Leonard Fournette

[Orangesteel]

Why am I reading that him to the Steelers makes sense? Does it make sense? Is he affordable? Does this kill our RB draft need? Does sports journalism suck?

[Jobu]

Why am I reading that him to the Steelers makes sense? Does it make sense? Is he affordable? Does this kill our RB draft need? Does sports journalism suck?

I’m going to go with...
Clickbait
No
Probably not
No...he’s a FA next year
Absolutely

So the Steelers should replace one injury prone starter on the final year of his contract, with another injury prone starter on the final year of his contract...
Sounds about right.

[smithessmokin]

No way, talk about a guy who is very overrated and has already had lower leg injuries. RBs are a dime a dozen and can be found in multiple places. I’m not giving up anything for a player and a position which has that short of a shelf life, one that has already shown signs of wear and break down.

[K_C_]

No way, talk about a guy who is very overrated and has already had lower leg injuries. RBs are a dime a dozen and can be found in multiple places. I’m not giving up anything for a player and a position which has that short of a shelf life, one that has already shown signs of wear and break down.

Fournette had a nice bounce back year and only missed one game due to being sick, not due to injury.

After what I saw him do to the Steelers defense 3 years ago, if Fournette's healthy (and again, he was last year) I would definitely talk to the Jags and kick the tires.

With our o-line and Roethlisberger, let alone having Conner to share carries with him? Holy fuck.

I think we have to remember that Roethisberger is almost done and we're likely going to be looking at some lean years ahead. Now is the time to try and pick up a player like this for a 3rd or 4th rounder.

Our backfield would immediately be amongst the best in the league if you add Fournette and team him with Conner.

[Steel Ubaldo]

I agree with KC.

If this guy can be had for a 4th round pick or a combo of late round picks (either this year and/or next) I would absolutely do it.

The time is now. Swing for the fuckin fences!

[Orangesteel]

Yeah, good point. Like, would you spend a 4th round pick to get Fournette, the pick that could be used for a guy like Darrynton Evans or Antonio Gibson?

[Ice]

Evans and Gibson are both 4.3 guys, who would add a much needed jolt of speed to the offense. It's probably our biggest need. Fournette doesn't address that need in the slightest.

[Orangesteel]

I’m all for speed. We don’t really have any on this team.

I really hope we get speed at WR and RB this draft; that’s my dream scenario.

Speed WR
Speed RB
NT
OL
S
ILB

That would be a solid pull for this draft.

[Ice]

Your lips to Tombert's ears, Orange.

[jewelsongs]

I would like to see us trade our second (number 49) for Fournette and Jacksonville's (number 73) and one of their fourth round picks (number 116). In a deep draft, we solve the running back issue and have picks 73, 102, 116, 124, and 135. Jacksonville dumps Fournette's $4M contract and moves up from the 3rd round to the 2nd. They have a lot of draft picks now (7 picks in the first 4 rounds).

Using the draft simulator, I picked the following through the first four rounds:

73 Ben Bartch, OT St. John
102 Alex Highsmith, EDGE Charlotte
116 Leki Fotu, IDL Utah
124 Kenny Robinson, S West Virginia
135 Devin Duvernay, WR Texas

All those picks plus Fournette fills a lot of holes.

[DP39]

No thanks on Fournette, He's a me first player with a lot of wear on those young-ish tires. Nothing other than a late 7th rounder and the Jags picking up half his salary makes me want to even consider it.

[Steeldrama]

My favorite trade in Steelers history was in '96 when the Steelers traded for disgruntled Rams bruising back Jerome Bettis, the 10th overall pick in the '95 draft.

Highway Robbery

Here in 2020, Conner and company are arguably much worse than the Bam Morris/Eric Pegram tandem Bettis was acquired to upgrade.
I'm all for exploring all options to upgrade the running back position or any position for that matter.

However, trading for disgruntled Jags bruising back Leonard Fournette, the 4th overall pick in the '17 draft will not be one of them.
He's closer to Bettis' successor Lawrence Phillips, than he is Jerome Bettis.

