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Big Backs

What is your definition of "big backs?" At one point, it was defined by RBs 250 or bigger, like Bettis, Natrone Means and Pete Johnson. These guys are all 225-230.
 
6Rings said:
Samuel, Snell Jr., Conner and Edmund's. All very big backs. I hope smash mouth returns this season.
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Will be hard for Edmunds to squeeze onto the roster with three backs and a FB ahead of him. I could see them putting him on the PS if he shows well in preseason.
 
Bobby Bufford said:
What is your definition of "big backs?" At one point, it was defined by RBs 250 or bigger, like Bettis, Natrone Means and Pete Johnson. These guys are all 225-230.
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Maybe not big backs. But bruisers.
The Steelers have bruisers. A much needed trait of football that is lacking in most of the nfl franchises of recent.

If the Steelers can take advantage with a physical offense with the majority of defenses opting for smaller, faster pass defending types.
Well our job looks that much easier.
 
south dakota STEEL said:
the less we have to pass, the happier I am.
ball control and ram it down their throats.
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Improved defense that gives up fewer points and can hold a lead in the 4th Q will help alleviate the need to pass/score as much as well. I am old school and love me some old smash mouth on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, the game has changed. I don't foresee the return to turtleball or 3 yards and a cloud of dust grinding it out all game, but a little bulldozer running is still useful even in today's pass happy game. Soften those smaller LB's and DB's up a little bit with a hammer once in a while...all for it!
 
If you are going to run you have to play defense. It's the whole thing. A running team down 10 points is out of its game plan. If they can play defense, I'm all for it. Then selective play action. Deadly. Love to see it.
 
Bobby Bufford said:
What is your definition of "big backs?" At one point, it was defined by RBs 250 or bigger, like Bettis, Natrone Means and Pete Johnson. These guys are all 225-230.
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250 to 230 is a load to bring down, especially when the back has a physical running style. They are not Bus size, but they are a load to bring down for 4 quarters. The Steelers have the option of keeping a physical back on the field with fresh legs.
 
The league really should swing back to the power run game. Strategies usually do go back and forth every few years. Run dominates, then defenses get heavy and start shutting it down, so offenses go light and fast, then it takes defense a few years to go light and fast to match; and back and forth it goes.

But the NFL changed the rules to favor the pass so much that it's been tilted to the pass for longer than usual.

Look at how high Bush and White got drafted. And every team was looking for LBs like them and have been for years. Nobody cares if they are undersized, just if they can cover ground in coverage zone. 10 years ago, Bush would have been a 4th round pick.

Sub packages now rule. Even on the DL, there are few real big guys. Gus like Fletcher Cox and Aaron Donald are great but they are quick penetrators, not run stuffers.

This league is ripe to be dominated by a power run game. That's why you can't count out the Ravens even though Jackson isn't much of a passer. If they just embrace that option game and go with power run, few teams are equipped to stop them. Especially now that they drafted McSorley as a backup so if Jackson goes down, they won't have to change the playbook.

The steelers are well positioned to take advantage on offense with their OL and RBs. They also do have some beef to stop the run on defense.
 
tapeANaspirin2it said:
The league really should swing back to the power run game. Strategies usually do go back and forth every few years. Run dominates.
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Well, I believe this style of football (The Madden Experience) is here to stay. The key is to adapt & to take it to the next level....

What we were missing last year & even when Bell was here is this: We would have a lead & darn if we couldn't just take the clock all the way down to zero with 4-7 minutes to play & keep moving the chains.

I mean, we ALWAYS gave the ball back (or so it seemed to me)...Collective effort from the O to be sure, but Bell just couldn't run the clock out with his "dance". And Conner fumbled in the opener to the Browns last year when all he had to do was move the chains....

This is why Benny Snell may just be huge at some point here at the end of games.

Keep playing Madden ball for 3 1/2 Quarters. At the end of games grind & wind the clock all the way down.......
 
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The rush is still a vital component for most teams wanting to win including the postseason, even though the rules have bent over backwards to make passing easier. Both Super Bowl teams ran the ball a good deal leading to the show.

The Rams mashed Dallas with the rush in the playoffs.

Bottom line, Pitt needs more balance with adding more runs, BUT that doesn't mean they should rush every 1st and 2nd down and only allow Ben to pass on obvious passing downs. Got to keep mixing it up to keep the opposing D on its heels.
 
BLITZ said:
I like big backs and I cannot lie
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In keeping with the spirit of the thread title:

aa77bc93926b42dfcb6c69d6f066c582.jpg
 
tapeANaspirin2it said:
The league really should swing back to the power run game. Strategies usually do go back and forth every few years. Run dominates, then defenses get heavy and start shutting it down, so offenses go light and fast, then it takes defense a few years to go light and fast to match; and back and forth it goes.

But the NFL changed the rules to favor the pass so much that it's been tilted to the pass for longer than usual.

Look at how high Bush and White got drafted. And every team was looking for LBs like them and have been for years. Nobody cares if they are undersized, just if they can cover ground in coverage zone. 10 years ago, Bush would have been a 4th round pick.

Sub packages now rule. Even on the DL, there are few real big guys. Gus like Fletcher Cox and Aaron Donald are great but they are quick penetrators, not run stuffers.

This league is ripe to be dominated by a power run game. That's why you can't count out the Ravens even though Jackson isn't much of a passer. If they just embrace that option game and go with power run, few teams are equipped to stop them. Especially now that they drafted McSorley as a backup so if Jackson goes down, they won't have to change the playbook.

The steelers are well positioned to take advantage on offense with their OL and RBs. They also do have some beef to stop the run on defense.
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I'd love to see a big back lined up in the backfield with a FB for a good bit of a game.

I'd also like to see Conners/Samuels in the backfield at the start of the play. Seems like you could run several plays from that.
 
The STEELERS will NOT become a "run" 1st team. They will run m ore than they have the last couple of years but still use the pass to set up the run. If not to many fingers are put on the "O", they can remain a very leathal threat. If Fichtner can put a little balance with play action all will be good. If it becomes predictable, then forget it as they will be playing reaction instead of pro action football. There are a lot of running sets they can pass out of and vise versa, let's use those kind of set a lot. We have put some good pieces in place on both "O" & "D" and if players execute and coaches coach, we have a special year ahead. Those predicting 8-8 or less may have the final laugh but I'm saying 12-4 currently and 3-0 playoffs.





Salute the nation
 
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