Cut Ebron, sign Jesse James

[Steelperch]

Cutting Ebron post 6-1 saves $3.4 million. Could probably get James for less than that. Ebron is a festering sore as a blocker and single handedly killed many short yardage run plays. He drops too many passes to keep around as a receiving threat. Dropping him for Freiermuth and James would add more physicality to the offense. While neither may be dynamic, both would be steady and versatile.

[shellwagnerblount]

Cutting Ebron post 6-1 saves $3.4 million. Could probably get James for less than that. Ebron is a festering sore as a blocker and single handedly killed many short yardage run plays. He drops too many passes to keep around as a receiving threat. Dropping him for Freiermuth and James would add more physicality to the offense. While neither may be dynamic, both would be steady and versatile.

All for this...I don't know what the stats would be but just watching each game, he was good for one or 2 KILLER drops per game. He had to make those catches because he did little else to help the team. I initially liked the signing.

[RemoAZ]

You had me at Cut Ebron.

[ironzabo]

Please and thank you GMKC : Makes all the sense in the world to make this move happen. Sadly, this likely means that there is about a 30 percent chance of it actually coming to fruition.

[jewelsongs]

Ben likes Ebron. Maybe he likes Jesse also.

[BouldernBun]

Damn straight. Detroit dumped him. He had one decent year out of two with Indy and one disastrous season with us. He isn't the answer.

[Jobu]

And here I thought the drafting of Freiermuth would put an end to the calls to sign Jesse James. Silly me...

[stillthere]

And here I thought the drafting of Freiermuth would put an end to the calls to sign Jesse James. Silly me...

They could still sign him and run 13 personnel in packages so the defense goes heavy or jumbo and then spread em and shred em and if they decide not to go heavy to match then run over them.

[Steelperch]

And here I thought the drafting of Freiermuth would put an end to the calls to sign Jesse James. Silly me...

As long as Ebron is on the roster, there will be pitchforks.

[Jobu]

And here I thought the drafting of Freiermuth would put an end to the calls to sign Jesse James. Silly me...

As long as Ebron is on the roster, there will be pitchforks.

Good point.

[VeritasSteel]

While that thought makes some financial sense- I don't think that Ben would sign off on it. I don't care which side of the Ben's arm health you fall on- he hasnt had this level of comfort throwing to a FA TE this early in forever. When they ran that impromptu play against the Ravens for a score- I am sure Heath was at home thinking "Where the fuck was that when I played? Oh yeah Haley."

[steelmann58]

Ebron not going anywhere

[Kodiak]

There were games where Ebron was the only guy doing anything. But drops are killer. Ebron's drops will lose more games than his hands will ever win.

I don't recall Jesse James being much of a blocker. But I endorse this idea. Don't really need the cap space, although they may if they have to dumpster dive for a LT (and no to AV - he has been very mediocre the last few years).

[bradshaw2ben]

You guys are nuts. Ebron has several major problems but at least the guy got open and scored TDs—the most a Steelers TE has in nearly a decade.

The guy they drafted will be lucky to get 3 or 4 TDs this year.

[Steelperch]

You guys are nuts. Ebron has several major problems but at least the guy got open and scored TDs—the most a Steelers TE has in nearly a decade.

The guy they drafted will be lucky to get 3 or 4 TDs this year.

You are lucky I am no longer motivated enough to throw together a bunch of clips of Ebron single handedly costing the team games through blown goal line and short yardage blocks and awful dropped passes. He’s a shiny object of little real value.

[ToddHaleysNineIron]

i like this...

if i’m going to put ebron on the field, id rather just put a receiver on - or if i want the defense to be unsure if i’m running or passing, the r2 rookie is going out.

ebron signals pass or a blown up run to the defense.. he’s a big red sign telling you when the steelers offense is going to try and do or fail to do.

[bradshaw2ben]

If you just split Ebron out wide, he takes at least one guy out of the play. It’s not Enron’s fault those assholes designed plays where they asked him to block. That’s just ooor use of your resources. But just because Freirmutg is mediocre at both receiving and blocking doesn’t mean he’s going to be more successful at either aspect just because teams aren’t sure what he’s going to do.

I’m all for replacing Ebron with a better receiver who can block some. Still waiting for that guy. Maybe next year.

Now I got Matt Spaeth and no one is going to mistake him for a scary offensive threat.

