Dear Swiss, Bradshaw et al

[tbsteel]

Najee is the worst longest lasting Steeler starting running back I’ve seen since 1955. Discuss

I think many people are missing this key part of OP's statement.

Najee has started 65 games (and counting) with over 1,000 (and counting) carries in 4 years.

He is 6th in total carries this year. Last year he was 6th. The year prior he was 5th. The year prior he was 2nd.

We keep running it back over and over again. We've changed OCs, we've changed QBs to where we now have a perfectly competent i.e. good QB, we've completely revamped the OL and have been getting overall damn good play from two rookies up front, and here we are in year 4 watching a winning team and we're still trying to come up with excuses to explain away why Najee sucks. You can't do this with Najee, you can't run these types of plays with Najee, you can't you can't you can't, but but but.... he's just so limiting. Please, I beg of you Omar Khan, move on from Largee. We can do far better.

[W&M_Steeler]

Najee is the worst longest lasting Steeler starting running back I’ve seen since 1955. Discuss

I think many people are missing this key part of OP's statement.

Najee has started 65 games (and counting) with over 1,000 (and counting) carries in 4 years.

Mendenhall had basically the same stats on basically the same number of starts and carries in a better overall offense. Not saying Najee is great or even a good starter, but it's certainly debatable whether he is the worst Steelers starting running back of the past 70 years, even if we limit it to "longest lasting" starters.

[Rod & Wire Mill]

Najee is the worst longest lasting Steeler starting running back I’ve seen since 1955. Discuss

I realize many people are captured by the current moment, but this is ridiculous. Does the name Walter Abercrombie mean anything to you? Frank Pollard? Rashad Mendenhall, Amos Zereoue, Tim Worley, Eric Pegram, Merril Hoge. Hell you could make a better case Najee is a top 5 starting RB for the Steelers since 1955.

Dude, I seen em all. Najee has reigned longer with less. He doesn’t fumble and doesn’t get hurt because he runs with no authority. No pop. Tugging with a big scrum 3-5 yards down field is not power. It’s the running back equivalent of linemen titty fighting. But I must admit, I rarely account for the 8 yards he runs before stopping at the line of scrimmage. Bottom line the whole Najee episode is beyond ridiculous.

[Steelperch]

Najee is the worst longest lasting Steeler starting running back I’ve seen since 1955. Discuss

I realize many people are captured by the current moment, but this is ridiculous. Does the name Walter Abercrombie mean anything to you? Frank Pollard? Rashad Mendenhall, Amos Zereoue, Tim Worley, Eric Pegram, Merril Hoge. Hell you could make a better case Najee is a top 5 starting RB for the Steelers since 1955.

Dude, I seen em all. Najee has reigned longer with less. He doesn’t fumble and doesn’t get hurt because he runs with no authority. No pop. Tugging with a big scrum 3-5 yards down field is not power. It’s the running back equivalent of linemen titty fighting. But I must admit, I rarely account for the 8 yards he runs before stopping at the line of scrimmage. Bottom line the whole Najee episode is beyond ridiculous.

Walter Abercrombie was here for 6 years, primary starter for 5. He took every handoff 100 mph right to the sidelines, never hit a hole. No vision, soft as shit runner. I could see Najee going to a team with a better line and running game and doing well, somewhere like Dallas. Look at how good James Connor turned out to be once he left our RB purgatory.

[Steel Bingo]

Harris never had possession of the ball, so he was not officially charged with a fumble on the turnover yesterday.

Naj's contributions during his career are being way undersold.

Guy has been durable and reliable.

He still not ever missed a game, can be trusted to hold onto the ball, trusted to catch passes and is a willing blocker. He was top 5 in 20+ yard runs last season, and is currently tied for 5th again this season.

[955876]

Jibbs getting to watch his defense the entire second half yesterday was likely a dream come true for him.

Who needs offense anyways…

[steelmann58]

Harris whiffed no doubt but their was no room to run totally stupid call IMO. I also would bet if he held on it would have lead to a FG only.

[955876]

Harris whiffed no doubt but their was no room to run totally stupid call IMO. I also would bet if he held on it would have lead to a FG only.

Yep. Would have certainly gotten stuffed for no gain or a loss.

Dumb play calling.

But that’s the standard round here.

We don’t scheme to beat our opponent but we do box check DEI when it comes to snap counts and play calls.

How many times have we opened the game with Connor Heyward on the field?

Why? He brings little to nothing offensively.

[tbsteel]

He was top 5 in 20+ yard runs last season, and is currently tied for 5th again this season.

This is sort of the sort of disingenuous counting stat stuff that doesn't really mean anything to me.

Like, he gets 250-300 carries a year, always near the tops in the entire NFL. He damn well better be close to the top of all the counting stats for RBs.

