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Maurkice Pouncey to Dri Archer and Steelers return teams: "We need to get past the 15

I won't disagree w comments on Archer (he was equally responsible for being a rook and not setting his pathetic attempts at blocking up). However, my point is that Special TEAMS are 11 players and there are good ones and bad ones...we have had bad ones.

Hester, was always good at punt returns, however, did you know he had more punt return attempts his rookie year w Chicago than he did his ENTIRE college career? Did you know that when he left Chicago before last year that his replacements (Chris Williams and Marc Mariani) both had over 24yds/KR? The team average actually went UP after Hester left. (he had a higher avg though).

Marcus Wheaton was used for KR in 2013. He averaged 18.5yds/KR...in 2014, he averaged 24.7/KR. He got much better in his 2nd year. I'm not sure our ST unit got better.

As good as AB has been (at everything), he averaged 10.6yds/PR last year. Dri had exactly ONE PR for 2 yds.

The coaches weren't comfortable w Dri's level of understanding of our ST schemes and his level of understanding of how they need the 'set-ups' to make things work. Dri thought he could just do 'his thing' like he did at college.
BTW, Kent State, as a team had an avg KR of 21.65 in 2012 and 17.42 in 2013. Dri's average for KR at KSt. in 2012 was 36.9 on 16 attempts. In 2013, it was 64 on only 2 attempts. He is far and away better than the ST unit he played on. MAYBE he will be able to contribute more in year 2, maybe not. I don't care as we have to get our pathetic ST squad better than they have been with whomever is back there.

Hester had his best year ever returning kicks in 2013 averaging 27.6 so I don;t know what you are trying to say .
 
I'd say bring Bobby Love back.............that had to be near our LAST way good ST coach. Whats so FlUCKING hard about reconizing there is a problem there?????? Imagin a 10 to 18 yard difference, possibly more. That is huge in a game. NOT always starting at the 22 or less. Holding them to near then twenty. That could easily equate to a 6-9 point difference in a game. I think we need to address the coaching aspect of STs, all the way around. OH, and as far as Dri gooes, his short legs will get him there, fast or not. I truely do hope the best and success for him as a STEELERS, but I am also realistic and can't wait much longer. UNLESS we see improvement with in fist 4-6 games, i say cut city and door boot, along with mike adams. Maybe they could car pool out a there.........



Salute the nation
 
I'd say bring Bobby Love back.............that had to be near our LAST way good ST coach. Whats so FlUCKING hard about reconizing there is a problem there?????? Imagin a 10 to 18 yard difference, possibly more. That is huge in a game. NOT always starting at the 22 or less. Holding them to near then twenty. That could easily equate to a 6-9 point difference in a game. I think we need to address the coaching aspect of STs, all the way around. OH, and as far as Dri gooes, his short legs will get him there, fast or not. I truely do hope the best and success for him as a STEELERS, but I am also realistic and can't wait much longer. UNLESS we see improvement with in fist 4-6 games, i say cut city and door boot, along with mike adams. Maybe they could car pool out a there.........



Salute the nation

Bob ' Butterbean " Love was a great forward on the 70s Chicago Bulls along with Chet Walker, Tom Boerwinkle, Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier , etc. but I don't think he would be a good special team coach. But then again probably better better than anyone Tomlin stupidly keeps trotting out in year 9 of poor special teams.
 
I am nowhere near a tomlin supporter, but our special teams were not that great under cowher either. Not sure where the issue lies, but they have to figure out something.
 
Hester had his best year ever returning kicks in 2013 averaging 27.6 so I don;t know what you are trying to say .

From my original text: "However, my point is that Special TEAMS are 11 players and there are good ones and bad ones...we have had bad ones."
and
"The team average actually went UP after Hester left. (he had a higher avg though)."

What I meant is exactly what I said. Chicago has a good ST unit. We have not...for a long time. As I stated, Hester's numbers were good in 2013 but as a team, the unit average was lower than after Hester left with guys we've never heard of (not Hester).

In other words: When a RB is carrying a 2ypc avg, it might be because he sucks...BUT it might also be that he is being met in his own backfield by an unblocked defender more often than not. Sabe?
 
The Bears averaged a combined 23.5 yards per return last year the team average went DOWN.

You keep contradicting yourself
 
I am nowhere near a tomlin supporter, but our special teams were not that great under cowher either. Not sure where the issue lies, but they have to figure out something.

Like I said, lousy Special Teams are the Steeler Way. The last good kickoff returner we had was Rod Woodson.
 
Steelers RB Archer trying to catch up after tough rookie season
By Ralph N. Paulk Steelers/NASCAR Reporter
Monday, July 27, 2015, 10:12 p.m.
Updated 8 hours ago

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Admittedly, there's a mammoth chip sitting squarely on the shoulders of second-year running back Dri Archer.

The Steelers didn't necessarily rub him the wrong way when they delved into free agency to sign veteran DeAngelo Williams with the purpose of plugging him into the lineup while Le'Veon Bell serves out a three-game suspension, beginning with the season opener at New England.

