Four years ago, we pointed out that the Steelers were high on a little-known, second-year, undrafted tailback named Willie Parker.
And he’d cap the season with 1,202 rushing yards and a record-setting touchdown run in the Super Bowl.
In the wake of Thursday night’s regular-season opener, we’re hearing that the sun could soon be setting on Parker’s tenure as the team’s go-to tailback.
The scuttlebutt in the wake of the Week One game is that Parker seems to be reluctant to run between the tackles.
That’s not the best way to start a contract year.
Parker finished last night’s game with 13 carries for 19 yards. Though his performance might have something (or maybe a lot) to do with an offensive line that isn’t built to plow and a Titans defense that can clog the line like an antique French commode, there’s speculation in league circles that Parker will quickly lose the starting job if he doesn’t show a stronger desire to hit the hole and head north.
And if Parker ends up planted on the bench, 2008 first-rounder Rashard Mendenhall isn’t a lock to take Parker’s place. Keep an eye on Mewelde Moore, who won praise last year as a return specialist and third-down back.
But it Moore were to become the guy who handle the primary running chores, who would be the third-down back?
Maybe the answer is Parker.
