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How Good is James Conner–really?

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Since Le’Veon Bell went to the Jets for “more money,” the Steelers run game has been mediocre–at best. Sure, in 2018, we had some great moments including James Conner nearing 1,000 yds (and scoring 12 Tds) and Jalyen Samuels going for 172 yards against the Patriots. But the simple truth is, the Steelers ran the […]

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It's not Connor you should be asking about, it's Bell. James Conner last year versus this year has many explanations. 1. He's sharing carries more this season than last. 2. Since Munchak left, the line has looked like ****. 3. Defenses are stacking the box to force Mason to win the game with his arm.


Connor is averaging more yards per carry than Bell. So, just how good is Bell really? He doesn't have a gunslinger QB like he did with Ben and he certainly don't have the offensive line that he did here in Pittsburgh. He doesn't have the luxury of patiently waiting for the hole to open....it just doesn't anymore.


The offense is finding it's identity right now and it's pretty fun to watch these guys grow into their respective roles.
 
I don't think Bell would be doing well here this year. Lots of negative yard plays.
 
Conner is a better running back than Bell is at this point in time and much cheaper on the cap.

Conner has two problems.

1 ) he gets dinged up / hurt to easily

2) he can be fumble prone when fighting for extra yardage.

The best solution is to mix in Samuels like we did last game. IMO Samuels has speed to make defenders worry about wider runs and can make a defender miss.


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Conner is just fine. Our O line has been horrendous in run blocking. We finally had 2 decent runs in this past game and then they got cocky on 3rd and 3 and tried to run it. We lost 2 or 3 yards because there were 5 white shirts waiting for Conner when he got the hand off. It doesn't matter who we have running right now because the line sucks. We had to use the wildcat to try and get some room to run.

With that said, I do like Samuels back there as well. If Conner fumbles another one, I have a feeling he won''t be the starter for a while.
 
a faster version of Dwyer with more versatility
 
TDX27 said:
Conner is just fine. Our O line has been horrendous in run blocking. We finally had 2 decent runs in this past game and then they got cocky on 3rd and 3 and tried to run it. We lost 2 or 3 yards because there were 5 white shirts waiting for Conner when he got the hand off. It doesn't matter who we have running right now because the line sucks. We had to use the wildcat to try and get some room to run.

With that said, I do like Samuels back there as well. If Conner fumbles another one, I have a feeling he won''t be the starter for a while.
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In my opinion an over use of short passes will bring the defense closer to the line of scrimmage making it harder for the running backs to make a move once they hit the hole. Sometimes the backs get hit behind the LOS.

With Ben in their he could extend plays and beat you deep. Defenses had to respect that and keep their safeties back .

I’m with you on the fumbles.

Once nix comes back I’d like to see him paired with Samuels on occasion.


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honestly, i like conner's story and all, but, he's too injury-prone and fumble-prone for my liking. it's not like he's some vital piece to a championship-caliber team, he's pretty replaceable in the big scheme of things. i actually prefer samuels to him.
 
F83 said:
a faster version of Dwyer with more versatility
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...ummmm if Dwyer had 200 receptions in college and could run the wildcat. And not get tackled by the first guy...
 
I like James and JaySam a lot but only to be used either together in the backfield or running back by committee. Just do not think either is a premier or feature back but very good complementary backs.


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Sigh...

Le'Veon Bell: 56 / 163 - 2.9 ave | 20 / 121 - 6.1 ave : Season Total Yrds: 284. Per Game Ave: 94.666 (Fumbles 1) TD (1) Longest Rush: 17

James Conner: 44 / 139 - 3.2 ave | 19 / 153 - 8.1 ave: Season Total Yrds: 292. Per Game Ave 97.333 (Fumbles 1) TD (1) Longest Rush: 21

Even though we're bitching about how he's been playing. He's STILL better or as good in every category than Bell.
 
Bell overrated Wig. I like a back like Leonard Fontenot of the Jags. He’s a feature back to carry the load and to feature him with complimentary backs like Connor and JaySam, look out daddy.


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Why compare him to bell? Will bell be coming back,.....soon? As wig shows, Connor surpasses bell all down the stat line. Madden football is not the NFL and James Conner could be better but he could be a hell of a lot worse as well. Our OL isn't playing near the same level as last year either, something that directly affects the RB position.




Salute the nation
 
Bell & Conner BOTH suck...After 4 games

Bell has 163 yards rushing 2.9 yards per carry

Conner 139 yards rushing 3.2 yards per carry
 
It's true. The running game across the board is pretty crappy for the Steelers. I just get SO tired of Conner being referred to or implied as a step down to Bell. That is simply NOT the case.
 
SteveA said:
Bell & Conner BOTH suck...After 4 games

Bell has 163 yards rushing 2.9 yards per carry

Conner 139 yards rushing 3.2 yards per carry
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It's not that they "suck", their respective offensive lines aren't blocking well and neither of them have feared passing games to keep the safeties out of the box. Walter Peyton couldn't do much better under these circumstances.
 
The STATS don't lie...They both suck
 
steelhurt said:
Bell overrated Wig. I like a back like Leonard Fontenot of the Jags. He’s a feature back to carry the load and to feature him with complimentary backs like Connor and JaySam, look out daddy.


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Click to expand...

an uncle is a Jaguars fan. ******* non stop about Fournette.
 
SteveA said:
The STATS don't lie...They both suck
Click to expand...
Stats often paint an inaccurate picture. I think Foster is long in the tooth. They should rotate in BJ. If your line isn't performing up to snuff or teams are stacking the box the stats are going to suffer as result.

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SteveA said:
The STATS don't lie...They both suck
Click to expand...

It's been FOUR GAMES. Conner has played against the #1 overall defense, the #3 overall defense, and the #8 overall defense in terms of yards allowed.

Three games against some of the best defenses in the NFL. The line was not great. Conner was not great. He played a poor defense and put up 125 yards and a TD.

So maybe he is not as bad as you state, and in the course of 16 games, against all types of defenses, he does pretty well.
 
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