Willie Parker
By CK Stiller
I have often been a critic of Willie Parker. Last year, I thought that he lacked the ability to become a true feature back. He was a one-dimensional speed runner who needed to get the corner on someone. He often times failed to gain the tough yards against the tough defenses. This year, though, he has been one of the bright spots on a Steelers team that has often struggled and been mistake-prone.
Beyond the playing field, Parker has turned into a true leader for the Steelers. This began during the offseason, when he set an example for the entire team by signing a 4 year, $13.6 million dollar contract. As a Super Bowl winning RB who went undrafted as a rookie, he sacrificed a good deal. He most likely could have commanded much more on the open market. Take, for instance, the contract career back-up Lamont Jordan signed with the Raiders just the year before worth $27.5 million over 5 years. Underpaying for some talent is crucial to building a dynasty in the salary cap era. Many Patriots players took pay cuts to stay on a team where they had a shot at a Super Bowl ring (many others did not, of course). Soon after Parker signed his contract, Ike Taylor was also signed for a relatively small amount, and it seemed the Steelers were getting a discount.
Then he made his statements to the media following the team�s loss to the Broncos. Parker was the first Steelers player to openly question the teams hunger after the Super Bowl win, and even went as far as to say that players no longer trusted each other on the field. The Steelers followed that up with a much needed win over the Saints in which Parker racked up 213 yards on the ground, most of which came on two 70+ yard runs that sealed the game in the second half.
Parker still has many critics remaining among Steelers fans. People who demand a �power� running back. Willie Parker has evolved as a runner, but the Steelers run game has clearly struggled. Watching the games, it is hard to put the blame on Parker. The Steelers OL has been overrated for years now. Faneca and Hartings have not played up to their Pro Bowl level, and the right side is a complete mess. Parker isn�t free of any blame, but he has already improved his game since last season. Parker has been much tougher running, often picking up extra yards after contact. I would not call him an elite runner at this point, but if the line does its job, then the Steelers run game will be fine with Parker being the feature back. For a unit that ties up so much of the Steelers resources, the line has grossly underachieved as a unit.
But Parker has still found other ways to get involved in the offense, and the coaches need to take it on themselves to keep him more involved as the game goes on. He has proven himself to be a true threat in the Steelers passing game. Against both the Browns and Broncos the Steelers run game was mostly a non-factor, albeit for different reasons.
The Steelers quickly fell behind against the Broncos, and were playing catch-up all day. Still, their game plan focused on spreading Denver out and throwing, which would open up the run. Parker averaged 5 YPC and gained 70 yards on the ground, and showed that this team can be successful in many ways. Parker also made himself into a weapon in the passing game. Parker had 7 catches for 65 yards, which included a 15 yard TD grab on which Roethlisberger found him on the run. Parker was able to make several key grabs against the Browns two weeks later, which included the game winning TD. He was stifled completely in the run game, but was able to get involved in other ways.
The Steelers have chosen to go with Haynes and Davenport on third down this season, which has been a mistake. Parker has been a dangerous option in the passing game that has to be accounted for. Fortunately, they now have to turn to him as Davenport was injured last week (which allowed Parker to get on the field more). It only makes sense. He has become one of their top playmakers, as well as one of their leaders. A guy like that needs to be given the ball in a game no matter what the score is.
The Chargers have proven that in the past two weeks with Tomlinson. They never let him be taken out of a game because of the scoreboard. It is always a priority for them to get the ball into his hands. The Steelers have to learn to do this with Parker, especially this week against the Ravens. It would be a shame if he didn�t get touches just because the run game stalls, or they fall behind.
The run game may not be as dominant as it has been in the past. You can blame that on several factors. Parker, though, has proven himself to be a player the Steelers need on the field. He has become indispensable to this team. They made need to throw this week to move the ball, as the run game will probably become secondary or struggle outright. Parker, though, has shown he can contribute in various ways.