James Conner

[Stallworth16]

Had a great day with 21 runs for 110 yards, 2 TDS, and 4 catches for 75. 185 yds from scrimmage. Granted Atlanta defense not good.
Ridley (who I wanted to see) did little.

Conner looks Rough and ready, and learning on the job.

AB’s ego also had a great game with 101 yards and 2 TD.

[Kodiak]

I still don't have much of a read running the ball because the first 4 games played out so strangely....but receiving he is kind of special.

Overall, I think he is a much better value than Bell. I don't think there's much drop-off in contribution, although Bell might give us a bit more in the running game (Conner is faster and more decisive, hard to say if Bell would really be more effective).

And Conner's blocking has been pretty decent, which was the big knock. 1-2 more games like today and Bell never wears he Black&Gold again.

[bradshaw2ben]

Conner played big boy football today. He was outstanding and inspired.

If I had known that it was cancer awareness day in the NFL, I would have bet on a huge day for Conner.

[Stallworth16]

Also Conner used his blocks and even showed some vision this game.

[stillthere]

Also Conner used his blocks and even showed some vision this game.

Last game he had nowhere to go and even less to see.

[Stallworth16]

Also Conner used his blocks and even showed some vision this game.

Last game he had nowhere to go and even less to see.

Certainly Rats have a better run D than Atlanta.

[drmalba]

Connor is one of the most impressive players on this football team and I have never been anything other than high on him since he got here. If it isnt another homerun pick on offense, its at least a triple for Colbert. He is more than doing his part minimizing the impact of losing Bell and we are damn lucky to have him.

[Ice]

Conner played big boy football today. He was outstanding and inspired.

If I had known that it was cancer awareness day in the NFL, I would have bet on a huge day for Conner.

In a positive note for us, it's actually cancer awareness month now, so we've got at least three more weeks of it.

[tbsteel]

Conner played big boy football today. He was outstanding and inspired.

If I had known that it was cancer awareness day in the NFL, I would have bet on a huge day for Conner.

He ran so hard today. I can't think of one play where he went down on first contact.

[LakecrestSteeler]

My bet is that he develops another subtle skill in the next game or two. He will start trusting his skills in the NFL shortly and begin to work on something additional to give him an edge. It might be the pause like Bell, or something in the passing game, or maybe he will continue to work on his nasty spin move. Seems that thing is getting faster.
Still think he needs to work on his pause for the blockers, but that may be why he is considered more decisive than Bell and gets more YAC than Bell.

[Stallworth16]

Conner highlights vs Falcons. NFL films so not embedded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAF061_zyQ

[Legacy User]

Conner played big boy football today. He was outstanding and inspired.

If I had known that it was cancer awareness day in the NFL, I would have bet on a huge day for Conner.

He ran so hard today. I can't think of one play where he went down on first contact.

yes; dude was in beast mode. and breaking tackle after tackle.

[jeemie]

I think it's two simple things:

1) He's feeling more confident with each game (he is struggles in the past couple games notwithstanding)

2) Bell says he's coming back in a couple weeks, and Conner wants to make it difficult to sit him down.

[Havoc]

I'm on board with Conner.

He's a stud receiving the football. Has not even had one bobble that I can remember... fantastic hands, solid as a rock.

18.8 Y/R long of 29

30 yd run

Conner gives us splash plays that Bell cannot do. I do not want to see that splash removed from the offense.

I do not believe we would have scored more points with Molasses at RB today and we might not have scored as many.

[Legacy User]

My bet is that he develops another subtle skill in the next game or two. He will start trusting his skills in the NFL shortly and begin to work on something additional to give him an edge. It might be the pause like Bell, or something in the passing game, or maybe he will continue to work on his nasty spin move. Seems that thing is getting faster.
Still think he needs to work on his pause for the blockers, but that may be why he is considered more decisive than Bell and gets more YAC than Bell.

No. And no. His short body of work has more than proven that he is ready, willing, and able to carry the load left behind by Bell with NO DROPOFF. He doesn't need to develop "subtle skills". He just needs to keep doing EXACTLY what he is doing when the Steelers don't spot their opponent 2-3 touchdown leads.

I've been saying this for 5 weeks now, we are no better with Bell in the backfield. There is no dropoff. JC is every bit as productive as Bell ever was. He should be getting Bell's game checks while Bell is out.

The only thing he needs to do is protect the ball better when he's fighting for extra yards. Maybe give up that extra couple yards at the end of the run and secure the ball. At some point, his trying to eek out a few more yards or break one more tackle might cost us. Fortunately, to this point it hasn't.

[Scunge]

To Havoc's point, yeah, I think Bell supporters will say that the offense would be better and that Bell would do better but I personally don't think so. I have been critical of the O-line this season. The holes have not really been there and there have been injuries to blame too perhaps for that. Also, I hate to say it but Rosie Nix hasn't been blocking as well as he normally does. That is hard for me to say because I love me some Rosie Nix.

