• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

The running Back thread

M

madinsomniac

Regular Member
Member
Joined
May 9, 2014
Messages
21,904
Reaction score
25,503
Points
113
Location
LP in the burgh
Hopefully DW is fine and will go... he reportedly left the facility in a boot though... if not the other two RBs are Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman. Toussaint is only a second year player... in 24 carries over two seasons he averages 2.2 YPC, Todman has been in the league since 2011, and we are his 5th team... he does have 115 carries for a 4.1 YPC average, and last year had 32 carries for 5.8 ypc with Jacksonville... he only has seen 4 carries this season though. In his career He has three 20+ yard runs and one over 40 yards (68)

Here is a draft report from 11 on Todman
Todman is a downhill runner in a scat back's body that may lack the size to take the pounding at the next level. He quickly finds openings and has the burst to exploit seams, but he initiates contact in the open field which could get him injured in the NFL. He also lacks experience as a receiver and was regularly on the sidelines on third down. However, he took a kick to the house in college and could make an immediate impact as a return man. Todman may not be a bell cow, but he is a shifty back that could sneak into Day 2

Toussaint played in a better known program, and had solid combine numbers, but his injury and suspension history may have knocked him into UFA status

the bottom line is both have potential, Todman is a bit more polished and has been in the system longer. despite the scouting report about him as a receiver, he actually has 40 catches for 315 yards and 2 tds... 2 20+ plays as well....


I'm thinking our best bet if Williams is sidelined is probably Todman... Toussaint just doesn't have a lot of time in the system or any proven NFL track record. I think Toussaint might end up a better long term player, but in a one shot game you kind of have to play who is ready now.... and I am not sure what we saw today out of him screams ready for a playoff game.....
 
I don't get it either. The better RB ( IMO) ( he actually has 40 catches for 315 yards and 2 tds... 2 20+ plays as well) was inactive. Was he hurt ? Again we are left with a potential player on the bench while the guy on the field under-performs, not to mention his return ability while we use two starting WR's to return kicks..great, just great..
 
Play the one better in blitz recognition and pick up. Neither is going to give you a hell of a lot on the ground. Which Is why I said I wanted an experienced back like Pierre Thomas when Bell was hurt. You aren't getting running production from any of them, but at least you can get some blitz pick up and maybe a few plays from a vet.
 
Time for Tomlin to bring in a new RB, one who's been in the system 5 days, and give him all the carries while our season long backs get no action. (Tate flashbacks).
 
Even if deangelo is available the three RBs should get a helmet next week
 
antdrewjosh said:
Report: Steelers' Williams has sprained ankle, could play vs. Bengals
http://www.thescore.com/news/924757
(via http://thesco.re/theScore_app )
Click to expand...
In the Nov. 1st Game LeVeon Bell rushed 10 times for 45 yards and D. Williams rushed 9 times for 71 yards one carry for 55 yards.
In the 12/13 game DeAngelo Williams rushed 23 times for 76 yards and 2 TD's with a longest carry of 15 yards!
Two things are evident for the Saturday night game the Steelers WILL need an effective running game and the Steelers WILL need a HEALTHY DeAngelo Williams!
 
Tomlin/Haley need to do a better job of platooning their backs. Not saying that this would prevent injury to Bell or Williams, but it would get guys like Toussaint, Todman and even Will Johnson time to get some game reps with the offense at actual game speed. You need to know what you got in the stable at game time. Toussaint didn't look confident in his running yesterday. His pass protection was okay.
 
There is an article on steelers*****.com titled "The Steelers have likely learned from Ben tate experience last year."
Is that a joke?
I see the same predicament, Starter goes down without a viable backup.
Learning would have been bringing in a RB with NFL experience behind Williams.
They learned if you roll the dice on 1 starter with no experienced backups the same thing could happen two years in a row. Which it did.
 
I'm fine with the players on our roster.
 
It seems as though every team can find a star running back off the scrap heap. Hopefully we are one of those teams this year, but I don't feel confident from the limited action we've seen from these guys.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
It seems as though every team can find a star running back off the scrap heap. Hopefully we are one of those teams this year, but I don't feel confident from the limited action we've seen from these guys.
Click to expand...

Really don't know one way or another actually because of their lack of playing time. At least the coaches have seen them in practice......I guess.
 
stillwright said:
I'm fine with the players on our roster.
Click to expand...

if this was happening with a few weeks left id be all for getting a guy... and if we think it may be long term and we want to sign someone for potentially three weeks down the road, great... but not bringing a guy in on wed to play sat... or even next week...
 
As well as William's has played this year, I don't think opponents were actually game planning for him. If Ben comes out sharp and can find AB, Miller and the other WRs, I think we'll do fine with the RBs we have on the roster now. And, if Williams is able to, at least, line up in the backfield for a few snaps to draw attention, while allowing us to rotate the other guys in, I think we'll be OK at RB.

This game totally comes down to how sharp Ben is, and if our defense can finally make a second string QB in AJ McCarron look like a second string QB and not the second coming of Joe Montana. As far as the RBs, all we need is for them to hold on to the ball when given carries, and to gain just enough yards that the defense can't totally tee-off on the pass.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top