had. What do people want this guy to do - he rushed for over 1,200 yards last year despite splitting time with Bettis, then capped the season by ripping off the longest TD run in Super Bowl history. Why so many people are so quick to anoint an as-of-yet-undrafted rookie as the new feature back and relegate Parker to a handful of carries, I will never understand.
A hunch : if Parker had been a first-round pick, this wouldn't even be a discussion.
jurb26
Footballguy
Staley has NEVER been able to stay healthy in his entire career. He is fools gold IMO. He is a nice guy to have around as a change of pace, but you cannot depend on him for anything more. Hell, if you ask me he should only be in there to pass block! What do I want Parker to do you ask. Well, how about run with some patients, lower pad levels, peripheral vision and finishing his runs more. Bettis will not be there to point out the cutback lanes, tell him when and where to wait for his blocks and hold Parkers hand this year.
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
You're probably right. If Parker would have been a 1st round pick it would mean he was able to do all of the things I just listed though.
I'm not saying he's without flaws, but I have to think that if he's been able to average nearly 5 yards a carry in the NFL thus far despite these shortcomings, he's only likely to get better with more experience and more coaching. With his lack of PT in college, he has less miles on him now than most college juniors do, so I would like to see what he can do once he's been coached for another year or two. He's got the one thing you can't coach - blinding speed.Just to clarify, I would not be against the drafting of a LenDale White at all. I think the two of them would make an absolutely lethal RBBC for the next 7 years or so - I just don't think anyone they draft is going to become the "lead back" save for an injury - Cowher LOVES the dimension Parker brings to the offense and I don't think they only give him 7-8 carries a game. You have to feed him the rock enough times to let him break one.
jurb26
Footballguy
I agree, Parker can look very good at times and his speed is his greatest asset, no doubt. I would say that Parkers also lacks the other uncoachable attribute to a great RB (or at least hasn't shown it yet) and that is VISION. Vision is what seperates good RBs from great RBs. Talk about physical attributes all you want. The ability to see the hole before it develops and use peripharial vision to instictivily find cutback lanes is one that I have never seen "coached" or "taught" to a player before. I suppose I can give Parker some minor benifit of the doubt though because of his limited action in college if you so please.
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fridayfrenzy
Footballguy
Yes [ 22 ] ** [23.16%]No [ 34 ] ** [35.79%]Yes, but only as a complement to Parker [ 39 ] **
Quite spread around
Quite spread around
fridayfrenzy
Footballguy
Yes [ 22 ] ** [23.16%]No [ 34 ] ** [35.79%]Yes, but only as a complement to Parker [ 39 ] ** [41.05%]
Quite spread out
Quite spread out
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
No, I agree with you on that. He doesn't have outstanding vision, and possibly never will. He's able to overcome much of that with his physical gifts though, and his production on the field bears that out. I'm not trying to paint Parker as one of the great RBs of the league, but I have seen enough that I wouldn't want him nailed to the bench. Ideally, he and a guy like White could each get 15-20 carries a game within the Steelers' usual game plan and provide the change of pace to throw at defenses that would make each more effective than he would be alone.
Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
After watching the Steelers playoff "Games of the Week" on NFL Network I got the impression that Willie Parker is still learning the position. Even in the Super Bowl Bettis talked to him about being patient just before his long TD run. Then you see Parker talking to Bettis and thanking him after the Steelers had won the SB. My point is I think it's too early to say what Willie Parker will become. Right now he is still a bit raw and lacks vision that top RBs have...but...consider how far he has come in a year. His speed and big play potential are unquestioned. I think he is developing some power too, he's not a slight RB.
I don't think the Steelers have any plans to replace him but surely if a guy like LenDale White fell in their lap they'd strongly consider him. I'd consider that more a knock on Duce Staley than Willie Parker. I think the Steelers are worried about Staley holding up over the next few seasons. I do think the Steelers will draft a RB on the first day to complement Parker as the eventual replacement for Staley. I'd be extremely suprised if Parker didn't get = or more touches in 2006 than he did in 2005. He has earned them.
I don't think the Steelers have any plans to replace him but surely if a guy like LenDale White fell in their lap they'd strongly consider him. I'd consider that more a knock on Duce Staley than Willie Parker. I think the Steelers are worried about Staley holding up over the next few seasons. I do think the Steelers will draft a RB on the first day to complement Parker as the eventual replacement for Staley. I'd be extremely suprised if Parker didn't get = or more touches in 2006 than he did in 2005. He has earned them.
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TheFanatic
Footballguy
How many years has Cowher had a bruiser for a back? 12? 14? I can't remember. I can't see them changing more than a decade of coaching philosophy because Bettis retired.
I also don't see Fast and Small Willie Parker holding up for 16 games. And with just Haynes and Staley behind him the Steelers HAVE to go RB and HAVE to go RB early.
