November 7
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Willie Parker carried the ball 50 times in the first two games of the 2007 season, prompting somebody to ask first-year Steelers coach Mike Tomlin if he planned to continue riding Parker so hard. Tomlin replied that he would "ride Willie until the wheels come off." Earlier this week, I reminded Parker of that quote. He managed a smile but quickly turned serious. "That year," Parker said, "he did run me a little too much." Too much? "I think I was leading the league in carries that year," Parker said. "I don't think that was smart of us as an offensive unit. You can look back at it, and I guess we would change some things. But it is what it is. It's about now." Actually, offensive ..."
October 23
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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It's an injury that led to the end of Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert's Hall of Fame career following the 1984 season. Lambert was known for being tough as nails, but he couldn't overcome turf toe. "Turf toe isn't something to play with,'' said two-time Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker, who missed two games this season and was limited against Cleveland last week because of the injury. Coach Mike Tomlin said Rashard Mendenhall, who started the past three games, will be the feature back until further notice. Turf toe is considered among the most debilitating injuries for a running back because it impairs his ability to plant his foot, cut and run at top speed. Asked to describe a ..."
October 22
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Coach Mike Tomlin said running back Rashard Mendenhall has earned the right to take the majority of snaps as the Steelers move forward toward the middle part of the season. Willie Parker may not have gotten that memo. Parker, who has been nursing a turf toe injury for the past three weeks, said Wednesday that the reason why he didn't start last week against Cleveland and won't start this week against Minnesota is because he isn't completely healthy. "I am not ready to take the load right now," Parker said. "When I am ready, we will make another decision." Parker has had a daily dialogue with Tomlin and let him know that he is physically unable to carry the ball 25-30 times a game. "I am ..."
October 22
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Willie Parker has accepted his new role as the Steelers' second-string running back. But the two-time Pro Bowler also said not to count him out even though Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers' first-round draft pick in 2008, has supplanted Parker atop the depth chart. "I'm not myself right now," said Parker, who is still battling a case of turf toe on his left foot. "Right now, I need to get back to myself. No excuses. I'm going to go out and keep working." Parker may not get a whole lot of work in the foreseeable future. Mendenhall received the bulk of the carries in the Steelers' 27-14 win against the Browns last Sunday, and he has rushed for 304 yards and four touchdowns in the last three ..."
October 18
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Willie Parker will play, as expected, today against the Browns but Rashard Mendenhall will start at running back for the Steelers. The Steelers will have a new fullback as well with David Johnson getting the call over Carey Davis, who is inactive for the 1 p.m. game. In addition to Parker, strong safety Troy Polalamu will play for the first time since he sprained his left knee in the Steelers' season opener on Sept. 10. Joining Davis on the Steelers inactives list are wide receiver Limas Sweed, linebacker Andre Frazier, who is nursing a thigh injury, cornerback Keenan Lewis, guard Kraig Urbik, defensive end Sunny Harris, offensive tackle Tony Hills and quarterback Dennis Dixon."
October 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Strong safety Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Parker are scheduled to practice today. Both are on track to play Sunday barring any setbacks this week. Polamalu has missed the past four games because of a sprained knee, and turf toe has sidelined Parker for the past two Steelers' games. "It will be interesting to see how they respond Thursday after having a day's work," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. Among the Steelers players who will be limited in practice today because of injuries are right guard Trai Essex (ankle), defensive end Travis Kirschke (back) and linebacker Andre Frazier (thigh). • Tomlin said it is too early to tell how the Steelers will use Rashard Mendenhall and ..."
October 13
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Strong safety Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Parker could return to action Sunday but the Steelers are expected to be without defensive end Aaron Smith when they host the Browns. And Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Smith may be out for an extended period of time because of a shoulder injury he sustained in last Sunday's 28-20 win over the Lions. "Potentially could be significant," Tomlin said of Smith's injury. If Smith is unable to play Sunday the Steelers will use a rotation of Travis Kirschke, Ziggy Hood and Nick Eason, Tomlin said."
