Harris and this offense are a poor fit

[steel dino]

I believe he is hurting ...no doubt...

This has caused him to from a middle of the pack pedestrian NFL back..... to an totally non-effective below standard NFL back.
They are wasting downs when they hand him the ball.

I say keep Warren in his current role because I don't feel he would be as good as the number 1.
Give Benny Snell what was Najee's reps, and lets see what happens to our running game.

That should clear this debate up somewhat I believe..

 

[SteelerFan448]

Harris and the team is starting to get some flack from the media now. They’re criticizing his performance and for the Steelers wasting a top pick on a running back last year.

Harris is healthy enough to play so he has to perform. No one cut Bush any slack coming back from a major injury last year. He was a bad investment given the state of the roster.

 

[Badcat]

I have had many back and forths with coach over the years about player vs player.
Its not personal at all its just opinions.
In Harris case its fact not opinion.

In this case Coach happens to be 200% right about Harris.
Harris lacks the speed to break runs outside like Willie Parker.
Lacks the power to get the short yards like the Bus or even Isaac Redman.
Lacks the vision awareness and explosiveness of a Leveon Bell.

He may or may not be hurt, but lets not pretend his 1200 yards was anything but volume that was inefficient the overwhelming majority of the time.

307 Carries for 1200 yards is 3.91 YPC

Take away Ben's final home game vs the Browns 28 carries for 188 yds

279 carries for 1012 yards 3.62 YPC

Looking at his career as a whole

23 games

11 games rushing under 50 yds
9 games under 40
6 games under 30

3 100+ yd games

Just the facts

He could be hurt, but he looks like the same old Najee to me?

Unfortunately for Najee if he is hurt and misses time Jaylen Warren is taking his job.
Should take his job anyway, but Tomlin is a fool.

One thing I learned over the years is to not get lost in Stats. Even you just posted "take away this game and his average drops"

Bettis lacked speed
Parker lacked power
not many backs had the patience, explosiveness, and vision that Leveon did

...and Najee sure as hell doesn't have anywhere near the Offensive lines that Bussy, Fast Willie, and Lev Bell had. Not. Even. Close.

Najee absolutely has vision, explosiveness, and power. Sure, he doesn't have top end speed, I'll give you that, but you are not giving him enough credit. Here is a link to his highlights last season....some of you got a case of amnesia. https:// youtu.be/JLDf1CjWCWw

 

[stuntmanmike]

He needs to lose about 20 and play outside more like bell did. Bell came in about 240 but slimmed down bell, though he came in with pretty good route running skills. but power football isn’t where Harris finds his nich He needs to get outside make dbs try to bring him down

 

[TDX27]

I think everyone is missing the obvious. His foot injury is keeping him from planting and making cut back runs. He is playing hurt and has lost his ability to make people miss.

I've been saying this one. He was limping when he came back from the lisfranc in the preseason and then got hurt in the 1st game where the coaches should have sat him but he played the next week. He still has a noticeable limp on and off throughout every game and even just walking. They need to sit him for 2 or 3 games and let him rest. This team isn't going anywhere. Tomlin gave up on the last game. The reality is this team sucks so let your best players rest when they are obviously injured.

 

[bigben]

It's unreal how stupid he is. Najee finished 4th in rushing yards last year behind the worst offensive line in the NFL AS A ROOKIE. But now he's a ****** back who no NFL team wants? I think Coach is on the sauce 24/7 based on his complete disregard for logic and his horrid typing skills.

Based on the numbers please explain your logic

One thing I learned over the years is to not get lost in Stats. Even you just posted "take away this game and his average drops"

Bettis lacked speed
Parker lacked power
not many backs had the patience, explosiveness, and vision that Leveon did

...and Najee sure as hell doesn't have anywhere near the Offensive lines that Bussy, Fast Willie, and Lev Bell had. Not. Even. Close.

Najee absolutely has vision, explosiveness, and power. Sure, he doesn't have top end speed, I'll give you that, but you are not giving him enough credit. Here is a link to his highlights last season....some of you got a case of amnesia. https:// youtu.be/JLDf1CjWCWw

Parker led the league in rushing before his injury, Bell had the highest scrimmage yards per game in league history.

Harris lacks all of the above.

