Willie Parker in goal line situations and (1 Viewer)

[jaisonline]

I've noticed a few times this season (especially yesterday) that Tomlin doesn't use a fullback in goal line situations. Parker went 0-2 and the Ben threw the INT. At times, they did have one lined up but then motioned him near the tight-end(s). Did Cower also do this last season? I don't remember.

Anyway, I don't remember Parker scoring too many TDs w/in the 5 w/o a fullback.

I'm not a football coach but did play high school as a halfback. We always used a fullback near the goal line.

Don't we Parker owners have a better chance at scoring the TD with a fullback leading the way?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

No idea. He had 13+ TD's last year and is on pace for 4 this year. That's all I know.

 

[jaisonline]

No idea. He had 13+ TD's last year and is on pace for 4 this year. That's all I know.

Exactly my point. What has changed w/in the goal line formations? The fullback? 10 of Fast Willie's (2006) 13 rushing TDs came from w/in the 5. I don't think the new "spread wide open" offense has anything to do with this since we are writing about near goal line formations. I think Pitt did have double TEs yesterday.Maybe Sigmund Bloom or Cecil Lammey can comment? I heard they are both Steelers fan and one of them records their games? They would know.

 

[ChrisHenrysDD]

On one of them there was a fullback in, he motioned to the right side of the line, where they ran it to.

 

[jaisonline]

On one of them there was a fullback in, he motioned to the right side of the line, where they ran it to.

I think the FB mentioned on both plays before the INT. I have to check the edited game replay on Comcast,

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

Is it officially time to get worried about FWP ? I mean its not like he hasn't had the GL opportunities - he is getting opps he is just not converting

 

[jaisonline]

Is it officially time to get worried about FWP ? I mean its not like he hasn't had the GL opportunities - he is getting opps he is just not converting

So you think it's him not getting to the holes fast enough or not running hard enough?

 

[dragon10]

watch out for the closet poop man (davenport) to steal some TD's

 

[yinzer]

Is it officially time to get worried about FWP ? I mean its not like he hasn't had the GL opportunities - he is getting opps he is just not converting

Here in Stiller country, this has been a hotly debated topic. Going into the season, Arians said they would use the FB much less while using 2&3TE sets more often.In addition, Carey Davis, more of a receiving FB, has been seeing more time than the pure blocking FB who has been blocking for FWP the past 2 years, the K-Train, Dan Kreider.Going into the season, I thought not having Kreider as the FB in short yardage and GL situations would almost devastate the PIT run game in these situations. This seems to be the case. Even FWP has publicly stated he would rather have Kreider blocking for him, full time.I was working most of the game yesterday, and couldn't play close attention, but if a FB was in, I'd guess it was Davis because he has been playing muc more often.I think this is the biggest reason for the TD drop. FWP is the type of back who needs that key pile moving block or key block on a LB to get a tough TD or break a long off tackle run for a TD. I think not having Kreider back there has probably been the biggest mistake so far by Arians and the offensive gameplan

 

[jaisonline]

informative post. THANKS

 

[CrossEyed]

Other than the 2 shots Sunday, FWP really hasn't had many goal line opportunities. I'm not really worried yet because opportunities are hard to predict.

 

[jaisonline]

sigmund wrote me a nice reply e-mail. he's cool and shouldn't mind me posting his email reply.

"I think you are definitely on to something. Theres also the fact that they have throw 4 TDs to the TEs so far. Theres no way that they will stay at that pace. Parker should still finish at 10+ TDs. Thanks for the listening!"

 

[jaisonline]

tomlin is doing it again. pitt isnt using a fullback in goal line carries and parker gets stuffed. i mainly blame bruce arians. what do u expect from a former wr coach and college qb. he wants to pass in goal line situations. might be good for the team but not parker owners

 

[The Jerk]

Another factor to consider here is that with tonight's TD to Miller, the Steelers already have as many TDs to the TE position as they did in all of 2006 (six each season).

At the very least it seems like Parker is not going to be the clear GL back. It may be a 50/50 thing, but Davenport and Parker both have the same number of carries from inside the 3. It's not conclusively proven, but it looks different than last year.

 

[jaisonline]

Another factor to consider here is that with tonight's TD to Miller, the Steelers already have as many TDs to the TE position as they did in all of 2006 (six each season).At the very least it seems like Parker is not going to be the clear GL back. It may be a 50/50 thing, but Davenport and Parker both have the same number of carries from inside the 3. It's not conclusively proven, but it looks different than last year.

parker is the pitt true goal line back (still has more GL carries than davenport) but the pitt coaches are using diff formations w/o a true fullback lined in front of the halfback. after 1 failed rushing attempt, a pass play is usually called on 2nd and especially 3rd down even from w/in the 2 yard linewe parker owner shave to face the reality. i think we now own tiki barber-lite which isnt a bad thing but not 1st rd worthy in TD heavy leagues like mine.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

I hate this - FWP is my first rounder and he is basically crapping the bed every week.