[Greeksteel]

i agree, cut him.

[franco32]

Perch...let me help you. I don't know why I still care, but I do to some extent.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1336088013865009152

Ebron doesn't even try to hide the fact he sucks at blocking. He doesn't even try to fake it. I get that he'll get open and make a few nice plays in the passing game. But is it enough to deal with the drops and missed blocks (which are countless)?

We are so bad at TE that we can't cut him, but honestly, if we even got one more decent TE, I'd cut bait post 6/1.

[stillthere]

i like this...

if i’m going to put ebron on the field, id rather just put a receiver on - or if i want the defense to be unsure if i’m running or passing, the r2 rookie is going out.

ebron signals pass or a blown up run to the defense.. he’s a big red sign telling you when the steelers offense is going to try and do or fail to do.

If you put Pat (I am not going to type Freiermuth out every time) inline and have Ebron in the slot then Ebron can block the DB even if he is just stalk blocking him just getting around his arms becomes a free 4 or 5 yards downfield. If the D adjusts and put more big personnel in to help stop the run toward Ebron's side of the formation then you spread out with both TE's off the line of scrimmage and force the bigger people to run with the 2 TE's in coverage.

12-Personnel this year could really spark the offense. I am super intrigued with what NE is up to with the horses they got at TE. It would be nice to have Gronk and Bavaro and do anything you want but building toward that is good and it really stresses the defenders when put into situations they do not have the skills pull off -> See Vince Williams covering a #1 WR in the NFL. We get schemed into it sometimes I think it is time to return the favor.

Are these two the best? No, but they are at least a problem for a defense if utilized.

Just having big bodies in the 2nd level will help the running game as well. JuJu, Ebron, Claypool and Pat blocking on the second level means little creases that would be 5 yard runs probably become 15-30 yard runs if Harris is as good as it looks like he is.

Shit goal line and redzone if you are completely spread out it will be nice having 3 gigantic frames Pat, Ebron, Cllaypool, JuJu (tough combat catcher) and a guy that can cut on a dime left or right with DJ. And if one of them is out Washington is not a slouch WR. Or have Harris with 2 TE Claypool and JuJu you can line up with 7 on the line or 4 wide or trips.

The pick is what it is with Pat and I hope he becomes a beast fast as possible. Our offense should be able to dictate and take what the defense is not set up to stop. Maybe bring up Kevin Rader as the 3rd TE for short yardage and goal line if we need two TE's that will punch a ticket blocking over Ebron. Gentry gets cut I assume unless he really really really learned how to block before camp.

[steelmann58]

Think Gentry is the guy in the bubble.

[ironzabo]

B2B

EBRON sucks a bag of dicks. Several bags of dicks actually. Cut that asshole before first rookie camp. Spend that money on some help toward a DB.


You are DEAD DEAD wrong here bud. You are NOT seeing it clearly at all on the attack. They want to be BIG and create stupid mis matches for 7.

Your design of what you think a TE "should" be is NOT what what is a part of this game plan that is being designed.


The "move" pieces you desire are ALL based in the kid Claypool and they brought back Juju and have JWash.

DJ is YOUR X factor slippery fucker.

PF and the New Bell Cow are the toys that we needed to keep your main man 7 around for 2-3 years. Najee is the best side car for 7 as he can protect him and be nasty out of the big sets.

AND run inside with Dotson, Green and DD creating the trap cut back lines / screen game where Najee excels. Again Banner does NOT suck either.


Get with it brother. You are asleep at the wheel IMHO.


(And on a side bar that NONE of us were tracking for us: LB Buddy Johnson looks like he has real good nasty and Joey Porter mentality in him)

[bradshaw2ben]

Ebron sucks a bag of dicks, especially as a blocker.
Freiermuth isn't very good at either blocking or receiving.

The two statements are not mutually exclusive.

And if you think I'm all about move TE, you're wrong. I want a two-way TE who can block and who is a threat in the passing game. We don't have that on the roster.

[Baltostiller]

Perch...let me help you. I don't know why I still care, but I do to some extent.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1336088013865009152

Ebron doesn't even try to hide the fact he sucks at blocking. He doesn't even try to fake it. I get that he'll get open and make a few nice plays in the passing game. But is it enough to deal with the drops and missed blocks (which are countless)?

