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Mike Tomlin Upset Over James Conner’s Departure

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This off-season, the Arizona Cardinals added former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, James Conner, and his former head coach has reportedly spoken his mind about it. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was upset when the running back left the team in free agency after signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Cardinals in the NFC West.

According to Craig Wolfley, a sideline reporter for the Steelers, Tomlin was “heartbroken” that Conner was not able to be brought back because it was Tomlin’s belief that Conner was a bell cow back who could carry the rushing attack of an offense.






Conner was supposed to be the Steelers next primary running back after the departure of Le’Veon Bell in 2018 and in that 2018 season, Conner earned his first Pro Bowl experience with landing in the top 10 in the NFL that season among rushing touchdowns, yards per game, total touchdowns, yards from scrimmage, and touches. Since that season, Conner has struggled to stay on the field playing in 23 games in two years since.

As for the Steelers and their replacement, Najee Harris, the team is definitely in a position to have another star running back. As the first running back taken in this past year’s NFL Draft, the hope is that Harris will be an absolute home run for the team’s rushing attack, which was less than satisfactory last year. In terms of rushing yards and yards per attempt, the Steelers ranked last in the league in 2020. It is a possibility that coach Tomlin had a quick change of opinion when the Alabama running back was available at the 24th overall pick. Hopefully Harris can prove to be a strong and consistent back for the Steelers.






Was it the correct decision to let Conner leave to go over the Cardinals? Should the Steelers have kept Conner in Pittsburgh? Should Tomlin feel upset over Conner’s departure? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Nice write up Zach and thank you.

MOST definately needed to part ways. That doesn't mean that I didn't like Conner as I di a whole lot but the NFL is all about what have you done lately. Conner couldn't keep on the field of play, simple as that. I loved his story and his work dedication but you can't gains yards while sitting (duece staley (not bigalow)).

Harris to this point seems to be the real deal both on and off the field of play, time will confirm that.



Salute the nation
 
I would have rather kept Conner and possibly build the oline rather than taking Harris and now trying to piece together 5 NFL quality offensive linemen. Ben isn't getting more mobile at this point in his career, the defenders will know exactly where to find Ben when he is in a passing situation. Without cohesion on the front line, twists and stunts are going to be a common occurrence that the young line will have to handle, plus blitzes. Defenses will ramp up to stop the running game and force the Steelers to pass or at least, prove that they can pass the ball based on the final 6 games of the 2020 season.

I hope I'm wrong and the line gels and Ben is given time to get evaluate the route trees rather than throw it to the pre-snap read regardless which is what appeared to be happening late last season.

Papillon
 
"My brother said" ranks right up there with "I know a guy who". Now Tomlin might have been upset that they weren't able to keep Conner as the backup to Najee, but I don't think after years of seeing Conner get injured as the #1, that Tomlin was looking at Conner as a "Bell Cow" RB. If he was looking at him that way, it's time to hang up the whistle 'cause he's not seeing the same things that even a casual observer saw.
 
I wish him the best on and off the field. I will always remember the time in Latrobe I held up his 8 by 10 he spotted it flexed and then came out after his workout and signed it. Good man right there not because of the autograph just because in general he is.
 
Drink IRON City said:
Nice write up Zach and thank you.

MOST definately needed to part ways. That doesn't mean that I didn't like Conner as I di a whole lot but the NFL is all about what have you done lately. Conner couldn't keep on the field of play, simple as that. I loved his story and his work dedication but you can't gains yards while sitting (duece staley (not bigalow)).

Harris to this point seems to be the real deal both on and off the field of play, time will confirm that.



Salute the nation
Click to expand...
Conner is a cardinal now.
Harris is our boy
 
ZonaBurgh said:
I for one, look forward to seeing James every week out here, and pulling for him to do well and injury free, but his time in the 'burgh was written on the wall, the NFL is a business, no matter if we like the player as a person.
Click to expand...
He’s a yinzer at heart. Literally.
He’ll be alright.
 
SteelBuckeye said:
"My brother said" ranks right up there with "I know a guy who". Now Tomlin might have been upset that they weren't able to keep Conner as the backup to Najee, but I don't think after years of seeing Conner get injured as the #1, that Tomlin was looking at Conner as a "Bell Cow" RB. If he was looking at him that way, it's time to hang up the whistle 'cause he's not seeing the same things that even a casual observer saw.
Click to expand...
And Tomlin has some wide eyes. He should’ve seen it
 
MTC said:
And Tomlin has some wide eyes. He should’ve seen it
Click to expand...

The bigger the deer the bigger the eyes, of course the headlight has a little to do with it as well..............


Salute the nation
 
I liked Conner. Felt he did a great job stepping in for Le'V Bell. As much as I like the guy and his story, it's true. He was just injured too darn often. That left the team reliant on less experienced (perhaps less talented) running backs.

I wish him well, hope he has an amazing season and career, right up to the possibility of a SB appearance opposite the Steelers. Then... well then I hope he never sees the ball because the Cards are down 28-0 in the first 10 minutes. (******* Browns!)
 
I felt as the Steelers shifted away from Bell and focused solely on throwing the ball, Conner changed his running style (in a bad way). It's almost like he was trying to do too much because of the limited opportunities rather than run the way that made him successful.
 
I would hope after the emotional investment Tomlin put into Conner that he would be a bit upset over his departure.
That shouldn't, however, effect his relationship with Harris.
 
Superman said:
I would hope after the emotional investment Tomlin put into Conner that he would be a bit upset over his departure.
That shouldn't, however, effect his relationship with Harris.
Click to expand...
Based on the lovefest the Steelers showed Harris before the draft, I think it will be just fine. Tomlin is ready to run the wheels off Najee.
 
For whats its worth....I was hoping they could work something out with him...

He would make a fantastic number 2..
 
Last chance for Snell to show he can be reliable back up, I would bring in AP to mentor Harris and push Ballage and Snell to the max, Samuals is useless
 
Hines57 said:
Conner is soft and has no place as a feature back. We did the right thing moving on from him.
Click to expand...

Injury-wise. Not the way he ran the ball on the football field or carried himself as a man though.

But I agree, they did the right thing moving on from him.
 
slashsteel said:
I wish him the best on and off the field. I will always remember the time in Latrobe I held up his 8 by 10 he spotted it flexed and then came out after his workout and signed it. Good man right there not because of the autograph just because in general he is.
Click to expand...

Good story /man. Will always root for James Conner.
 
Once again Head Coach MCS (Mikey Cool Shades) drastically overvalues a player because "he knows the system".
As mentioned, good player but can't stay on the field. And that goes back to his days at Pitt and unrelated to cancer.
 
Dont care how close NT was to Conner he could not stay healthy you have Harris use him the same way bell was used in some games if you need to pound it with him 30 times do it with a better OL Snell should be better esp with Pat blocking on the edge for a big back Snell has the speed on a toss to get to the outside thhey tried a few times just so one could clear a path.
 
Steeler Nation said:
According to Craig Wolfley, a sideline reporter for the Steelers, Tomlin was “heartbroken” that Conner was not able to be brought back because it was Tomlin’s belief that Conner was a bell cow back who could carry the rushing attack of an offense.
Click to expand...

I can believe that Colin Moran will hit 40 HR's in a season. Does not make it true, no matter how much I want it to be true.

Same for Conner being the #1 RB, carrying the ball 300 times in a season.

2017 - injured, missed last 5 games
2018 - injured, missed 2 games
2019 - injured, missed 6 games
2020 - injured, missed 3 games

Expecting him to "carry the load" is unrealistic and contradicted by the facts.
 
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