"Fast" Willie Parker Not Fastest in the NFL

[steelcurtain09]

Twice during today's game Parker broke long runs that as soon as he reached the flank of NO's d-line I immediately turned to my father and said, "TD hes gone." Twice, Willie ran out of steam before reaching the endzone and was tacled from behind. Now both these plays are sweet for anyone Steelers, but it is kind of disturbing that there are so many people in the league that can catch him this year. If I had said the exact same thing when Parker broke one last year I would have been correct. It seems that "Fast" Willie has lost a step or two because he has bulked up some.

What are your thoughts on this? Was he caught because it was near the end of the game? Or is he really not that fast?

BTW that was a great game.

[stillers4me]

Originally Posted by steelcurtain09

Twice during today's game Parker broke long runs that as soon as he reached the flank of NO's d-line I immediately turned to my father and said, "TD hes gone." Twice, Willie ran out of steam before reaching the endzone and was tacled from behind. Now both these plays are sweet for anyone Steelers, but it is kind of disturbing that there are so many people in the league that can catch him this year. If I had said the exact same thing when Parker broke one last year I would have been correct. It seems that "Fast" Willie has lost a step or two because he has bulked up some.

What are your thoughts on this? Was he caught because it was near the end of the game? Or is he really not that fast?

BTW that was a great game.

WHO CARES!!!!!!!
Those plays were game makers............without Willie today we were sunk!

[Mosca]

Both defenders had the angle... but if you look at the replay of the first one, the tackler actually came up short; Parker's heel came up and hit the guy in the face, and Parker stumbled.

Also, remember Parker was holding a football and couldn't get both arms into it.

The guy is at full speed in about 2 steps. I think he's fast as hell. IMO he's a MUCH better back this year. He's one of the top half dozen in the league right now.


Tom

[Livinginthe past]

I would imagine its easier to run faster without a football than it is while carrying one.

You would lose the 'arm-swing' dynamic from your running style in flatout sprint races.

Maybe Willie has bulked up more this year, all I know is he is a guy that doesnt go down behind the line on first contact very much.

I seen him get hit quite a few times today for a potential 2/3 yard loss but he turned it into a 3/4 yard gain - those things are lost in a statistical analysis.

NM

[t-sizzlez]

who cares all that matters is he had the speed to make the play happen in the first place. idk bout u but ill take 70+ yd runes all day even if they dont score. besides he got it in eventully anyways

[touchdownward]

I'm just glad to see Willie HAVE to be tackled from behind. Lots of ankle tackles today by the saints.

[Indy_Steelers]

I hope all the Willie Parker haters will now go away!!!!!
He got the long run and the tough short yards today and he had a couple of great catches.

[BlacknGold76]

Willie P's two 70 yard runs (72 and 76), wow what a day for Willie. 213 yards on 22 carries. And we won, especially with nada, zero, zilch turnovers.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by steelcurtain09

What are your thoughts on this? Was he caught because it was near the end of the game? Or is he really not that fast?

It doesn't bother me. I do not remember Willie Parker being advertised as the fastest player in the NFL. What I do know, is that he is a heck of a lot faster than any of us posting on this board. For that reaosn, he will always be "Fast" Willie Parker to me.

I was more impressed with him grinding out the last three or four yards on those tough runs. He had this Bettis look to him a few times today.

-Mike

[stillers4me]

Originally Posted by BlacknGold76

Willie P's two 70 yard runs (72 and 76), wow what a day for Willie. 213 yards on 22 carries. And we won, especially with nada, zero, zilch turnovers.

Ain't it a beautiful thing to behold!