You can polish a bus, but you can't polish a turd.

[K_C_]

My favorite trade in Steelers history was in '96 when the Steelers traded for disgruntled Rams bruising back Jerome Bettis, the 10th overall pick in the '95 draft.

Highway Robbery

Here in 2020, Conner and company are arguably much worse than the Bam Morris/Eric Pegram tandem Bettis was acquired to upgrade.
I'm all for exploring all options to upgrade the running back position or any position for that matter.

However, trading for disgruntled Jags bruising back Leonard Fournette, the 4th overall pick in the '17 draft will not be one of them.
He's closer to Bettis' successor Lawrence Phillips, than he is Jerome Bettis.

You can polish a bus, but you can't polish a turd.

I never saw Lawrence Phillips make any Steelers defense his own personal bitch like I've seen Fournette DESTROY the Steelers on more than one occasion.

...and once in the postseason which is one more time than Bettis was ever effective from what I remember against anybody.

While I agree Fournette isn't a guy you plan on keeping long term as they did when they acquired Bettis, with Roethlisberger nearing the end and the franchise being in 'win now' mode, I really couldn't care less if Fournette isn't exactly a baby kissing sweetheart.

When looking at our current backfield, this is really all that need be said.

[fractalsteel]

If they would take a fourth(135) or lower I would be all over it.

[Steeldrama]

My favorite trade in Steelers history was in '96 when the Steelers traded for disgruntled Rams bruising back Jerome Bettis, the 10th overall pick in the '95 draft.

Highway Robbery

Here in 2020, Conner and company are arguably much worse than the Bam Morris/Eric Pegram tandem Bettis was acquired to upgrade.
I'm all for exploring all options to upgrade the running back position or any position for that matter.

However, trading for disgruntled Jags bruising back Leonard Fournette, the 4th overall pick in the '17 draft will not be one of them.
He's closer to Bettis' successor Lawrence Phillips, than he is Jerome Bettis.

You can polish a bus, but you can't polish a turd.

I never saw Lawrence Phillips make any Steelers defense his own personal bitch like I've seen Fournette DESTROY the Steelers on more than one occasion.

...and once in the postseason which is one more time than Bettis was ever effective from what I remember against anybody.

While I agree Fournette isn't a guy you plan on keeping long term as they did when they acquired Bettis, with Roethlisberger nearing the end and the franchise being in 'win now' mode, I really couldn't care less if Fournette isn't exactly a baby kissing sweetheart.

When looking at our current backfield, this is really all that need be said.

BFD the Steelers defense has given up plenty of big games to opposing running backs.
Most recently 130 yards to a Raven's backup named Gus Edwards in a must win game to make the playoffs.

[K_C_]

BFD the Steelers defense has given up plenty of big games to opposing running backs.
Most recently 130 yards to a Raven's backup named Gus Edwards in a must win game to make the playoffs.

The Steelers defense was gassed in that game because they had no offense. No QB. No Ben Roethlisberger.

Duck Hodges was utterly horrible. His fumble put the Ravens on the doorstep for their first TD.

Baltimore had the ball for almost 40 minutes. THAT is how terrible Hodges and the offense was.

Robert Griffith wasn't at all great but he ran for 50 yards. Kept the chains moving.

When you go the entire year with terrible options under center and your defense basically has to win the game, shit like what happened in that late season Ravens loss is going to happen.

Fournette tore us a new asshole whenever he faced us. Regular season or post season. Even with Blake Bortles under center.

[Donnie Brasco]

BFD the Steelers defense has given up plenty of big games to opposing running backs.
Most recently 130 yards to a Raven's backup named Gus Edwards in a must win game to make the playoffs.

The Steelers defense was gassed in that game because they had no offense. No QB. No Ben Roethlisberger.

Duck Hodges was utterly horrible. His fumble put the Ravens on the doorstep for their first TD.

