Moore Doing the Job While Parker’s on the Shelf

The Steelers usually don’t do much in free agency, but when they do, they usually hit a home run. There is no doubt about that again in 2008, as the teams biggest free agent pickup, a little known RB named Mewelde Moore, has come out of nowhere to play a big part in what is becoming a special season in the Steel City.

All more did against the bad Bengals was run for 120 yards on 20 carries (that could be six yards per carry), and catch five passes and score twice, once through the air and once on the ground. Moore has 238 yards in six games on 48 carries, good enough for 5.2 yards per carry average. He also has 11 catches for 68 yards and a score.

He has stepped in nicely over the past two wins over the Jags and Bengals, and has been a big contributor for a team that needed help at the RB spot when Willie Paker went down. Remember last season when Najeh Davenport had to fill in for Parker? The teams rushing production took a dive. Now with Moore as the starter for Parker, it’s not only where it should be – it actually could be better.

That’s not to say that the team shouldn’t want Parker back. Their next game vs the very good champion Giants is going to be a tough showdown, and there’s no doubt the team would be better with both Parker and Moore, than just Moore. For now though, the team is in good hands, and it’s all due to a FA pickup that barley made the headlines last spring.