W. Parker 'surprised' to be sharing: Steelers RBs Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendenhall were on the field together for the first time Friday during the Steelers' mandatory three-day minicamp, and the Steelers' Pro Bowl running back acknowledged it was a bit of an adjustment sharing a position. Parker was the league's leading rusher when he broke his leg at St. Louis late last season. "I mean, I was a little surprised" when Mendenhall was drafted, Parker said, adding that the move "might add some years to my career" and could prevent another late-season fade by the Steelers, who lost four of their final five last season. "You're going to feel it ... when you touch the ball like I did last year," Parker said. "My body took a toll last year." Parker added that his broken leg is now fully healed, and participating in minicamp proved it. (Updated 05/05/2008).
Injury Report
Leg - Probable for the start of 2008 training camp (Updated - 5/5/08)
Fantasy Analysis
With Mendenhall around, Parker probably won't get nearly as many carries, which might reduce his yardage, yet keep him fresher during a demanding season that includes games against the Jaguars, Giants, Colts, Patriots, Chargers, Cowboys and Browns. Clearly, the franchise wanted to add a running back to aid in the running game, a decision that will likely mean less reps -- and certainly less touchdowns -- for Parker. We still see Parker as the starter there, albeit as a 12-to-15 touch runner. Mendenhall should also receive that kind of workload. While Mendenhall makes for a decent middle-round pick (think Rounds 6 to 7), Parker slips into Round 3 to 4 territory as a top-end No. 3 Fantasy RB, a huge letdown from where he was one season ago (and keep in mind Parker totaled well over 1,000 yards last year). (Updated 05/05/2008).
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No information available at this time.
W. Parker 'surprised' to be sharing: Steelers RBs Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendenhall were on the field together for the first time Friday during the Steelers' mandatory three-day minicamp, and the Steelers' Pro Bowl running back acknowledged it was a bit of an adjustment sharing a position. Parker was the league's leading rusher when he broke his leg at St. Louis late last season. "I mean, I was a little surprised" when Mendenhall was drafted, Parker said, adding that the move "might add some years to my career" and could prevent another late-season fade by the Steelers, who lost four of their final five last season. "You're going to feel it ... when you touch the ball like I did last year," Parker said. "My body took a toll last year." Parker added that his broken leg is now fully healed, and participating in minicamp proved it. (Updated 05/05/2008).
Injury Report
Leg - Probable for the start of 2008 training camp (Updated - 5/5/08)
Fantasy Analysis
With Mendenhall around, Parker probably won't get nearly as many carries, which might reduce his yardage, yet keep him fresher during a demanding season that includes games against the Jaguars, Giants, Colts, Patriots, Chargers, Cowboys and Browns. Clearly, the franchise wanted to add a running back to aid in the running game, a decision that will likely mean less reps -- and certainly less touchdowns -- for Parker. We still see Parker as the starter there, albeit as a 12-to-15 touch runner. Mendenhall should also receive that kind of workload. While Mendenhall makes for a decent middle-round pick (think Rounds 6 to 7), Parker slips into Round 3 to 4 territory as a top-end No. 3 Fantasy RB, a huge letdown from where he was one season ago (and keep in mind Parker totaled well over 1,000 yards last year). (Updated 05/05/2008).
