"Najee Harris ain't it". NAJEE 3.0 It's time to go, yo....

[bigben]

WTH kind of response was that?

Warren and Harris alternate series and have been the past 2 years. You act like he's just a 3rd down guy when everyone knows they alternate series. Yes Warren is the better 3rd down back, he's also better on first and second down.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Well that is the real question now isn't it? Do I know the answer? Nope. I am pretty sure it isn't about a paltry $6.7 mill in salary when they can cut Patterson and save $3 mill in a blink of an eye.

I think it is the fact he doesn't fit the blocking scheme they want to run as, as I have opined, he doesn't have the vision he needs for a zone scheme and lacks the burst. He needs a more traditional power scheme. I would be fine with keeping him if we would run a power, I scheme getting him the ball running downhill with a fullback, but I don't see that happening. He needs the QB under center a bigger percentage of the time and if it is fields that isn't going to happen. He is just a square peg in a round hole.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Warren and Harris alternate series and have been the past 2 years. You act like he's just a 3rd down guy when everyone knows they alternate series. Yes Warren is the better 3rd down back, he's also better on first and second down.

In the cases they do alternate, which they do some, they still use them dramatically differently and far less predictably. In heavy usage Warrens numbers were much closer to Najee's. His average was much higher the less he was used. When Najee is in the percentage of run plays was far higher and far more predictable.

 

[bigben]

In the cases they do alternate, which they do some, they still use them dramatically differently and far less predictably. In heavy usage Warrens numbers were much closer to Najee's. His average was much higher the less he was used. When Najee is in the percentage of run plays was far higher and far more predictable.

Actually no
Warren's production was better last season with more volume than 2024
YPC, TD were all higher in 2023 with more volume.

 

[SteelerSask2]

The coach that keeps coming up in my mind that isnt Tomlin or a coordinator is Oline. They just cannot get a ****** yard when they need it. They have huge strong looks like talented inside guys this year. And they have to pull bulllshit to make a yard. I'm sorry but that is scheme and coach. Jesus they got an extra tackle at TE. Motion him and let him end a linebacker.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Actually no
Warren's production was better last season with more volume than 2024
YPC, TD were all higher in 2023 with more volume.

Last year Warren's Production was 4.3 over 120 carries, Najee was 4.0 over 263 carries. I am not saying Najee is better or Warren wouldn't be a good workhorse. I am saying we don't have the comparative data to make that call. His use was decidedly different than Najees. I don't think you can dispute that. The ratio of targets to rushing attempts was 47 to 120 for Warren and 48 to 263 for Najee. Warren was twice as likely to be targeted per play than Najee making his use far less predictable and harder to key on. They were only .3 YPC apart on more than twice the attempts for Najee and facing more men in the box. Najee also was productive when used as a receiver with 7.9 YPR with Warren only slightly better at 8.2 YPR. Najee also had the longest run between them last year. Also, Najee's fumble rate was 1 in 263 versus 2 in 120. Again I like them both and would be ok moving on from Najee as long as we have another option with more explosivness and size to go with Warren. Just don't say we know Warren is better based on the use to this point.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

The coach that keeps coming up in my mind that isnt Tomlin or a coordinator is Oline. They just cannot get a ****** yard when they need it. They have huge strong looks like talented inside guys this year. And they have to pull bulllshit to make a yard. I'm sorry but that is scheme and coach. Jesus they got an extra tackle at TE. Motion him and let him end a linebacker.

I am not willing to put it all on the O Line coach yet. He doesn't call the plays, and he was working with a lot of injuries and very young players. When the play calling was good they looked good. When we reverted back to predictability, they looked bad.

 

[stillwright]

I think it is the fact he doesn't fit the blocking scheme they want to run as, as I have opined, he doesn't have the vision he needs for a zone scheme and lacks the burst. He needs a more traditional power scheme. I would be fine with keeping him if we would run a power, I scheme getting him the ball running downhill with a fullback, but I don't see that happening. He needs the QB under center a bigger percentage of the time and if it is fields that isn't going to happen. He is just a square peg in a round hole.

I can agree with this. Goes to making a scheme that fits your players. Or draft players that fit your scheme. Just another head scratcher from our Vet HC and front office.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I am not willing to put it all on the O Line coach yet. He doesn't call the plays, and he was working with a lot of injuries and very young players. When the play calling was good they looked good. When we reverted back to predictability, they looked bad.

Trying to score inside the 5 via the run isn't as much scheme as other situations. It's hat on a hat and slam. As far as talent, they are young but look good. Just can't get those needed yards.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Trying to score inside the 5 via the run isn't as much scheme as other situations. It's hat on a hat and slam. As far as talent, they are young but look good. Just can't get those needed yards.

I agree but the type of run and predictability can affect the chances of success greatly. It was well below par from a creativity standpoint. Particularly with Wilson struggling throwing it down there later in the season.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I agree but the type of run and predictability can affect the chances of success greatly. It was well below par from a creativity standpoint. Particularly with Wilson struggling throwing it down there later in the season.

Don't totally disagree. I just watch some other clubs blow people off the ball and the back walks in more or less untouched. Not many of those in recent memory.

 

[insaniti]

Last year Warren's Production was 4.3 over 120 carries, Najee was 4.0 over 263 carries. I am not saying Najee is better or Warren wouldn't be a good workhorse. I am saying we don't have the comparative data to make that call. His use was decidedly different than Najees. I don't think you can dispute that. The ratio of targets to rushing attempts was 47 to 120 for Warren and 48 to 263 for Najee. Warren was twice as likely to be targeted per play than Najee making his use far less predictable and harder to key on. They were only .3 YPC apart on more than twice the attempts for Najee and facing more men in the box. Najee also was productive when used as a receiver with 7.9 YPR with Warren only slightly better at 8.2 YPR. Najee also had the longest run between them last year. Also, Najee's fumble rate was 1 in 263 versus 2 in 120. Again I like them both and would be ok moving on from Najee as long as we have another option with more explosivness and size to go with Warren. Just don't say we know Warren is better based on the use to this point.

Thank you for saving me the time. It's only common sense to anyone without an agenda

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Not that I’m signaling you out here Fiji. I have never heard more excuses for another football player than Naj.
You tell me one RB that wouldn’t be better with a more dominant line or FB? I mean seriously.
Like we are the only team that has Oline issues.
When we drafted Naj,i thought at the very least in the dog days of winter/foul weather ball he would be that dominating back,wear down opponents,all those cliches I was told by the Alabama fans non stop. (Sorry Bama fans,but true)
Look at his production from middle of November- on. He simply disappears. Bottom line.
Replaceable.

Think you misconstrued what I was getting at

I’m not making excuses for him at all
I’ve always been on the side that he’s over rated

Look at any of my posts on him…I’ve ALWAYS called him mid at best (the only compliments I ever throw his way is availability is his best ability and he shows up like a solid back…all of 2-3 games a year)

I also see that he doesn’t really fit, as most won’t, in this inept system.

My take was simply that he is not a speed & vision back like the single back system running out the pistol we frequently employ. Many backs
In the league do fit a single back ZBS…too many to name…so I won’t waste time down that road. Some fit a big ugly OL + a FB scheme, but not all do. IMHO Najee is the latter type of back.

He needs to get behind some road graders, not a ZBS, and put a FB in front of him. He screams I formation from what I see.

Warren fits the single back, ZBS better…but there are also several questions regarding his durability, ball security and ability to handle an increased role.

Never been a Najee apologist and sure as hell
Ain’t starting now Steelman. I’m in the camp of glad they didn’t pick up the option and thinking 6.7 million is overpaying for what he brings.