Willie Parker Doesn't Think He Needs Knee Surgery After 2007 (1 Viewer)

[CA_7]

This might be worth watching.....

Parker says he's willing and able to get back into action

Monday, August 13, 2007

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Willie Parker itches to return to the flow of the Steelers' offense and it could happen this week. Or not.

Parker resumed practice Thursday when thunderstorms forced the Steelers indoors on the South Side. He says he's ready to take his position at halfback Saturday in Washington against the Redskins in the team's third preseason game. He's just not sure if the coaches are ready to put him in.

"I'm going to give it a little more [today]," Parker said. "I'm all right now."

Parker was held out for two weeks of practices at Saint Vincent College after coach Mike Tomlin said he had slight swelling and pain in his left knee.

Parker said the swelling isn't the issue as much as something else. He was vague on what that might be.

"That wasn't really the main thing. It was something else. That wasn't the main thing, inflammation. I was just hurting a little bit. I needed some rest, basically."

Parker said he does not think he'll need to have surgery on his knee after the season.

Parker rushed for 1,494 yards last season, third most in franchise history. His 337 carries were fourth most by a Steelers back. He and the coaches talked about using him even more this season, particularly on third downs. Parker said he not only wanted to be like LaDainian Tomlinson, the league MVP last season, but even better.

Then came the injury and everything has been on hold.

On one hand, Parker said the way he feels now "there's a good chance I'll play" against the Redskins. However, he believes the coaches might hold him back another game, with two left in the preseason after Saturday.

"I don't think they'll play me next week, in my opinion from talking to them and stuff," Parker said.

Sitting out the preseason did not hurt Tomlinson last year. He did not play in an exhibition game after a slight neck injury in early August. He then carried 31 times in the regular-season opener for 131 yards on his way to 1,815 yards rushing last season.

Parker said he does not feel a real need to play in the preseason, but that it's frustrating to watch teammates play while he's dressed in street clothes on the sideline.

"The only reason why I need to is because my teammates are out there, they're busting their [behinds], they're out there playing. That's why I need to be out there playing.

"I know that I'm no one-man army. I'm a team player and I know that's my goal. If they're playing, I'm playing."

In his absence, Parker talked highly of undrafted rookie tailback Gary Russell and fullback-tailback Carey Davis, who is trying to make it with his fifth NFL team.

"Y'all seen them, the boys are out there playing hard," Parker said. "Especially Russell -- Carey too."

Russell and Davis have said Parker is an inspiration to them. Parker said he hasn't forgotten what it was like to try to make the team's roster after he was an undrafted rookie in 2004.

"I'm competing too; I'm always going to have that mind-set," Parker said. "When I stop that, that's when I'm going to be gone. I know how it is and I have to keep that same mentality."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07225/809090-66.stm

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

 

[AnonymousBob]

It's now a red flag when a player DOESN'T need surgery?

 

[texasheat]

what does blackdot mean?

 

[CrossEyed]

He was probably just responding to a question.

"Do you you think you'll need surgery after the season?"

"No."

Parker said he does not think he'll need to have surgery on his knee after the season.

 

[CrossEyed]

what does blackdot mean?

Old school for white corner.

 

[texasheat]

what does blackdot mean?

Old school for white corner.

That's about what I thought I would get... thanks.

 

[fruity pebbles]

flat out no would make me more comfortable that I don't think so.

 

[texasheat]

Technically, every player in the NFL "might" need surgery after the season.

 

[3C's]

It's now a red flag when a player DOESN'T need surgery?

It's saying there's possibly something more going on than just a little normal after practice soreness.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

what does blackdot mean?

Old school for white corner.

That's about what I thought I would get... thanks.

just a way to mark the thread, so I can search on it later.

 

[3C's]

what does blackdot mean?

Old school for white corner.

That's about what I thought I would get... thanks.

He's marking it for easy locating later so he can read replies.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Here's the actual quote:

Q: Will there be something you’re going to have to take out at the end of the season? A: Nah, hopefully not, man. I’ll just ease back into it and see how my body feels during this week. If it’s the same, I’ll be back the next weekend. But I feel good right now.

