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Willie Parker | Running Back

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age / DOB:  (32) / 11/11/1980
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 212
College: North Carolina
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Latest News

Recent News

Ex-Steelers RB Willie Parker has accepted a job as assistant coach at West Virginia Wesleyan.
Last we heard from "Fast Willie," he was campaigning for the Steelers to bring him back for a final shot last May. Now 31, Parker hasn't taken an NFL snap since rushing for 389 yards over 14 games in 2009. Undrafted out of North Carolina in 2004, Parker carved out a fine career with 5,378 rushing yards, a fifth-place fantasy finish in 2006 and the longest rushing score in Super Bowl history. Tue, Jul 31, 2012 02:56:00 PM
Source: Mike Bires on Twitter

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

The Steelers have no interest in bringing back free agent Willie Parker.

Parker has been publicly campaigning for the Steelers to "re-sign 39," but it's not going to happen. He's never been a big factor in the passing game, and he's not going to help on special teams. Now 30 and a year and a half removed from his last carry, Parker may never suit up again.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sun, May 22, 2011 07:50:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

The Broncos reportedly "flirted with the idea" of signing free agent Willie Parker before trading for Laurence Maroney.

It's not quite as damning as the Packers choosing practice squadder Dimitri Nance after considering Parker. Now 29 and running on fumes, Parker is a poor fit as a third back because he doesn't help in the passing game, in short yardage, or on special teams.
Related: Broncos
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Sun, Sep 19, 2010 12:13:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

The Packers considered signing free agent RB Willie Parker before settling on Dimitri Nance, a source tells beat writer Tom Silverstein.

It's a bad sign for Parker that he lost out to someone on Atlanta's practice squad, but it's the right move for the Packers. Nance can do more things at this point of Parker's career, and the player formerly known as "Fast Willie" would've been a poor fit for Green Bay's zone-blocking scheme.
Related: Packers
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 09:06:00 AM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Redskins released RB Willie Parker.

Larry Johnson has made the Redskins' roster, with Ryan Torain and undrafted rookie Keiland Williams expected to slot in behind L.J. and starter Clinton Portis. Parker, 30 in November, has next to nothing left in the tank. At this point, we'd almost be surprised if he's near the top of any teams' "emergency" lists. The former Steeler brings nothing to the passing game, and has no burst an an early-down ball carrier.
Related: Larry Johnson
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 11:51:00 AM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Updating a previous item, Willie Parker is now expected to start the Redskins' preseason finale Thursday night.

The Redskins said Tuesday that Ryan Torain would get the start, but they apparently want one more long look at Parker before severing ties with the veteran. Torain and rookie Keiland Williams are expected to see action behind Parker.
Related: Ryan Torain
Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 01:17:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Willie Parker managed just 16 yards on eight carries in the Redskins' third preseason game Friday night.

It isn't like the Washington offensive line is opening holes, but Parker sure didn't make the front five look any better. Indecisive and lacking burst to make up for it, Parker probably sealed his fate with the "effort."
Fri, Aug 27, 2010 09:52:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan singled out pass protection as something Willie Parker needs to work on.

It's going to be hard to teach an old dog new tricks two weeks before the season. Clinton Portis excels in blitz pickup, and Ryan Torain is more effective as a receiver out of the backfield. There's no role here for Parker.
Source: Washington Post
Wed, Aug 25, 2010 08:11:00 AM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan confirmed that Willie Parker will start the team's third preseason game.

The Skins visit New Meadowlands Stadium for a tilt with the Jets on Friday night. Parker will get his chance to impress the coaching staff, but all accounts have his practice performances being less than stellar. We don't expect him to beat out Ryan Torain or Keiland Williams for a roster spot.
Mon, Aug 23, 2010 03:12:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Coach Mike Shanahan confirmed that Willie Parker will play with the first-string offense in two weeks against the Jets.

Larry Johnson will work with the ones this week against the Ravens. Parker will need to make quite an impression to reverse his training camp momentum. At this point, Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams are better bets to make the team.
Source: Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 02:01:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Willie Parker is listed fourth on the depth chart that the Redskins posted Monday afternoon.

Coach Mike Shanahan downplayed the significance of the depth chart, but it's noteworthy that Parker is now behind Ryan Torain. The former Steeler was expected to battle Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson for the starting job. Instead, he's battling for a roster spot. We've yet to find any local scribes that believe Parker will make the team. Torain could find his way into the third-down mix, though Portis is easily the team's best pass blocker.
Related: Ryan Torain
Source: redskins.com
Mon, Aug 9, 2010 01:22:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Beat writer Ryan O'Halloran predicts that Willie Parker won't make the Redskins' final roster.

O'Halloran has Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Ryan Torain in front of the aging Parker. We agree that Parker is on the outside looking in right now and will likely need an injury to secure a roster spot. He doesn't play special teams and isn't as effective as Johnson on early downs or Torain on third-downs.
Source: csnwashington.com
Wed, Jun 23, 2010 10:04:00 AM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

ESPN's Matt Mosley became the second writer in as many days to note that Willie Parker has lacked explosiveness in spring practices.

Mosley hears that Parker would be the first player to get dropped if Brian Westbrook is signed. Even without a Westbrook signing, it now looks like Parker won't survive the summer. He has no special teams value, nor is he an asset on passing downs.
Related: Larry Johnson, Clinton Portis
Source: ESPN.com
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 01:23:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

According to Comcast SportsNet Washington, Willie Parker has shown little burst on the Redskins' practice field at OTAs.

"He probably looks a lot like he did the last two years in Pittsburgh when he averaged 3.8 yards a carry," said Comcast's Rich Tandler. Tandler predicts that Parker won't make the final roster, and that Ryan Torain is likely to be No. 3 behind Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson. These are damning words for Parker, who may be on the brink of falling out of the league if cut.
Source: Comcast Sports Washington
Wed, Jun 2, 2010 08:38:00 PM
Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Redskins signed RB Willie Parker to a one-year contract that has a max value of $3.1 million.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms Parker will join Larry Johnson and Clinton Portis in an "open competition" at tailback. Mike Shanahan is banking on his oft-productive zone-blocking scheme to rejuvenate at least one of the above's careers. Parker, 29, managed just 4.0 YPC on 98 attempts last year, and may be the weakest bet of the three to make the club. Barring an unforeseen turnaround, Parker projects as a deep-league target for fantasy purposes.
Related: Larry Johnson, Redskins, Clinton Portis
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 03:11:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Ben Roethlisberger
2Bruce Gradkowski
3Landry Jones
4John Parker Wilson
RB1Le'Veon Bell
2Isaac Redman
3La'Rod Stephens-Howling
4Jonathan Dwyer
5Baron Batch
GLB1Le'Veon Bell
2Isaac Redman
3RB1Le'Veon Bell
2La'Rod Stephens-Howling
FB1Will Johnson
WR11Antonio Brown
2Markus Wheaton
3Justin Brown
4David Gilreath
5Reggie Dunn
WR21Emmanuel Sanders
2Jerricho Cotchery
3Plaxico Burress
4Derek Moye
5Kashif Moore
WR31Jerricho Cotchery
TE1Heath Miller
2Matt Spaeth
3David Paulson
4David Johnson
5Jamie McCoy
K1Shaun Suisham
2Danny Hrapmann