The Steelers can not rely on Conner

[bigben]

Don't be surprised if our 2nd round pick is a running back.


Snell isn't it, and its clear Samules is a 3rd down back.


The guy I like a lot Travis Etienne from Clemson. Draft sites are underrated him, he'll rocket up the draft charts soon. I'd love to have him in round two. Super fast, yet has some moves and isn't easy to bring down. For two seasons he's averaged over 8 yards a carry.

Coach
I thought Conner was a better version of Leveon Bell at a fraction of the cost??
Did you actually start watching him play or did you finally listen to what I've been saying for 2+ years??
Don't ever try to judge talent at the RB position, ever again.
You are blind, and have zero the ability to objectively judge talent.

 

[thesteelcity]

Conner (when healthy) is a better option than Lev Bell, at the fraction of the cost. Conner, like JuJu, is a really good #2. This team really needs a workhorse back and a WR that can stretch the field so JuJu, JW and DJ can compliment him.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Conner (when healthy) is a better option than Lev Bell, at the fraction of the cost. Conner, like JuJu, is a really good #2. This team really needs a workhorse back and a WR that can stretch the field so JuJu, JW and DJ can compliment him.

Speaking of deep options, it is too bad we didn't sign John Brown. I know he was a player many of us wanted last year and he delivered.

I'd explore the market this year, but an unheralded guy who flashed last season is Robert Foster. He had 27 receptions for 541 yards and 3 touchdowns. Foster didn't have a role this year, so if the Bills allow him to walk, he's a guy I at least bring into camp and try to harness some of that untapped potential.

 

[Supersteeler]

Whether it's the chemo or whether Conner is just naturally injury prone, we definitely need a more dependable option. Conner may be capable of staying healthy as a 2nd RB but he sure isn't as a featured runner.

 

[paperclip]

aren't running backs a dime a dozen?

 

[mightyguru]

Build in the trenches first, imho.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Build in the trenches first, imho.

I am 100% behind this. Vikings got Brian O'Neill near the end of the second round in 2018 and he's already a top-10 right tackle. I like guys like Foster and Feiler, however we can find better talent for those positions.

 

[Badcat]

I disagree. He had us all forgetting about Bell last season. The man is coming off of an injury and playing with a 4th string QB that no one fears. Now, Benny was nothing special at Kentucky either. If you watch his highlights he ran downhill through open holes and was hard to bring down. He isn't shifty, fast, or have good vision. He'll be out of the league soon.

 

[thesteelcity]

Speaking of deep options, it is too bad we didn't sign John Brown. I know he was a player many of us wanted last year and he delivered.

I'd explore the market this year, but an unheralded guy who flashed last season is Robert Foster. He had 27 receptions for 541 yards and 3 touchdowns. Foster didn't have a role this year, so if the Bills allow him to walk, he's a guy I at least bring into camp and try to harness some of that untapped potential.

i wanted to sign John Brown but Buffalo scooped him up quickly. I thought he would have been a perfect replacement for AB. I like what he did in BAL.

 

[SteelerFan448]

i wanted to sign John Brown but Buffalo scooped him up quickly. I thought he would have been a perfect replacement for AB. I like what he did in BAL.

He was just what this team needed. Not a whole lot out there in 2020 FA, but some interesting names. Spending should be limited with decisions upcoming on guys like Dupree and Hargrave as well as a potential contract extensions.

 

[TDX27]

But yesterday was again ridiculous and ****** exactly what I said going into that game. If they do not have a back with at least 20 carries, they get what they deserve. Their highest was Snell with 7. That game was never beyond running the ball. The most they were down after half was three till the very end. They passed 37 times. So if you believe in Whyte, then run the ****** guy. Don't put him in their for a 5 yard carry and pull him. And to be honest don't put him in at all. Give the guy you have thje most belief in after Conner the ball 20 times which is really Snell.

Preaching to the choir here. I've been saying this for years with teams that run 2, 3 or 4 RB's. None of them get in a rhythm or really get going. Your lead back needs at least 20 touches, period. Now, some can be dump offs but if your lead dog is a 3 down guy, he should be getting closer to 25 touches. Look at teams like Green Bay, Cleveland and others. If there lead back gets 10 carries, they lose or don't score very much. Green Bay has had good RB's but Rodgers has been struggling the past few years because they never run the darn ball. The Steelers need to pick their lead dog who will get 20+ touches per game and everyone else gets the scraps. And, from what I am seeing right now, Whyte has to be in that discussion for next year. Give him an offseason in our system and he may blow past everyone.

 

[Steelers1356]

Conner is solid when he's healthy and playing. The problem of course has been his injuries. Is he injury prone or just the victim of a few unlucky hits? I think they'll give him one more season and then move on if he can't show any durability. I don't see us using a 2nd rounder on a RB this year since that's our only high pick unless he's a special talent.

 

[bigben]

I disagree. He had us all forgetting about Bell last season. The man is coming off of an injury and playing with a 4th string QB that no one fears. Now, Benny was nothing special at Kentucky either. If you watch his highlights he ran downhill through open holes and was hard to bring down. He isn't shifty, fast, or have good vision. He'll be out of the league soon.

Steelers were 31st in the league rushing last year. Conner had some great games until defenses started scheming to stop him. Then his production dropped and hasn't returned since.
I agree on Benny Snell, hell one could make an argument that our best runningback was on the Bears practice squad a month ago.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Whether it's the chemo or whether Conner is just naturally injury prone, we definitely need a more dependable option. Conner may be capable of staying healthy as a 2nd RB but he sure isn't as a featured runner.

