Willie Parker: Ready to play every down
Last year, Willie Parker devoted himself to running stronger in anticipation of becoming the Steelers short yardage back. He ended up converting 10 of his 21 carries inside the opponent’s five into touchdowns. This year Willie is on a mission to be an everydown back
During a one-on-one drill in which running backs tried to block defensive backs, Parker flattened cornerback Ike Taylor and later frustrated short-tempered safety Tyrone Carter until the whistle blew and the facemask shoving began.
“I’m a lot better than I used to be,” Parker said, “and I’m going to take on anybody who’ll step up.”
And it’s all part of his plan.
With at least three other running backs who could take carries away from Parker, the two-year starter says he’s hoping to spoil their plans by become an every-down back. If he gets his way, no longer will he be replaced on passing downs.
Not now that he can block.
“That’s my motivation,” Parker said, “to be an every-down guy.”
Willie has taken it one step further, saying he wants to be better than Ladainian Tomlinson.
“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.”
“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.”
The best part? His coaches don’t think he’s insane:
“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.”
If you have any pick 5th or later, Willie Parker should be your man. I don’t blame you if you take him 4th before “Broken Hand” Gore, or 3rd ahead of “Holdout” Johnson. Getting Parker any later than the 7th pick in your draft is highway robbery - enjoy it if you can.
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The new Steeler OC, once with the Bungles, doesn’t exactly have a stellar record developing runningbacks, IMO. But if Fast Willie truly means what he says, he’ll step up this year as a big leader for the team, and his o-line will respond favorably.
Comment by Vanquish — July 31, 2007 @ 9:00 pm
:bloomed: again.
Comment by Jene Bramel — August 1, 2007 @ 10:10 am