Willie Parker news? (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Knight]

I have not been able to see Parker in action yet this year. But even if I had, 4 carries for 12 yards and 1 carry for 5 yards doesn't tell me much. Any Pittsburgh homers with more info than the press seems to be disseminating?

Anyone know if he is running better between the tackles than he did last year? Betts commented last year to the effect that Parker was good enough that he could cause (I believe his words were) a "paradigm shift" in Pittsburgh from a power running team. Has anyone seen any evidence of a package added to get Willie in space? Etc.

Anyone?

 

[LHUCKS]

Parker is fast becoming one of the "safe" picks at RB.

Expect his workload to be slightly increased from last year with a subsequent increase in total ff points.

 

[bonesman]

paradigm shift?

are you sure he didn't say he's worth "a pair of dimes... shiieeeeeet"?

 

[GDogg]

Duce Staley is rumored to be on the verge of being traded or cut.

 

[Highway Robbery]

Folks, a name not mentioned yet in this thread is 24 year old Musa Smith. If he's really as good now that he's back to being healthy as he's looked in his first two preseason games, and J Lewis continues to struggle with injuries, this kid's going to be on the field a lot.

....

Anyone know if he is running better between the tackles than he did last year? Betts commented last year to the effect that Parker was good enough that he could cause (I believe his words were) a "paradigm shift" in Pittsburgh from a power running team. Has anyone seen any evidence of a package added to get Willie in space? Etc.

...

Why would Betts be talking about the Steelers? He should be focusing on Portis' shoulder.

 

[Phantom Knight]

paradigm shift?

are you sure he didn't say he's worth "a pair of dimes... shiieeeeeet"?

Well I am not positive he used the words "paradigm shift", but it was definitely words to that effect. I just searched and couldn't find the quote from Bettis, but I did find this tidbit from last week:http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nf...re_x.htm?csp=34

"Not a lot of people are talking about it, but if you think of Willie Parker a year ago, he was probably the fourth back," says Cowher. "The way the kid is running the ball, the way he's catching the ball, the way he's blocking, he's having as good a camp as anybody here."

The speed is obvious. Parker is working on everything else.

"Just helping the team out in different situations, short yardage ... blocking," he says. "I've got a lot of things I want to get better at."

Whisenhunt says Parker is "really seeing the inside runs well and making good cuts."

 

[Phantom Knight]

Why would Betts be talking about the Steelers? He should be focusing on Portis' shoulder.

I think most folks realized I had a typo and meant to type Bettis.

 

[Stashy]

I live in the Pittsburgh area and rumor during camp was that Parker feels he can handle the workload as well as the goaline and Veron haynes will be third down back. Duece will be cut or traded.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06218/711581-66.stm

 

[Irish]

He has added 10 lbs of muscle during the offseason and let us not forget that 2 yrs ago he was the talk of training camp and really shined during goalline drills. Oh yeah he is also really FAST!

 

[Snickersnack]

He has added 10 lbs of muscle during the offseason and let us not forget that 2 yrs ago he was the talk of training camp and really shined during goalline drills. Oh yeah he is also really FAST!

Duce or Willie?

 

[AcousticNut]

He has added 10 lbs of muscle during the offseason and let us not forget that 2 yrs ago he was the talk of training camp and really shined during goalline drills. Oh yeah he is also really FAST!

Duce or Willie?

He's talking about Willie. Pittsburgh still doesn't have a clear-cut "Goal Line Back" and FWP was showing that he could do it in camp 2 years ago.There's also a lot of 'no-huddle' talk floating around Pittsburgh these days. They pulled the no-huddle out for their first series in the pre-season game over the weekend. Cower and Wiz have also talked about 'opening up the playbook' now that Ben is more comfortable with the offense, and a big part of that is probably getting more open field for FWP as well. Air-Cower? I think not, but it's not going to be the classic power running game that we're used to seeing in the Burgh. Cower went to a more spread offense a couple of years back (albeit with less than stellar results) when he thought it would be the best offense for Tommy-Gun, so he has shown in the past that he's willing to adapt the offense to his personnel.*Edited to remove 2003 as the spread offense year, may have been 2002*

 

[Godsbrother]

Parker is fast becoming one of the "safe" picks at RB.Expect his workload to be slightly increased from last year with a subsequent increase in total ff points.

Agreed. Parker is the man which why he is getting so few carries in the preseason. The Steelers know what he can do and his value to the team. I look for a big year from Parker.

 

[Godsbrother]

Duce Staley is rumored to be on the verge of being traded or cut.