Stats don't lie, especially with a 23 game sample size

Oh and Warren is averaging almost 5 ypc behind the same line?

 

[Badcat]

Based on the numbers please explain your logic


Parker led the league in rushing before his injury, Bell had the highest scrimmage yards per game in league history.

Harris lacks all of the above.

Stats don't lie, especially with a 23 game sample size

Oh and Warren is averaging almost 5 ypc behind the same line?

logic? he had 1200 rushing yards which put him 4th in the league. period.

Warren isn't injured. Najee is. Did you forget that point?

 

[SteelerFan448]

logic? he had 1200 rushing yards which put him 4th in the league. period.

Warren isn't injured. Najee is. Did you forget that point?

Of the top-50 rushers in 2021, here are the backs who averaged fewer than 4.0 YPC. Only the first three were in the top 20 in rushing.

Najee Harris - 3.9
Alvin Kamara - 3.7
David Montgomery - 3.8
James Conner - 3.7
Myles Gaskin - 3.5
Chuba Hubbard - 3.6
Jamaal Williams - 3.9
Saquon Barkley - 3.7
Darrel Williams - 3.9
Mark Ingram - 3.5
Mike Davis - 3.6
Alexander Mattison - 3.7

Najee only saw 8+ defenders in the box 14.66% of the time and was -48 rush yards over expected per Next Generation Stats. This year, Harris has the lowest RYOE of the listed players with -72. He's not playing well.

 

[Badcat]

Of the top-50 rushers in 2021, here are the backs who averaged fewer than 4.0 YPC. Only the first three were in the top 20 in rushing.

Najee Harris - 3.9
Alvin Kamara - 3.7
David Montgomery - 3.8
James Conner - 3.7
Myles Gaskin - 3.5
Chuba Hubbard - 3.6
Jamaal Williams - 3.9
Saquon Barkley - 3.7
Darrel Williams - 3.9
Mark Ingram - 3.5
Mike Davis - 3.6
Alexander Mattison - 3.7

Najee only saw 8+ defenders in the box 14.66% of the time and was -48 rush yards over expected per Next Generation Stats. This year, Harris has the lowest RYOE of the listed players with -72. He's not playing well.

Okay, okay...Najee, Kamara, Conner, Barkley, Montgomery are all busts. They ******* suck and no NFL team wants them as Coach said of Najee. A running back with less than four yards per carry should be run out of the league. I mean, there are no other variables to measure in the equation, they are just talentless ***** who shouldn't be fed the rock.

I'm done arguing about it, some people you just can't reach.

 

[skline00]

This is a TEAM game, not gymnastics where individual competitors get scores for a team.

Let's be honest. The team overall is playing poorly.

They all need to step up their game.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Okay, okay...Najee, Kamara, Conner, Barkley, Montgomery are all busts. They ******* suck and no NFL team wants them as Coach said of Najee. A running back with less than four yards per carry should be run out of the league. I mean, there are no other variables to measure in the equation, they are just talentless ***** who shouldn't be fed the rock.

I'm done arguing about it, some people you just can't reach.

Barkley has three seasons of over 4.5 YPC and is one of the most physically gifted athletes to ever play the game. Kamara has averaged over 4.3 YPC in five of six seasons, including 6.1 as a rookie. Montgomery and Conner are just guys. Decent, but replaceable running backs. Najee has negative yards above expected in both of his seasons. There’s a clear difference so far.

 

[bigben]

Barkley has three seasons of over 4.5 YPC and is one of the most physically gifted athletes to ever play the game. Kamara has averaged over 4.3 YPC in five of six seasons, including 6.1 as a rookie. Montgomery and Conner are just guys. Decent, but replaceable running backs. Najee has negative yards above expected in both of his seasons. There’s a clear difference so far.

100%

 

[madinsomniac]

Once more, backs that have as many touches as he did last year in the modern NFL almost always have a subpar follow up season… the game became more quickness and speed related and for whatever reason getting high impact hits that often takes a while to recover from now… its just not the same game as 1990’s nfl… i think he will recover, but we absolutely shouldn’t be trying to get him 300+ touches unless we are absolutely devoid of runners

 

[slashsteel]

Once more, backs that have as many touches as he did last year in the modern NFL almost always have a subpar follow up season… the game became more quickness and speed related and for whatever reason getting high impact hits that often takes a while to recover from now… its just not the same game as 1990’s nfl… i think he will recover, but we absolutely shouldn’t be trying to get him 300+ touches unless we are absolutely devoid of runners

He should be benched until he can make a difference on the field. I am not advocating that he won't rebound but for here and now the healthy backs should get the touches.

