Diontae Johnson to Start Sunday

[Steeler Nation]

Brandon J. Wallace SteelerNation.com ** There’s a very hopeful feeling in Pittsburgh right now as the presence of a “new era” seems to be unfolding right before our very eyes. Along with QB Mason Rudolph, and newcomer safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins, it looks like the Steelers will have at least one more […]

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[TDX27]

Interesting and a bit surprising. Washington looked great in preseason and has a great rapore with Rudolph. He also has played well in the very limited snaps he's gotten.

 

[SteveA]

It's pretty telling that a rook just replaced a vet & jumped ahead of a 2nd year player who has a rapport with the new QB...

Washington will play, but he's like the deep threat. DJ starting tells me they are gonna spray the ball around and go for chain movement versus the big plays.

 

[Tibs]

It's time for Diontae Johnson Toledo highlights! Let's do this!

 

[TDX27]

It's pretty telling that a rook just replaced a vet & jumped ahead of a 2nd year player who has a rapport with the new QB...

Washington will play, but he's like the deep threat. DJ starting tells me they are gonna spray the ball around and go for chain movement versus the big plays.

I hear ya on that but in the preseason, Washington ran all the routes. He wasn't just a deep threat. Hopefully, it's more of a 2A, 2B situation as they will be using players in situations. But, who knows. As long as someone truly establishes themselves as a true No. 2, I don't care who it is.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I hope he takes this opportunity and runs, literally, with it. We didn't spend the pick to watch him sit and will do much more than expected !




Salute the nation

 

[Coach]

I would have went with Washington. More explosive and knows Rudolph better.

 

[Tibs]

I would have went with Washington. More explosive and knows Rudolph better.

You make it sound like Washington's not gonna play. The trio of JuJu, Johnson & Washington will be out there pretty much the entire game, with Switz getting a few snaps here and there.

 

[Vader]

Wait I thought they were going to run the ball more?

 

[Coach]

You make it sound like Washington's not gonna play. The trio of JuJu, Johnson & Washington will be out there pretty much the entire game, with Switz getting a few snaps here and there.

The goal should be able to make Rudolph more comfortable in his first road start. Washington would do that. If we want to run the ball, Washington is a good blocker. Johnson is a lightweight.


One thing is clear, the days of 5 wide are gone for now. We just don't have guys who can get open and catch it to play that formation. I'd rather use Samules and McDonald than our 4th WR.


Our best set, for now, might be Ju-Ju and Washington wide with Samuels being the extra TE / Wild card Receiver, and Conner being the lone back. This would allow us to run the ball well, and protect Rudolph a bit better. If they play dime or nickel, we run right at them. Convention 4-3, try covering Samuels with one of their LBs, and they would not have a 5th DB to take away the deep ball as easily. Our OC has to start using Samuels more often.