Why Willie Is A Week 7 Must-Start

Since rushing for a total of 243 yards and two scores on 53 carries in Weeks 1 & 2, Willie Parker hasn’t given his owners much to get excited about, as he’s missed Pittsburgh’s last two and a half games with a knee injury. Read more

Willie Parker Is Confident In Health…

Steelers 27 year old RB Willie Parker feels like he’s recovered from a fractured fibula. The thing is though, that he’s been extremely limited in practice. He recently told media that he’d be out there going 100 percent if it were the season. We’re a little nervous about Parker this season. We believe Rashard Mendenhall may be the true RB to own in Pittsburgh this season.

Rashard Mendenhall Returns…

Steelers rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall participated in individual drills on Wednesday despite a hamstring injury. He likely won’t go full speed any time soon, as a precautionary measure. The Steelers believe he’ll be 100 percent by training camp and that has to be their focus at this point.

As for seasonal fantasy outlook for Mendenhall, we’re starting to like him a lot. We realize he has a ceiling with Willie Parker as the starter, but he’s talented enough to land a “1A” role, and produce enough to be a flex starter in deep leagues.

We’re Not Worried About Mendenhall…

Yeah, Steelers rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint, then tweaked his hammy within the first week of being a Steeler…and yeah, he still is suffering from his hammy injury, but we believe that Pittsburgh is just taking it easy with him.

He should be ready for training camp, and we believe he’ll be a pleasant surprise to fantasy owners in his rookie season. Oh yeah, and in dynasty leagues, he’s definitely a top two pick in rookie drafts.

Hines Ward Returns To Practice…

Steelers veteran WR Hines Ward returned to practice yesterday after undergoing knee surgery this off-season. He played through ligament tears in his knees last season, and while pain is sure to linger, we’re not too worried about his fantasy value. Ward always plays through injuries, and the fact that he’s already back on the field speaks volumes regarding his heart and determination.

Ward will be a top end fantasy WR3 in 2008.

Mendenhall Injures Hamstring…

Rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall couldn’t make it through the week of mini-camps without sustaining an injury. The rookie tweaked his hamstring and sat out the rest of the practices.

This shouldn’t be a huge deal when training camp comes around, but it’s something to monitor, as these types of injuries can nag.

Hines Ward Had Knee Surgery…

Steelers WR Hines Ward had knee surgery this off-season after playing through partial tears of his MCL, PCL and meniscus last season. Ward is a freaking warrior, who should be ready for 2008, but is missing mini-camp and will likely take it easy during training camp and preseason, which could open up the door for rookie Limas Sweed to get increased reps, next to future fantasy stud Santonio Holmes.

Dennis Dixon To See The Field…

The Steelers have come out and said that Dennis Dixon - who is ahead of schedule rehabbing his torn ACL - will not switch positions. The 6′5″ athlete will be Ben Roethlisberger’s primary back-up, but will also see the field occassionally to switch things up on a key play.

Bruce Arians is much more creative than Ken Whisenhunt ever was as Steelers OC, and he could definitely use Dixon on some trick plays, the same way Antwaan Randle El was incorporated from time-to-time. Arians also may simply sit Big Ben on a couple plays this year and let the athletic Dixon have a few game reps. This doesn’t impact Ben’s fantasy value at all.

Mendenhall Update; Davenport To Be Released…

The Steelers selected Illinois’ RB Rashard Mendenhall with the 23rd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, a surprising selection, considering the Steelers already had Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore and Najeh Davenport. Mendenhall was a talent that the Steelers’ organization just couldn’t pass on, however, and as a result, they’ll need to make room for another RB on the roster.

We’re hearing that Najeh Davenport will be that casualty. The 29 year old Davenport has had run-ins with the law over the last few years, and while he’s very talented, his work ethic has been questioned by the coaches though, as he tends to disappear at times.

Mendenhall is expected to split time with Willie Parker, who is recovering from a broken fibula. While Parker will likely start, the rookie will see just as many reps.

Steelers Add Limas Sweed In Round Two…

After Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall fell to them in round one, Texas WR Limas Sweed fell to them in round two. Sweed gives Ben Roethlisberger the “big WR” option he wanted, and Sweed should fit in very well to a revamped Steelers passing attack under Bruce Arians. Sweed, Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward and Heath Miller make Big Ben a top five fantasy QB heading into 2008. Sweed’s dynasty upside is seriously solid.

Discuss this more in our forums.

Shocker Of The Draft: Steelers Take Mendenhall…

Illinois standout Rashard Mendenhall, who the Texans, Lions (twice) and Cowboys all passed on, lands in Pittsburgh. Bad news for Willie Parker owners, but we like this a lot for Mendenhall’s fantasy value.

He’s explosive enough to beat out Parker and contribute in 2008.Â

Steelers Want “Stable” Of RBs…

Willie Parker has returned from a fractured fibula and was a participant at the Steelers’ off-season workouts on Monday. He said he feels close to 100 percent and will definitely be ready to go full speed by training camp.

In other FWP fantasy-related news, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin reiterated that he wants a “stable” of running backs to help Parker get through the 2008 season. Najeh Davenport, Mewelde Moore and possibly even another back to be named later could be involved in splitting carries this season behind Parker.

FWP remains a strong RB2/RB3 in deep leagues, but has lost the luster of an RB1, due to his lack of touchdowns, and anticipated decrease in touches.