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Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 11:00 pm
by Steeldrama
The prospects of Ben Roethlisberger‘s return from a season-ending shoulder injury was one of the chief topics of General Manager Kevin Colbert’s meeting with the media on Thursday, but it wasn’t the only one concerning hopes for better things for a key offensive player in 2020.

Running back James Conner dealt with shoulder and thigh injuries that kept him from playing in six games and caused him to miss time in a couple of others during the 2019 season. His production when healthy was down a bit from 2018 as well, but Colbert said the team still believes that Conner can get back to his previous form.

“James Conner had a disappointing season in James Conner’s viewpoint and ours, as well,” Colbert said, via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Our point to James was, ‘You had an unfortunate year.’ The year before that he was one of the best in the league. He’s still a young player. We think there’s something there. We know there’s talent there. We hope James can regain it. And, if he’s healthy, there’s no reason he shouldn’t. We don’t want to say we don’t have a starting running back because we feel we do.”

Colbert said he also hopes for a healthier season for wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Vance McDonald as the Steelers try to find their way back to a winning record next season.
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... nate-year/

Like I told my son's 7th grade football team, "Can't help my team standing on the sidelines, boys"
I'm no doctor but I do subscribe to the floated theory that Conner maybe more susceptible to injuries to due the impact of his cancer and treatment.
I've long pulled for him to be an NFL success but honestly if Colbert and the Steelers are counting on Conner to stay healthy for an entire NFL season I think theyre slightly delusional or cockeyed optimists.

There's a strong top 5 group of running backs in the upcoming draft I think Steelers can agree upon that would really help rejuvenate an inept rushing attack....an attack that our qbs surgically repaired throwing elbow could surely benefit from.
1) DeAndre Swift- My 'Dawgs
2) Clyde Helarie Edwards- Knife's National Champs
3.) JK Dobbins- “all day JK”
4.) Jonathan Taylor- 1st to rush for 6K in first 3 seasons
5). Cam Akers- Free Shoe U
Bonus: Zach Moss- Utes
Bonus 2: Eno Benjamin

I know the Steelers aren't taking a rb with an early pick. Colbert pretty much just told me that in his statements above, but I still think it's a really weak unit.

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 11:34 pm
by Kodiak
I'm really only concerned with Conner's injury history. When healthy, Conner and Samuels are a nice one-two punch. And the other guy [Whyte?] showed some flashes.

If Ben is helping with the blocking and getting them in the right play, I think the running game will be just fine. If the OL can't run block then it barely matters who you hand off to.

I think Conner is a good value guy. Not a RB that's going to break the bank, but he's got a nice burst and nice hands and can be very productive. If he can stay healthy. The handful of guys in the league who are clearly better would cost you 3X as much.

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:53 am
by 955876
I'm no doctor but I do subscribe to the floated theory that Conner maybe more susceptible to injuries to due the impact of his cancer and treatment.
I've long pulled for him to be an NFL success but honestly if Colbert and the Steelers are counting on Conner to stay healthy for an entire NFL season I think theyre slightly delusional or cockeyed optimists.
I absolutely believe this. My wife is 4 to almost 5 years removed from the chemo & radiation she went through and her body still isn’t the same. Looks wise back to normal but sensitive to anything and everything. Things impact her way more than what would be normal.

I’ve always suspected Connor may struggle with this to a degree as well. But I don’t know what type or how much chemo he did.

Shit my wife had to take originated from WW1 mustard gas.

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 1:30 am
by steelmann58
Connor has to prove to be able to stay healthy which is a major question the steelers need a solid plan b

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:19 am
by beerbrother
955876 wrote:
Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:53 am
I'm no doctor but I do subscribe to the floated theory that Conner maybe more susceptible to injuries to due the impact of his cancer and treatment.
I've long pulled for him to be an NFL success but honestly if Colbert and the Steelers are counting on Conner to stay healthy for an entire NFL season I think theyre slightly delusional or cockeyed optimists.
I absolutely believe this. My wife is 4 to almost 5 years removed from the chemo & radiation she went through and her body still isn’t the same. Looks wise back to normal but sensitive to anything and everything. Things impact her way more than what would be normal.