He has 8 carries for over 20+ yards this year. He had 8 of those runs last year too. How does that stat change is we go for 16+ yard runs? Or 26+ yard runs? I do know he has 0 runs over 40 yards. Not only this year, but for his entire career.

The deal on Najee is simple: if you're a fan of the counting stats you'll find ways to defend him because he gets 250-300 carries a season. But if you place more weight on any sort of efficiency of play-to-play stat, he's going to be scraping the bottom of the barrel compared to his peers.

[Who Dee Knee]

Najee is what he is—JAG with expanded role. But he is better than another Steeler first round pick not yet mentioned, Greg Hawthorne.

[PennyBacker]

An undervalued component of Najee Harris' reliability is how it helps Jaylen Warren.

Warren is a crucial component to the Pittsburgh offensive success. He consistently finds yards and makes plays that have Steelers' fans pumping their fist, and players on opposing defenses with their heads down looking at the dirt.

Warren is a change of pace for the offense though, and it is Najee Harris who sets the pulse for the rushing attack. Both guys together form an effective RB tandem, and enable the other to be a better version of himself.

[jebrick]

They could replace Najee with Devin Neal (Kansas) in the 5th or 6th round. And there are even better Rbs in this draft if they want take one higher than day 3.

Colbert drafted Najee on his stats which is stupid for any draftie every.

[Steeldrama]

Colbert drafted Najee on his stats which is stupid for any draftie every.

Colbert got lazy during his tenure as GM wore on but I think there was more to the Najee pick than simply stats.

Supply and demand for one. Wasn't a great draft for backs (similar to reaching (badly) for Pickett in an all time bad qb class).

Tomlin's "run the wheels off" mantra for another (Najee is if nothing else is durable)

National Titles (plural) and Bama's history of churning out NFL backs (varying degrees of success) holds sway.

Like him or not, Najee's highlight reel at Bama is quality TV.

I still don't consider Najee a bust the way I do Arte Burns, Devin Bush, and misses of that ilk.

Nope

The "error" in drafting Najee stems from Pro Day dinner. Tomlin trusting his gut, liking the player's personality and life story (Najee homeless in HS etc).

No combine measurables not good either

For better or worse (worse) Tomlin is heavily involved in personnel.

"...got a lotta fingers in a lot of pies!"- Satan

[rocky mtn stiller]

Najee is the worst longest lasting Steeler starting running back I’ve seen since 1955. Discuss

I realize many people are captured by the current moment, but this is ridiculous. Does the name Walter Abercrombie mean anything to you? Frank Pollard? Rashad Mendenhall, Amos Zereoue, Tim Worley, Eric Pegram, Merril Hoge. Hell you could make a better case Najee is a top 5 starting RB for the Steelers since 1955.

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Note that Hoge was drafted in the 10th round vs. 1st. He was also mostly a FB rather than a bell cow.

[LakecrestSteeler]

I realize many people are captured by the current moment, but this is ridiculous. Does the name Walter Abercrombie mean anything to you? Frank Pollard? Rashad Mendenhall, Amos Zereoue, Tim Worley, Eric Pegram, Merril Hoge. Hell you could make a better case Najee is a top 5 starting RB for the Steelers since 1955.

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Note that Hoge was drafted in the 10th round vs. 1st. He was also mostly a FB rather than a bell cow.

Look at that stat line when it mattered in the playoffs! Najee has never had a great game to my knowledge?

[Ice]

Hey, that stat line also points out that Hoge had at least one more 40+ yard run in his career than Najee has to this point. Also, Louis Lipps, Mike Mularkey (as a player) and Weegie Thompson bring back fun memories of my first days as a Steeler fan. Can't discount The Bubster, either.

For the average Najee stat line, though, you could have easily circled Tim Worley.

[Obviously]

Top 5 RB's since 1955 in order

1. Franco Harris
2. Jerome Bettis
3. John Henry Johnson
4. Le'veon Bell
5. Willie Parker

[RemoAZ]

Najee is the worst longest lasting Steeler starting running back I’ve seen since 1955. Discuss

I realize many people are captured by the current moment, but this is ridiculous. Does the name Walter Abercrombie mean anything to you? Frank Pollard? Rashad Mendenhall, Amos Zereoue, Tim Worley, Eric Pegram, Merril Hoge. Hell you could make a better case Najee is a top 5 starting RB for the Steelers since 1955.

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Amen brother. Hoge is one of my all time favorites and the only jersey I own. 100% effort 100% of the time and seems to be a really good dude too. Certainly not in the conversation as best Steeler backs of all time but definitely should not be mentioned with the worst. The Houston playoff game was awesome.

[RemoAZ]

I realize many people are captured by the current moment, but this is ridiculous. Does the name Walter Abercrombie mean anything to you? Frank Pollard? Rashad Mendenhall, Amos Zereoue, Tim Worley, Eric Pegram, Merril Hoge. Hell you could make a better case Najee is a top 5 starting RB for the Steelers since 1955.