Baltimore had the ball for almost 40 minutes. THAT is how terrible Hodges and the offense was.

Robert Griffith wasn't at all great but he ran for 50 yards. Kept the chains moving.

When you go the entire year with terrible options under center and your defense basically has to win the game, shit like what happened in that late season Ravens loss is going to happen.

Fournette tore us a new asshole whenever he faced us. Regular season or post season. Even with Blake Bortles under center.

I just don't think he's the same guy even just a few seasons ago when he stomped all over the Steelers. That's how fast RB's fall off.

I'm all for upgrading the RB position, but I don't think he's the guy

[K_C_]

BFD the Steelers defense has given up plenty of big games to opposing running backs.
Most recently 130 yards to a Raven's backup named Gus Edwards in a must win game to make the playoffs.

The Steelers defense was gassed in that game because they had no offense. No QB. No Ben Roethlisberger.

Duck Hodges was utterly horrible. His fumble put the Ravens on the doorstep for their first TD.

Baltimore had the ball for almost 40 minutes. THAT is how terrible Hodges and the offense was.

Robert Griffith wasn't at all great but he ran for 50 yards. Kept the chains moving.

When you go the entire year with terrible options under center and your defense basically has to win the game, shit like what happened in that late season Ravens loss is going to happen.

Fournette tore us a new asshole whenever he faced us. Regular season or post season. Even with Blake Bortles under center.

I just don't think he's the same guy even just a few seasons ago when he stomped all over the Steelers. That's how fast RB's fall off.

I'm all for upgrading the RB position, but I don't think he's the guy

Fair enough. Fournette may not have a lot left, but with Ben only available for a year or two (if that) I'm not sure we're in the position anymore to hope some 5th round RB emerges enough to give a player at least as effective as Conner.

We need a RB who can play and to me, we need him this year. Benny Snell ain't it. Samuels likely ain't it. Conner is always injured.

I sure hope they find that guy fast.

[Smashmouth21]

I would give up a 4th round pick for Fournette faster than Colbert can sprint to the virtual podium.

[K_C_]

I would give up a 4th round pick for Fournette faster than Colbert can sprint to the virtual podium.

If Ben were 30 years old and we had many years left of #7 to enjoy, I'd pass on Fournette. He's an asshole.

Being that we are nearing THE VERY END of Roethlisberger's Steeler career, I 100% agree with you. Our window is very, very small.

[K_C_]

No way, talk about a guy who is very overrated and has already had lower leg injuries. RBs are a dime a dozen and can be found in multiple places. I’m not giving up anything for a player and a position which has that short of a shelf life, one that has already shown signs of wear and break down.

Fournette had a nice bounce back year and only missed one game due to being sick, not due to injury.

After what I saw him do to the Steelers defense 3 years ago, if Fournette's healthy (and again, he was last year) I would definitely talk to the Jags and kick the tires.

With our o-line and Roethlisberger, let alone having Conner to share carries with him? Holy fuck.

I think we have to remember that Roethisberger is almost done and we're likely going to be looking at some lean years ahead. Now is the time to try and pick up a player like this for a 3rd or 4th rounder.

Our backfield would immediately be amongst the best in the league if you add Fournette and team him with Conner.

Conner sucks the tranny cock. Snell is the future here.

Bettis in his last season was faster than Snell is right now.

He’s the ultimate JAG.

Conner could be a consistent Pro Bowler if he could stay healthy but that no longer is a possibility.

[K_C_]

I dunno dude... Conner and Snell look to have pretty similar speeds to me. But Snell, unlike Conner, is gonna hit the hole when it's there at the right time. Conner got lucky that one season, with Ben being a threat to uncork one, and the line playing a whole lot better than it did last year. If we still had Haley, we could actually utilize the Switzinator as x factor for another layer of complexity, further opening up the traditional run game. Hell, I guarantee had we still had Haley, Landry Jones, and a healthy Switzer, we woulda made it deep into the playoffs last year.

