What does the loss of Willie Parker mean for the Steelers? Does losing him actually help their chances of getting farther in the playoffs?
It seems Davenport did things Parker couldnt...he got into the endzone.
10+ to best answer
2007-12-21 05:02:33 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
After much crying last night and soul searching today, I have come to the conclusion that Pittsburgh can manage, and do just fine without Parker. Davenport is more of a Bettis style runningback and he can grind out yards and run down the clock. That will work well in the playoffs when, theoretically, the weather could be very bad. He also doesn't have butterfingers like Fast Willie is known to have. Big Ben is on fire right now--and if it continues that streak the passing part of the offense is not in question. The things which are more of a liability right now to the Steelers are their O-line and their coverage after kicks. If they get those sorted out, number 6 for the Steelers could be on the way!
And on a side note, never count the Steelers out. They were the only 6th seed team to ever win a Superbowl. The Parker injury might be the spark they need to start playing at 100% again.
2007-12-21 05:07:49 · answer #1 · answered by Growler 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yea, Davenport got in the endzone twice last night, Parker, well he's gotten in there 3 times all year. Davenport is a big guy who is really hard to bring down, and from the looks of last night, he can run and catch the ball pretty well. I mean losing Willie Parker is a pretty big loss for them, but like Mike Tomlin said, they should be able to do without him, because that's what professionals do. Injuries happen all the time, and you're just going to have to find a way to deal with them. Roethlisberger stepped it up last night for the Steelers, and they're going to need him to with the loss of Parker. I don't know how losing him would help them get farther into the playoffs, but like I said earlier, he may lead the league in rushing yards, but he's only got like three TDs. Davenport probably has that much and he's a back up. I really don't think this injury hurt Pitt as much as people think, but they're going to have to play hard to win the division.
2007-12-21 07:23:30 · answer #2 · answered by lsutigerfan123 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I see what you're saying. Davenport has been in the endzone FAR more than Parker, but that's not Parker's fault. As I recall, it's Parker's running mostly that sets up those TDs for Davenport. We'll just have to wait and see if Davenport can indeed carry the same load Parker did and still be able to get in the endzone. Losing your top rusher NEVER helps at all. Their best chance at winning is with Parker.
2007-12-21 06:10:53 · answer #3 · answered by Cutting Edge 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No.
But it does create a depth problem.
The Steelers problems are: OL protection & Special teams coverage.
Right now, there are only 3 RB/FB on the roster...Davenport, Cary Davis & Gary Russell. I imagine that they'll go re-sign Verron Haynes (their 3rd down back from last season, whom they almost brought back a couple of weeks ago) for depth and experience purposes.
To those that said Davenport's efforts were 'just against the Rams' check this: The Rams had NOT allowed a 100 yd rusher all season! Their run defense is stout. Their pass defense is what's weak.
2007-12-21 05:38:20 · answer #4 · answered by mr_cj_jr 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it will make it tougher for the Steelers but Big Ben proved last night that he can win with out Parker....even if it was over the Rams (who are starting to get healthy, albeit it too late).
Davenport will get the bulk of the carries and that just means a different running scheme.
2007-12-21 05:07:43 · answer #5 · answered by John 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Time out who said Willie doesn't deserve to be in the pro bowl? The guy is leading the NFL in rushing! Not just the AFC but the whole league! But I do think that Najeh is a great back to replace him because of his bruising style of running. If the Steelers can get there whole game working and that includes special teams, they can go all the way because if you really look at everything the Steerlers are truly the best ALL AROUND TEAM! But they need to play like it. The Pat's have a better passing game yes but they really have no running game to speak of and their D is not that great and Indy and the Jags are good offensive teams to but once again their D is not the best. We just need to pull on the pads and play Steeler football and Najeh is a great fit for that!
2007-12-21 07:00:19 · answer #6 · answered by mrjamfy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Willie parker to me isn't that big of a loss, imo, i dont think he should have been voted into the Pro Bowl, Fred Taylor deserved it more...also i think the steelers would lose early anyways
2007-12-21 05:06:52 · answer #7 · answered by silvertipfan2003 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
A healthful Shaun Alexander set the landing record. healthful Willie Parker: 1500 yards, 13 touchdowns healthful Shaun Alexander: 1900 yards, 27 touchdowns Granted his O-Line is certainly solid, it remains fairly suggestions-blowing.
2016-11-23 19:50:49 · answer #8 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it kills pittsburgh... What Davenport did last night was against a poor Rams defense... Playoff teams will stop Davenport with their front 7 and allow the 2ndry to play pass instead of run..... Pittsburgh will not go far if even out of the 1st round.
2007-12-21 05:07:52 · answer #9 · answered by wycked476 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
BAD NEWS.
He didn't have a bunch of touchdowns, but he was the workhorse. Look at who was leading the league in carries and yards.
I don't see anyone else taking his workload in an offense that relies so heavily on the running game.
2007-12-21 05:10:16 · answer #10 · answered by M. Diego 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