Even against a crappy Denver D he is not performing as he should.

 

[jaisonline]

I hate this - FWP is my first rounder and he is basically crapping the bed every week.Even against a crappy Denver D he is not performing as he should.

Parker is running like a STUD so i disagree. ...just no TDs unless he breaks a 20+ yarderSo the question is why doesn't Pitt use a true and normally positioned FB anymore near the goal line ?

 

[PR Sparty]

imo the bigger question about FWP is why has takes two plays off after he gets a 10+ yard carry? Is he not in good shape? You don't see other elite RB's do that do you??

 

[jaisonline]

imo the bigger question about FWP is why has takes two plays off after he gets a 10+ yard carry? Is he not in good shape? You don't see other elite RB's do that do you??

i wish pitt still had whisenhunt. yeah i know. pitt is winning games but he's a better coach for fast willie.regarding your statement, i assume he gets tired after all the 15 to 40 yard non-TD runs.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

FWP takes every 2-3 plays off - whether it be 3rd down or just getting winded after a run.

Anyhow you look at it I wouldn't expect Great numbers from this guy anymore. He may have 4-6 TD's the rest of the way.

 

[The Jerk]

Another factor to consider here is that with tonight's TD to Miller, the Steelers already have as many TDs to the TE position as they did in all of 2006 (six each season).At the very least it seems like Parker is not going to be the clear GL back. It may be a 50/50 thing, but Davenport and Parker both have the same number of carries from inside the 3. It's not conclusively proven, but it looks different than last year.

parker is the pitt true goal line back (still has more GL carries than davenport) but the pitt coaches are using diff formations w/o a true fullback lined in front of the halfback. after 1 failed rushing attempt, a pass play is usually called on 2nd and especially 3rd down even from w/in the 2 yard linewe parker owner shave to face the reality. i think we now own tiki barber-lite which isnt a bad thing but not 1st rd worthy in TD heavy leagues like mine.

I disagree, but I'll let it go, because it may not even matter that much. Regardless of who is the true goal line back, the point is we're heading into Week 8 now and Parker has 1 TD.

 

[CrossEyed]

imo the bigger question about FWP is why has takes two plays off after he gets a 10+ yard carry? Is he not in good shape? You don't see other elite RB's do that do you??

He's not exactly used to playing at that altitude.

 

[QuizGuy66]

imo the bigger question about FWP is why has takes two plays off after he gets a 10+ yard carry? Is he not in good shape? You don't see other elite RB's do that do you??

He's not exactly used to playing at that altitude.

So glad I followed conventional wisdom and kept this guy instead of Palmer -QG

 

[Jimmy James]

imo the bigger question about FWP is why has takes two plays off after he gets a 10+ yard carry? Is he not in good shape? You don't see other elite RB's do that do you??

He's not exactly used to playing at that altitude.

So glad I followed conventional wisdom and kept this guy instead of Palmer -QG

As an owner of both, it's not as though Palmer lit the world on fire today either.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

imo the bigger question about FWP is why has takes two plays off after he gets a 10+ yard carry? Is he not in good shape? You don't see other elite RB's do that do you??

He's not exactly used to playing at that altitude.

Parker does this no matter where he's playing.

 

[DoGdr]

Watching the game tonight it seemed clear to me that Davenport is the GL and short yardage back. I've watch all the Steelers games and it had not been that clear to me before-Davenport's td's all seem kind of like he was subbing in for a tired FWP or in his thrid down back role. But as a Parker Owner (in a TD heavy league) I will start quietly shopping him and look for a game where he does score a td to sell high because between Davenport being the GL back and all the passing they have been doing in the red zone I don't see many TD's for FWP.

 

[The Jerk]

Watching the game tonight it seemed clear to me that Davenport is the GL and short yardage back. I've watch all the Steelers games and it had not been that clear to me before-Davenport's td's all seem kind of like he was subbing in for a tired FWP or in his thrid down back role. But as a Parker Owner (in a TD heavy league) I will start quietly shopping him and look for a game where he does score a td to sell high because between Davenport being the GL back and all the passing they have been doing in the red zone I don't see many TD's for FWP.

