Not long ago, Willie Parker was regarded as one of the best young tailbacks in the NFL. But then, late in the 2007 season, he broke a leg against the Rams, and he really hasn’t been the same since.
In 2008, injuries limited Parker to 11 games, and he rushed for under 800 yards for the first time since his rookie year of 2004. Last year, he lost his starting job after three games — and he never started again.
One of the younger free-agent tailbacks on the market, Parker has generated little interest in free agency. He visited the Redskins, who later signed Larry Johnson.
Now, he’ll visiting the team against which his career became derailed more than two years ago: the Rams. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the visit will occur on Thursday and Friday.
In St. Louis, Parker would serve as a backup to Steve Jackson. And this suggests that Parker has given up on any shot at being the top dog in 2010, or beyond.
It’s amazing how fast RB’s can fall from the limelight.
Since Steven Jackson got 39, I wonder what number he’ll wear if he signs…LOL
willie parker…………bad!
Good luck Willie! As soon as Mendenhall learned how to hold onto the ball, you knew your days were numbered.
See you in Arizona behind Beanie and Tim (Emmitt Smith/Edgrin James style).
Fast Willie needs to bow down to S Jack, if he signs wit the Rams, but he will still be an excellent complimentary back for the Rams…. I think the Rams should do it.
Detroit is still looking for depth at running back. Who knows when Kevin Smith will be healthy.
It’s funny…. a guy that is younger and produced more than LDT and yet he still isn’t signed but that bum is.
Florio should pay Adam Schefter’s twitter account royalties….
i was hoping the Packers picked him up. he would be a good change of pace back to compliment grant.
Hate this for Willie. I have a lot of confidence in Tomlin and believe in pushing the running game. But you can’t push one back to the limits anymore. Remember Tomlin saying in his first year that he planned to run the wheels off Parker … and unfortunately, he did. Sure would like to see Willie land on a decent team. Would rather see him almost anywhere other than St. Louis given the unstable ownership and possibility of relocating. He still has something to offer.
I think Detroit should kick the tires… Im curious as to why they haven’t kicked the tires on any running backs on the open market.
Good luck Willie. Sad to say but looks like his career is over much sooner than he would have wanted.
I think he was leading the league in rushing yards in 2007 when he broke his leg. A real bummer. He’s a good guy, a real team player, but injuries made him a timid runner. Wonder if he would take a pay cut to stay on as a back up with the Steelers?
Willie Parker still sucks
Deb — I agree — I think Tomlin learned the hard way that the days of a featured back are over.
Then again, Parker raised controversy a year or so ago when he complained about the Steelers not running as much, so maybe he liked having his wheels fall off?
Parker could be a good change of pace back for the Redskins. I dont get why they signed LJ over him
I’m not sure the door is closed to Willie in Pittsburgh…hell, everyone else is coming back…but it seems to me that he should man up, realize he tested the market and that the best place for him is here. We don’t have a quality back-up to Rashard.
fast willie wasnt ever dependable. ergo, no fone calls.
Even if he never plays another down, he’s an inspiration to college players around the country for making a team as an undrafted free agent, earning the starting job, and setting a Super Bowl record with his 75-yard TD run. I don’t believe the Steelers ever lost a playoff game in which Willie Parker started.
It is too bad running backs have such a short career. I’d like to see him have another good year or two, preferably with the Steelers.
I love his story and I love his first two steps. How he got everyone else on the field to stop while he kept running when he cut upfield always amazed me.
In forty years of watching pro football, he is one of a handful with jaw-dropping acceleration.
I love it when a headline that reads “So and So still waits” is news….since when is waiting news?
In related news, Tommy Maddox still waits.
Willie’s biggest fault was/is being on the small side, at least by Steelers standards. He was an honorable Steeler who gave us his all. His record-setting 75-yard run in Super Bowl XL was classic. Thanks for the memories, Willie!!!
If he gets no decent offers, I would not rule out him returning to the Steelers with a low fixed but incentive-laden contract. He showed some flash the few times he carried the ball late in the season, and has that breakaway capability. I would love to see him get another chance with the Steelers for the right price. Then, he might be able to prove himself again. In any event, best of luck to FWP.
How ironic that Willie may go to his mentor’s former team, a team that Jerome Bettis is bitter towards. Professional football is the best soap opera on television!!!
I agree with all of the Lions comments. We need another RB cuz Morris and Smith cannot get it done
If he’s willing to be a backup he’s still got a home in Pittsburgh!
I can’t believe this dude actually has 2 rings.
I am still a bit perplexed why someone hasn’t signed him already
I am not saying a big contract but a decent one nonetheless
Running backs are a dime a dozen. Even Willie Parker.
Believe it. That’s one more than Peyton Manning. If he catches on in St. Louis then I wish him well. I’m hoping he doesn’t and he comes back to the Steelers. It’s probably more than just starting. There’s also the money that a starting running back commands.
Mr. Florio’s article fails to mention that Willie had turf toe last year which is why he lost his job. Turf toe is a very painful, slow recovery type injury. Willie still has some playing time left in him. As you know injuries are part of the NFL, when starters get injured backups become starters.
GO STEELERS!
GO STEELERS!
(Formerly) Fast Willie still has more left in the tank than LT. He will land somewhere and either be a very solid, “Chester Taylor-type” #2 RB for another year or two. The Vikes should bring him in for a look.
Dead On Hans..
Not a vikes fan but
they should bring him in for a look.
The Steelers should offer him $1.5MM guranteed to back up Mendy. If his toe holds up he’s got 150-200 carries in him next year.
The Rams need all players that have actually won double digit games in a season that they can stuff on that 55 man lineup full of overpaid stiffs (SteveJax, not included).
LT to the Jets, they had their chance at a back with, as many have said earlier on this post, quite a bit left in the tank.
Signing AJ Feeley? I’ve seen better arms on chairs. And Bulger… don’t let the door hit you on the a$$ (where, I might add you’ve been playing most of your football the past three seasons) on the way out.
Willie Parker, FINALLY a CHANCE at a half way decent signing this off-season.
I hope Willie stays. The Steelers have gotten away with running the football. Not so far back Dan Rooney spoke with Bruce Ariens about it. Dan and Art want to go back to the power run. Good for them! Willie had 213 yards in one game against New Orleans. It would be a damned shame to lose him. Mendenhall is good but he LOVES to fumble!
Willie, once he gets a smal break, is GONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE on the field. Please don’t be GONNNEEE from the Steelers. He’s a good kid and learned well from Bus.
I think the Stillers would still have him……..he just needs his PR people….to yanno.. trump up some rape charges
The Steelers didn’t sign Mendenhal because he was fat and lazy…they signed him because Willie Parker had one-season-wonder written all over him.
Anyone who has attended Steelers’ games over the past two seasons has observed that Parker has lost both his speed and explosiveness. And, without that, he simply lacks that which made him a feature back.
@boltmancraft …
That dude not only has two rings, he has the record for longest touchdown run from scrimmage in Super Bowl history. You might try giving a man his due.
@JustMike …
One-season wonder? He was our star back in 05 when he got the aforementioned record and was the league’s leading rusher in 07 when he broke his leg five games before the season ended. That’s when his fortunes turned. He was not a one-season wonder.
@drumbug71 …
Good backs will always want to be THE guy. But if they want a long career, they’re going to have to learn to share the glory. Hey, I’ve heard it worked for Franco and Rocky!