Parker’s Break an Awful One for the Steelers

For Steelers fans last night, it was the best of times, and the worst of times.  While the offense exploded for 425 yards, the team is in deep trouble with Pro Bowl back Willie Parker out for the rest of the season with a fractured leg.  The play in which Willie got hurt didn’t look all that bad, but yet, it was bad enough.  It was a stunning site to see Parker, who had held up great with a ton of carries over the past two seasons, on the sideline getting his foot or leg looked at.  Then when it was confirmed that he had a fracture, the mood went from hopeful to dread.

Sure, Najeh Davenport did a great job last night, as the bruiser rushed for 123 yards on 24 carries and scored once on the ground and another in the air.  But do you for one moment think that the team WON’T miss Parker?  I don’t.  They will miss him dearly, and for now, the team had better start looking long and hard at their options for the running back spot.  They have Najeh, Carey Davis and Gary Russell.  Dan Kreider is on IR.

There are already some rumors that the team will take a hard look at bringing back Veron Haynes, who they let go in training camp.  He knows the system, and can do a decent job as at least a third down back.  Haynes was hurt last season in the Oakland game, and missed the rest of the season.  He is at least an option.

On a positive note, the team is 10-5, and they are now basically a lock for the playoffs.  Let’s hope the right thing happens and the Browns lay an egg in Cincy Sunday and the division title comes home about 4pm.  If not, the team really should have enough to take care of business against a really bad Ravens team that might be starting Troy Smith on the road next Sunday.

From there, the team will have at least six days to get ready for whoever in the first round.  As it stands, it looks like it will be either the Browns or the Jaguars.  The Steelers have played both teams, beating the Browns twice and losing to the Jags, but it was a game the team could have won, tied at 22 with 5 minutes left.  What they have to do now is get a gameplan for what this offense is going to be able to and not be able to do.  If they can’t run, don’t force it.  Ben Roethlisberger may have to pull more rabbits out of his hat than ever.  If so, so be it. It may be the best shot the Steelers have come the postseason.