We are so bad at TE that we can't cut him, but honestly, if we even got one more decent TE, I'd cut bait post 6/1.

I just looked it up and Ebron was the fucking 10th pick in the draft...the Lions kind of explains that. What a whiff.

When you are 6'4" 255, blocking is about "want to" He's big enough and strong enough but doesn't have the stones to stick his nose in and grind in the run game. Pat F will do a hell of a lot better than that. I'm in the cut EE and bring back the outlaw camp.

[bradshaw2ben]

Perch...let me help you. I don't know why I still care, but I do to some extent.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1336088013865009152

Ebron doesn't even try to hide the fact he sucks at blocking. He doesn't even try to fake it. I get that he'll get open and make a few nice plays in the passing game. But is it enough to deal with the drops and missed blocks (which are countless)?

We are so bad at TE that we can't cut him, but honestly, if we even got one more decent TE, I'd cut bait post 6/1.

I just looked it up and Ebron was the fucking 10th pick in the draft...the Lions kind of explains that. What a whiff.

When you are 6'4" 255, blocking is about "want to" He's big enough and strong enough but doesn't have the stones to stick his nose in and grind in the run game. Pat F will do a hell of a lot better than that. I'm in the cut EE and bring back the outlaw camp.

Hey, I loved those 3 yard out routes, too.

[COR-TEN]

Steelers have been pretty bad at TE eval. I remember Paulson. Geez, if you think ebron sucks. . .

But I'm not so down on Pmuuff. He's not baby gronk (wha?) and not Kelce, but he's certainly an upgrade over ghentry and butter finger ebron who can't block for shit.

[Steelperch]

If you just split Ebron out wide, he takes at least one guy out of the play. It’s not Enron’s fault those assholes designed plays where they asked him to block. That’s just ooor use of your resources. But just because Freirmutg is mediocre at both receiving and blocking doesn’t mean he’s going to be more successful at either aspect just because teams aren’t sure what he’s going to do.

I’m all for replacing Ebron with a better receiver who can block some. Still waiting for that guy. Maybe next year.

Now I got Matt Spaeth and no one is going to mistake him for a scary offensive threat.

You have four good receivers, why split a bum TE with shitty hands out wide vs using a good receiver? And when you play power football and use two TEs, why not use two that try and can block? Getting Ebron off the roster saves a lot of heartache and forces the team to better use the skill they have.

Have we forgotten the drive killing drops already? The blown blocks that killed short yardage runs? Ebron and Dionte Johnson drops were a plague. Throw James Connor untimely fumbles as well. That shit all needs washed off the roster.

[Steelperch]

If you just split Ebron out wide, he takes at least one guy out of the play. It’s not Enron’s fault those assholes designed plays where they asked him to block. That’s just ooor use of your resources. But just because Freirmutg is mediocre at both receiving and blocking doesn’t mean he’s going to be more successful at either aspect just because teams aren’t sure what he’s going to do.

I’m all for replacing Ebron with a better receiver who can block some. Still waiting for that guy. Maybe next year.

Now I got Matt Spaeth and no one is going to mistake him for a scary offensive threat.

You have four good receivers, why split a bum TE with shitty hands out wide vs using a good receiver? And when you play power football and use two TEs, why not use two that try and can block? Getting Ebron off the roster saves a lot of heartache and forces the team to better use the skill they have.

Have we forgotten the drive killing drops already? The blown blocks that killed short yardage runs? Ebron and Dionte Johnson drops were a plague. Throw James Connor untimely fumbles as well. That shit all needs washed off the roster.

[Ice]

Steelers have been pretty bad at TE eval. I remember Paulson. Geez, if you think ebron sucks. . .

But I'm not so down on Pmuuff. He's not baby gronk (wha?) and not Kelce, but he's certainly an upgrade over ghentry and butter finger ebron who can't block for shit.

His name... was David Paulson... His name... was David Paulson...

[Jobu]

Steelers have been pretty bad at TE eval. I remember Paulson. Geez, if you think ebron sucks. . .

But I'm not so down on Pmuuff. He's not baby gronk (wha?) and not Kelce, but he's certainly an upgrade over ghentry and butter finger ebron who can't block for shit.

His name... was David Paulson... His name... was David Paulson...

I’ll be honest..?I do NOT remember him. Probably a good thing?