Conner wasn’t lucky. He was better than Bell both as a receiver and a RB. Unfortunately his cancer treatments have left his bones brittle and easily injured. Conner cannot be counted on. Conner has a burst Snell couldn’t even dream of. The guy’s a sloth, forget him.

We desperately need a RB in this draft and we need one who can play right away.

[VeritasSteel]

Fournette did some things last year that showed he turned the corner mentally. He got rid of the hanger on people in his life. He actually changed his diet and workout regime to suit his style of play and he stayed healthy. He even dedicated himself in the film room and became a leader on that team. I believe him to be a an above average RB that if he had a good QB pulling defenders out of the box- could turn into a great RB. That's the good.

The problem with Fournette is his cap number is too high for a kick the tires trade. He is also a feature back and we have two guys with that same mindset on the team, plus we just drafted the potential 3 down guy. And while I would like the three dogs one bone aspect I feel that he's too much like Blunt not to do something stupid if he's not getting the carries.

[PennyBacker]

In theory adding a player in his contract year makes a lot of sense, because those players frequently perform well enough to earn themselves a big payday. And, taking advantage of a team which is looking to get what it can for a once promising star would make the deal even more attractive.

In principle, however, this would have been an awfully difficult move to have enjoyed, because Fournette was one of the largest heels to Pittsburgh's previous best chance of reaching a Super Bowl back in 2017. He ran all over the Steelers defense, 2 times that season.

[COR-TEN]

RE : Last year and conner, samuels, snell, whyte.

I only remember one game that had a successful running attack, and that was with conner. All other games defenses were stacking the box and dared the #2 and #3 QB to make plays. They didn't. That RB group was constantly running into 7 man boxes because duck and MR couldn't handle the passing game. Judging the RB group last year doesn't seem fair.

I'm on the fence with fournette. I don't know much about him, but won't decide based on the fact he fucked the steelers in more than one game.

[K_C_]

I'm on the fence with fournette. I don't know much about him, but won't decide based on the fact he fucked the steelers in more than one game.

Here's a paragraph from ESPN that talks about what Fournette did last season, on an UTTERLY HORRIBLE Jacksonville team.

"Fournette is coming off his best season as a pro, rushing for a career-high 1,152 yards and totaling 1,674 yards from scrimmage. He led the Jaguars with 76 receptions, but he scored only three touchdowns and was one of only three players in the NFL to catch 50 or more passes without a touchdown reception (Dalvin Cook and Kenyan Drake were the others)".

[jewelsongs]

If the asking price is a 4th round pick, I don't know why we wouldn't do this. The Jagoffs declined his 5th year option, so He would be a good deal. I take him in a heartbeat.

[Steeldrama]

If the asking price is a 4th round pick, I don't know why we wouldn't do this. The Jagoffs declined his 5th year option, so He would be a good deal. I take him in a heartbeat.

I wouldn’t do it
I suspect the Steelers won’t either
But they did throw away a 5th for Nick Freaking Vannett so anything’s possible

[jewelsongs]

If the asking price is a 4th round pick, I don't know why we wouldn't do this. The Jagoffs declined his 5th year option, so He would be a good deal. I take him in a heartbeat.

I wouldn’t do it
I suspect the Steelers won’t either
But they did throw away a 5th for Nick Freaking Vannett so anything’s possible

Just curious, why not?

[Steeldrama]

If the asking price is a 4th round pick, I don't know why we wouldn't do this. The Jagoffs declined his 5th year option, so He would be a good deal. I take him in a heartbeat.

I wouldn’t do it
I suspect the Steelers won’t either
But they did throw away a 5th for Nick Freaking Vannett so anything’s possible

Just curious, why not?

Character
Injury history
Rent a player
Just spent a 4th round pick on a rb
He's not anything special just because he destroyed the Steelers defense over two years ago.
Plenty of backs have done that under Tomlin
Gus Edwards in the Steelers most recent game for one.
Character mostly.
If he were released I'd be fine if the Steelers took a flier on him.