Willie Parker Starting Fast

It was a little over a year ago when North Carolina backup Willie Parker found himself undrafted.  It wasn’t long before Dan Rooney Jr., who witnessed Parker play while scouting the Tar Heels, came through with his promise that he wouldn’t forget him.  The Steelers made the call and Willie Parker found himself in the 2004 mini-camp, then training camp, then came the pre-season, where Willie led the team in rushing yards per carry.

Toward the end of last season, Willie found himself getting more playing time, mainly as an injury replacement.  The last game of the season, Steelers head coach, Bill Cowher, sat most of the starters hoping to keep them healthy enough for the playoffs.  Willie Parker saw his most significant playing time in this game that pitted them against the Buffalo Bills as they fought for their playoff lives.  The Bills desperately needed the win to qualify for post-season play, but Willie’s 102 yards on 19 carries effectively closed out the Bills’ season, helping the Steelers conclude their regular season with a 15-1 record.

The Steelers made it to the AFC championship game only to find themselves ousted by eventual the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots.

Willie Parker entered this off-season a wiser player with an NFL season under his belt.  Not bad for an undrafted rookie free agent.  As the 2005 season approached, Willie found himself at number three on the Steelers’ depth chart – then came the injuries.  First it was Duce Staley, then Jerome Bettis, who found themselves sidelined.  Injuries helped open the door for Willie to get his chance; but “Fast Willie” has been the starter ever since. 

DraftBoardInsider.com recently had the opportunity to speak with Willie Parker about what it was like to be an undrafted rookie free agent, facing the opportunity to start for the Steelers, and what it’s been like learning from veteran running backs like Duce Staley and future Hall of Famer, Jerome Bettis.

DraftBoardInsider.com:  After coming to this team last year as an un-drafted rookie free agent and then making the team, what were your expectations going into the 2005 season? 

Willie Parker:  Going into the 2005 season I knew I was going to be a role player.  They said they wanted to utilize me more on the field.  I just worked hard during the off-season just to get a better feel, so when I would step on the field, I would be more comfortable.  But my aspiration was to just get in to help the team as soon as possible.

DBI:  Now that you’ve had a full season under your belt, what would you say is the biggest difference between Willie Parker of last season and the Willie Parker of this season is? 

WP:  Last year I was just trying to make an impression and open up the coaches’ eyes, because I came in as a free agent and they just beat you up.  All free agents, well I’m not going to say all free agents, but the majority of them are on the practice squad if anything, or to help out the defense or something like that…they just really want to catch the coaches’ eye.  But I came in and had fun and I guess I caught the coaches’ eyes and now I’m where I’m at today.

DBI:  This past pre-season saw both Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis go down with significant injuries.  You now become the starter and explode onto the scene in week one, rushing for 161 yards on 22 carries with one reception for another 48 yards and one touchdown.  What did having a performance like that mean to you? 

WP:  It just gave me a great deal of confidence knowing I was supposed to be here, week in and week out I just got so much confidence going into a game, I mean, there’s no turning back now.  But it did a lot for me.

DBI:  With this being your second season in the NFL, explain to us, what it’s been like playing with Duce Staley and future Hall of Famer, Jerome Bettis?

WP:  Oh, they’ve been great.  Those guys helped me out with a lot of things on and off the field.  It’s been great working with those guys; they’ve helped me out a lot.

DBI:  What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned from watching Jerome Bettis? 

WP:  The most important thing…how to be patient, how to figure out blocks and all of that stuff.  We’re different types of runners you know, but I’ve still learned a lot from him, like reads, initial reads, draw plays, but I’m still learning a lot from him.

DBI:  Looking down the road for a minute, can you talk with us about any goals you may have set for yourself for the rest of the season and beyond?

WP:  Nah, I stay away from the goals and all that stuff, as far as personal goals.  We set teams goals, but I stay away from personal goals.  The team goals is just to play hard each and every week and as a team we just have to go ahead and get better each and every week offensively. 

DBI:  Finally Willie, with you now the starting running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, can you share with us what it’s been like playing football for such a storied franchise? 

WP:  Yea, it’s been great!  I mean, I got here, when I arrived in Pittsburgh last year, I knew this town was like a football town and this year, it gets crazier and crazier each and every game, that whole football atmosphere.  Where else would you rather be … I mean – Pittsburgh!   

The season started off well for Willie Parker and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but then came injuries to their star quarterback – Ben Roethlisberger.  And with it…their running game ground to a halt.  Teams now stack the line to stop their running attack, daring the Steelers to beat them through the air with what’s been a carousel at QB, currently stopped on a banged up Ben.

The Steelers now sit two games behind the Cincinnati Bengals, who in week thirteen revenged an earlier loss to the Steelers by coming to Pittsburgh and intercepting Ben Roethlisberger three times and winning in a shoot out 38-31.

The Steelers offensive attack has taken a step back and they appear to be struggling mightily with their identity as a smash mouth football team.  With Duce Staley, Jerome Bettis, and Willie Parker healthy the coaches seem unsure how best to use the threesome to best benefit this beleaguered offensive group.  Willie Parker leads this team in rushing thus far this season, with 788 yards on 177 attempts for a 4.4 average. 

Currently this team is fighting for their playoff lives in a tight race to the finish in the AFC and have no margin for error here on out.  As unlikely as it may have seemed entering the 2005 season, it’s not implausible to presume that the reigning road-graders of the NFL might only be able to secure a playoff spot on the legs of this confident and determined undrafted RB leading the way.