I really think it was the chemo that destroyed his bodies ability to heal itself quick enough for life in the NFL. It is a shame because I think with proper play calling and formations he would have been a stud and made us totally forget about Bell. I doubt Bell would have done any better this year running the same plays these RBs were running. It has been a disaster. They really should have signed a FB to replace Nix when he went down. We needed to be running a lot more I formation and giving the backs a chance to hit a hole at speed rather than these side car deep handoffs which I detest. It would also allow for much more effective play action which helps with are deficiencies at QB.


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[Hoot]

JC is the best all around back in the stable, but he isn't doing the team any good from the tub. This is a reality for guys who run like he does. He gives it all up, gets hit a lot, and thus gets injured. Either change your running style or have a short career. Kid is a fighter, we all love that. He needs to spend the entire off season healing and strengthening muscle (not necessarily bulk) to help protect his joints. That or maybe see James Harrison's acupuncture guy.

Snell is, indeed, too slow but its nice to have a hammer once in a while. An interesting aspect of his game may well be his pass pro. I didn't watch it much but I recall some folks saying he was pretty good at it. If correct, he should also work on his hands to make him a legitimate threat to catch rather than blitz pick up. Not sure he can add any speed, but he should work with a speed and agility coach the entire off season.

Samuels is interesting change of pace guy. It was well known when he was drafted he was more of a pass catcher than a runner. He did not get a lot of running reps at NCSU and I am not sure he will pick up the instincts at this stage of his game. Not saying never, but unlikely without a lot of live reps and there arent many chances for those at this level.

Whyte is absolutely electric - I love his speed and shiftiness. He looks like a back in the open field, but he is not stout enough to just drop his shoulder and drive ahead for a hard yard or two. I don't think he can hold up to 25 touches a game for an entire season, however he can also return kicks/punts so that helps his stock.

I said in another thread that they should use the 2cnd and comp pick in the third for a WR and a RB in no particular order. Depends on how the board falls out and how FA falls out. But without a doubt, the team needs a more all around RB and I would make it very clear that the starter job is wide open going into camp.

But - make no mistake about this...the running game will get a boost simply by having Ben back in the game. Running against 8, 9, and even 10 guys in the box is never going to work consistently.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Steelers were 31st in the league rushing last year. Conner had some great games until defenses started scheming to stop him. Then his production dropped and hasn't returned since.
I agree on Benny Snell, hell one could make an argument that our best runningback was on the Bears practice squad a month ago.

Conner had 706 yards on 151 carries (4.7 YPC) and 9 touchdowns through the first eight games. He only played in five of the final eight games, but averaged at least 4.0 YPC in four of the five games, yet never carried the ball more than 15 times over that stretch. Defenses didn't stop Conner, the Steelers just stopped running the ball. Big reason why they struggled the second half of the season.

 

[TDX27]

The Steelers did make a decision to not run the ball many times. Even last year when Conner was running well, he'd have a couple great games and then nothing because they didn't use him. It made no sense.. Now, this year, the O-line has sucked and Conner has been injured more often than not. For the first half of the season, no matter who the RB was, as soon as they got the ball in the backfield, they were being tackled. Teams had 8 or 9 men in the box. And, our O-line looked even worse because of it.

 

[Spike]

I'd rather draft offensive line. They could use an upgrade at left guard and right tackle. You can find plug and play starters in the second and third rounds for each spot.

Horseshit - we have no #1 WR or #1 RB

We want STARS, GAMEBREAKERS that can score on every play. They had their chance, and showed they are backups

We need WEAPONS for Ben's last few games!

Load up on offense! This team is seriously lacking in talent compared to other teams, look around the league! We aint got ****.

How many TDs are fat ***** on the Oline gonna score anyway?

They just need Ben back, he will make the Oline look all world again

 

[Spike]

Meanwhile Seattle is bringing in CJ Anderson and Marshawn Lynch for workouts, of course, they are trying to win

 

[MTC]

Horseshit - we have no #1 WR or #1 RB

We want STARS, GAMEBREAKERS that can score on every play. They had their chance, and showed they are backups

We need WEAPONS for Ben's last few games!

Load up on offense! This team is seriously lacking in talent compared to other teams, look around the league! We aint got ****.

How many TDs are fat ***** on the Oline gonna score anyway?

They just need Ben back, he will make the Oline look all world again

Time to go 5 wide again

 

[Spike]

Time to go 5 wide again

If only we had 5 starting caliber WRs, maybe next year

 

[Steelworth]

I would be very surprised, I rather they go the vet FA way. It's easier to find a proven commodity there and invest the 2nd round in Oline or TE which are more expensive in the FA market

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Absolutely.

 

[F83]

AP push for a ring split with conner

 

[madinsomniac]

aren't running backs a dime a dozen?

They are... and we likely don’t need a premium pick wasted on one... fix the O line and you fix the RB issue... mostly just fix the blocking schemes... they are a mess... history shows youbare as likely to get an all pro rb late as early... its not worth paying a guy big money or spending a high pick on..

. throw a third at it occasionally... other than that get a good developmental position coach and get a good oline... I don’t think our oline is as bad as it is because of lack of talent over one year either... fix that and we will be fine...

 

[Hoot]

mostly just fix the blocking schemes... they are a mess... .

There are only 5 OL and, most times, a single TE. That is 6 blockers in the box for most ACE formations. Against a 7 man box, the defense has a one hat advantage. There are ways to deal with that but that isn't what we faced. We faced 8, 9, and sometimes 10 in the box. Blocking schemes alone won't fix that. One hat can not block two hats, that is reality. I'd be interested in understanding what you think is messy with the current blocking schemes.