Willie Parker/Rashard Mendenhall Fantasy News 2009-2010

HacheMan · Sep 6, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Tomlin: Steelers won't rotate runners in 2009 </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Sep. 5

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Coach Mike Tomlin says the Steelers will not use a rotation in the backfield this season and that Willie Parker remains the club's feature back.
"Willie Parker is our runner," Tomlin said. It's hard to blame him, considering how unimpressive Rashard Mendenhall was in exhibition games.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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raiseany · Sep 6, 2009

The only good news is that he's your 5th rb if you own him. Won't last more than 4 games.

HacheMan · Sep 8, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker likely to remain goal-line back </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Sep. 8

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker is expected to remain the Steelers' short-yardage back this season.
It's only because OC Bruce Arians failed to assign the duties to anyone else, and the Steelers don't plan to use a multi-back system. "We'll go back to the guy who's in the game unless he's dead tired when we get down there," Arians said. Parker remains the favorite for goal-line work because Rashard Mendenhall failed to make a serious statement for carries in the preseason.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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HacheMan · Sep 15, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Parker still dealing with hamstring injury? </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Sep. 15

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette said it's his understanding that Willie Parker still has a "slight hamstring thing going on."
Parker blamed his lack of burst in Week 1 on rust from an inactive preseason, but it would make more sense if he was still hesitant in getting up to full speed due to the hamstring. Regardless, we'd steer clear of Parker against the Bears this week.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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HacheMan · Sep 20, 2009

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Willie Parker (hamstring) was only at 85 percent in Week 1.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The Steelers are still trying to explain how their running game looked so awful against the Titans last Thursday. Parker ran like he was at much worse than 85 percent on his way to 19 yards on 13 carries. Fast Willie is supposedly healthy for today's game against the Bears.
Sep. 20 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Sep 29, 2009

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Willie Parker is expected to miss practice time this week with a case of turf toe.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The Steelers haven't expressed concern about his availability for this weekend, but it's definitely a situation to monitor. LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren McFadden struggled mightily with a more serious version of the injury last season.
Sep. 29 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: ESPN.com</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Sep 30, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Turf toe keeps Willie Parker out on Wednesday </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Sep. 30

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker (toe) did not participate in Steelers practice Wednesday.
Parker is battling turf toe, and his status for Week 4 is unclear. Should he sit out, Rashard Mendenhall would likely split the workload with Mewelde Moore against San Diego. Both would be risky fantasy plays because Mendenhall had zero carries in Week 3 and the Steelers have given no indication that they want to increase Moore's usage from his usual third-down role.
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HacheMan · Oct 1, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker misses practice again Thursday </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. </B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Steelers RB Willie Parker (turf toe) missed practice again on Thursday.
It's starting to look like Parker's Week 4 status is in doubt. The Steelers have the Sunday night game, so Parker should be kept out of fantasy lineups. Rashard Mendenhall would likely split touches with Mewelde Moore if Parker is unable to suit up against the Chargers.
Source: Jim Wexell on Twitter
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HacheMan · Oct 2, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker expected to sit out SNF game </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 2

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker (turf toe) missed a third straight practice Friday and is not expected to face San Diego on Sunday Night Football.
Parker didn't do anything on the practice field this week, which usually is a sure indication that a player isn't healthy enough to play. His turf toe threatens to linger for sometime. Rashard Mendenhall will likely start, but is a high-risk fantasy play despite the matchup with San Diego's 26th-ranked run defense. Mewelde Moore is Pittsburgh's most effective running back.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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HacheMan · Oct 3, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Parker officially out, Mendenhall will start </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 3 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>The Steelers have determined that Willie Parker (turf toe) will not play against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football.
Parker is officially listed as doubtful, but he won't be active. Rashard Mendenhall, who was benched last week while in coach Mike Tomlin's doghouse, will get the start. Pass-catching specialist Mewelde Moore will also rotate in and Isaac Redman was signed off the practice squad for insurance. It's a huge opportunity for Mendenhall, but don't expect too much. Moore will get more than his share of touches.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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HacheMan · Oct 5, 2009

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Willie Parker (turf toe) is "looking forward to" playing next week against the Lions.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>As the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Joe Starkey wondered, does FWP now stand for Fast Wally Pipp? Even Parker was impressed by Rashard Mendenhall's performance Sunday: "He came back each and every play with a vengeance, like somebody said somethin' about his mama or something." Even if Parker plays, he'll be limited by turf toe. We expect Mendenhall to be the primary ball carrier in Week 5. He earned it.
Oct. 5 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 6, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Tomlin noncommittal on starting running back </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Rashard Mendenhall - RB - PIT - Oct. 6

