I'm going to give Willie a break...

Edman · 12-03-2007, 12:13 PM

Yes, his several fumbles were a problem last night. But up until this point, he's kept the fumbling in check. If it continues next week, then there is a cause for concern.

He's also been getting a lot of flack for his lack of rushing yards. That's understandable. But I believe it's a sign that our Offense is changing. Remember that play when Willie set up at WR? That's where I think we should design our playcalling. Around Willies biggest threat: His speed.

Lack of Najeh really hurt last night.

The_WARDen · 12-03-2007, 12:35 PM

Willie is either a fool or stupid, take your pick. Reaching for an extra yard after you've already fumbled THREE times is the stupidest thing I've seen in a while...well, at least since Joe Gibbs called back-to-back timeouts.

steelermuzik · 12-03-2007, 01:19 PM

I also think Willie's not been used to his best ability this year. I have to say I was very excited to see they actually threw a screen pass to him last night! Too bad it was only one!

Maybe they forgot Willie's not a bruiser and should use him that way (on screens) more often! Here's to hoping he can hold onto the ball next week

ShutDown24 · 12-03-2007, 01:23 PM

Madden made a great point. Pulling uop statistics no, there isn't a fumbling problem for WIllie - He is average with fumbles. Madden also made a good point about the rubber sleeves. If you have ever felt those things when they are wet its like trying to hold onto water itself... Anyone who wants to complain about Willie fubling should also consider the fact that all year Arians has been calling a run, run pass offense making the first two downs easy to key on the ball knowing that it is slippery and almost 90% of the time going to be a run.

alittlejazzbird · 12-03-2007, 01:30 PM

Willie adamantly refused to make any excuses for his fumbling, but I think the combo of that wet, sandy ball (Ben mentioned the sand, but I didn't see him having any trouble holding on to the ball), and those silly rubber sleeve things (which even I could see were waterlogged and slick) that Tomlin should have personally ripped from Willie's arms, added up to fumble-itis.

And it had better stop this week, especially if the weather is bad and the field is lousy; the Patriots will pounce on every mistake and turn it into points.

19ward86 · 12-03-2007, 02:01 PM

he has gotten better at carrying the ball this year and i wish he could start breaking some big runs but our line is struggling this year and at least he is doing better than rudi johnson.

Rhee Rhee · 12-03-2007, 03:39 PM

we need to get the running game going... whether it's willie parker or not there is no way this -2 yards here and positive 2 yards there will help against the pats... i honestly don't see a bright ending in this season until willie gets going again.... ben can carry us only so far..

Steelman16 · 12-03-2007, 03:45 PM

Prov musta been hanging with Willie last week....

I agree though, Willie's time to step up has come. Hines and Ben have done more than their share, and the O-Line is improving a bit, now its time for FWP to up his game several notches.

fansince'76 · 12-03-2007, 04:20 PM

Yeah, being the second-leading rusher in the league and 1st in carries simply isn't enough. Granted, the fumbleitis last night was a problem, but he has been sure-handed all season otherwise. It's time for the OL to start making some holes, which they haven't done all season.

SteelerFanInCA · 12-03-2007, 04:22 PM

I'm sure WP will bounce back just fine. He's having a great year so far.

12-03-2007, 12:13 PM	#1
Edman Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,358 Gender: Male Member Number: 3261 Thanks: 35 Thanked 89 Times in 57 Posts	I'm going to give Willie a break... Yes, his several fumbles were a problem last night. But up until this point, he's kept the fumbling in check. If it continues next week, then there is a cause for concern. He's also been getting a lot of flack for his lack of rushing yards. That's understandable. But I believe it's a sign that our Offense is changing. Remember that play when Willie set up at WR? That's where I think we should design our playcalling. Around Willies biggest threat: His speed. Lack of Najeh really hurt last night.

12-03-2007, 12:35 PM	#2
The_WARDen Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,699 Gender: Male Member Number: 7628 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... Willie is either a fool or stupid, take your pick. Reaching for an extra yard after you've already fumbled THREE times is the stupidest thing I've seen in a while...well, at least since Joe Gibbs called back-to-back timeouts.

12-03-2007, 01:19 PM	#3
steelermuzik Water Boy Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 36 Member Number: 5642 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... I also think Willie's not been used to his best ability this year. I have to say I was very excited to see they actually threw a screen pass to him last night! Too bad it was only one! Maybe they forgot Willie's not a bruiser and should use him that way (on screens) more often! Here's to hoping he can hold onto the ball next week

12-03-2007, 01:23 PM	#4
ShutDown24 Team President Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,125 Gender: Male Member Number: 3997 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... Madden made a great point. Pulling uop statistics no, there isn't a fumbling problem for WIllie - He is average with fumbles. Madden also made a good point about the rubber sleeves. If you have ever felt those things when they are wet its like trying to hold onto water itself... Anyone who wants to complain about Willie fubling should also consider the fact that all year Arians has been calling a run, run pass offense making the first two downs easy to key on the ball knowing that it is slippery and almost 90% of the time going to be a run. __________________

12-03-2007, 01:30 PM	#5
alittlejazzbird Team Captain Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 721 Gender: Female Member Number: 1403 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... Willie adamantly refused to make any excuses for his fumbling, but I think the combo of that wet, sandy ball (Ben mentioned the sand, but I didn't see him having any trouble holding on to the ball), and those silly rubber sleeve things (which even I could see were waterlogged and slick) that Tomlin should have personally ripped from Willie's arms, added up to fumble-itis. And it had better stop this week, especially if the weather is bad and the field is lousy; the Patriots will pounce on every mistake and turn it into points.

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12-03-2007, 02:01 PM	#6
19ward86 Head Coach Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Ohio Posts: 1,976 Gender: Male Member Number: 2717 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... he has gotten better at carrying the ball this year and i wish he could start breaking some big runs but our line is struggling this year and at least he is doing better than rudi johnson. __________________ [YOUTUBE]PGrTvNzGCZE[/YOUTUBE] You must watch this video.

12-03-2007, 03:39 PM	#7
Rhee Rhee Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 808 state Posts: 1,890 Gender: Male Member Number: 7579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... we need to get the running game going... whether it's willie parker or not there is no way this -2 yards here and positive 2 yards there will help against the pats... i honestly don't see a bright ending in this season until willie gets going again.... ben can carry us only so far.. __________________

12-03-2007, 03:45 PM	#8
Steelman16 Team President Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,414 Member Number: 6517 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... Prov musta been hanging with Willie last week.... I agree though, Willie's time to step up has come. Hines and Ben have done more than their share, and the O-Line is improving a bit, now its time for FWP to up his game several notches. __________________ I'll keep my freedoms, my guns, and my money . . . you can keep "THE CHANGE."

12-03-2007, 04:20 PM	#9
fansince'76 Living Legend Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 17,069 Member Number: 1984 Thanks: 36 Thanked 87 Times in 53 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... Yeah, being the second-leading rusher in the league and 1st in carries simply isn't enough. Granted, the fumbleitis last night was a problem, but he has been sure-handed all season otherwise. It's time for the OL to start making some holes, which they haven't done all season.

12-03-2007, 04:22 PM	#10
SteelerFanInCA Team President Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,169 Gender: Male Member Number: 875 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I'm going to give Willie a break... I'm sure WP will bounce back just fine. He's having a great year so far.

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