It was released yesterday that Willie Parker is again dealing with yet another injury. Apparently, Domata Peko of the Cincinnati Bengals, stepped on his toe during last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. I’m going to go ahead and interject my comment now. Willie Parker has turned into an injury prone back, who if re-signed next year, will continue to fall down the path of being hurt all the time. Mendenhall need’s to get his act together, and it needs to happen fast.
Willie Parker commented yesterday on his situation:
“You ever have turf toe?” Parker asked yesterday before watching practice from the sideline. “Oh, it’s painful; yeah it’s real painful.”
I’m more concerned about our back-ups, although we seem to possibly be in a better situation than we were last week. Rashard Mendenhall is looking to make a comeback, as yesterday was the first comments he made officially about last week’s situation with Mike Tomlin calling out Rashard for not knowing the play-book. Mendenhall was quote as saying about last week situation as:
“It’s just a learning experience, you know what I’m saying? You learn in the NFL that minor things are major, so be on top of everything. I’m just looking forward to get an opportunity and be able to play and show the fans and my teammates what I’m able to do.”
Well you better start picking up the slack Mendenhall, because you have been saying how you want to show everyone what you can do. So far, that’s next to nothing. I also understand he got hurt last year, and to be fair, last year basically didn’t count. This year however, he’s healthy, and he needs to make an immediate impact, if the Steelers don’t decide to draft another running back all together in the 2010 draft. It’s a valued spot the Steelers have had under control, but since Bettis left, it’s been hogwash ever since.
Now in dealing with Frank Summers, being put on the IR. The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed Cary Davis, an actual blocking back with proven NFL stats, and hopefully, just hopefully that brings out the running game a little bit more. Hines Ward was quote as saying:
“That’s my man. I’m happy to see him back. He was a strong part of this team last year. His blocking, the way he played on special teams. He’s one of those guys when he’s out there, you trust him, he’s going to do the right thing, he’s going to get it done. So to have him back, he’s a key person.”
Said Ward, “All the guys love him. Carey’s one of those guys who not only can block, but catch, he’s a veteran guy, he’s been on this team, he knows his assignments.”
Good deal, now only if Bruce Arians had an official Full Back position and they got back to the basics of Steelers running. Balance will be needed, the Ravens will shut us down in the throwing game, and make us run. We won’t survive against a team like that. The Steelers need to figure it out.
Quotes used from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s website – http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09274/1002214-66.stm
Thu, Oct 1, 2009
Sports