 

[bigben]

Najee was healthy last year as a rookie and had way too many subpar rushing performances, especially for a first rounder.
The best runningback on the team this year is Warren and its not close. Watch the tape. Sounds like Warren is gonna get more involved as he should.
I would not be suprised if Warren ends up the Starter if he can maintain his production.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Najee was healthy last year as a rookie and had way too many subpar rushing performances, especially for a first rounder.
The best runningback on the team this year is Warren and its not close. Watch the tape. Sounds like Warren is gonna get more involved as he should.
I would not be suprised if Warren ends up the Starter if he can maintain his production.

12 of 18 games under 4.0 YPC wasn't good enough last year?

 

[Aussie_Steeler]

I don't know about Harris, but the NFL and this offense seem to be a very poor fit.

 

[bigben]

12 of 18 games under 4.0 YPC wasn't good enough last year?

Najee outside of the great browns game he had he averaged 3.6 ypc for the season. No thats not good enough for any RB let alone a 1st round pick.

 

[F83]

if hes not 100% his foot start Warren n split himn with Snell, the team needs to look at a guy they can split in the mid rounds like Mo ibrahim(work horse can be great insurance if Harris is not the real deal., Blake Courum( really reminds me alot of MJD refuses to down bounces off defenders and is deadly once to the edge

 

[steel dino]

Yep
We need to see some Benny Snell football.

Just what we need right now .. a back that puts his foot down and hits the hole hard without hesitation ..

And believe it or not.. I think he is quicker than 22 .. especially with his foot not being right at the moment

 

[Litos]

if hes not 100% his foot start Warren n split himn with Snell, the team needs to look at a guy they can split in the mid rounds like Mo ibrahim(work horse can be great insurance if Harris is not the real deal., Blake Courum( really reminds me alot of MJD refuses to down bounces off defenders and is deadly once to the edge

No more investment in RBs before the 6th round please

 

[steelreeling]

Pay attention to what Terance Garvin says about Najee and more about the offense's SCHEME @ 1:45-3:30.

"it takes you to the ball."
"it's a slow hit."
"There's only 2 or 3 yards to be gotten outta that".

i've been an a**hole on this board screaming about this since the last year's preseason. Matt Canada's playcalling: let's do the exact opposite of what these player's strength's are. i swear to God if Mike Sullivan took over and pulled a George Costanza and did the opposite, it'd be a major improvement.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Barkley has three seasons of over 4.5 YPC and is one of the most physically gifted athletes to ever play the game. Kamara has averaged over 4.3 YPC in five of six seasons, including 6.1 as a rookie. Montgomery and Conner are just guys. Decent, but replaceable running backs. Najee has negative yards above expected in both of his seasons. There’s a clear difference so far.

Man Conner would’ve looked good in black
And gold, too bad we couldn’t have had him instead of having to waste a pick on a first round back…if
Only

 

[TDX27]

I guess the Najee haters will apologize now. Ya, right. Najee has been playing with a metal plate in his shoe this year due to the lisfranc injury. And, he did have a great rookie year behind the worst OL in the NFL. The OL may be slightly better this year but not much. As I've said before, sit him for a couple games for him to heal, and then let him loose. We now have a decent backup in Warren as long as he holds onto the ball. Although another fumble and we may see Snell in there instead.

 

[slashsteel]

I guess the Najee haters will apologize now. Ya, right. Najee has been playing with a metal plate in his shoe this year due to the lisfranc injury. And, he did have a great rookie year behind the worst OL in the NFL. The OL may be slightly better this year but not much. As I've said before, sit him for a couple games for him to heal, and then let him loose. We now have a decent backup in Warren as long as he holds onto the ball. Although another fumble and we may see Snell in there instead.

I think his injury is effecting him sure. I think he is a capable back. Not sure he will ever be that explosive back that gets you huge chunks of yardage. But he can be a move the chains type and a red zone consistent performer if he is healthy and the Oline continues to progress.