Aging Steeler hero Willie Parker, 30, wants to come back to the Black and Gold. He's held interviews and launched a Twitter campaign apparently to "Resign 39." The Post-Gazette and a brief survey of other sports blogs seem to agree this will never happen. Parker's strength and moniker, Fast, just isn't what it once was, they argue. The Post-Gazette article called it sad how he's begging to return.

Before last season, Parker declined an offer from the Steelers to go into free agency, where he was finally taken in by the Redskins. In a recent CBS interview, Parker tells how awful the Skins organization was to him. The starting position he said he was promised never came to fruition, and he found out that the grass was most definitely not greener -- no duh.

Parker wants playing time. Do you all think we have a space for him? Do we even want him?

If M. Moore leaves, we could likely sign Parker for league minimum. He knows the playbook, seldom fumbles and blocks well. He doesn't have great receiver's hands, but can certainly catch a dump pass. But is it past his time?

The backfield for the upcoming season is already getting crowded, but we have too many hosses, and not enough lean. Dwyer and Redman seem to have similar skill sets, but perform in different ways. The new guy, Batch, doesn't have Parker's speed, but has great hands for receiving.

The Steelers could use a speed back to spell Mendy so his wheels don't fall off (or give the ball to Redman, dammit!). Also, Parker could test out the edges of opposing defenses, something Redman doesn't do unless he carries a couple defenders with him.

Naturally, there's probably an undrafted speedback somewhere as hungry for a chance as Parker was when he was first signed, and maybe that's where the team will turn. But isn't it tempting during the lockout year that hinders the development of rookies, to go with a veteran?