I also don't see Fast and Small Willie Parker holding up for 16 games. And with just Haynes and Staley behind him the Steelers HAVE to go RB and HAVE to go RB early.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Parker is not that small. Staley should theoretically be able to hold up a lot better carrying the ball only a handful of times a game, especially when he will have had almost a full year off. Haynes is not bad in the TB role. I agree they need depth, but I disagree fervently that they NEED to go RB in the early going. They could easily pick up a back in the mid roudns that can come in and take a few carries - they're not exactly decimated at the position by losing Bettis.
Franknbeans
Footballguy
No chit. Bettis only had 110 carries all season last year. Replacing that with a mid-round pick should not be hard.
Otis
Footballguy
No. Fast Willie Parker had a great season, helped them win with a huge play in the super bowl, and is Cowher's guy. He's also got a year of starting experience under his belt and a better understanding of what it means to play RB at this level.
A rookie or FA may be his backup, and others may come in on 3rd downs, but for now it will be all FWP all the time.
A rookie or FA may be his backup, and others may come in on 3rd downs, but for now it will be all FWP all the time.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Fixed. Although, again - I would not fault them for taking White were he available.
Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
Your point about Cowher's philosophy is well taken and there were times towards the end of the season that the Steelers running game was not what it used to be. But I think it's important not to measure Parker's success against Bettis'. 99% of RBs the Steelers could bring in will never match Bettis. He is a HOFer. Parker brings his own talents, some of which Bettis never had. When is the last time Bettis rushed for 4.7 per carry or averaged 12.1 yards per catch? Will the Steelers need someone who can move the chains and get the tough yards? Certainly. Would it be nice if LenDale White fell in their laps? Definitely. But I don't think they believe, nor should you, that they have to go RB early. Heck they won the Super Bowl in large part due to Willie Parker. He should only get better.
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Blackjacks
Footballguy
This hurts but I again agree with you Scotty. Wow twice in one day, I guess your finally starting to think right.
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Yes, but I think Duce can handle this role temporarily. They don't HAVE to draft a back early this year, they can wait a year.Parker is also not as small as some people think (5 '10" 210 lbs.) Just because he's fast, doesn't mean he's slight. He's bigger than Tiki Barber, who has averaged 376 touches per season the last 4 years without missing a game. He's 2 pounds lighter than Portis, who has averaged 350 touches per season over the last 4 years, and has missed only 3 games in his career (none over the last two seasons.) For crying out loud, he's only 4 pounds lighter than Edgerrin James and 5 less than Reuben Droughns. To hear people talk about him, it's as if her were Dave Meggett.
Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
Agreed on all points.
jurb26
Footballguy
I have not once complained about Parkers size. The major problem is, when you say "temporary" for most players you figure 1, maybe 2 years. When you say it in regards to Staley you need to define it as 3, maybe 4 games. Sure, If Staley stays healthy for once in his career and hell freezes over then they don't NEED to draft a RB. Why in the world as a Steeler fan would you want to palce your bets on Staley's healthy though?!?!
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bigreese82
Footballguy
What's the contract situation with Willie?
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
That wasn't for your benefit. Your concerns about Parker are valid and have been articulated - I just think the kid needs to keep getting the ball 15 times a game, if only for his big-play ability.
fridayfrenzy
Footballguy
With the way Pitt runs the ball, it will not be Parker "all the time" as there is just NO WAY he can sustain that many carries. With that being said, Parker will still get a nice number of carries, but that also means that another RB or a combination thereof will still get 80-150 carries.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
He's an exclusive-rights free agent, I believe - he won't even become an RFA until after the season, and a UFA after 2 more years. He makes almost no money - that is part of the reason why I am high on him. They can likely (and are trying to) lock him up relatively cheap right now. They can probably ink him to a 4 or 5 year deal for less than $2 million per. With the low mileage he has on him, that's a great deal and will enable them to use $$ on other positions, like getting Polamalu signed long-term.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Exactly. You're talking about a team that runs almost 60% of the time - they ran 549 times in the regular season alone last year, and over 600 times the year before that. Parker, even if he gets 300 carries, isn't carrying the full load - that leaves about 250 carries left over - more than enough for a LenDale White, without making him the "feature back."
offdee
Footballguy
Actually, I read that the reason they let Edge go was because he was becoming too much of a downhill, pound it out runner over the years and his transition to this style wasn't in tune with the Indy offensive philosophy.If that's true, than LenDale White wouldn't be a good fit.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Stop hijacking.That said, I think the guy who actually best fits Indianapolis' needs is Joseph Addai. He is a terrific receiver out of the backfield, is an NFL-ready blocker, and has great speed. I wouldn't be shocked to see them trade out of the first round, grab an extra 2nd-3rd rounder, and pick up Addai and an OLB in round 2.
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