October 12
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Strong safety Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Parker didn't play in the Steelers' 28-20 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday because of injuries. Polamalu, who hasn't played since spraining his left knee Sept. 10, could return next week when the Steelers host the Browns. He practiced on a limited basis last week. When asked for anon Polamalu's health after the Steelers improved to 3-2, coach Mike Tomlin said, "I'll let you know Tuesday." Parker missed his second consecutive game because of turf toe. The two-time Pro Bowler said he is not sure if he will be able to play against the Browns. "It's too early to talk about that right now," Parker said. "We're definitely taking it day by ..."
October 11
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu will miss his fourth consecutive game because of a sprained left knee. The Steelers will also be without starting running back Willie Parker (turf toe) today when they play the Lions at 1 p.m. Detroit will start Daunte Culpepper over Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Stafford, the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft, hurt his knee last Sunday and will serve as the Lions' emergency quarterback today. Limas Sweed will get another opportunity to work his way back into the good graces of the Steelers' coaching staff. Sweed, and not Shaun McDonald, will serve as the Steelers' No. 4 wide receiver today."
October 9
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Even after Rashard Mendenhall's breakout performance last Sunday, the pecking order in the Steelers' backfield hasn't changed. "Willie Parker's a proven commodity," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of the injured veteran who is still first on the depth chart at running back. "When Rashard is (proven), then we'll re-evaluate him. I hope it gets to that problem. I'd like to have those two healthy at the same time." The Steelers are not there yet. Parker did not practice Thursday because of turf toe. The injury has put his availability for Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Detroit Lions in doubt, although Arians remains hopeful Parker will play. Mendenhall rushed for 165 yards and two ..."
October 8
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Willie Parker didn't practice Wednesday because of turf toe, putting the veteran running backs' availability for Sunday's game at Detroit in question. Parker didn't play in the Steelers' 38-28 win over San Diego last Sunday. If Parker is unable to play against the Lions, it will provide another opportunity for Rashard Mendenhall. Making his second career start last Sunday, Mendenhall rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned Mendenhall AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. • In addition to Parker, left guard Chris Kemoeatu (ankle) and inside linebacker Andre Frazier (shoulder) didn't practice yesterday for the Steelers because of injuries. • Among the Lions that ..."
October 3
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Running back Willie Parker (turf toe) missed his third consecutive practice, making him unlikely to play Sunday night against San Diego at Heinz Field. Parker is listed as doubtful on the team's final injury report and could be a gametime decision. Typically if a player doesn't practice on Friday he isn't expected to play Sunday. • Rookie free agent Isaac Redman took some first-team reps on goal-line drills and could be activated from the practice squad if Parker doesn't play against the Chargers. "Just trying to stay prepared,'' Redman said. "I work hard every day in practice so when I do get a chance it comes natural.'' • Redman was a goal-line sensation during training camp so his ..."
September 26
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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A sly smile crept across Willie Parker's face upon mention of whether the surface at Paul Brown Stadium is a motivator. Fast Willie can't lie. He likes FieldTurf. "I don't want to say that," Parker said, "but you know the turf field is for speed guys. I don't want to say it plays a role. It probably helps a little bit." The Steelers running back has averaged 130.3 yards in three career games at Cincinnati - he was inactive last year because of a knee injury - and hopes to crack the century mark for a fourth time in the Queen City, when the Steelers (1-1) visit the Bengals (1-1) at 4:15 p.m. Sunday. Not that his teammates believe the turf is the only reason for that success. Of Parker's 25 ..."
September 22
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
columnist John Harris
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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 ..."
September 8
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Steelers will enter the season without a designated short-yardage/goal-line back. But a simple connecting of the dots makes it clear that Willie Parker will get most of the carries in those situations. "I think we'll go with the guy that's in the ball game unless he's dead tired then we'll put a fresh body in," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said Monday when asked who will be the goal-line back. Parker is the starting running back and second-year man Rashard Mendenhall is No. 2 but the pair won't split carries. Coach Mike Tomlin said that last week and Arians reiterated it yesterday after practice. "Willie's the man," Arians said. Parker rushed for 11 touchdowns in 2006 but has ..."
