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Mewelde Moore Could Put Willie Parker out of a Job

Mewelde Moore Could Put Willie

Parker Out of a Job

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"Fast" Willie Parker is exactly what his nickname states: fast. He has been to the Pro Bowl twice in his four-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has the record for the longest run in Super Bowl history of 75 yards. He was the Steelers MVP in 2005 and helped lead his team to a Super Bowl victory in that same season.

But "Fast Willie" did not play in at least four games last year and Parker has had his share of injuries over the past 2 years which probably has some impact on his bread and butter . . . his speed.

First round pick Rashard Mendenhall was supposed to carry the load with Parker out, but an injury ended his season. This left Carey Davis, a fullback, to take the starting role, only until he too was injured.

Enter Mewelde Moore. He was once our fourth-string running back and basically overnight, became our starter. He didn't started over Willie Parker, just in place of him, but he proved to be a great boost for the offense.

Utilized more in the return and passing game rather than rushing, Moore was a little underappreciated when he was with the Vikings. He had potential, and Mike Tomlin saw it while coaching in Minnesota, which is probably why the Steelers picked him up. And he has a been one tremendous backup, out-rushing Parker after both have had four games under their belt.

In Willie Parker's four starts, he had 333 yards on 87 attempts for a 3.8 yards per carry average and four touchdowns. But Willie did not catch any passes during that time. This is no surprise as most insiders know Parker doesn't have good hands.

In Moore's four starts last season, he had 377 yards on 93 attempts for a 4.1 yards per carry average and five touchdowns. Mewelde had also played a bigger role in the passing attack than Parker was. He has caught 22 passes for 171 yards and a score.

The numbers also seem to show how much better of a runner Mewelde seems to be than Parker. Willie tries to run up the middle when he should bounce it to the outside and try to get around the corner, where his speed can flourish.

Moore seems to know exactly what kind of runs he should make, quick cuts to both the inside and outside along with great vision that result in nice gains for the offense. One will often see Mewelde Moore exploding through holes and picking up first downs.

He has a little bit of power, but not much, considering that goal line stand the Colts had against the Steelers when he ran it up the gut three straight times and was stuffed all three times (one can easily fault a unimaginative Bruce Arians for that debacle).

Honestly, Tomlin should have no qualms about letting Mewlede Moore be the backup to Rashard Mendenhall this season.  If Mendenhall isn't ready, Moore could easily be the premier back in Pittsburgh after his stellar performance last season. If he is going to produce more than Parker and help the Steelers get to another Super Bowl, then I would not have a problem with him taking over the starting role, or at least play behind Mendenhall if Rashard is going to be their man this year. 

If Mewelde Moore continues to play great and even show improvement this year, he could have a longer term future with the Steelers than Willie Parker and believe it or not, quite possibly put Willie out of a job with the Steelers after this season. 

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