 

[Sack-Religious]

what does blackdot mean?

Old school for white corner.

That's about what I thought I would get... thanks.

Not sure if this was sarcasm, but I'll probably give you more information than you cared to know, anyway. Previously when you'd reply to a post a "black dot" would appear on the topic. People would post the blackdot smilie so they could find a topic they replied in.With the new incarnation of the board, instead of the black dot, there is a white corner on a topic you've replied to. Some people do :sehorn: instead.

 

[CrossEyed]

Here's the actual quote:

Q: Will there be something you’re going to have to take out at the end of the season? A: Nah, hopefully not, man. I’ll just ease back into it and see how my body feels during this week. If it’s the same, I’ll be back the next weekend. But I feel good right now.

Thanks for posting. This thread was quite an over-reaction.

 

[gump]

Here's the actual quote:

Q: Will there be something you’re going to have to take out at the end of the season? A: Nah, hopefully not, man. I’ll just ease back into it and see how my body feels during this week. If it’s the same, I’ll be back the next weekend. But I feel good right now.

Thanks for posting. This thread was quite an over-reaction.

The actual quote has me MORE worried..."hopefully not"?

 

[3C's]

Here's the actual quote:

Q: Will there be something you’re going to have to take out at the end of the season? A: Nah, hopefully not, man. I’ll just ease back into it and see how my body feels during this week. If it’s the same, I’ll be back the next weekend. But I feel good right now.

Thanks for posting. This thread was quite an over-reaction.

Bump up Davenport!!!I'm drafting at the #8 or 9 spot, I forget which. I'll jump with joy if Parker makes it to me. Maybe if this makes the rounds until Saturday I'll have a shot.

 

[Tommy Collins]

Here's the actual quote:

Q: Will there be something you’re going to have to take out at the end of the season? A: Nah, hopefully not, man. I’ll just ease back into it and see how my body feels during this week. If it’s the same, I’ll be back the next weekend. But I feel good right now.

Thanks for posting. This thread was quite an over-reaction.

The actual quote has me MORE worried..."hopefully not"?

Aren't all players hopeful they don't have to have surgery by season's end? I think he's saying that he hopes nothing goes wrong more so than hoping his knee doesn't worsen...

 

[fruity pebbles]

sounding more and more like Westbrook of last year.

 

[softball]

This is great news.

Maybe I can get Parker and LJ at the 1/2 turn now.

He replied: No

But now we read into the situation that he was really saying yes?

OMG, hurry season, hurry.

 

[Sweetness_34]

FWP's body is not made to get the carries he got last year. If the Steelers continue to ride him like that this year, he will get injured sooner than later.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

This is great news for FWP owners. The same type of news would be spun as bad news for Portis owners.

Non issue. FWP is fine.

 

[Da Guru]

This is why I am glad in my main league we draft the Wed before the first Thursday game.

 

[CrossEyed]

FWP's body is not made to get the carries he got last year. If the Steelers continue to ride him like that this year, he will get injured sooner than later.

Parker is 5'10" 210. Tomlinson is 5'10" 220. And I never hear anyone say that LT is not made to get all the carries he gets.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

FWP's body is not made to get the carries he got last year. If the Steelers continue to ride him like that this year, he will get injured sooner than later.

Parker is 5'10" 210. Tomlinson is 5'10" 220. And I never hear anyone say that LT is not made to get all the carries he gets.

Not to mention that he has almost zero wear and tear on his body from his college career. Willie is a warrior and the only way he won't play is if the doctors won't clear him. I wouldn't sweat this unless he has to be pulled out of practice for an extended period again. I will say that its strange that he denied that it was inflammation was the "main thing" that was wrong with the knee, only saying it was "something else".

 

[Godsbrother]

Parker was healthy enough to play against Green Bay. There really isn't any reason to expose Parker to risk at this point when they have a glut of other running backs they must decide on.

I think Parker's going to sit out this week against the Skins, play for a quarter against the Eagles and probably sit out again or get one series in the preseaon finale against the Panthers.

Parker is healthy, in shape and doesn't need a whole lot of work. Keep him fresh and turn him loose against the Browns.