I've tried pointing this out since earlier this week, but I've been shot down by some diehards. I think it's pretty clear, and the two best examples tonight didn't involve handoffs to Davenport. The 1-yard TD to Miller and Ben's late QB sneak on 4th and a foot both came with Parker on the sidelines. I think Najeh gets more goal line carries than Parker (2-yard line or closer is my definition).As I said elsewhere, it's not definitive yet, as the sample size remains small, but anecdotal evidence like the above fits the emerging pattern.

 

[jagermeisters]

yeah, well I'm so glad that pitt ran all over a horrible denver run defense today and najeh was such a big part of it, especially in the red zone. Not to mention that Ben was on my bench instead of the comeback kid Bulger. Ughhh. Oh well, as long as Peyton and Reggie don't hook up bigtime I can still pull off the W. See the Fantasy Football=Brokeback Mountain post! What pains!

 

[treat88]

Very disappointed at the way Arians uses Parker. Fantasy wise, not reality wise.

Ben never checks to him, and I see very few plays designed with him as a primary receiver.

My crystal ball must be broke because I really thought he would step up his receiving numbers. Fewer carries and more catches I thought.

Also, never expected to see the Dumper on the field nearly so often. He's being utilized as a true 3rd down back, and Arians continues to increase his GL role.

I foresaw an every down unchallenged GL back in Parker. I've got a 2 down back that sits every time he runs more than 10 yards and is rapidly losing goal line touches.

This hobby sucks.

 

[sjdogs]

I am at a boiling point of frustration with parker. The problem is I selected 7th and I am not sure who else I could have taken that is doing well.

Parker is running great but not scoring and taking himself out in all games after a few carries and not being used as I thought he would in short yardage. THis guy needs to destroy cincinatti next week or us parker owners are going to go through the roof. He is costing me games and points every week

 

[KellysHeroes]

It could be worse.... you Parker owners could of drafted... SJax / LJ / SA / Rudi / Maroney / Henry.... or any other 1st RB that is ??? this yr.

 

[tppt]

last yr doesnt = this year.

remember that come july when you are using this years stats as next years projections

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

he's still pretty good in non-td heavy leagues. Is the real issue losing TD's to davenport? not really. the issue is that the TE's are always open near the goal line.

 

[sjdogs]

Two of his next three games are against cinci and the jets , he MUST get at least three total TDS in those two games , hopefully three in each as BALT will probably shut him down

 

[ScoobyDoo]

BUST!!!!

 

[Godsbrother]

BUST!!!!

In terms of TDs yes but at least he is 1) healthy and 2) productive yardage-wise.Compare to Rudi, SJax, Maroney, etc. for true 1st round busts...

 

[ScoobyDoo]

BUST!!!!

In terms of TDs yes but at least he is 1) healthy and 2) productive yardage-wise.Compare to Rudi, SJax, Maroney, etc. for true 1st round busts...

At least with those guys you have the excuse of injury. With Parker all you have is you picked the wrong guy.

 

[circelli17]

FWP takes every 2-3 plays off - whether it be 3rd down or just getting winded after a run.Anyhow you look at it I wouldn't expect Great numbers from this guy anymore. He may have 4-6 TD's the rest of the way.

If he had 4 TDs the rest of the way FWP owners such as myself would be pretty happy.... the guy has 1 freaking TD through 6 games so far. I figured his TD total from last year would fall, but I figured at worst he'd still get 7-8 TDs... this is pretty ridiculous (16 TDs last year)

 

[jaisonline]

Please, let's not compare him to other RBs drafted. This is a Parker thread I started and not a comparison one. Thanks.

What is the problem with Parker? Is it his stamina? How he's being used by the new coaches? Is he not the true GL back anymore? Could he be slightly injured or some of the O-line? Have defs figured out how to stop fast Willie near the goal line? I have also noticed he's not breaking as many long carries as prev season?

Comments from any of Footballguys staff would be appreciated.

Additionally, can this topic be discussed (in detail) in a future podcast?

THANKS!

 

[Judge Smails]

The real issue to me is how much faith these guys have in Ben. Willy runs for 7 on first down, and then they go to a pass. Not just sometimes - all the time. Also, have you EVER seen such a dominant running team go to a shotgun as much as the Steelers do on 3rd and freakin' 1???

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I've been saying this for weeks, but no one is listening apparently: Bruce Arians vowed to use the TEs more in the red zone this offseason. He has gone to great lengths to prove that he was NOT bs-ing about that. They already have, what, 7 TDs to the tight ends? They had 6 all of last year. This is a pattern, not an abberation.

Parker's TDs will go up when teams begin to cover Matt Spaeth and Heath Miller when this offense gets to the 5. As long as they keep stacking the line to crowd the run Roethlisberger is going to throw those cheap, wide open, 2 yard dinks to Spaeth in the EZ all flipping year. Spaeth has 3 or 4 TDs now and I swear to baby Jesus that it's been the exact same play run each time....and yet he's standing all alone in the EZ when he catches them. That tells me that he's either an idiot savant at getting off the line and open when he's in close, or that defenses are totally not respecting him. No idea which it is, but it's working so I doubt they stop looking for both he and Miller from in close.

