In one monster performance, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall turned his image around from a disappointment to the future of the position for Pittsburgh.
The future hasn’t arrived just yet, though.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says that Parker remains on top of the depth chart, even though he’s not expected to play this week against the Lions.
“Willie Parker’s a proven commodity,” offensive coordinator Bruce
Arians said. “When Rashard is [proven], then we’ll
re-evaluate him. I hope it gets to that problem. I’d like to have those
two healthy at the same time.”
With games against the Lions and Browns coming up, perhaps Mendenhall could “prove” himself enough before Parker is back from turf toe. The second-year player certainly looks more explosive than Parker, which isn’t a surprise considering the relative wear and tear on their bodies.
In the end, the designation of starter and backup is growing irrelevant in many backfields. The workload will be split a few ways, with a healthy dose of Mewelde Moore on passing downs.
No matter what the depth chart says, though, the onus will be on Parker when he returns from his toe injury that he deserves to still be included in the mix.
Mendenhall is a downhill runner who will punish people. I hope the Steelers and the fans stay with him.
HawgLife……..Live the Dream!
The Parker Kool Aid is now stale… his 5 years is up. Time to move on.
Willie is like a Jackalope on a down hill slope. Retirement is at the bottom of the hill. I have a bad feeling about the Browns game though. Anyway, Go Steelers!!!
“That would definitely be a slowed down.”
Parker is a great runner who just can’t seem to find the endzone. Gotta have that “other guy” who can punch it in from five yards out.
I am a life long Steelers fan. As much as it pains me to say it, I think Parker’s time is done. He was a beast for us for about 3 years but I think it is more than a coincidence that during those 3 years we had one of the premiere O-lines in the league. FWP will never be able to break tackles or push the pile the way Mendenhall can and with our current O-line I think we need a RB that can gain the tough yards. Just my opinion. The only thing that scares me is Mendenhall’s ability to hang on to the rock!
I agree huskerfootball. Cya FWP! Would be nice if the Steelers had another “big back” to compliment Mendenhall. Steelers need to get back to being physical. Ben can do his thang too!
Look at the Steelrs, trying to be a running team again. Good for them.
TheRuralJuror
The only year that we haven’t really been a “running team” was last year. And I feel that had a lot to do with Willie Parker missing 6 or so games with injuries and then Mendenhall going out for the season. That will hurt a running game. I didn’t think that would hard to figure out. Do you remember the year before? When Willie Parker was 1st or 2nd in the league in rushing until he broke his leg…or did that happen to slip your mind? For once I can agree with Arians…I would LOVE to have both of those guys healthy.
Perfect motivational tool for BOTH players. Willie will run like the hellhound on his trail and Mendy will crave the starting HB designation. Vintage Mike Tomlin.
“BernardPollardIsAnAss
Parker is a great runner who just can’t seem to find the endzone. Gotta have that “other guy” who can punch it in from five yards out.”
Parker was a decent goalline back in 2006. He’s just deteriorated (along with the O-line).
Ill give ya a big back big boy!
Parker runs great, but Mendenhall is a great runner
ding…ding…
Vox, sorry but I will disagree with you on most of your points…. first off.. if I’m not mistaken in the 6 games parker missed, Moore pulled off 100yd games plus good passing games in 5 or 6 of those games.
Parker was good when:
1. We had a premiere line that opened gaping holes and we had FB blocking for him.
2. Bettis was punishing defenses and getting them winded, then Parker would come in and deomonstrate his speed.
3. Parker had some form of confidence.
I agree that Mendy performed majorly in 1 game, but this was his FIRST game to prove himself. He had like 7 carries through week 3! 4 against a very stingy Tennessee D and 3 against Chi.
vs. Tenn 4 carries 6yds 1.5ypc (same as Parker)
vs Chi 3 carries 39yds 13ypc (Parker 3.4 ypc)
Mendy has regularly shown that he will drive and fall forward, parker has shown he will drop the the ground on first contact.
IMO, Parker and Mendy should switch roles. Firstly, Mendy is running harder. Secondly, if Parker plans to get signed somewhere else next season, he needs to look good. What better way than to come in and be fresh and the D is tired and get a few long runs per game making you look alot better on paper than you really are.
Hey Josh. I’m can’t argue with most of your points. You may have misunderstood the purpose of my post though. I wasn’t sticking up for FWP as much as I was reacting to the statement made about us “trying” to be a running football team again.
I agree that Parker has much more success w/ a fullback, something that he himself has stated on more than one occasion. I do think he’s right though, he’s the type of back that needs a FB occupying an extra defender to break him.
I don’t have a stat sheet in front of me, so take this with a grain of salt, but I don’t think that Moore had more than 1…MAYBE 2, 100 yard games while Willie was out. He made some absolutely HUGE plays on 3rd down for us in very close games though.
Willie also started against Tenn and Chi. Stingy run defenses. So, as of now, he’s had a rougher go at it, overall, than Mendenhall.
Having said that, I do think Mendenhall needs more touches to become comfortable and find his groove. That’s the only way it will happen. It should be fun the next two weeks seeing Mendenhall in the starting role. Eventhough neither the Lions or the Browns have tough defenses. This is a good situation for the Steelers overall. Grooming a young back that has shown some promise, and we have a guy who’s had past success in a contract year trying to prove his worth.
Sort of a bummer though that people seem to forget so easily that just two seasons ago FWP was leading the league in rushing until he broke his leg.
Saying that Parker is ahead of Mendenhall is like saying “Curly Joe” DeRita was a better “Stooge” than Joe Besser was.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Stooges
In a nutshell, who cares…