I don't buy it. First off, what are they going to get for Duce in a trade -- at best a 6th round pick. And Duce's contract is not all that big that you are going to save much by cutting him.If Parker or Haynes would get hurt they would be awfully thin at RB. Humes certainly hasn't shown anything in preseason, expect that he has bricks for hands. Unless the Steelers trade for a RB or pickup a FA, Duce is on the team.

 

[Texican]

Who is FWP's handcuff? Even worth carrying his handcuff?

 

[Deuce'sWild]

There was a lot of talk about who would be the GL RB, and Cowher mentioned an "open competition".

And word on how that's panning out?

 

[Godsbrother]

Who is FWP's handcuff? Even worth carrying his handcuff?

It is really tough to say. If Parker goes down I would say Haynes' role would increase substantially at least in the 1st and 2nd quarters. If the Steelers are ahead, Duce would play a bigger role in the 3rd and 4th quarters to grind out the clock.At least that would the plan going in -- it would all depend on what is working and what isn't.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Does Cedric Humes fit into this equation at all? Short or long term?

 

[huckyoda]

Here comes the herd. When they zig, you should zag. FWP was a great value last year when no one believed. As a top-ten guy? No way. Too much risk. He took a lot of hits last year in the regular season and the post season. What are the odds he stays healthy for this whole season as a feature back?

 

[Godsbrother]

Does Cedric Humes fit into this equation at all? Short or long term?

Well if the rumors about the Steelers cutting or trading Staley are true then Humes will definitely see plenty of action. I just haven't seen anything from Humes that makes me think he is anything special at this point. He may turn out to be decent but at this point I think it is way too early to say. If the Steelers keep Duce then there is a very good chance that Humes is put on the practice squad.

 

[Godsbrother]

Here comes the herd. When they zig, you should zag. FWP was a great value last year when no one believed. As a top-ten guy? No way. Too much risk. He took a lot of hits last year in the regular season and the post season. What are the odds he stays healthy for this whole season as a feature back?

Injuries are very difficult to predict. The one thing for sure is that FWP ran for 1200+ yards in his first season as a starter and his main TD vulture has retired.

 

[mbuehner]

FWP was a great value last year when no one believed. As a top-ten guy? No way.

That would be true, but I dont think anyone is really pimping him as a top 10 pick. Second rounder for sure, and his ADP right now is 25 so he's going even later. Parker would be a decent RB2 if he only replicates last years numbers. The point is he has quite a bit of upside as well, so 2nd round is reasonable and definately 3rd. I dont see anyone taking him in the first though.

 

[Texican]

Not a top 10 guy, but I think he is a top 15 back.

 

[Snickersnack]

Not a top 10 guy, but I think he is a top 15 back.

In most of my leagues where I obtained him, he is a RB2 or even my RB 3, so I am happy with that. I kept him in one for a 17th rounder, have others ahead of him in all.

 

[Marc Levin]

With the news that he is currently also the team's GL back, I have moved him above guys like Kevn Jones and Willis McGahee and into the #13 RB spot.

He's got a better OL. a better offensiove scheme and a coach morec ommitted to getting him the ball than the coaches in Buff or Det - and he has already established (unlike those other two guys) that he can produce consistent FP numbers as long as he doesn't have to gie up GL carries.

I am going out on a limbv with Parker, but (for now at least) it is a caclulated move. I am ZIGGING while others ZAG by being that high on Parker in my rankings.

 

[Franknbeans]

He just went at 2.1 in our 12 team draft. Ahead of Westbrook, McGahee and all of the top receivers

 

[Sabertooth]

Parker seemed to go down on first contact a lot in that last preseason game. That kind of jives with his history of having good games against bad defenses and vice versa. I think teams like Baltimore are going to stifle him while he should have some success versus teams like Cleveland and Cincinatti.

I just don't see him breaking a lot of tackles. Once he's in the open though, he's quite dangerous and also seems to catch well.

 

[Native]

FAst Willie is not built to be the GL back. If you watched him last year, he was hardly overwhelming in short yardage situations. Therefore, I wouldnt inflate my projections too much because of the "Goalline" announcement. Youre setting ourself up for disappointment, imo.

 

[nightshift]

Does Cedric Humes fit into this equation at all? Short or long term?

Well if the rumors about the Steelers cutting or trading Staley are true then Humes will definitely see plenty of action. I just haven't seen anything from Humes that makes me think he is anything special at this point. He may turn out to be decent but at this point I think it is way too early to say. If the Steelers keep Duce then there is a very good chance that Humes is put on the practice squad.

