Slow time for NFL news. Training camp starts soon so grab your kids, and some sunblock, and head out to Latrobe to fight about a billion other people who will punch you in the face to get an autograph from Ben. Let's talk "Fast" Willie Parker with the first post.
Parker will soon learn what the term "Contract Year" really means. Parker's stats for 2008: 791 yards on 210 carries, for a 3.8 average, worst of his career, 5 TDs. He also missed 5 games during the regular season. "Fast" Willie definately needs to pick up those numbers in 2009 to be assured a roster spot in '10. With a healthy Rashard Mendenhall back and ready for a true freshman season, along with rookie running back Frank "The Tank" Summers who some see as the second coming of Jerome Bettis, Parker has some competition to contend with coming into training camp.
The Steelers' salary cap situation also plays against Parker's return. Other players in contract years are Charlie Batch, Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Darnell Stapleton, Justin Hartwig, Travis Kirschke, William Gay, Deshea Townsend, Ryan Clark, Tyrone Carter, Jeff Reed, and Daniel Sepulveda. That's a hell of a list of starters there. Consider that Miller, Clark, Reed, and Sepulveda are probably locks to be resigned, there leaves a lot of unhappy former Steelers leaving the ranks. If Parker can't produce this season, he very well may find himself a member of the latter and not the former.
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