jjpro11 Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 (edited) being a steelers fan, i just have to comment on the guy.. a lot of people are saying stuff about him, but have only seen some highlights and a preseason game or two.. he gives the steelers something entirely different in their offense... something the steelers have never seen. is he over hyped for fantasy football? maybe.. over hyped for real life football? not at all. chances are him and duce are going to nearly split carries, with the bus getting goal line carries again.. if parker starts out very hot in some games, i see him taking the majority of the carries.. vise versa with staley. either way they arent going to score much because of bettis.. however parker is a major threat to break one off and simply blow by everyone.. he is capable of doing that, has already done it, and will continue to do so. saying he is over hyped is bullsh*t IMO, especially with that oline he has. ive seen him play everytime he has gotten on the field, including preseason last year as well as this year.. against buffalo and tennessee. i have noticed he has improved a ton since last year. last year he looked like a rookie. he would start and stop in the backfield, trying to run sideline to sideline and create something that just wasnt there. he only used his speed and was purely set on outrunning guys instead of juking and running them over. this season his legs are always moving and he is always going forward, while creating what is there for him. he is very good at getting to open holes before they close up. one factor is his great speed to get there quickly and another is his vision. i am quite surprised at how well he can survey the field being only his 2nd year (1st actually playing.) he has shown some signs of what great rbs possess and that is they can create something out of nothing. his acceleration, elusiveness and field vision allow him to do this. he is simply a very physically gifted person. i believe in college he was named as the weight lifter of the year or whatever they call it. the guy is not only fast, but shows some great strength for his size as well. put those two together and he is something special. if the steelers really want to use him to his full potential, they need to run some screen plays. watching the eagles and westbrook execute them earlier tonight makes me hope the steelers would incorporate this into their gameplan. they didnt last year with staley who is another great receiving threat. to be fair, staley got hurt rather early last season and never fully recovered. also, the steelers limited ben to only 60% of the playbook. the steelers have the blockers to make for some great screens. their oline is superb and faneca is great at running to the outside and blocking. not only that, they have dan kreider who is one of the top blocking fullbacks in football.. as well as good blocking tight ends and hines ward who can block like no other wr. with parker's speed, he can turn up field and get some monster gains with this play. he had one against tennessee and went for 40+ yds, but that was the only chance the steelers gave him. from what ive seen so far, he needs to work on blocking and pass catching. i havent really noticed either of being a major flaw, but i guess those are what he could work on most. other then that he is a physically gifted freak at running back. i like his chances in the steelers running game.. he wont be a tomlinson in fantasy football or close to it, but will add a whole new dimension to the steelers' offense. something that could help propel them to the super bowl Edited September 13, 2005 by jjpro11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjpro11 Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 (edited) nice rant, but I hate to burst your bubble. Parker could lead the league in rushing and Pitt isnt going to the SB with Frankenstein under center. Opponents in the playoffs will force Burger King to beat them, and he wont get it done. 986050[/snapback] your one of the sophomore slump pimps huh? well.. we'll just have to see then wont we? also please dont forget about that defense.. it is actually improved from last year. adding a pro bowl NT and added better youth and depth to the secondary. not to mention troy polamalu and chris hope are only getting better at safety. anyways, back to ben.. i have to disagree with you there. not much else i can say other then he will prove it on the field. btw, with staley healthy again, it will be mighty hard for parker to get the needed carries to lead the league in rushing. staley thrives in this system when healthy. Edited September 13, 2005 by jjpro11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombs Away Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 I don't see where LOYALTY would merit Staley or Bettis getting back in and getting their touches at Parker's expense. Parker is amazing, and he should remain the strarting RB until proven otherwise. He can bust a long one anytime he gets his hands on the ball. Parker is the offensive MVP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjpro11 Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 I don't see where LOYALTY would merit Staley or Bettis getting back in and getting their touches at Parker's expense. Parker is amazing, and he should remain the strarting RB until proven otherwise. He can bust a long one anytime he gets his hands on the ball. Parker is the offensive MVP. 986097[/snapback] the one reason the steelers may do this is concern with durability. they have no idea right now whether or not parker can last a whole season. he hasnt seen much action in his entire college and pro career to judge this. so he could either have great durability because he never took hits all season long.. or he could break from all the pounding he will take each week. something his body may not be used to. i dont know.. im not him, just speculation. last year the steelers found out the hard way with staley. the steelers ran the ball so much, staley was hurt by midseason. of course staley is injury prone, but nevertheless.. the steelers run the ball way too much for there not to be other backs getting carries. if they can keep parker, staley, and bettis all fresh by the stretch run and playoffs, without costing them wins... then they have succeeded and will be in better shape then last year come playoff time. he is a thrill to watch and i hope to see a lot of him.. around 20-22 carries would be good a game imo.. nothing crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 (edited) nice rant, but I hate to burst your bubble. Parker could lead the league in rushing and Pitt isnt going to the SB with Frankenstein under center. Opponents in the playoffs will force Burger King to beat them, and he wont get it done. 986050[/snapback] Frankenstein. Nice. I agree that he looks vastly improved over last year. If the Steelrs an get to the championship game with a 75 year old running back, I like their chances with the kid. Edited September 13, 2005 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuleBritannia Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 What is Staley's contract situation? Even if Parker is not the main guy this year will he be next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOB1 Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Any rookie that comes in and did what he did, is amazing, system or not. No hes not the next Peyton, or Culpepper, but someone to build around for sure. Look at how many Qb's come into this league, and are bust, or a 3-4 year projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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