Maybe GB. Kuhn has looked very good in what limited action he has seen. I think he definitely makes the practice squad.Staley has not shown any burst, etc. in the preseason. He looks bad! I will be very surprised if he remains with the team. Steelers would be doin' right by him if they cut him today. I doubt anyone is about to trade for him, since they'll probably only offer a vet's minimum salary.BTW, I think Humes hasn't shown anything spectacular up to this point. But then again, we probably could/did say the same thing for FWP a while back.

 

[Godsbrother]

Does Cedric Humes fit into this equation at all? Short or long term?

Well if the rumors about the Steelers cutting or trading Staley are true then Humes will definitely see plenty of action. I just haven't seen anything from Humes that makes me think he is anything special at this point. He may turn out to be decent but at this point I think it is way too early to say. If the Steelers keep Duce then there is a very good chance that Humes is put on the practice squad.

Maybe GB. Kuhn has looked very good in what limited action he has seen. I think he definitely makes the practice squad.Staley has not shown any burst, etc. in the preseason. He looks bad! I will be very surprised if he remains with the team. Steelers would be doin' right by him if they cut him today. I doubt anyone is about to trade for him, since they'll probably only offer a vet's minimum salary.BTW, I think Humes hasn't shown anything spectacular up to this point. But then again, we probably could/did say the same thing for FWP a while back.

Agreed that Kuhn has looked good but he has been running against scrubs in the second half. I think it comes down to Kuhn or Humes making the active roster and the other one going to the practice squad. I just find it hard to believe the Steelers will go into the season with just Parker, Haynes, Kreider and 2 guys that have never had a carry in a regular season game.As bad as Duce has looked I think they'll keep him unless they make a trade for someone like Travis Henry (unlikely due to his history) or wait for a FA to become available ala Lee Suggs, Willie Green, Ron Dayne, etc.I heard someone on the radio this morning refer to Staley as "Ace" because of his 1 run yards this preseason. I thought it was pretty funny...

 

[CA_7]

FAst Willie is not built to be the GL back.

I think same could be said for Tiki and Dunn and they get the job done. Granted it is smarter for their coaches to put the big GL backs in to reduce the beating.I dread seeing Jacobs getting more looks this year with Tiki gettting up there is age.

 

[Bobcat10]

has a great opp to be better than last year. scooped him up at 3.7 last night in a 12-team. very happy.

 

[nightshift]

Does Cedric Humes fit into this equation at all? Short or long term?

Well if the rumors about the Steelers cutting or trading Staley are true then Humes will definitely see plenty of action. I just haven't seen anything from Humes that makes me think he is anything special at this point. He may turn out to be decent but at this point I think it is way too early to say. If the Steelers keep Duce then there is a very good chance that Humes is put on the practice squad.

Maybe GB. Kuhn has looked very good in what limited action he has seen. I think he definitely makes the practice squad.Staley has not shown any burst, etc. in the preseason. He looks bad! I will be very surprised if he remains with the team. Steelers would be doin' right by him if they cut him today. I doubt anyone is about to trade for him, since they'll probably only offer a vet's minimum salary.BTW, I think Humes hasn't shown anything spectacular up to this point. But then again, we probably could/did say the same thing for FWP a while back.

Agreed that Kuhn has looked good but he has been running against scrubs in the second half. I think it comes down to Kuhn or Humes making the active roster and the other one going to the practice squad. I just find it hard to believe the Steelers will go into the season with just Parker, Haynes, Kreider and 2 guys that have never had a carry in a regular season game.As bad as Duce has looked I think they'll keep him unless they make a trade for someone like Travis Henry (unlikely due to his history) or wait for a FA to become available ala Lee Suggs, Willie Green, Ron Dayne, etc.I heard someone on the radio this morning refer to Staley as "Ace" because of his 1 run yards this preseason. I thought it was pretty funny...

Haynes is not the backup nor has he shown "Bettis" replacement skills. He is an excellent 3rd down guy, however.Maybe you're right about Staley. He might just be a mid-season RB. Looks like crap early, then regains his form as the season goes. Hopefully, they won't need his services until then.If that is the case, chances Humes are good that makes the roster & Kuhn heads to the practice squad. Keep an eye on that one, though. Power back in the making.

 

[Marc Levin]

Parker seemed to go down on first contact a lot in that last preseason game. That kind of jives with his history of having good games against bad defenses and vice versa. I think teams like Baltimore are going to stifle him while he should have some success versus teams like Cleveland and Cincinatti. I just don't see him breaking a lot of tackles. Once he's in the open though, he's quite dangerous and also seems to catch well.

