GDT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Football
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pistolpete11
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Some guys can take the abuse for a while, but eventually it catches up to them. It might not be this year, but eventually, it will. Having a capable backup RB to either spell Harris and/or to step in if Harris gets hurt shouldn't really be a controversial opinion. They neglected it again, though, because they thought Ben was still going to throw it 50+ times a game and they just needed Harris to stay healthy and be more effective than Connor was. Now that they've transitioned to a more balanced attack, they are putting it all on Harris. They could have maybe kept Connor. Peterson was just signed off the street. Ingram went for a 7th. There's always that Blount or Williams guy available, but they chose to roll the dice that Harris would stay healthy. Fingers crossed, I guess.
No NFL coach sitting in a playoff spot or even in outside playoff contention is going to sit player for the sake of asset management. Particularly asset management issue that wont even rear its head for years.
Snooki Stackhouse
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Serious question...
There are so many injuries at the RB position year after year. Gore, Lynch, and AP are the only RBs I can think of from a recent era that have lasted through time at the top of the depth chart. It seems like other RBs fizzle due to injuries within 5 or so years. They might stick around as journeyman backups but they're largely irrelevant.
We're concerned that our rookie RB will get worn down within his rookie deal like most other RBs have gotten worn down. How did RBs like Bettis, Eddie George, Emmitt Smith, Martin, Edgerrin James, Fred Taylor, Faulk, Barber, and Dillon all last a decade or more as productive players across several contracts - all within roughly the same era (a heavy rushing era also)?
There are so many injuries at the RB position year after year. Gore, Lynch, and AP are the only RBs I can think of from a recent era that have lasted through time at the top of the depth chart. It seems like other RBs fizzle due to injuries within 5 or so years. They might stick around as journeyman backups but they're largely irrelevant.
We're concerned that our rookie RB will get worn down within his rookie deal like most other RBs have gotten worn down. How did RBs like Bettis, Eddie George, Emmitt Smith, Martin, Edgerrin James, Fred Taylor, Faulk, Barber, and Dillon all last a decade or more as productive players across several contracts - all within roughly the same era (a heavy rushing era also)?
Buddy Bizarre
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I'm not saying he should sit. I'm saying don't run him into the center of the line 25 times a game. There are other backs on the roster that can/should get some snaps to give him a break.
And there are absolutely situations where other teams put players on a snap count.
Sure its their general philosophy to split their backfield. Not to save them for 3 years from now.
He was a FA for a very long time because of injuries. Steelers took a chance and flipped him for a pick. I'd say that's pretty good.
Night Shift
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Yeah normal teams (HCs) have someone else of quality to sub in and out to take the load off, use in situational packages.
Night Shift
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Some in the media are blaming the increase of injuries (in genreal not just RB) because training camp today is less physical, not enough hitting during the summer or at practice during the season. Another factor is so many players today over train their bodies than players in past eras, causing the body to give out.
pistolpete11
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This was my thought. I've got nothing to support it, but it seems like guys are redlining their bodies to be a fraction of a step faster or slightly stronger. Eventually your body is going to give out. This then also translates to the field where everyone is bigger and faster.
It may be their philosophy, but it's not happening in practice. The 2nd half of the bengals game is a great example. Wasn't necessarily runs, but he was getting hung out on dump offs all over the place while down by like 17 pts. That game was done and we just kept going to him every play.
Night Shift
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This is more a Tomlin thing than a league wide thing. It was all funny and stuff years ago when he said to the media about running Willie Parker's wheels off. I don't think WP lasted much longer after that.
It really is a league wide thing. If a team has an elite running back (CMC, Dalvin Cook, Henry, Barkley, Kamara, etc.), they give them the ball a ton. And most get injured. Tomlin tries to do it with any running back he has, which as we saw with Conner was stupid. But most teams would be using Harris like this. It’s not really unique to the Steelers.
bigdaddyk88
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Ingram has 1 sack and 10 tackles in more snaps than Highsmith they can get that from anyone. He said he was better than Highsmith and wanted to start.
Night Shift
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Again, Ingram wasn't happy because he wasn't seeing the field like he was promised. That's where you create packages to sub these guys in and out, but Bozo the coach is a stooge and won't do it.
so what? That wasn’t my point…if our starters go down, is Ingram better than the guy they signed from the practice squad?…that’s the only issue…so far, when he’s played, he’s certainly played better than the other backups…
Night Shift
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As I said the Saints traded for Ingram to take some of the load off from Kamara. Getting a 2nd string RB that can take a few snaps is the smartest thing you can do.
Night Shift
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IIRC Blount also wanted out for the same reason because Bozo is a stooge, did not create a package to get him in more and doesn't understand the concept of subbing in and out.
Kamara is still going to be near the top of the league in touches whether they actually use Ingram or not. They’re consistently near the top of the league in attempts and Kamara is also their best receiver at this point.
He got signed to be a backup and got played like a backup. He had one week all year with less than 49% of the snaps and threw a hissy fit.
pistolpete11
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Why do that when you can just give the ball to Bell 350+ times? What's the worst that can happen? You go into the playoffs with Ben Tate and Josh Harris as your only healthy RB's? What are the chances of that?
Colonel Mustard
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pistolpete11
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It still reduces the risk and they'll be glad they have a legitimate backup if Kamara does get hurt.
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