Resign 39? FWP goes public with comeback plans

by betelgeuse on May 22, 2011 2:27 PM EDT

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?

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Comments

We should pay the guy to show up and talk to Ike Taylor

Anything to convince Taylor to stick around.

by steelerintexas on May 22, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Ivan just needs to talk to Larry Foote and Randle El, really

"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I

by Steel Spike on May 22, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a chance

Fast Willie ain’t fast anymore. That’s the only thing he had going for him. Besides, I think he lost his edge when he got his leg broke in ’07 I believe it was.

by Steel Spike on May 22, 2011 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

Yup

He probably would have won the rushing title that season had he not broken his leg against the Rams.

Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever
-Napoleon Bonaparte

The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.
-Thomas Szasz

Cornell University Class of 2014

by LV Steelers Fan on May 22, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sure he would've

The Steelers would have also done a bit better against the Jags(?) if they didn’t have to rely on Najeh Davenport and Carey Russel. I’m going strictly off memory here, so the players might be off.

by Steel Spike on May 22, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Dookie and Gary Russel

"Franco made that play because he never quit on the play. He kept running, he kept hustling. Good things happen to people who hustle."

by PCISteeler on May 23, 2011 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Gary Russel

Carey Davis, not Carey Russel. Don’t know why my brain always wants to combine those two.

by Steel Spike on May 23, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Cause they are not important players

by Steel34D on May 26, 2011 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that was rough

Seriously although Polamalu was already out for the end of the year I honestly was shocked at the one and done in the playoffs.

Although that game deserves its own breakdown.

by Mechem on May 23, 2011 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Funny thing

As soon as I found out FWP went on IR for a broken leg, I pretty much wrote off the season.

by Steel Spike on May 23, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Not likely.

Mendenhall is fast enough, and more elusive than Willie ever was. With Redman, Dwyer, Memo and Batch we have younger more versatile RB’s than Willie.

by Phantaskippy on May 22, 2011 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

doesn't hurt to invite him to camp

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on May 27, 2011 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel bad for the guy, but.....

the team is set at the position. I could understand signing FWP if the lockout drags on and on and on, forcing this year’s rookie class into a “redshirt” season. In that situation, you stash as many rooks as possible on the PS and bring in vets that know the playbook. FWP would qualify there. But if the lockout is resolved this summer, I don’t see a roster spot for 39. Bummer, really.

Hope the rest of the team is watching/listening. Foote learned this lesson, as did ARE. FWP is learning it now. Are you seeing this, Mr. Taylor? Good things don’t usually happen to guys that leave the Black n Gold, unless your name is Rod Woodson.

by PittRiverman on May 22, 2011 6:12 PM EDT reply actions

Or

Chad Brown

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on May 23, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Or Plax

Wait…

by StoneColdSteel on May 23, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

He did well

football wise, not gun wise lol

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on May 24, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Everytime

I hear Plax’s name I can’t help but think about the time he spun the ball in celebration before he was even downed and turned the ball over….the memory still haunts me, I’m afraid it always will…

"I don't want to see anyone injured, but I'm not opposed to hurting anyone" - James Harrison

by LifelongSteelerFanInVa on May 24, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Jags game

I remember that lol smh

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on May 25, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

its sad cause i will always love FWP because of superbowl XL

that 70+ yard run against the seachickens was so awesome I still remember that moment to this day, and he had a few great seasons with the steelers before he broke his leg. He is a great story because he was a UDFA that made it big in the league and earned a few rings, but like everyone else is saying he is just too far past his prime, and our backfield is already looking stacked this season.

by blitzzburgh on May 22, 2011 8:28 PM EDT reply actions

His only chance is if Mendy goes down with a season ending injury.

Then we could sign him to the league minimum. Like others said, its too crowded now, so only if Mendy goes down (either by injury or another dumazz Tweet) will he get another shot.

Stay thirsty my friends.

by SteelerMessican on May 22, 2011 8:47 PM EDT reply actions

How bout we go for Plax instead?

Stay thirsty my friends.

by SteelerMessican on May 22, 2011 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

hehehe

by tkired on May 23, 2011 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't see it but would like it

but wonder if a WR at his age will be able to return after 2 seasons away from training

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on May 27, 2011 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely not

That would require cutting a player that is better, younger, and more useful to this team. I love everything FWP did for us, but he isn’t that guy anymore. Sorry Willie that campaign is going to make you look bad.

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on May 22, 2011 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly

Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.

by Black&GoldTrain on May 22, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Cut Isaac Redman and resign FWP

>_>

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on May 22, 2011 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

The wrath of Redman be on us

It would be like the curse of the Bambino. Take us 80 years to make it back to the playoffs…

by Steel Spike on May 22, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

no way, Redman is needed

he did alright for us last season and was happy with his role

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on May 27, 2011 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I love him. But we’d better resign The Bus.

by SiamSteel on May 23, 2011 12:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

No way to Parker and Burress

For all the masses out there screaming we should resign Willie Parker and ooops , I shot myself , Plaxico Burress , are you really serious ? Really ? The only thing Parker ever had in his favor was his ability to turn the corner and out run the defender . The broke leg in 2007 took care of that forever , plus the fact hes now 30 years old . If he cant make it in Washington do you really think he can make it in Pittsburgh ? Aint happening . As far as Burress , weve been there and done that . Hes a ego maniac that more concerned with how many touchdowns he catches than how many wins his team has . Bottom line , hes not real bright , carrying a loaded weapon into a nightclub and almost killing his self . Good riddance to both .

by tdbragg66 on May 23, 2011 5:59 AM EDT reply actions

I say give him a shot

Let him come into training camp and try to earn a roster spot, if he can’t beat out Redman and Dwyer then you cut him and have lost nothing. Oh wait, no training camp this year? Then forget about it.

by furthur56 on May 23, 2011 7:19 AM EDT reply actions

No Way....

It is sad when the beloved players slow down and can not contribute any more…but he left us and left fairly ugly, would only cause more consterantion for a core of talent (mendy,redman, batch and dwyer) that may help us hoist a couple more lombardies…for what? Leave him aalone, let him land in Cincy or something.

by 1969 NM Steeler on May 23, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Nah

FWP had a nice burst but could never sustain the speed and would get caught from behind too much. He was a nice guy but the time ran out on that clock

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on May 23, 2011 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

Whats the harm in giving him chance in camp?

I don’t see why not…..him and Tiki can hang out and talk about the weather channel and stuff.

by shleeve on May 23, 2011 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

campaign

Should have Ed Bouchette time him in the 40. Run his own mini combine somewhere.

by Steely McSmash on May 24, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

I'd like to see him given a chance to earn a roster spot.

Competition is an excellent reason to work hard. One thing FWP brings is a tremendous work ethic.

HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."

by 1BlkGldFan on May 29, 2011 3:52 PM EDT reply actions