BlitzburghRockCity
10-04-2006, 12:24 AM
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_473373.html
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Starting running back Willie Parker has carried the football 29 and 31 times in two of the Steelers' first three games. His workload could again be heavy Sunday. Reserve running back Najeh Davenport has a strained calf and has yet to play in the two games he has been active. If he is unable to suit up against the Chargers in San Diego -- Davenport is listed as questionable -- Duce Staley likely would take his spot. Staley has yet to dress for a game this season after playing sparingly in 2005. Coach Bill Cowher said he is not concerned with a high number of carries for Parker as much he is with the punishment the 5-10, 209-pounder absorbs in a game. There is not always a correlation between the two.
"A guy that is a pounding type of runner, there is more of a lingering effect down the road just because of his style of running," Cowher said. "Some games you can come out with 24, 25 carries but feel great because you really didn't have that many big hits.
"Sometimes you come out with 18, 19 carries and you're running between the tackles and it was a grind with three or four players hitting you. You can't just monitor based on carries."
• Cowher got his start in coaching under Marty Schottenheimer in Cleveland. Former pupil and mentor match wits Sunday night, although Cowher downplayed how familiarity affects the way he and Schottenheimer will coach against one another.
"We've been apart for a few years now, 15 to be exact," said Cowher, who has been the Steelers' head coach since 1992. "The one thing you know about his football teams is they will play hard, they will be physical and they will be sound."
Hopefully Najeh's calf injury isn't serious and he can rehab and get a chance to play again soon. So basically we're left with Willie to get the bulk of the work, Verron to get the 3rd down stuff, and Duce to fill in. Verron has a case of fumbleitis since preseason,and Duce is rusty as all hell. UGH !!!
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Starting running back Willie Parker has carried the football 29 and 31 times in two of the Steelers' first three games. His workload could again be heavy Sunday. Reserve running back Najeh Davenport has a strained calf and has yet to play in the two games he has been active. If he is unable to suit up against the Chargers in San Diego -- Davenport is listed as questionable -- Duce Staley likely would take his spot. Staley has yet to dress for a game this season after playing sparingly in 2005. Coach Bill Cowher said he is not concerned with a high number of carries for Parker as much he is with the punishment the 5-10, 209-pounder absorbs in a game. There is not always a correlation between the two.
"A guy that is a pounding type of runner, there is more of a lingering effect down the road just because of his style of running," Cowher said. "Some games you can come out with 24, 25 carries but feel great because you really didn't have that many big hits.
"Sometimes you come out with 18, 19 carries and you're running between the tackles and it was a grind with three or four players hitting you. You can't just monitor based on carries."
• Cowher got his start in coaching under Marty Schottenheimer in Cleveland. Former pupil and mentor match wits Sunday night, although Cowher downplayed how familiarity affects the way he and Schottenheimer will coach against one another.
"We've been apart for a few years now, 15 to be exact," said Cowher, who has been the Steelers' head coach since 1992. "The one thing you know about his football teams is they will play hard, they will be physical and they will be sound."
Hopefully Najeh's calf injury isn't serious and he can rehab and get a chance to play again soon. So basically we're left with Willie to get the bulk of the work, Verron to get the 3rd down stuff, and Duce to fill in. Verron has a case of fumbleitis since preseason,and Duce is rusty as all hell. UGH !!!