Menudo Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Well, thus far, Willie Parker has distinguished himself as the best blocking RB in camp. This is big because he wants to play on 3rd downs, something he didn't do the past two seasons. When asked if he thinks Parker will play some 3rd downs, coach Tomlin said "yes". That was yesterday's article. Today's article is even better for Parker owners. Here you go: Willie Parker's goal is to be like LaDainian Tomlinson, only better Tuesday, July 31, 2007 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Associated Press Willie Parker -- Wishing on a big star. Click photo for larger image. Now that he has shown he's no fluke, Willie Parker wants to reach for the stars and not the twinkle-twinkle little ones, either. He has set his sights on the North star of the NFL, the brightest of the bright. They don't come any more luminous than San Diego halfback LaDainian Tomlinson, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player after he set league records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points last season. "I want to be better than L.T.," Parker proclaimed yesterday between the Steelers' double practices at Saint Vincent College. "L.T. can do all that stuff. He's like a role model to me. I look up to this guy. I just want to do what he does." The goals don't get much bigger, but then Parker backed up his 1,202-yard season in 2005 with 1,494 yards last season, third most in a franchise history that includes Franco Harris, John Henry Johnson and Jerome Bettis. He did so by carrying the ball 337 times, fourth most in Steelers history. Now Parker wants more, much more. He does not want to leave the playing field this year; he wants to not only be their starting halfback, he wants to stick around for third downs as well. "I want to do it all," Parker said. "I wouldn't be no running back if I say I want to come off the field in certain situations. I want to do all the situations." His coaches are inclined to let him do it, too. New coordinator Bruce Arians believes in running his best players until their tongues hang out, and Parker might be the odds-on favorite to take over the role as third-down back, something Tomlinson does rather well. "L.T.'s had a lot of touches, and if Willie has those kinds of touches, his yards could be the same," Arians said. "I like the fact he wants to be better. I don't ever want him on the bench unless he's tired." And, as new running backs coach Kirby Wilson noted, why take your best players out of the game? "Any time your best player is capable of playing [downs] one through three, you want him out there, especially with all the chips on the line." Tomlinson ran for 1,815 yards on 348 carries for the Chargers last season. He also caught 56 passes for 508 yards. Parker caught 31 passes for 222 yards, many on first down. His 16 touchdowns set a Steelers record but were barely half Tomlinson's total. Also, if Parker were the third-down back, he'd have more opportunities to run against defenses that are spread out to defend against the pass. "That's something I'm beginning to love, it's something I'm taking a lot of pride in right now," Parker said of the third-down role. "I want to be on that field catching screens on third down." Receiver Hines Ward talked to Parker before training camp and advised him to work on his blocking and receiving this summer. He did it in the spring and has continued it in Latrobe because you can't play on third downs if you can't block the blitz. "Willie Parker has a chance to be great because he's willing to identify what he needs to work on, and he's doing it," coach Mike Tomlin said. "He's doing a heck of a job." The L.T. goal is a lofty one, but Parker's story already has a can-you-top-this feel. Undrafted mostly because he was a backup at North Carolina, Parker played little as a rookie and then burst into the NFL consciousness in his second season, 2005, when he won the starting halfback job. He rushed for those 1,202 yards and then set a Super Bowl record by running 75 yards for a touchdown. A fluke, a scatback who only runs outside, a one-hit wonder -- Parker heard it all, then carved out his niche near the top of the Steelers' record book last season. Like Pittsburgh and its smoky image that won't go away, people thought of Parker as an outside runner. Even Tomlin, coaching the past six years in the NFC, thought that of him. He changed his mind after watching video of him from last season, saying he did not realize he was such a good runner inside. "Everybody looks at my speed and says he's just so fast. They look at me as an outside runner," Parker said. "I'm always going to carry that. But I'm always banging inside too. I'm going to get the yards whatever it takes." In fact, Parker prefers to run between the tackles. "I'd rather have the hole inside; you can spring them into a big play. Outside, you don't usually go too far." And, to be sure, Parker wants to go far, not so much to Tomlinson's level, but higher. "That's a long goal and a big one, but that's what drives him," Wilson said. "He wants to be considered in that category and on that level." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolf Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 This kid is awesome...I love his attitude. He's been a great player for me the last two seasons in my local, but I know that guys are down on him this season. Hopefully, no one sees this article! Thanks Menudo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazysight Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 (edited) Still concerned about Faneca leaving next year, but this bodes well for Parker for this coming year. Edited July 31, 2007 by Crazysight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazysight Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 (edited) This looks like about 50 additional touches for Fast WIllie this season to me though. Barring anything unforeseen, this should catapult him into being a top-5 back....maybe even top 3! Edited July 31, 2007 by Crazysight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazysight Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 (edited) The other thing I like for him going into this season is that I believe the offense will be more balanced. Where Big Ben struggled last year, it seemed that opposing defenses usually keyed the run. I wouldn't be surprised to see more consistent results from Parker this year. Edited July 31, 2007 by Crazysight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 The LT talk is wishful thinking, but it's encouraging that the coaches seem to be a believer in his inside running ability (I jumped off the doubter bandwagon las year) and ability to be a 3rd down back. I'd like to see his receiving role increase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted July 31, 2007 Author Share Posted July 31, 2007 The LT talk is wishful thinking, but it's encouraging that the coaches seem to be a believer in his inside running ability (I jumped off the doubter bandwagon las year) and ability to be a 3rd down back. I'd like to see his receiving role increase. I've been on here screaming for this to happen the last two years. The guy is most dangerous in open space. The best way to get him in open space is to use him in the passing game, similar to the way the Eagles use Westbrook. This will not only benefit Parker owners in the fantasy world, but, I believe it will benefit the Steelers offense and Roethlisberger a ton, as the simple increased threat of Parker in the passing game will open things up. If you look at his receiving numbers, they really aren't that bad for a guy who is never in the game on 3rd down and 3+ yards to go. The sky is the limit for Parker in my opinion. He'll never be L.T., but, I love the fact that he wants to be even better than LT. All of this from an undrafted guy, who barely got any playing time at North Carolina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I just traded Parker away for LT2 (bunch of draft picks going in each direction too). Still think that was a good move but parting with FWP was not an easy decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Who here ranks him higher than Addai? How about even S. Alexander? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 (edited) Speaking of Parker and LT, I recently traded LT for FWP.* *LT would have cost me a 1st-rounder to keep; FWP will cost me a 10th-rounder. EDIT: See Ursa's post above. Keeping LT for a 2nd-rounder is pretty nice, too, bud. Edited July 31, 2007 by Swiss Cheezhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturphy Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I have him after Addai, but before Alexander. I'm just kinda trying to steer away from Alexander all together really. Unless I can get him at 7 or 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Who here ranks him higher than Addai?How about even S. Alexander? I have him sandwiched between the 2 with Addai ranked highest amongst the 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Who here ranks him higher than Addai?How about even S. Alexander? lol @ "even" Alexander. Is that a big deal? Still, RBs making lofy predictions/comparison/etc has never been a good thing. Or rarely, as I recall. ie they tend to not only not reach those goals but do worse than anyone expected. fn FWP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 lol @ "even" Alexander. Is that a big deal? I don't know if it's a big deal, but fail to see how it isn't a legitimate question. Still, RBs making lofy predictions/comparison/etc has never been a good thing. Or rarely, as I recall. ie they tend to not only not reach those goals but do worse than anyone expected. fn FWP. :debbiedowner: Mwaaat mwaaat mwaaaaaaahhhh :debbiedowner: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Who here ranks him higher than Addai?How about even S. Alexander? no and yes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I have him after Addai, but before Alexander. I'm just kinda trying to steer away from Alexander all together really. Unless I can get him at 13 or 14. I concur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted July 31, 2007 Author Share Posted July 31, 2007 lol @ "even" Alexander. Is that a big deal? Still, RBs making lofy predictions/comparison/etc has never been a good thing. Or rarely, as I recall. ie they tend to not only not reach those goals but do worse than anyone expected. fn FWP. He didn't make any predictions, he said that he looks up to Tomlinson and admires him, and strives to be as good as him. What is wrong with that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Willie Parker's goal is to be like LaDainian Tomlinson, only better Tuesday, July 31, 2007 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Associated Press "I want to be better than L.T.," Parker proclaimed yesterday between the Steelers' double practices at Saint Vincent College. Uh, he DID say he wanted to be better. He didn't make any predictions, he said that he looks up to Tomlinson and admires him, and strives to be as good as him. What is wrong with that ? Gotta admire him though for his drive. FWP has been playing with a chip on his shoulder since he came into the league. He got his break and showed us all what he could do and then some. If this is the case, I might even snag him at #5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 He didn't make any predictions, he said that he looks up to Tomlinson and admires him, and strives to be as good as him. What is wrong with that ? yeah it's not as bad as "I predict I'll get 2000 yds this year" and all that and I'm not saying what he said was "bad" or anything - just that when guys talk like this, it generally doesn't seem to bode well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazysight Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 More touches should bode well, provided that he stays healthy and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.