So for people to say oh, Bell would do what Conner has been doing, I am not so sure. Conner has been breaking tackles, he has been more physical, I don't think Bell would have gotten the same yards.

I also think that Conner's speed and quickness after the tuck is better than Bell. Ben has talked about this with Conner. Conner catches the ball and he does not mess around, he tucks it and is rumbling along, running forward. With Bell you see him so often catch the ball, come to a stop, run sideways trying to elude a tackler and not really picking up the yardage that Conner has been doing these 5 games.

The splash plays, people might say what the hell are you talking about Scunge, what are you talking about Havoc?

Bell played in 15 games last season and had 2 runs over 20+ yards. James Conner in just 5 games has 3 runs over 20+ yards.

Bell played in 15 games last season and had 5 catches over 20+ yards. James Conner in just 5 games has 3 catches over 20+ yards.

Bell in 15 games last season had a combined 7 plays over 20+ yards, Conner in just 5 games has 6 plays over 20+ yards.

If Bell did not come back and Conner played all season, might Conner end up with 20 plays over 20+ yards? With Conner I believe that he is so close to ripping off a 50 yard run or catch for a TD, with Bell I have no such confidence.

To Lakecrest's point, yeah, I agree that Conner needs to develop subtle skills. Remember Bell was not the same player he was as a rookie. His jump from year one as a starter to year two was significant. Conner in the same position will likely have the same sort of significant jump as a runner. Some RBs have an innate ability but some runners also learn as they go and some it is a combination of the two.

[Legacy User]

To Havoc's point, yeah, I think Bell supporters will say that the offense would be better and that Bell would do better but I personally don't think so. I have been critical of the O-line this season. The holes have not really been there and there have been injuries to blame too perhaps for that. Also, I hate to say it but Rosie Nix hasn't been blocking as well as he normally does. That is hard for me to say because I love me some Rosie Nix.

So for people to say oh, Bell would do what Conner has been doing, I am not so sure. Conner has been breaking tackles, he has been more physical, I don't think Bell would have gotten the same yards.

I also think that Conner's speed and quickness after the tuck is better than Bell. Ben has talked about this with Conner. Conner catches the ball and he does not mess around, he tucks it and is rumbling along, running forward. With Bell you see him so often catch the ball, come to a stop, run sideways trying to elude a tackler and not really picking up the yardage that Conner has been doing these 5 games.

The splash plays, people might say what the hell are you talking about Scunge, what are you talking about Havoc?

Bell played in 15 games last season and had 2 runs over 20+ yards. James Conner in just 5 games has 3 runs over 20+ yards.

Bell played in 15 games last season and had 5 catches over 20+ yards. James Conner in just 5 games has 3 catches over 20+ yards.

Bell in 15 games last season had a combined 7 plays over 20+ yards, Conner in just 5 games has 6 plays over 20+ yards.

If Bell did not come back and Conner played all season, might Conner end up with 20 plays over 20+ yards? With Conner I believe that he is so close to ripping off a 50 yard run or catch for a TD, with Bell I have no such confidence.

To Lakecrest's point, yeah, I agree that Conner needs to develop subtle skills. Remember Bell was not the same player he was as a rookie. His jump from year one as a starter to year two was significant. Conner in the same position will likely have the same sort of significant jump as a runner. Some RBs have an innate ability but some runners also learn as they go and some it is a combination of the two.

You are spot on with your analysis of JC and pointing out that he is simply a more productive back than Bell was. I've been banging that drum since week 1.

But let's clarify "developing subtle skills". My bone of contention with Lakecrest is when he says JC should develop into a Bell clone by mimicking his pause or developing something in the passing game. First, he is a downhill runner. He should in no way change the type of running style at this level just because it works for another back. To even suggest that is ludicrous. Second, WHAT ELSE SHOULD HE DO IN THE PASSING GAME?????? My God, leave him alone. He's already out producing Bell.

Now, if by "subtle development" you mean just get better at his craft in general, then I'm right there with you. He needs better ball security. He can work on blocking. He can develop better timing and trust with his O line. That would make him more complete and even more dangerous.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Definitely to work on his craft and not to become a Bell clone. I think I have seen him bust through a play or two when he could have waited for a block. It might go against his style to wait or pause. Maybe he will need to get further in the backfield to allow for timing. When you watch the replays with him, I believe he has incredible vision. He is seeing everything and it just so happens he has been shot out of a cannon too. To Scunge’s point he is on the cusp of busting some big runs from rushing or passing...they are coming.

We won today with no focus on the TE. We have 3 groups that we can really shift the offense towards. Great receivers, great feature back and great TE group (when healthy); so this offense can do whatever the hell it wants. Only thing stopping it will be coaching, injuries, or messing with Bell.

Connor may have to deal with his second cancer when Bell gets back.

I just can’t imagine starting Bell over JC if we are on a hot streak, why waste the money when we need stars on D.

Don’t forget the OK State example. Thurman Thomas was one fine back coming out of college and went on to have an amazing NFL career for Buffalo...4 Superbowls. His Cowboy back-up was????? Barry Sanders.

