How the Recent Running Back Cuts Around the NFL Affect Willie Parker and the Steelers

 I agree Willie would be a great 2 nd back now and should axcept that if he wants to keep playing. As a second back he might be able to play 2 more year.

With the new seriousness concerning concussions I think that Westbrook may have a very diffficult time finding work. FWP has more tread on the tires and more potential upside than LT who is have problems staying healthy. (Remember that Willie barely played in college. The main issue with Willie is fragility, not age. Nonetheless, I agree with the assessment that running backs don’t have the same kind of leverage that other players have. Their shelf life is too short and there are too many other quality players that might be available. For example, a Mendenhall-Chester Taylor backfield might work just as well as Mendenhall-Parker.

Thanks Gold. Good timeing on the issue.

Here are there total touches for their careers:
Parker-1337 Touches
Tomlinson-2410 Touches
Westbrook-1734 Touches

Roughly estimating a starting RB gets 300 rush attempts and 50 receptions a year. I would say that a RB is done anywhere from 2000-3000 touches. After that the body is shot. So parker and westbrook have 2-3 seasons left in them as starters if they can stay healthy.

If westbrook gets his head cleared based on this resume I would see him as the #1 choice. #2 is parker and #3 is tomlinson. Again IF healthy westbrook and parker could be the premier back for a team getting 70% of the action. Tomlinson is probably 50% action.

All that being said if the FA market dosn’t go well for parker it would be huge for the steelers to get him back. he knows the system and he could be the best #2 back in the NFL. Think about having parker as a back up for the next 3 years. If you lose your starting RB you can go to parker instead of mewelde. That kind of depth is what a team needs if their looking to the run the ball more (into the playoffs).

This would also save a draft pick to be used to add depth to other posions.

I also think that,with all due respect,all three of those backs are dreaming if they think that anyone will give them a big payday at this point. Something like an incentive-laden one year contract sounds about right for any of them.

I can see the browns giving LT a 1 yr deal to see what he’s got left, and I would love to see FWP come back to the Steelers, the value would be huge as a veteran prescence and as someone with the system down.

Actually Parker does quite well going off tackle if given the proper plays w/ proper rhythm (SB XL and more recently Miami). These plays usually set up his outside runs (see season opener against Tennessee in 05, his coming out party so to speak.

Bottom line is few teams are successful these days without two really good backs. Petersen and Chester Taylor at Minnesota would be exhibit A. LT was at his back when he was with Hunter(? now with the Falcons). Our problem is that rarely are there enough quality carries available for one back let alone two. If we don’t keep Willie we are going to have to go out find someone like him. Mewelde, God bless him, is a great #3 back. He did a great job as a #2 when Mendenhall was hurt. But that can’t be a permanent state of affairs unless you want to see a whole bunch of people lose their jobs.

I would like to see FWP back in Pittsburgh but he wants to start and it looks like they are going with Mendenhall so I would say because of that he is gone.
These are some of the teams Parker could sign with that needs a RB: Buflalo, Cleveland, Kansas City, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Seatle, because they need help at other positions they can use their draft choices to fill them and sign Parker for two years with a third year option. Buflalo or Detroit would be the best places for him to sign with because he wants to play and they need the most help.

 . . . so his options are limited to about ten teams . . . i’m wondering if he’ll go cheap to the colts . . . possibly the patriots . . . i wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up with the steelers as more of a third down/passing down back (thanks for the memories memo!!!!) . . . LT can teach our backs how to get into the endzone!! . . . having said that, would love to see FWP finish his career in pittsburgh as a 20-30 percent carry guy . . . though i think he wants one last payday before he rides into the sunset . . . unfortunately for FWP, the teams that need a running back are non-playoff teams . . .

and as far as accomplished goes, I don’t see any of them with any SB rings or the longest run from scrimmage in the SB as their accomplishments. I think Tomlinson has been kind of a whiner the past couple of years and Westbrook is always hurt. FWP ran it good when he finally got healthy this last season. Hope that he warms to the 2nd back role and stays with us.

I don’t care who he punched, let the next time he hit someone in the mouth be as a player in a Steelers uniform this season. This guy looked great doing the Senior Bowl and should be ready to roll since he doesn’t have a year’s wear and tear on his body after sitting out most of his senior season. The Steelers need a power back to pair with Mendy. I think a backfield of Mendy, Moore, Redman, Tank and Blount is enough to do some damage with.