September 5
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Willie Parker didn't play in three of the four preseason games, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that he has no plans to rotate Parker and Rashard Mendenhall at running back. "Willie Parker's our runner," Tomlin said Friday afternoon. "Rashard's done a nice job and he's going to get an opportunity to get his touches, but more important than anything else, Willie Parker is our runner." Tomlin touched on a number of issues in his news conference previewing the Steelers' game against the Tennessee Titans in the NFL season opener Thursday night at Heinz Field, namely his concerns about the depth of the offensive line, the status of inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons and preparing ..."
August 23
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Steelers broke training camp last week with a host of unanswered questions. Among the most pressing is whether Rashard Mendenhall is ready to provide a spark to a running game that ranked just 23rd in the NFL last season. And whether he is able to team with Willie Parker and give the Steelers their first legitimate 1-2 punch at running back since Jerome Bettis side-stepped his way into retirement. "We know what Willie is," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said last week. "If Rashard proves to be a real (No. 2 back) we'll do it. If he doesn't, then he'll spell (Parker). We'll just see how that goes." Parker and Mendenhall got all of the work at running back in the first half of ..."
December 11
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Steelers have struggled to run the ball on a consistent basis this season. Willie Parker said Wednesday that the Steelers may need to take a different approach to establishing the run and added that he would welcome an increased role for the fullback in the offense. "We bring in two tight ends now, without a fullback, and (opposing defenses) know where it's going," Parker said of the Steelers' running game. "I just know when we get in two (tight end sets), it's not very successful. They definitely know where it's going." The Steelers, who are 23rd in the NFL in rushing (103.6 yards per game), primarily run the ball out of a two-tight end formation. That represents a significant shift ..."
December 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Willie Parker said today that the Steelers have become too predictable when they run out of two tight-end sets and added that he would welcome an increased role for the fullback in the offense. "We bring in two tight ends now, without a fullback, and they know what's coming," Parker said of opposing defenses. "I don't know what it is but it's not been effective." The Steelers are 23rd in the NFL in rushing (103.8 yards per game). Parker is the Steelers' leading rusher but he has just 597 rushing yards and is averaging 3.9 yards per carry. The two-time Pro Bowler has been hampered by knee and shoulder problems this season. The Steelers moved away from using a traditional fullback in 2007, ..."
October 18
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Willie Parker didn't practice for the second day in a row and could miss the Steelers' game at Cincinnati Sunday. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after practice today that Parker is "day to day." "We're still hopeful toward Sunday," Tomlin said, "but maybe not as hopeful as we were earlier in the week." Parker has not played in the Steelers' last two games because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Parker had said he would return following the Steelers' bye week and he practiced Monday. The two-time Pro Bowler, however, aggravated the knee injury working out on his own Tuesday, said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. If Parker doesn't play against the Bengals, Mewelde ..."
October 5
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Willie Parker lobbied the coaches to play Sunday, but the Steelers running back said he understands their decision to sit him for a second consecutive game. Parker, who sprained his left knee two weeks ago, said he is almost at full strength and that the coaches are holding him out of the Jaguars game as a precaution. Barring a setback, Parker said he will play against the Bengals on Oct. 19, which follows the Steelers' bye week. "I know I could play this week," said Parker, who has rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns on 66 carries. "(The coaches) know I could play this week. I think it's best that I do sit out and relax and then come back (after the bye)." Mewelde Moore will start ..."
September 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Running back Willie Parker has been named AFC Player of the Week. Playing in his first regular-season game since breaking his lower right leg last December, Parker rushed for 138 yards and a career-high three touchdowns last Sunday. The fifth-year veteran averaged 5.5 yards a carry in the Steelers' 38-17 win over the Texans. "