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Steelers coach Mike Tomlin would not commit to naming Rashard Mendenhall his starting running back for this week's game at Detroit.
"We haven't pondered the division of labor to this point," Tomlin said. "At this point, the ball's in Rashard's hands until we get further information in regards to Willie Parker." Tomlin did add that Parker's availability will be the most important factor this week, though we expect Mendenhall to see the greater share of touches regardless.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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HacheMan · Oct 7, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker unlikely to play against Lions </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 7 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker (turf toe) did not take part in Wednesday's practice and admits he's unlikely to face the Lions in Week 5.
"I'm not where I need to be," he said. "I've got to be smart." Turf toe injuries are highly subject to aggravation, so Parker may be out for awhile. The Steelers can dominate the (likely) Daunte Culpepper-led Lions with Rashard Mendenhall as the featured runner. Don't expect Parker to be rushed back.
Source: Associated Press
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HacheMan · Oct 8, 2009

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Willie Parker (turf toe) missed practice again on Thursday and remains unlikely to suit up in Week 5.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Parker will almost certainly be listed as doubtful on Friday. Rashard Mendenhall will carry the load against a soft rushing defense for the second straight week, giving him another chance to put his stamp on the starting job.
Oct. 8 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Jim Wexell on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 9, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker out for Sunday's game at Lions </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 9</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker (turf toe) missed his third straight day of practice Friday and will not suit up for Sunday's game at Detroit.
Parker says he "probably" will return for Week 6 against Cleveland, but even that's no guarantee. He hasn't practiced in nearly three weeks. Rashard Mendenhall is a borderline RB1 play in a very favorable matchup. The Lions were weak against the run even before losing DT Sammie Hill (ankle) and DE Dewayne White (hamstring). Expect lots of Steelers touchdowns on Sunday.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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HacheMan · Oct 12, 2009

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Willie Parker (turf toe) admitted Sunday that he isn't sure if he'll be able to play against the Browns in Week 6.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>"It's too early to talk about that right now," Parker said. "We're definitely taking it day by day." Parker will be limited if he does return to practice this week. Expect a heavy dose of Rashard Mendenhall against the Browns.
Oct. 12 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 13, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Parker, Polamalu expected to play in Week 6 </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 13

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic that Willie Parker (turf toe) and Troy Polamalu (knee) will be available for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Tomlin expects both to practice fully on Wednesday, so "it will really be interesting to see how they respond" on Thursday. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said last week that Parker remains atop the depth chart, but that was before another strong game by Rashard Mendenhall. Even if Parker plays, expect Mendenhall to get the bulk of the carries against the Browns.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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HacheMan · Oct 14, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker, Polamalu back to full practice </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 14

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker (toe) and Troy Polamalu (knee) both returned to full practices for the Steelers Wednesday.
Parker's return is a plus for the Steelers' depth, but shouldn't scare Rashard Mendenhall owners. Indications out of Pittsburgh are that Mendenhall will remain the lead back, seeing twice the carries Parker will. Parker may also be a step slow as he comes off a nagging turf toe injury. Getting Polamalu back should give the Steelers' fantasy defense a nice shot in the arm.
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HacheMan · Oct 15, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Rashard Mendenhall misses practice with flu </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Rashard Mendenhall - RB - PIT - Oct. 15

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Rashard Mendenhall missed Thursday's practice with the flu.
He's expected to return to practice on Friday, so it's not a serious concern for Sunday's game against the Browns. Check to make sure he does participate on Friday, but we'd expect him to handle the bulk of the carries as long as he can go.
Source: Jim Wexell on Twitter
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HacheMan · Oct 15, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Steelers' Parker aims to play in special shoe </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 15

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Willie Parker (turf toe) will wear a special left shoe in practice this week and try to play with it Sunday against Cleveland.
The shoe contains a fiber plate to stabilize the toe, which Parker said is more comfortable than the steel plate he used when the injury happened in Week 3. It's unclear if it will affect Parker's speed and agility, however, and he can't afford to lose a step at this point in his career. Rashard Mendenhall is virtually certain to remain Pittsburgh's lead back going forward.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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