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**Basel** · 05-15-2009, 02:27 AM

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There are numerous reasons why Pittsburgh Steelers starting running back Willie Parker finds himself on the hot seat for 2009. Let's start with the fact that he's had back-to-back injury-plagued seasons.

A broken leg derailed Parker's otherwise stellar 2007 campaign, and he battled shoulder and knee ailments in 2008, when he rushed for just 791 yards and averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Those were Parker's lowest totals since becoming a full-time starter.

In a physical AFC North division, Parker has never been the biggest tailback at 5-foot-10, 209 pounds. Add in the fact that he's turning 29 in November, and Parker now has to deal with the age and durability questions in Pittsburgh.

Parker is in the final year of his contract, and all signs point to the Steelers letting him walk after the season. To date, there haven't been any serious discussions of extending Parker's contract before the start of the regular season, and the Steelers drafted tailback Rashard Mendenhall in the first round in 2008 to be his eventual replacement.

But a big year from Parker has the potential to change the landscape for his future in Pittsburgh and silence his critics.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nflnation...ie-Parker.html

**Manster** · 05-15-2009, 11:13 AM

I can see how he is on the hot seat for his up coming contract but as far as team play I would say that Flacco is on a hotter seat in the division. He is coming off a year in which he lead his team to the AFC championship game so high things are expected of him. This year unlike last the defense may not be able to care the team so he will have to win games instead of just not loosing them. They are needing him to take a big step and he might not be ready to.