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Note that Hoge was drafted in the 10th round vs. 1st. He was also mostly a FB rather than a bell cow.

He definitely was a FB. He got so many carries because he out performed the RBs for a few years.

[anpsteel]

I realize many people are captured by the current moment, but this is ridiculous. Does the name Walter Abercrombie mean anything to you? Frank Pollard? Rashad Mendenhall, Amos Zereoue, Tim Worley, Eric Pegram, Merril Hoge. Hell you could make a better case Najee is a top 5 starting RB for the Steelers since 1955.

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Amen brother. Hoge is one of my all time favorites and the only jersey I own. 100% effort 100% of the time and seems to be a really good dude too. Certainly not in the conversation as best Steeler backs of all time but definitely should not be mentioned with the worst. The Houston playoff game was awesome.

Absolutely

Houston and Denver

He and Bubby were both on the All Heart team

I was mildly pissed off, when bubby went to Denver, but it was time, and he who shall remain nameless, hadn’t given away a Super Bowl yet

[W&M_Steeler]

I realize many people are captured by the current moment, but this is ridiculous. Does the name Walter Abercrombie mean anything to you? Frank Pollard? Rashad Mendenhall, Amos Zereoue, Tim Worley, Eric Pegram, Merril Hoge. Hell you could make a better case Najee is a top 5 starting RB for the Steelers since 1955.

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Amen brother. Hoge is one of my all time favorites and the only jersey I own. 100% effort 100% of the time and seems to be a really good dude too. Certainly not in the conversation as best Steeler backs of all time but definitely should not be mentioned with the worst. The Houston playoff game was awesome.

The Houston playoff game is my earliest Steeler memory. I was 7 years old, but I can still remember watching the game winning Gary Anderson field goal.

[RemoAZ]

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Amen brother. Hoge is one of my all time favorites and the only jersey I own. 100% effort 100% of the time and seems to be a really good dude too. Certainly not in the conversation as best Steeler backs of all time but definitely should not be mentioned with the worst. The Houston playoff game was awesome.

Absolutely

Houston and Denver

He and Bubby were both on the All Heart team

I was mildly pissed off, when bubby went to Denver, but it was time, and he who shall remain nameless, hadn’t given away a Super Bowl yet

I was a Bubby fan and hated the switch to O'Donnell. Always thought he was a little better protection away from getting them over the top. Although I was more optimistic about their chances to compete for a SB back then so it was probably the rose colored glasses. It was cool seeing him win a few games on that Denver SB team.

[RemoAZ]

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Amen brother. Hoge is one of my all time favorites and the only jersey I own. 100% effort 100% of the time and seems to be a really good dude too. Certainly not in the conversation as best Steeler backs of all time but definitely should not be mentioned with the worst. The Houston playoff game was awesome.

The Houston playoff game is my earliest Steeler memory. I was 7 years old, but I can still remember watching the game winning Gary Anderson field goal.

Easily my favorite non SB game.

[Obviously]

Amen brother. Hoge is one of my all time favorites and the only jersey I own. 100% effort 100% of the time and seems to be a really good dude too. Certainly not in the conversation as best Steeler backs of all time but definitely should not be mentioned with the worst. The Houston playoff game was awesome.

The Houston playoff game is my earliest Steeler memory. I was 7 years old, but I can still remember watching the game winning Gary Anderson field goal.

Easily my favorite non SB game.

The '74 AFCCG in Oakland shits all over that game.

[RemoAZ]

The Houston playoff game is my earliest Steeler memory. I was 7 years old, but I can still remember watching the game winning Gary Anderson field goal.

Easily my favorite non SB game.

The '74 AFCCG in Oakland shits all over that game.

That's a little too long in the tooth for me to remember. I'll always remember the Houston game because a few seconds after the kick went through the phone rang and I picked it up and shouted Happy New Year. Man I loved the game so much more back then.

[Deebo]

Do not denigrate the name of Merril Hoge, by putting him on that list lol


In reality, Hoge and Harris are pretty similar players... except Hoge had better vision, and the benefit of not playing for a fucking moron of a HC/OC

Amen brother. Hoge is one of my all time favorites and the only jersey I own. 100% effort 100% of the time and seems to be a really good dude too. Certainly not in the conversation as best Steeler backs of all time but definitely should not be mentioned with the worst. The Houston playoff game was awesome.

The Houston playoff game is my earliest Steeler memory. I was 7 years old, but I can still remember watching the game winning Gary Anderson field goal.

Same for me. I was 6 years old.

[swissvale72]

The Houston playoff game is my earliest Steeler memory. I was 7 years old, but I can still remember watching the game winning Gary Anderson field goal.

Easily my favorite non SB game.

The '74 AFCCG in Oakland shits all over that game.

That's the absolute BEST steeler game of all time.