I’ve always suspected Connor may struggle with this to a degree as well. But I don’t know what type or how much chemo he did.

Shit my wife had to take originated from WW1 mustard gas.
Hope your wife continues to get better, the treatment can be hell.

When my father went thru chemo & radiation it hardly phased him. Didn't even lose his hair.

On the other hand it damn near killed my aunt. She had to be hospitalized after every treatment.

Have a friend that been in remission for years, says any day he sees the sunrise is a good day, and any day he sees the sunset is even better. His philosophy of seeing every sunrise and sunset didn't work so well when he was living in Alaska.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit if it was still affecting Connor health some. Seen it far too often.

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 3:18 am
by 955876
beerbrother wrote:
Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:19 am
955876 wrote:
Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:53 am
I'm no doctor but I do subscribe to the floated theory that Conner maybe more susceptible to injuries to due the impact of his cancer and treatment.
I've long pulled for him to be an NFL success but honestly if Colbert and the Steelers are counting on Conner to stay healthy for an entire NFL season I think theyre slightly delusional or cockeyed optimists.
I absolutely believe this. My wife is 4 to almost 5 years removed from the chemo & radiation she went through and her body still isn’t the same. Looks wise back to normal but sensitive to anything and everything. Things impact her way more than what would be normal.

I’ve always suspected Connor may struggle with this to a degree as well. But I don’t know what type or how much chemo he did.

Shit my wife had to take originated from WW1 mustard gas.
Hope your wife continues to get better, the treatment can be hell.

When my father went thru chemo & radiation it hardly phased him. Didn't even lose his hair.

On the other hand it damn near killed my aunt. She had to be hospitalized after every treatment.

Have a friend that been in remission for years, says any day he sees the sunrise is a good day, and any day he sees the sunset is even better. His philosophy of seeing every sunrise and sunset didn't work so well when he was living in Alaska.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit if it was still affecting Connor health some. Seen it far too often.
Thanks man. She’s doing real well. Has a seizure now and then but they are manageable.

Sooo many different kinds of chemo it’s hard to compare unless it’s the same type, dose, etc.

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:36 am
by steelmann58
I like Snell but they need another in case James gets hurt again .

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:00 pm
by Steelafan77
Don't we all.....

That said, there are many alternatives to this and having a running game is key for a successful offense. Proven time and again you don't need a top draft pick running back to make it work. Scheme/Oline are the foundation for a good running game.

I do sincerely Hope Conner can return to a Pro Bowl level but I believe it is unlikely. JMO

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 5:28 pm
by bradshaw2ben
The takeaway I got from this is: Kevin Colbert believes 2018 James Conner was one of the best in the league? Really? WTF, we're doomed.

Please rule Jonathan Taylor out, as he's a two-down back, which won't fly here.

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2020 2:00 am
by R_S
Why in gods name would anyone expect those guys to all the sudden be healthy for an entire year?

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 4:07 pm
by Jizz Mop
Call me crazy

But I’d run to the podium with our 2nd round pick if Dobbins was there

Sincerely
Jizz Mop
Draft Guru and former work instrument of IC

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 4:15 pm
by Kodiak
Switzer will be XFL MVP in 2021!!!

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 4:36 pm
by steeledge
Steelafan77 wrote:
Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:00 pm
Don't we all.....

That said, there are many alternatives to this and having a running game is key for a successful offense. Proven time and again you don't need a top draft pick running back to make it work. Scheme/Oline are the foundation for a good running game.

I do sincerely Hope Conner can return to a Pro Bowl level but I believe it is unlikely. JMO

nestled in your comment is the crux of the matter...
If the OL struggles to return to 2018 form, it's highly likely that James Connor won't do shit.
...and that's without factoring in the chance of injury...

Re: Colbert hopes James Conner Regains Form

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 2:25 am
by Steelafan77
I think the OLine can and will improve. I think it is simply young players with no real experience/snaps that makes this scenario a bit concerning. Yes not factoring in injuries.