"Sentiment says the Steelers should keep Willie Parker in the starting lineup while trusting he can turn back the hands of time.

Parker was a feel-good story who made the team as an undrafted free agent. He ran for a record 75-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XL. He has led the Steelers in rushing four consecutive seasons.

History says the Steelers would be wise giving fewer carries to Parker while giving more carries to second-year running back Rashard Mendenhall.

A free agent after this season, Parker's expiration date in the backfield is approaching.

He turns 29 on Nov. 11. He has 1,182 career carries, including 321 in 2007 when coach Mike Tomlin promised to run Parker "until the wheels fall off." It became an unfortunate choice of words when Parker broke his leg in the next-to-last game that season."