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).
No information available at this time.
No information available at this time.
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).
