Backup RB's

[Avoid_Lloyd]

Very interesting performances last night.

Warren looks damn good, I heard he fumbled once NFL network broke their coverage off, I didn't see that but what I did see looked darn good

McFarland ran better than I've ever seen, that needs to be repeated before I'm sold on him tho.

Snell hasn't been good but I know they love him on special teams.

I've been pushing hard for bringing in an established back from the outside, cutting McFarland, and keeping Snell (for special teams mostly) and Warren, but am torn now...

 

[BLITZ]

Warren looks like he should have been drafted. He is a keeper. Mcfarland surprised me last night. He looked like he did in college. Snell needs to get healthy if he wants a chance at making this team

 

[TDX27]

Snell is not a good No. 2 guy. He has shown little in his time with the Steelers. Neither has McFarland but he did look good last night for the first time since being drafted. I definitely keep Warren and the rest is left to be seen but if Snell misses another week, my thoughts would be to let him go. I have no problem going with the UDFA guys.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Warren played real well. He was physical and did a good job breaking tackles. I was impressed with his hands in the passing game as well. It looks like he can be a good all-around backup, the concern is the fumble. Apparently he had one or two at practice as well.

 

[Chicoman]

Anthony McFarland did very well last night. Making defenders miss and he showed his ability to break way from arm tackles. Jaylen Warren is a load....the kid can really run the football. Also I'm very interested in Master Teague III. He showed good pass blocking ability and the kid can run the football. I can see Teague making the PS and the other 2 landing a Roster Spot. I'm starting to think Benny Snell's time in the Burgh is done despite good special teams play and his ability to pass protect. It'll be interesting to watch these kids over the next 2 pre-season games. We've got some serious depth at the RB & WR positions. Going to be difficult to narrow the rosters down on those positions.

 

[steelreeling]

Warren looks like he should have been drafted. He is a keeper. Mcfarland surprised me last night. He looked like he did in college. Snell needs to get healthy if he wants a chance at making this team

This game gives you ALOT of hope for Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada. The runs that McFarland was called on for and the passing plays took advantage of every single strength for these players.

NOW... how good is:
Warren? - eh, breaking tackles in the NFL hasn't been thing for a while. More like 3rd and Renfrow with a "rub concept" thrown in there. Are the Seahawks shmucks? Can Warren consistently make yards after initial contact in-season; in pressure situations like 3&5? idk
McF? - why could not the Seafags catch him in the open field? Is McF just that quick now? All evidence, albeit incredibly small, from last year suggests that No, McF is not that fast. We shall see.
Boykin, Miller, Gunner? - honestly i idk. The play calls were just phenomenal for these guys. The outside (shoulder) quick and intermediate takes advantage of the size matchup advantages. The quick crossing and slant routes showed off Gunner's separation, veteran experience. Can they perform like this against DBs whom are not scrubs? to be determined.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

This game gives you ALOT of hope for Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada. The runs that McFarland was called on for and the passing plays took advantage of every single strength for these players.

NOW... how good is:
Warren? - eh, breaking tackles in the NFL hasn't been thing for a while. More like 3rd and Renfrow with a "rub concept" thrown in there. Are the Seahawks shmucks? Can Warren consistently make yards after initial contact in-season; in pressure situations like 3&5? idk
McF? - why could not the Seafags catch him in the open field? Is McF just that quick now? All evidence, albeit incredibly small, from last year suggests that No, McF is not that fast. We shall see.
Boykin, Miller, Gunner? - honestly i idk. The play calls were just phenomenal for these guys. The outside (shoulder) quick and intermediate takes advantage of the size matchup advantages. The quick crossing and slant routes showed off Gunner's separation, veteran experience. Can they perform like this against DBs whom are not scrubs? to be determined.

McFarland has always been that quick but he wasn't patient and was making too many unnecessary moves previously. Looks like the light bulb has turned on for him on being more efficient with his runs.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

McFarland has always been that quick but he wasn't patient and was making too many unnecessary moves previously. Looks like the light bulb has turned on for him on being more efficient with his runs.

And, I'll add that not only did he run a 4.4 40 at the combine, but he also displayed lateral quickness during his one season of starting at Maryland. Tore my Buckeyes a new hole in the game he started against them. I was excited to see the Steelers draft him. If he has recaptured, refined, and adapted his running style for the NFL, he could be a very good 3rd down back (assuming his pass blocking has improved also).

 

[xjx]

He wasn't being used properly until yesterday.

 

[Shane Falco]

McFarland looked decisive. The front line was doing a nice job getting a push for him. All of the backs did a nice job of putting their heads down, getting low and being decisive. Warren could be a wrecking ball as well as Teague looked solid. I would like to see these guys get some work in the first string offense. This running game and the emergence of Pickens and the receivers could make this offensive unit balanced the way it should be.

 

[slashsteel]

McFarland looked decisive. The front line was doing a nice job getting a push for him. All of the backs did a nice job of putting their heads down, getting low and being decisive. Warren could be a wrecking ball as well as Teague looked solid. I would like to see these guys get some work in the first string offense. This running game and the emergence of Pickens and the receivers could make this offensive unit balanced the way it should be.

