Will Willie Parker Be Brought Back After Next Year?

[Rek]

I love Willie Parker. He's my favorite player (I prefer speed backs to power backs) but his 4-year deal signed back in '06 is going to be up soon. I still think he has the power, speed, and heart to stay a starter for the Steelers. I hope with all the free agents that there are going to be that FWP reaches a good contract and doesn't try to shop around. After all, Pittsburgh was the only team that gave him a chance as a undrafted RB. Last year, he had almost 800 yards rushing, and that was even with him missing FIVE games, clearly he could have gone well over 1,000.

What are all y'all thoughts? Think there is enough salary cap room for ol' FWP or will he be tempted by the teams that would throw money at him to be s starter?

[Steelerfreak58]

If he misses more then 3 games from injury and doesn't have a productive year I think we see him go the way of the dodo.

[Steel Head]

What does "Be Brought" mean?

[steelreserve]

I never thought he had the power, speed or heart to be a Steeler in the first place. Well, maybe the speed, but he doesn't really use any speed when he's dancing around in the backfield failing to fool any defenders.

As far as I'm concerned, cut him now. He's a one-trick pony, and teams don't respect our running game because of it.

[X-Terminator]

No. And if Mendenhall develops like they hope, this season may be his last in a Steeler uniform.

[aclark99]

when willie is doing great everyone got on his bandwagon. fwp was a key member that brought us a super bowl title in 05. now all of a sudden we need to cut him. fwp will be with the steelers until he hangs up the cleats. fwp had an off year last year look for him to be on his game this season.

[Edman]

Willie is gone no matter what he does after 2009. Approaching 30, we've already drafted Mendenhall and Summers, and we have Moore, who can run and catch.

Willie's had a fine time here, but his days are numbered. Especially if he has another injury plagued season or if Mendenhall develops and explodes.

[steelreserve]

Originally Posted by aclark99

when willie is doing great everyone got on his bandwagon. fwp was a key member that brought us a super bowl title in 05. now all of a sudden we need to cut him. fwp will be with the steelers until he hangs up the cleats. fwp had an off year last year look for him to be on his game this season.

Are you kidding? Parker got like 30 yards a game in the playoffs in 05; we wouldn't have gone anywhere if it wasn't for Bus and Ben. Most of his yards in his entire career have come against shitty teams, and very few in big games when we need it.

Let's face it, Parker had two good years for us in terms of total season yardage only, and that's the extent of it. Even when he was "on his game," our offense had problems because good teams could shut down our rushing attack whenever they chose to do so. As soon as he's gone, you will see a marked improvement in the offense as a whole. Basically, we've always needed to cut him. It's just a shame it's taken so long for events to finally make that a possibility.

[steeltheone]

If Mendy flops then we may have no choice but to work something out. Otherwise he is gone.

[fansince'76]

Originally Posted by Steel Head

What does "Be Brought" mean?

I think he meant "be brought back," and I changed the title of the thread to reflect it.

And I have to go with Edman, I think Parker's history after next season, regardless.