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We need a closer at RB

SteveA

SteveA

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Yes we won, but if Jackson found a way to get that final play into the end zone we collectively would have lamented James "The spinning dancer" Conner failed 3rd & 2 conversion attempt. We get a first down and the game is over. It's interesting to note on second down we chose to go 5 wide because our coaching staff also IMO, feels Conner is suspect at closing out games

ONCE AGAIN our RB's failed to get us a crucial first down to seal the game. I cannot remember the last time our RB sealed the deal. Seriously...Maybe someone here can recall the last time we never gave the ball back to the opposition with under 4 minutes left....

Even Bell wasn't great at it...It seems we always give them a chance for one more shot because we cannot run the clock out...Thank God our D has risen to the occasion, but man can Conner just "hit the hole" ?

I LOVE Conner as a pass catching back, but as a runner you gotta close out these games...

Hit the damn hole
 
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We need another Bettis. One that can punish the defense.
 
Should we have had the rats high power running game that couldn't convert 3rd and 5 with two chances, and coughed the ball up ending what could have been the game winning touchdown drive?
 
SteelerFan448 said:
I'm not sure where you wanted Conner to go on that play. Queen came in clean to make the stop.
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It's not just THAT play....when was the last time we held the ball for the final 4 minutes of a game? Or EVEN 3 minutes of a game

The guy dances WAAAAAAAYYYYYYY too much.
 
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SteveA said:
It's not just THAT play....when was the last time we held the ball for the final 4 minutes of a game? Or EVEN 3 minutes of a game

The guy dances WAAAAAAAYYYYYYY too much.
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I think WAAAAAYYYYYY too much would apply to a player like Bell.
Bell danced on nearly every carry.
 
I loved the call to throw it there on the last drive on second down. That was the right time if they were going to pass, not waiting until 3rd down. One more yard from DJ and the game is over. Then it was really 3rd-and-1 (not 3rd-and-2), and I also agreed with running it in that situation. Unfortunately, there was no hole for Conner to hit.
 
Didn't James Conner find a 1st down on 3rd and long against the **** to help seals the deal. I hear what you are saying but there is ONLY so much money vs the players you can sign, We are 7-0 and guess what........ Lamary didn't score and BETTIS didn't fumble.

What ifs work both ways and can get frustrating.




Salute the nation
 
In all fairness I find I yell at the TV when Conner is running more than any other Steeler...He just frustrates the hell out of me sometimes
 
SteveA said:
It's not just THAT play....when was the last time we held the ball for the final 4 minutes of a game? Or EVEN 3 minutes of a game

The guy dances WAAAAAAAYYYYYYY too much.
Click to expand...

Well, let's see...you have to go WAAAAAAAYYYYYYY back to a little over a month ago, week 3 against the Texans. Steelers up by 7, Houston has all 3 timeouts left. They got the ball on their on 31 with 4:47 left in the game -- 11 plays later, Ben takes a knee at the Houston 7. 6 runs, 2 short passes, 3 kneel downs on the drive. Game over.

Any other questions?
 
SteveA said:
In all fairness I find I yell at the TV when Conner is running more than any other Steeler...He just frustrates the hell out of me sometimes
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When EARTHQUAKE Spillane pick six-ed it I jumped up and screamed and both my cats about went through the window. I can relate




Salute the nation
 
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Benny snell proved capable this season. If not to punish a Defense, but at least to shoulder the load. IF conner is tired etc.. Let a fresh snell, come in . I didnt see much of him this last game.
 
Rb is not the problem. We have good RBs especially for short yardage situations. The issue is the design of the run game. The steelers don't move the pile. It's all east west runs. They need to get better at runs up the middle. Maybe it will get better when Watt is healthy at FB.
 
tapeANaspirin2it said:
Rb is not the problem. We have good RBs especially for short yardage situations. The issue is the design of the run game. The steelers don't move the pile. It's all east west runs. They need to get better at runs up the middle. Maybe it will get better when Watt is healthy at FB.
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He's not going to help them watching from the sidelines. I mean, it was a cool story to get the brothers on the same team, but it was kind of a waste of money to pay Watt that much only to play special teams.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
He's not going to help them watching from the sidelines. I mean, it was a cool story to get the brothers on the same team, but it was kind of a waste of money to pay Watt that much only to play special teams.
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i assume they did have a plan to use him, but with his injury and no training camp, maybe that was pushed to the side a bit. A power run game is needed. I'd like to see Ben under center with the RB and maybe FB behind him for some more traditional runs. In any case, Conner and Snell are not the issue with the lack of a reliable short yardage run game.
 
Snell needs more carries, especially late in the game as long as he can protect the football.


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It’s funny,when he ran into that wall and really had no choice but to spin and try to bounce it out,I thought of the people that would criticize him instantly on this board. That was not on him.......

I think he has had a good season so far. Considering he always seems to have to run out of shogun formation. I would love to see more snaps under center. Ben is obviously only comfortable in shotgun.
 
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Conner has closed out 3 games already on the ground. You're pissed that he missed a chance this time? Well we just stopped the great LJ on 4th and 3, maybe the Ravens need a new QB since they didn't convert? See how that sounds??

Kudos to Queen for blowing up that play. Sometimes the defense makes the play, just ask Spillane and Minkah!
 
I'm assuming you are speaking about the third and 1 and a 1/2 almost 2 on the Steelers last possession. I can 100% tell you that if you could transport a prime Jerome Bettis there he is not getting that first down. They were in goal line and there was no way they would pass. They had instant penetration along at least three gaps. If you want to blame anyone for the stress of the last plays, blame the soft middle on defense. Our all pro Free safety's first play of the game was the last one and it basically came RIGHT to him and it was still a little dodgey.
 
I would have run the touchdown play again and this time given it to Claypool. Queen would have had to go with Claypool or wait for Connor.
Wasn't Connor's fault, I didn't like the play call.
 
SteveA said:
In all fairness I find I yell at the TV when Conner is running more than any other Steeler...He just frustrates the hell out of me sometimes
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I wouldn't put that particular 3rd down on Conner. There really wasn't anywhere for him to go there. With that said, the man is incapable of breaking a tackle. He's great when nobody is touching him. I think he's able to find the holes when they're there. But if anybody gets a hand on him he's going down.

Would love to have somebody who could burrow through a line to just get those 2yrds when needed. It's not gonna happen with Conner.

imo, the running game is the most lacking aspect of this team. Sure, they'll come up with a nice run here and there. But inconsistent and totally unreliable for anything.
 
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short yardage stop using singleback set move henry to FB or Vance and running off tackle its taking to long for run to the outside just run a dive or blast
and use the I instead te hawkins and vance with the dt at FB straight up the gut with conner or Snell
 
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