When three out of four backs average over 5 yards per carry the Oline is doing something right. Very encouraging from a run blocking perspective.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Hard to guess the ceiling but I'd say this OL isn't ranked dead last for the season as last year. I think they move up to somewhere between 20 & 14 but would put the $$$coin$$$ at 16th. That's quite a jump from last year.


Salute the nation

 

[Shane Falco]

Hard to guess the ceiling but I'd say this OL isn't ranked dead last for the season as last year. I think they move up to somewhere between 20 & 14 but would put the $$$coin$$$ at 16th. That's quite a jump from last year.


Salute the nation

They don’t need to be the second coming of the hogs, though that would be nice. They just need to play solidly and get nasty. I watched the game again today and it’s obvious that the first team is going to be just that.

 

[Drink IRON City]

They don’t need to be the second coming of the hogs, though that would be nice. They just need to play solidly and get nasty. I watched the game again today and it’s obvious that the first team is going to be just that.

I've been spouting off for awhile now about lack of "nastiness", they definately need that factor this coming season and by the way 16th rank isn't no "hogs" comparison but is a jump up from last year.

Thanks for all your great post(s) along the way.


Salute the nation

 

[Litos]

I like how chuks pancaked the rusher on trubiskys TD, at first he got pushed back but then he settled, lifted the ****** and slammed his *** down

 

[Djfan]

They don’t need to be the second coming of the hogs, though that would be nice. They just need to play solidly and get nasty. I watched the game again today and it’s obvious that the first team is going to be just that.

Where did you find it?

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Saw some good things from Warren and McFarland and the OL and OC didn’t look like the absolute garbage they were all of last year…so that’s a plus. Definitely not putting too much stock in being just good enough to overcome what will be one of the worst teams in the league, at home in a preseason game tho…tempered enthusiasm as the W beats a loss but it is what it is…a foundation block to hopefully grow from.

And Pickens is the man!!!

 

[Shane Falco]

Where did you find it?

In the first quarter. There was a few times Daniels struggled a bit- I thought Green was ok. Moore had some issues but I though Chuks was solid. Mitchell had some descent time and went through his progressions quickly and it was nice to see a quarterback be able to move around and escape pressure again. All of the first team line did well coming off the ball in run blocking. They were getting low and getting leverage. Something we haven’t seen in years

 

[Djfan]

In the first quarter. There was a few times Daniels struggled a bit- I thought Green was ok. Moore had some issues but I though Chuks was solid. Mitchell had some descent time and went through his progressions quickly and it was nice to see a quarterback be able to move around and escape pressure again. All of the first team line did well coming off the ball in run blocking. They were getting low and getting leverage. Something we haven’t seen in years

Nice.

So, where did you find the game to watch it again?

 

[Troglodyte]

Snell hasn't been good but I know they love him on special teams.

In the 8 games that Snell has been a starter or primary RB, he has averaged 17.6 carries for 78 yards. That’s not bad.

 

[SteelerFan448]

In the 8 games that Snell has been a starter or primary RB, he has averaged 17.6 carries for 78 yards. That’s not bad.

Snell has been much better in more of a full-time role than as a spot back. I think with the right team where he can get a share of the load he'll do well. I'm not sure if the Steelers are that team.

 

[Sarge]

In the first quarter. There was a few times Daniels struggled a bit- I thought Green was ok. Moore had some issues but I though Chuks was solid. Mitchell had some descent time and went through his progressions quickly and it was nice to see a quarterback be able to move around and escape pressure again. All of the first team line did well coming off the ball in run blocking. They were getting low and getting leverage. Something we haven’t seen in years

Yes, run blocking has definitely been upgraded from last year, but the pass protection looks about the same. I'm not going to dwell on it too much as this was that unit's first game together, but I am concerned about Dan Moore. He seems to be having the same problems he had last year. I think if they can shore up that LG spot, whether it is through a trade or signing or Dan Moore just getting his **** together, I think the OL could actually end up being a strength.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I like how chuks pancaked the rusher on trubiskys TD, at first he got pushed back but then he settled, lifted the ****** and slammed his *** down

I like pancakes........................... need a record number !!!!


Salute the nation

 

[steelreeling]

McFarland has always been that quick but he wasn't patient and was making too many unnecessary moves previously. Looks like the light bulb has turned on for him on being more efficient with his runs.

On the few plays he did have last year - a handful indeed did pitch him the ball on the outside. I don't doubt McF was quick. But i was disappointed to see the MLBers close in on him and catch McF in the open field.

 

[steelreeling]

On the few plays he did have last year - a handful indeed did pitch him the ball on the outside. I don't doubt McF was quick. But i was disappointed to see the MLBers close in on him and catch McF in the open field.

0.18 & at 0:58 - McF was run down by a MLBer, and that happened for the most part. He couldn't seem to hit that 2nd gear and accelerate past.