I've Gained Alot Of Respect For Willie Parker

[24seven]

I love Parker don't get me wrong.. But when he's struggling and then the bus comes in and just punches it right through it kinda gets you wondering why.. I wish we would have run Bettis 2x's as much as Parker this week as he was gettin it done everytime except the fumble.. But yeah.. Parkers speed is amazing to watch considering we've never had a back that could burst like that.. Pegram was the closest thing and he wasn't that fast..

[lotas]

I agree, sometimes I wish Bettis would get some more carries when Parker is struggling, but I absolutely love when Ben hits Willie on a blitz for the little screen pass, Parker is at full speed in two seconds and especially when he has a few blockers in front, that screen is very dangerous. I remember one in the Indy game and he got tripped up and just kinda stumbled when he lost his momentum but it was still close to a ten yard dash.

[Suitanim]

Willie is a guy who has few touches in the previous 3-4 years...he's fast and powerful, but lacks the everyday experience most of these backs get...Hell, he didn't even start in college. As his coaching improves, so will his technique...from what I understand he spent an inordinate amount of time working on his blocking skills in the off-season last year, and it seems to be paying off.

I still expect the Steelers to go with Parker as the starter, and let Duce play the big back role. He IS a 250+ lb back, and can move and catch and block even better than Bettis when healthy. The way you keep him healthy is put him in short yardage and goalline situations just like the Bus had this year.