Willie Parker

[aj_law]

Dayne wasn't fighting off 7 guys in the box, penetration at the LOS, and a lack of holes opened by the line.  Fuck, I coulda run for 100 yards with that line play.  Kubiak had that shit spread so wide it was like an otismalibu porno pussy.

Ron Dayne?  Who's he?  The name sounds kinda familiar, but I can't quite place it though.  Didn't he have a one hit wonder, "Tell it to my heart?"

Gee, running from a spread formation...another unique idea...

[Hercules50.]

The offensive line is a problem -- a big problem. I concur that it's the worst run-blocking I've seen from a Steeler unit, maybe ever.

But I also think Willie has declined, or regressed, or something. Early last year, it seemed he was effective at little ducks and jukes running between the tackles, this year I don't see that at all -- I see him going down at first contact.

Maybe he's banged up -- he even seems slower to me.

He has shown progress as a blocking back, but I think zero progress as a receiver, where his speed would come in handy. He still can't fake out a guy in the open field to save his life. He can run past people, yes. Juke a guy squared up in front of him, no.

I think of him as a guy who would be best used splitting time with another back, so that he keeps his burst throughout the game, and throughout the year. I'm not one of those who thinks that the other back should be a big Bettis-type. And I'm not saying Willie's not effective being the only guy -- I just think he'd be more dangerous sharing the burden.  

[CityofChamps1979]

Decent line play and Willie is destroying the league.  Decent line play and a man known best for busting a 75 yarder in the Super Bowl has at least 5 runs this year longer than 50yds.  I believe his long this year is 30yds?  Decent line play and FWP has 1 or 2 or more 200yd games this year.  The run blocking has been atrocious - and that starts with Faneca's declining agility, Mahan's underperformance, and the lack of a road-grating fullback.  

You want to complain about Willie, fine.  His hands aren't great, he'll cough the ball up, sometimes his footing/balance isn't great, sometimes he isn't patient enough.  But really I think we all know the decline in O-line play is the key key key.

[Finnegans Wake]

In some of the draft talk, folks mention getting a RB.  I'm cool with Parker, and Dook for another year, Gary Russell as the new UDFA breakout, and... well, I don't much care for Davis as a lead blocker.  He either needs to bulk up, or be developed a la Haynes as a third down back.  FBs are cheap, lets get a new UDFA FB.

Improve both lines, this team becomes a SB contender again.