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Steelers sign RB

Looks like he was traded around last season. Hmmmmm. I dunno.
 
Yeah. Strange
 
It's a move to get rid of J-Sam? Kid did make 82 catches for 684 yards during his career at AZ State. So, there is some ability to catch out of the backfield (J-Sam's claim to fame) while also being a more natural RB (although not an especially remarkable one).

Edit: Actually, if that's the case, it's a shrewd move. It allows them the flexibility of picking up a 3rd - 4th round RB and going RB by committee if the Big Three RBs are all gone when their pick comes up at 1:24. I like the thinking if that's what prompted the move.... Just not sure about the player (Ballage). They probably could have snapped Conner back up for what they're paying this guy.
 
We are midway through the second week of free agency. Players are wanting not to get stuck without a chance to make a club. I guess Conner wanted a change of scenery.
 
Love the signing...

Kid was high on my list when coming out of ASU....not sure why he's never made it?

HAs all the attributes...and is a baller..at least in college he was..

If he stays healthy....he could be a major contributor for us...
 
Another bizarre move to add more camp bodies and see who sticks. Still need to draft Harris, Etienne or Williams.
 
Guess who outdueled Mahomes and scored an NCAA record 8 TD's in single game back with Arizona State? You guessed right. A lot of looks out of the wildcat, probably caught the Steelers' eye. Why not take a shot at the kid, prob for vet minimum. Looking forward to what Ballage can do with a whole offseason in the program, with OTA's, training camp et al.


 
Background info from the draft, profiles in the Leveon Bell, David Johnson mold, though seems to have quite a bit more speed than those two. Has obviously done **** thus far in the NFL, so this will be like starting from scratch for him.

Measuring 6’1 and weighing in at 228 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, Ballage impressed right out of the gate. With a rare combination of size and speed, NFL comparisons for him are players likes Le’Veon Bell and David Johnson — who he tries to emulate.
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“I think those are the two best guys playing the game right now,” Ballage said, via DraftWire. “I can get out there and run routes with the best of them. I have the ability to catch a lot of footballs. I believe that I’m capable of doing everything that entails being a great running back.”

Ballage ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds, which is phenomenal for a player his size. His broad jump of 122.0 inches and three-cone drill of 6.91 seconds were also among the best for running backs. At the Senior Bowl, he impressed coaches and fans alike as well. Many believe he wasn’t well-used at Arizona State overall, and the offensive line play was generally not particularly good.

Ballage will leave some yards on the field with his upright running style and north-south focus, but those are issues that can be coached up. He’s bruising and fast at the same time. The fact that he can move that much faster than players 20 pounds lighter than him is ridiculous.

As a receiver, he runs clean routes. His hands are good, though he’s had the occasional issues with fumbles. He’s very similar to Bell in how he runs his routes and goes after passes thrown his way. And he is capable as a blocking back, always a major concern for rookies.
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There is a lot to like about Ballage for the NFL. To go along with size, he is surprisingly fast, possessing a real burst with first-step quickness to hit the hole before it closes. Ballage has easy acceleration to the second level with another gear in the open field to break off long runs. He is a smooth runner who can glide through defenses and weave his way to extra yardage.
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Even though Ballage is a big back, he is more elusive in the open field than a power runner who runs through tackles. Ballage is shifty and can make defenders miss in the open field. He has surprising moves and is not a typical big back who can't beat defenders with cutting ability. Ballage uses those moves to dodge tacklers rather than run through them. Even though he has big size, Ballage is not a physical runner who runs over defenders regularly. At the Senior Bowl, he ran with more violence and aggression, but that was not the norm for him in college.

As a receiving back for the NFL, Ballage is very impressive. He has soft hands to make receptions and runs good routes. Ballage finds open space for his quarterback and uses his instant acceleration to take check downs for good gains. On top being a skilled receiver, Ballage flashes better blocking and pass protection than you see out of a lot of college backs these days. Ballage's ability contribute in the passing game is very advanced.
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POSITIVES
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—Ballage is a "first off the bus" kind of guy who is an uber-athlete at the position.