 

[NOONAN]

My observations(as a FWP & Big Ben owner):

At the goalline, Pitt has multiple TE's in the formation with either 1 WR or a FB. Usually, FB goes in motion(sometimes as a primary receiving threat) instead of busting a hole in the line for FWP to follow. The D tends to blow up the middle of the line(by design?). The TE will feign blocking down and roll into the EZ uncovered. Easy flip as stated earlier.

If teams start to keep an LB or two back to cover the TE, then maybe Pitt will blast through the middle with the FB and FWP can walk throught the hole. Until then, Big Ben and the TE's are better plays. My

 

[IndyHavoc]

... Spaeth has 3 or 4 TDs now and I swear to baby Jesus that it's been the exact same play run each time....and yet he's standing all alone in the EZ when he catches them. That tells me that he's either an idiot savant at getting off the line and open when he's in close, or that defenses are totally not respecting him...

Sorry but this made me do a spit-take of Mountain Dew all over my monitor. Kudos to you, sir! Oh, and a VERY excellent point..now here's hoping that DC will PLEASE take note of this FACT, and Willy can start punching it in.

 

[fenwah]

FWP is getting the yards...so he's scoring me a few points each week. However, if the Steelers coaching staff want to keep FWP, they will want to feed him the ball at the goalline.

 

[MDSkinner]

BUST!!!!

In terms of TDs yes but at least he is 1) healthy and 2) productive yardage-wise.Compare to Rudi, SJax, Maroney, etc. for true 1st round busts...

At least with those guys you have the excuse of injury. With Parker all you have is you picked the wrong guy.

The guy still gets like 12 points a week just from yards. He hasn't lost any games for anyone. He just hasn't won them either.

 

[Sheriff66]

It is killing me watching Willie from a FF perspective, but I'm glad the Steelers are finally using the TE like they should have for a long time now. Miller is 6'5" with fly paper hands and Speath is 6'7" with good hands as well. I keep telling myself FWP will end up with 10 TDs, but I'm starting to get real worried as a FF owner, it feels like he's never going to score again at this point...

 

[jaisonline]

Ok, we have it! The Steelers are using 2 TEs and a 1 FB (usually lined outside of 1 of the TEs) in goal line situations. I define goal line as 5 yards or less. We gotta hope Def Coordinators start adjusting to this soon so Fast Willie (hopefully) gets more TDs. I'm not a Steelers fan but I do have both Ben and S.Holmes on my teams but they are not worthy of starting (I have Brady a slew of better WRs) so I need Willie to score.

Based on what we (most of us) now know, I don't think Willie should be commonly placed so high in the weekly predictions unless 1.) he has a super duper match-up or 2.) he proves himself in regards to getting some TDs.

This is my own dumb opinion from being a 3 straight season Parker owner. Jeez, I feel like we have Bettis again but in the TE form.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

BUST!!!!

In terms of TDs yes but at least he is 1) healthy and 2) productive yardage-wise.Compare to Rudi, SJax, Maroney, etc. for true 1st round busts...

At least with those guys you have the excuse of injury. With Parker all you have is you picked the wrong guy.

The guy still gets like 12 points a week just from yards. He hasn't lost any games for anyone. He just hasn't won them either.

It's not fishing to point out that he's not scoring TD's. Not all leagues have 12 points for yardage every week. If yards work for you fine, but this guy was projected out for 12 TD's and he has one. That's a fantasy production problem if I ever saw one.

 

[jaisonline]

i have to seriously think about potentially benching parker each week since i also have k.jones and a.peterson because i'm in a td heavy league. i stopped consider maroney a few weeks ago; he really needs proves himself. i have too many freakin ?s at RB so that's why i'm taking this parker situation like a bad sport.

anyway....

it also bothers me that some of FBG staff (I admit much smarter than me in this area) knew about Arians' wide formation approach and still thought it wouldn't impact parker much. sure, hindsight is 20/20. i'm not blaming anyone because i wouldn't have won high stakes leagues if it wasn't for this site. this site is a great deal at less than $30/yr.

i would just like to start hearing / reading slightly more realistic parker predictions. i know, i'm crying and will stop

 

[jaisonline]

I just listened to the week 7 review podcast. In part 2, Sigmund Bloom and Marc Faletti talked in detail about the frustration Parker owners have with the dual TE sets near the goal line. Nice job guys with the explanation.