He had decent games against Baltimore and Chicago last year (averaged over10 FP per game in those three games) - and had tough games against GB and NE (under 5 FP in each of those two games.Your theory did not hold true last year, and there is no reason to expect it to hold true this year.

 

[Marc Levin]

If you watched him last year, he was hardly overwhelming in short yardage situations.

You mean you can actually make a determination on that based on his total of ONE carry and NO targets all of 2005 from the GL????Also in short yardage - 18 rushes on 2nd and 3 yards or less - he averaged 7.3 YPC7 rushes on 3rd/4th and 2 yards or less, he averaged 2.3 YPC.The statistics do not support your assertion - and I watched quite a few of the Steelers' games last year - he looked FINE when given the opp in short yardage - but bettis was DA MAN, so he got all the opps. This year, of the ENTIRE current Steeler RB crew, FWP is the best they've got in short yardage.Short yardage numbers are NOT a reason to downgrade FWP.

 

[Bluestaples]

Blackdot

 

[Marc Levin]

Blackdot

Does that designate "guy I want"

 

[rascal]

So should I take him early round 2 (assuming Westbrook, McGahee, etc) are already gone? Because no way he makes it back in round 3.

 

[Marc Levin]

So should I take him early round 2 (assuming Westbrook, McGahee, etc) are already gone? Because no way he makes it back in round 3.

He's my RB13 and a top-20 overall player, so I may not be the best one to ask.

 

[rascal]

So should I take him early round 2 (assuming Westbrook, McGahee, etc) are already gone? Because no way he makes it back in round 3.

He's my RB13 and a top-20 overall player, so I may not be the best one to ask.

I have him ranked 14th but I just don't feel comfortable with it

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

I'm crazy about Willie, as I have him tiered with:

Caddy

Westy

Maghee

Lamont

Caddy has goaline and O-line questions, Westy is an injury waiting to happen, Maghee is in a dreadful situation and Lamont could be ok but I like FWP's upside in a big way.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say he'll be a top 5 back this year, behind the big 3 and Edge.

 

[AB in DC]

Blackdot

Does that designate "guy I want"

I think he means

 

[CrossEyed]

Duce made it through today's cuts.

Steelers trim roster, release eight playersMonday, August 28, 2006Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Steelers released eight players this morning, including four rookies as they trimmed their roster down to 75.Safety Zach Baker, kicker Mark Brubaker, offensive tackle Nick Hagemann and offensive guard Grayling Love -- all rookies -- were released along with second year fullback Doug Easlick, linebacker Malcolm Postell, wide receiver Isaac West and center Kyle Andrews.Offensive tackle Ulish Booker will be placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.The next cuts must be made by 6 p.m., Sept. 2, when all NFL teams must have their rosters down to 53 players.

 

[Godsbrother]

Duce made it through today's cuts.

Steelers trim roster, release eight playersMonday, August 28, 2006Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Steelers released eight players this morning, including four rookies as they trimmed their roster down to 75.Safety Zach Baker, kicker Mark Brubaker, offensive tackle Nick Hagemann and offensive guard Grayling Love -- all rookies -- were released along with second year fullback Doug Easlick, linebacker Malcolm Postell, wide receiver Isaac West and center Kyle Andrews.Offensive tackle Ulish Booker will be placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.The next cuts must be made by 6 p.m., Sept. 2, when all NFL teams must have their rosters down to 53 players.

I don't think there was ever a thought the Steelers would release Duce with the first cuts. If they had, they would sure have looked stupid if Parker or Haynes went down with an injury in practice or the final preseason game.

 

[Deuce'sWild]

I'm crazy about Willie, as I have him tiered with:CaddyWestyMagheeLamontCaddy has goaline and O-line questions, Westy is an injury waiting to happen, Maghee is in a dreadful situation and Lamont could be ok but I like FWP's upside in a big way. I'm going to go out on a limb and say he'll be a top 5 back this year, behind the big 3 and Edge.

Edge won't finish top 15 this year. Talk about OL issues. Parker has a chance if he can keep the GL duties, but I think that is unlikely. Also think it's unlikely he's a 16 game performer if he keeps the GL job.

 

[salmonstud]

I took Parker at the 1st/2nd round turn in a 12 team league. Paired him with McGahee. You don't want to draft out of the 12 slot this year...ugh.

 

[Sabertooth]

Parker seemed to go down on first contact a lot in that last preseason game. That kind of jives with his history of having good games against bad defenses and vice versa. I think teams like Baltimore are going to stifle him while he should have some success versus teams like Cleveland and Cincinatti.