But the Steelers might have been hesitant to commit to Archer, in part because he didn't have much of a chance to showcase the speed that made him a dangerous playmaker while at Kent State. He touched the ball during the 2014 regular season only 27 times, including 10 rushing attempts for 40 yards.

Also, while there aren't questions about his toughness, there are doubts his slender 5-foot-8, 173-pound frame can withstand the inevitable body blows absorbed running between the tackles.

“People have being saying that about me my whole life,” Archer said before Monday afternoon's practice at St. Vincent. “At every level, I've heard it. At every level, I've been successful.”

So far, he's stalled in the starting blocks in the NFL. Yet, his coaches and teammates expect him to hit his stride this season.

“I believe if Dri hits his stride, we'll have another weapon in the toolbox,” guard David DeCastro said. “He isn't just feeling his way around anymore. He's a much more confident player.”

More importantly, Archer believes he can turn this supposedly make-or-break season into something special. But he'll need to be versatile. It's why coach Mike Tomlin watched him with interest during punt return drills. It's why running backs coach James Saxon schooled him during seven-on-seven drills.

“I've been striving to prove everyone wrong,” said Archer, a third-round pick in 2014. “But people are going to talk. I'm not feeling any pressure because I know what I'm capable of.”

Offensive coordinator Todd Haley said Archer will have a chance to prove he can both take and deliver punches long after Bell returns. Haley, though, is expected to test Williams and Josh Harris even more during the preseason.

Archer still is likely to get plenty of work during the exhibitions — including the Hall of Fame game Aug. 9 in Canton, Ohio.

Archer spent much of the offseason grinding through his playbook. The Steelers will test him in the backfield and at the slot, but special teams coach Danny Smith wants him to excel on kickoff returns, where he averaged only 17.9 yards on nine attempts.

“I'm just trying to fit in,” Archer said. “I just want the ball in my hands to make something happen.

“They (coaches) are doing a good job of moving me around, putting me in the slot to keep the defense on its toes. I feel more comfortable because I know all the calls.”

Archer and third-year receiver Markus Wheaton, who shared kickoff return duties last year, aren't sure how things will pan out when the regular season begins. However, Archer will get the majority of the kickoff return chances during the preseason.

“I think everyone wants him to excel, because that's why they drafted him,” Wheaton said. “He's so fast, sometimes he wants to do everything to show just how fast he is. But I think things are slowing down for him.

“If you watched Le'Veon last season, he was very patient. Dri was going 100 mph, but he's come a long way. You can see him setting up his blocks better.”

Ralph N. Paulk is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at rpaulk@tribweb.com or via Twitter @RalphPaulk_Trib.

By the numbers

Dri Archer statistics in 2014:

Rushing: 10 attempts, 40 yards

Receiving: 7 catches, 23 yards

Kickoffs: 9 returns, 17.9 avg.

Punt returns: 1 for 2 yards
 
Bob ' Butterbean " Love was a great forward on the 70s Chicago Bulls along with Chet Walker, Tom Boerwinkle, Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier , etc. but I don't think he would be a good special team coach. But then again probably better better than anyone Tomlin stupidly keeps trotting out in year 9 of poor special teams.



WOW, I am impressed with your V-A-S-T knowledge of nothing................ Thank you for letting me know what the NBA is about. I'll stick to this FOOTBALL message board and my lack of prcision memory, thank you



Salute the nation
 
I am nowhere near a tomlin supporter, but our special teams were not that great under cowher either. Not sure where the issue lies, but they have to figure out something.

Didn't the Cowher special teams successfully recover an onside kick in the Superbowl against the cry boys? That is a fairly good play I think. I suspect they were much better than what we have now as well.
 
Didn't the Cowher special teams successfully recover an onside kick in the Superbowl against the cry boys? That is a fairly good play I think. I suspect they were much better than what we have now as well.

Didn't Cowher special teams give up two special team TDs to lose to the patriots in the 2001 championship game. Just amazes the selective memory around here.
 
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Special Teams are being proven to be an integral part of winning...especially punt returns (The NFL has basically been trying to kill KO returns)...

I'd be perfectly fine with signing a return specialist like Hester just because of field position.
 
(The NFL has basically been trying to kill KO returns)...

Which all good Steeler fans should be in favor of. If they started every drive from the 20, on average it would be an improvement in field position. Hell, McCullers could be the return man, just tell him don't touch nuthin' and let it roll into the end zone every time.
 
Which all good Steeler fans should be in favor of. If they started every drive from the 20, on average it would be an improvement in field position. Hell, McCullers could be the return man, just tell him don't touch nuthin' and let it roll into the end zone every time.


If McCullers did happen to snag one, then run it out, HELL, maybe our average would still go up................




Salute the nation
 
The Bears averaged a combined 23.5 yards per return last year the team average went DOWN.

You keep contradicting yourself

The Bears had a TEAM avg KR of 23.1ypr in 2013 with Hester...in 2014 they had a TEAM avg KR of 23.5

Keep trying but nothing I stated wasn't true. My point again is that the Bears have a good ST unit, we do not.
 
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