—He has a toolset that is perfect for the NFL with power, speed, hands and versatility as a route-runner.

—Had moments of huge production as a runner, receiver and returner. He can play multiple spots.

—Teams that want a back who can catch will like Ballage. He has natural hands and is a smooth route-runner.

—Ballage can run with power and balance while bringing burst to his game. His good runs make your jaw drop and convince you he could be a starting NFL running back.
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Agreeing with sentiment that unless we upgrade our O-Line, and I mean SEVERELY, doesn't matter who's chuckin' balls nor toting the rock.
Great lines make average backs look better.
And unless you're Barry Sanders, no RB ever made a garbage O-Line look good.

Were FWP and/or SpinThenFall good runningbacks?
Bam Morris and/or Barry Foster anyone?

How about our cavalcade of craptactular QBs between Bradshaw and Ben?
We saw glimpses of a season or two because they were afforded time and space behind awesome lines.

Swap Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith and you probably have your first ever and only ever 3,000 yard rushing season from a RB in Sanders.
And while Emmitt was a tough SOB that played hurt, gave 100% every snap, and sill would have played forever and probably been top 10 all-time, he would not be king, and probably not top 5 behind Detroit's lines, or maybe anyone else's for that matter.

Building a team from scratch?
I'm starting with the lines on both sides of the ball.
 
Tibs said:
Guess who outdueled Mahomes and scored an NCAA record 8 TD's in single game back with Arizona State? You guessed right. A lot of looks out of the wildcat, probably caught the Steelers' eye. Why not take a shot at the kid, prob for vet minimum. Looking forward to what Ballage can do with a whole offseason in the program, with OTA's, training camp et al.


Click to expand...

I like his answers in the post game interview starting at 7:27
 
fedderone said:
Agreeing with sentiment that unless we upgrade our O-Line, and I mean SEVERELY, doesn't matter who's chuckin' balls nor toting the rock.
Great lines make average backs look better.
And unless you're Barry Sanders, no RB ever made a garbage O-Line look good.

Were FWP and/or SpinThenFall good runningbacks?
Bam Morris and/or Barry Foster anyone?

How about our cavalcade of craptactular QBs between Bradshaw and Ben?
We saw glimpses of a season or two because they were afforded time and space behind awesome lines.

Swap Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith and you probably have your first ever and only ever 3,000 yard rushing season from a RB in Sanders.
And while Emmitt was a tough SOB that played hurt, gave 100% every snap, and sill would have played forever and probably been top 10 all-time, he would not be king, and probably not top 5 behind Detroit's lines, or maybe anyone else's for that matter.

Building a team from scratch?
I'm starting with the lines on both sides of the ball.
Click to expand...

Who in their right mind wouldn't agree with this post ? Ballage obviously is no Barry or Emmitt but he could contribute in a replacement of JaySam. I'm sure this is more of a "see who sticks" type signing and is not our answer at running back as 1st or 2nd round will solve that need.

GREAT post "LEGEND" fedderone and my only question to you is....... was this written in your spare time ?

To be clear, I want LT @ 1.24



Salute the nation
 
Right now he is the best running back on the Steelers roster. I like the signing. If they draft Harris in the first, December football could bounce to the Steelers favor in the North with Harris and Ballage. He ain’t a little back. This is the end of the road for either Benny Snell or Jaylen Samuels
 
Hey, the guy averaged 4.3 ypc for the Jets!



(on 3 rushes)
 
SteelBuckeye said:
It's a move to get rid of J-Sam? Kid did make 82 catches for 684 yards during his career at AZ State. So, there is some ability to catch out of the backfield (J-Sam's claim to fame) while also being a more natural RB (although not an especially remarkable one).

Edit: Actually, if that's the case, it's a shrewd move. It allows them the flexibility of picking up a 3rd - 4th round RB and going RB by committee if the Big Three RBs are all gone when their pick comes up at 1:24. I like the thinking if that's what prompted the move.... Just not sure about the player (Ballage). They probably could have snapped Conner back up for what they're paying this guy.
Click to expand...
Guess I missed the news. Did Conner sign elsewhere or is he just a free agent that didn't get an offer from the Steelers?
 
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