I just don't see him breaking a lot of tackles. Once he's in the open though, he's quite dangerous and also seems to catch well.

He had decent games against Baltimore and Chicago last year (averaged over10 FP per game in those three games) - and had tough games against GB and NE (under 5 FP in each of those two games.Your theory did not hold true last year, and there is no reason to expect it to hold true this year.

Ok, you are correct. He didn't do much on his 5 carries against Green Bay. He averaged a whopping 3.2 ypc vs. the Bears. And 3.8 ypc against Baltimore wasn't anything to write home about, it's most certainly not "decent".You must have overlooked the 739 yards he had in 6 games against the Bengals, Texans, Titans, Browns and Lions. That's 61% of his total rushing yards in 37.5% of the games. Oh yeah and they happen to be against weak rush defenses.

 

[AB in DC]

You must have overlooked the 739 yards he had in 6 games against the Bengals, Texans, Titans, Browns and Lions. That's 61% of his total rushing yards in 37.5% of the games. Oh yeah and they happen to be against weak rush defenses.

So you're saying that Pittsburgh doesn't play any weak rush defenses this year?

 

[Marc Levin]

Parker seemed to go down on first contact a lot in that last preseason game. That kind of jives with his history of having good games against bad defenses and vice versa. I think teams like Baltimore are going to stifle him while he should have some success versus teams like Cleveland and Cincinatti.

I just don't see him breaking a lot of tackles. Once he's in the open though, he's quite dangerous and also seems to catch well.

He had decent games against Baltimore and Chicago last year (averaged over10 FP per game in those three games) - and had tough games against GB and NE (under 5 FP in each of those two games.Your theory did not hold true last year, and there is no reason to expect it to hold true this year.

Ok, you are correct. He didn't do much on his 5 carries against Green Bay. He averaged a whopping 3.2 ypc vs. the Bears. And 3.8 ypc against Baltimore wasn't anything to write home about, it's most certainly not "decent".You must have overlooked the 739 yards he had in 6 games against the Bengals, Texans, Titans, Browns and Lions. That's 61% of his total rushing yards in 37.5% of the games. Oh yeah and they happen to be against weak rush defenses.

I do not care if he has under 4 YPC versus tough run defenses - EVERY back should stuggle against TOUGH run defenses. Hey - how are LT's numbers against Denver? Should I avoid LT?? Or maybe I should just never draft any back in the NFC North.Parker averaged 10 FPs per game against Bal and Chi. - so YES HE HAD DECENT GAMES against those teams.

Your argument does not hold water when we are discussing FANTASY FOOTBALL!!!

 

[dapunisher]

Parker seemed to go down on first contact a lot in that last preseason game. That kind of jives with his history of having good games against bad defenses and vice versa. I think teams like Baltimore are going to stifle him while he should have some success versus teams like Cleveland and Cincinatti.

I just don't see him breaking a lot of tackles. Once he's in the open though, he's quite dangerous and also seems to catch well.

He had decent games against Baltimore and Chicago last year (averaged over10 FP per game in those three games) - and had tough games against GB and NE (under 5 FP in each of those two games.Your theory did not hold true last year, and there is no reason to expect it to hold true this year.

Ok, you are correct. He didn't do much on his 5 carries against Green Bay. He averaged a whopping 3.2 ypc vs. the Bears. And 3.8 ypc against Baltimore wasn't anything to write home about, it's most certainly not "decent".You must have overlooked the 739 yards he had in 6 games against the Bengals, Texans, Titans, Browns and Lions. That's 61% of his total rushing yards in 37.5% of the games. Oh yeah and they happen to be against weak rush defenses.

I do not care if he has under 4 YPC versus tough run defenses - EVERY back should stuggle against TOUGH run defenses. Hey - how are LT's numbers against Denver? Should I avoid LT?? Or maybe I should just never draft any back in the NFC North.Parker averaged 10 FPs per game against Bal and Chi. - so YES HE HAD DECENT GAMES against those teams.

Your argument does not hold water when we are discussing FANTASY FOOTBALL!!!

 

[AB in DC]

BTW:

Carnell Williams had 700 rushing yards against the Viking, Bills, Packers, and Falcons. That's 59% of his yards in 35.7% of his games.

Willis McGahee had 663 rushing yards against the Jets, Bengals, Texans, Falcons, and Saints. That's 53% of his yards in 37.5% of his games.

Reuben Droughns had 633 rushing yards against the Texans, Titans, Bengals, Lions, and Dolphins. That's 51% of his yards in 37.5% of his games.

It's not unusual for a player to have a majority of his yards against the worst defenses he faces.