Willie Parker wouldn't mind a change in nicknames from Fast Willie to Touchdown Willie.

"I want to score some touchdowns," Parker said after he scored on the first play of the goal-line drill that ended practice last night.

Two years ago, Parker was a touchdown machine; he scored 16. Last year, he nearly was shut out; he scored just two.

"I wasn't playing on the goal line," Parker explained of the difference. "When you don't play on the goal line, that's a big difference."

That's why Parker wants to persuade coach Mike Tomlin to return him to the goal-line offense, a job held last year by the now-departed Najeh Davenport. He got that wish for the first of seven goal-line plays last night and popped into the end zone off right guard.

Parker said Tomlin did not use him in the goal-line drill Sunday because Tomlin did not want him to get hit. As quarterback Ben Roethlisberger put it: "Willie's very powerful. He's fast, he's quick, he's strong with a low center of balance, but out here we don't want him to get hurt, we're handicapped a little bit out here."

Tomlin said that Parker again is under consideration for the job.

"Thirty-nine is a guy who could potentially be a guy in that area. We'll see. He had a nice run."

It did not take long for left guard Chris Kemoeatu to make his mark in training camp. In just his second day of practice and wearing a brace on his injured left triceps, Kemoeatu pulled to his right to block on the goal-line drill.

"The goal-line drill was much better," Tomlin said, comparing it to the one Sunday. "It was spirited. I think No. 68 had something to do with that.

"It's a unit thing, and I think, no doubt, that Chris' presence was a difference for us today. We pulled him. It is what he does, he's a road-grader, he's a violent run-blocker and we ran behind him."

Rookie halfback Rashard Mendenhall, who failed to score on three tries from the 1 1/2 in the goal-line drill Sunday, made it in on his second try last night.

Tomlin said Sunday that Mendenhall had to run harder, and he gave him a better grade yesterday.

"I thought he was better. He was downhill. He went in standing up one time."

Gary Russell and Justin Vincent were stopped short on each of their two tries.

Roethlisberger continued to be limited in practice and did not work in the team or goal-line drills. Among those who returned to practice were Brett Keisel, Marvel Smith, James Harrison, Limas Sweed, Kendall Simons and rookie linebacker Mike Humpal, who made the final tackle on the final play of the goal-line scrimmage.

Tomlin said he expects cornerback Deshea Townsend (groin) back today.

Rookie defensive lineman Jordan Reffett is due back today after missing two days to be with his wife, who gave birth.

Jason Gildon knows a little what LaMarr Woodley faces as he moves into the starting lineup at left outside linebacker. Woodley played one year behind Clark Haggans before getting his chance to start. Gildon played two years behind Kevin Greene before he took over the same spot in 1996.

"He has the talent, he has the skill that it takes to be successful," Gildon said. "But there's a lot more to the position. You don't have the luxury of sitting back sometimes and learning. In his position, he has to go out and play this year, play at a high level."

Gildon, the team's career sack leader with 77, is spending the week helping with the linebackers.

"They have a very talented group of linebackers across the board, inside and out," said Gildon, who played through the 2003 season with the Steelers and lives in Wexford. "I've been very impressed by [Lawrence] Timmons. He can do it all -- play inside, outside, cover. I'm very impressed with his abilities out there."