You are right about one thing: Willie needs a complimentary back. This is just a fact in the NFL nowadays: you need a two headed attack. We didn’t have that last year and FWP suffered from it. That doesn’t mean Willie isn’t a feature back. And the idea Steelers need a brusing running back is Steeler Country myth. Brandon Jacobs wouldn’t be very successful without a good run blocking fullback or a shoddy offensive line (which describes our situation). If you recall, Bettis had some great FBs in front of him like Kreider and John L. Williams. A big guy would be a welcome addition but we do not need one to supplant FWP.

I’d take FWP behind the NYG O-line over Jacobs behind the Steelers O-line every time. I think the difference between the two (YPC as you point out) has more to do with the players around them than you think. You can’t compare 08FWP to 07,06, and 05 without thinking about changes on the Steelers’ O-line either. With regards to a bruising back to compliment Parker, the Steelers think they got that in the draft this year with Mendenhall. . . don’t blame Parker for our #1 draft pick getting hurt.

Willie Parker is a pro bowl running back and, in my opinon, not to blame for the Steelers inability to run this year. Also, its not like the Steelers to sign a big name free agent and give up loads of $$.

I do agree that Willie is probably more effective in a complimentary role. He was also pretty darn good as feature back, though. But, as far as the big bruising back, I’d like to see more of Gary Russell before paying for a high-priced free agent. Who didn’t want to see him keep running it after he gained 4 yards on the 3rd or 4th and 1 play? I’m pretty sure that was the drive we were stuffed on. I think he could very well be our grind it out running back, like McClain for the Ravens (if we’d use him right).

Let’s see what Mendenhall can do first. We got to see him for about 2 seconds before Ray-ray took him out, and ya never know what our running stats would look like right now if he’d been back there this season. More/Better run-blocking and more Gary Russell on Third-and-short and we’re golden.

Makes a lot of sense. I think you’re asking a lot of an offensive line to stop everyone opposing them in the box and open a hole simultaneously. The fullback is the guy that polices up the “leakers” so the running back can be a hero.

I commend your willingness to put yourself out there to be barbecued by the Steeler faithful. I think once Willie gets healthy, he’ll bounce right back. But I think here’s the issue that’s probably dancing in management’s head:

Willie’s salary is $4 million per year.

I’m suspecting that all that money might be needed to keep some of our other valuable players happy, like James Harrison who will no doubt be asking for more after this season.

I’m guessing — just guessing — that management will quietly dangle Parker as trade bait to a team desperate for a running back. Denver, perhaps? If no one bites, the Steelers will keep him, but don’t be surprised if he’s gone in 2009 and the team keeps Mewelde, experiments more with Mendenhall, and brings in a free agent.

There’s zero chance of getting Jacobs. The Giants would never let him go, and the Rooneys don’t like to spend big in free agency. We’re more likely to get someone like Deuce McAllister, who the Saints have apparently given up on. Edgerrin James will also likely be available, but he’s too arrogant to accept a back-up role. McGahee might also be cut loose, but I can’t imagine that the Ravens would let him come here.

As others have written before me, we need an O-line that can punch through a D-line before we need a new RB. Dear god do I miss Alan Faneca! He could dig holes like Mike Mulligan and Maryanne. Faneca was key to getting Parker sprung and a big reason for the stas in previous years. Without him, or someone like him, Parker doesn’t go up the middle so well. If we can get a guard with punching power, we’ll be looking at Parker’s back all season long.

Because of his height, Jacobs can be stood up and stopped. He is only a problem once he gets rolling. In order to get him rolling, you need an O-line that can create holes. Ergo, therefore, forasmuch, thence, and to that end… Jacobs is not the answer.

What about this argument?

It is possible that it can have a mental effect on the offensive linemen when you have a bust-or-break RB? It’s not out of the question. Let me elaborate…

When you have a Jerome Bettis as your starting RB, for example, as an offensive linemen, it would be simpler just to think “I need to make just ONE decent block, and Bettis will rumble for 5 yards easily.” 5 yards, by the way, it a total victory on any run. I would take a million 5 yard runs over a few big bursts. With a RB like Willie Parker, who can rip off a huge run at any moment and is ALWAYS looking for that big run, your job as an offensive linemen can be more difficult. Suddenly you feel like you need to do more with your block so that Willie can rip off a huge one.

My actual analysis: a guy with quick feet and the huge top speed can absolutely DESTROY every single team in the league if he is behind a stellar offensive line. This kind of line can give fantastic seals and are athletic enough to get downfield for blocks as well. Willie can make safeties and defensive backs miss and will generate a huge YPC average. A big guy with light feet (ala Jerome Bettis) makes it simpler for his linemen. Then don’t have to seal as well (Bettis could run right through hand tackles) and don’t need to get downfield as much or as well. It wouldn’t be as flashy, but the YPC of a scheme like that would be also decent.

I would look to the Titans as an example of both this year. Lendale White is averaging 4.0 YPC with Chris Johnson getting 4.9 YPC. The Titans, coincidentally, have a stellar offensive line. They can make the difficult blocks for Chris Johnson (he rips them off and his YPC is larger) and they create holes just big enough for Lendale White (and he averages a healthy grind-em-out 4.0).

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/playersbyposition.aspx?pos=131

I think we need to see what our first round draft pick can do before we start making any rash desicions.

are directly a result of personnel, but rather our lack of a true bruising fullback. Having a smaller running back sitting 7 yards deep without a bruising fullback to leadblock is bad news when said running back’s got a mediocre O-line paving the way.
I’m not gonna even get on our pop warner offensive coordinator, but ever since we stopped using a true fullback, our running game has gone in the toilet and our backs have been getting banged!