spain Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 What are the odds that Willie Parker takes this job away from Staley and Bettis? Lets say he has a very nice outing against an admittedly porous Titans defense on Sunday. Does he then keep the job or will Staley/Bettis be re-inserted into the lineup upon their respective returns from injury? any help would be appreciated. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 I am not a Pitt homer but.... Like you said, let's assume Parker has a solid day vs TEN. Duce is likely out until week 5, so Bettis is more of the worry at the moment. But he has made it pretty clear he doesn't want a full load, so I could see Parker filling Staley's shoes [but better], while Bettis returns to punching the goalline. If Parker struggles, and/or the team struggles, we'll probably see the Staley/Bettis tandum back in actions. If Parker gets hot, I think there is a 90% of him retaining the majority of the touches. For me it's more a matter of how much Bettis would eat in to his TDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantsfan Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 Staley (knee) dressed for practice on Monday and went through some early drills. He could play a bit in Week 1, but not enough to be considered a productive fantasy option, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "I feel good," Staley said. "I just have to continue to see where I am day to day. I'm hoping (to play). I don't know what the outcome will be. As far as experience, we're kind of limited so I would love to get out there, but I can't go out there and hurt myself and hurt my team." Willie Parker remains the fantasy choice at running back against the Titans in Week 1. I think Staley will be back before week 5. As for the situation as a whole other than a week where I KNOW 2 will be out I wouldn't want any part of it. Bettis will be the GL back starting week 2 I'd think. Staley will get touches also starting week 2 or 3 I bet. I just wouldn't trust it unless 2 were out for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBunz Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 Dare I say this Spain? I'm not sure an outing against your Titan defense is going to tell us much of anything. Except of course.....if he has a really bad day....or even just a mediocre one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 (edited) What are the odds that Willie Parker takes this job away from Staley and Bettis? Lets say he has a very nice outing against an admittedly porous Titans defense on Sunday. Does he then keep the job or will Staley/Bettis be re-inserted into the lineup upon their respective returns from injury? any help would be appreciated. thanks 970762[/snapback] I haven't heard anything concrete about this. The following is just my opinion. I don't see Parker outright taking the job from Staley and Bettis no matter how good he does against the Titans. I think he will simply become the 3rd down/change of pace back upon the return of Staley and Bettis. He may get a few more touches througout the season but I don't think Cowher will make Parker the every down back when the others are healthy (atleast not this season). edited to add ... Spain, are you coming to pittsburgh for the game? I think i recall a thread several weeks ago stating that you got the ok to head up here for the game. I was just curious. Edited September 6, 2005 by max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1STEELERFAN Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 Dare I say this Spain? I'm not sure an outing against your Titan defense is going to tell us much of anything. Except of course.....if he has a really bad day....or even just a mediocre one. 970896[/snapback] Staley ain't ready to carry the ball 20 times a game. That knee won't be ready until after the bye. I think Parker will be used sparingly after both Bettis and Staley are back to full health. Willie will take on the role that Verron Hayes had last year. Catching out of the backfield on 3rd down etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DexterDew Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 here is another angle that needs to be considered: there could be a replay of Big Ben. I think it is possible that if Parker has a good game, they will not rush Staley back. As we saw last year, they decided not to put Maddox back in the line-up when he returned because they were winning (and you never mess with a streak). Now if he falters, that was his one shot until Staley goes on the IR list for good. I still think that Bettis, when healthy, will get the goal line and short yardage carries. But I think that Parker has the speed to score from anywhere on the football field. In all honesty, I am thinking of starting Parker at home against a below average TEN D, as opposed to Edge in BALT. I just have a memory of IND vs NE in the playoffs... I think he could have a HUGE game on Sunday, and be the darling of the NFL on Monday. So if anybody else wants a sip of Kool Aid, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 I think he could have a HUGE game on Sunday, and be the darling of the NFL on Monday. So if anybody else wants a sip of Kool Aid, let me know. 971238[/snapback] Remember Barry Foster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 I really don't think that anything that he does, short of sucking, will give him the job on Sunday. It could go a long way to helping him earn that spot some time down the road though. I personally am expecting him to do well enough to earn many third down touches as well as plenty of "get him in there" touches come end of game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBunz Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 Staley ain't ready to carry the ball 20 times a game. That knee won't be ready until after the bye. I think Parker will be used sparingly after both Bettis and Staley are back to full health. Willie will take on the role that Verron Hayes had last year. Catching out of the backfield on 3rd down etc. 971197[/snapback] Agreed....so why did you quote me? I was just trying to give Spain's Tighty Wighty's Defense some skidmarks. Meaning....Parker might very well have a good game this weekend....but I agree that this will be a 3 man show in Pitt when Staley and Bettis come back. Meaning...if you HAVE to start a Steeler RB in FF....you are in trouble this season. I love my Steelers.....but I call it like I see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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