Maybe Bell is Thomas

[K_C_]

I'm on board with Conner.

He's a stud receiving the football. Has not even had one bobble that I can remember... fantastic hands, solid as a rock.

18.8 Y/R long of 29

30 yd run

Conner gives us splash plays that Bell cannot do. I do not want to see that splash removed from the offense.

I do not believe we would have scored more points with Molasses at RB today and we might not have scored as many.

Conner had the massive, game altering fumble in week one.

Probably tired at the time from being overworked in his first game, but he coughed it up inside his own 20 yard line and one play later, our 14 point lead was 7.

I believe he did have a bobble yesterday (perhaps it was someone else?) that ended up going out of bounds. I'm pretty sure it was Conner and I was scared shitless he was going to fumble the ball through the endzone for a touchback.

If you mean no bobbles as a receiver, then I apologize.

I have to admit, Conner has been better than expected but I think we forget how good Bell is.

There's a reason he's considered among the best backs in the NFL. I wish he was more of a threat to take it to the house on any given play, but Bell is special.

[Legacy User]

another thought;; if im on defense id much rather tackle bell all game then Connor! Connor was laying some blows on the de yesterday!

[Scunge]

KC, I have been pointing this out all offseason, Leveon Bell has fumbled 7 times in his last 24 regular season games.

So, was James Conner never supposed to fumble? Why? If you are going to have a bell cow back, feed him the ball, give him so many touches, catches and carries, then yeah, fumbles are going to be part and parcel of that position.

Of those 7 fumbles Bell had in his last 24 games, 3 were for loss, meaning the defense recovered, 2 of them went out of bounds and 2 were recovered by the offense.

So, Conner has 2 fumbles this season, one for a loss and one went out of bounds. Many might try and blow it out of proportion but Conner isn't doing anything that Bell hasn't done. The standard is the standard right?

Did the Rams bench Gurley when he fumbled 5 times last season. Did Arizona bench Johnson when he fumbled 5 times in 2016?

[LakecrestSteeler]

That near fumble was another great play by the DB. If you watch it in slow motion, I think JC has awareness of where everyone is on the field. The DB whiffs on JC because he lifts his arm like a matador to prevent a fumble from a smashed helmet to forearm most likely, then he puts his arm down for more ball security and the DB because of his whiff does this back hand flail and miraculously strikes the ball. That man should have been out of the equation! JC will enter that into the vault.

I think JC saw everything!

His slo-mo plays are actually quite poetic. There is a ton to take in watching him in slo-mo. His eyes are darting, he has classic moves, high knees, Teflon legs, plotting his moves...the kid might be special!

KC is comparing JC to Bell now which is fair, I am comparing him to Bell his first year. JC is impressive! I think NFL films will be doing features on him, because he is emotive as hell when he is running the rock, and almost old school.

Tomlin, Colbert and Rooney will be earning their money and getting greys when it comes to the decision of Bell and JC. I think you go with the long term play...keep JC and cut Bell and all his garbage.

[DP39]

That near fumble was another great play by the DB. If you watch it in slow motion, I think JC has awareness of where everyone is on the field. The DB whiffs on JC because he lifts his arm like a matador to prevent a fumble from a smashed helmet to forearm most likely, then he puts his arm down for more ball security and the DB because of his whiff does this back hand flail and miraculously strikes the ball. That man should have been out of the equation! JC will enter that into the vault.

I think JC saw everything!

His slo-mo plays are actually quite poetic. There is a ton to take in watching him in slo-mo. His eyes are darting, he has classic moves, high knees, Teflon legs, plotting his moves...the kid might be special!

KC is comparing JC to Bell now which is fair, I am comparing him to Bell his first year. JC is impressive! I think NFL films will be doing features on him, because he is emotive as hell when he is running the rock, and almost old school.

Tomlin, Colbert and Rooney will be earning their money and getting greys when it comes to the decision of Bell and JC. I think you go with the long term play...keep JC and cut Bell and all his garbage.

I saw the same thing yesterday, Lake. Was a great play by the DB to slap his arm backwards on his way by and hit the ball out.

My biggest hope is that we can get Philly to give us one of their 2019 2nd rounders for Bell in the next few week, as I think that's our best chance at trading him.

[Legacy User]

KC, I have been pointing this out all offseason, Leveon Bell has fumbled 7 times in his last 24 regular season games.

So, was James Conner never supposed to fumble? Why? If you are going to have a bell cow back, feed him the ball, give him so many touches, catches and carries, then yeah, fumbles are going to be part and parcel of that position.

Of those 7 fumbles Bell had in his last 24 games, 3 were for loss, meaning the defense recovered, 2 of them went out of bounds and 2 were recovered by the offense.

So, Conner has 2 fumbles this season, one for a loss and one went out of bounds. Many might try and blow it out of proportion but Conner isn't doing anything that Bell hasn't done. The standard is the standard right?

Did the Rams bench Gurley when he fumbled 5 times last season. Did Arizona bench Johnson when he fumbled 5 times in 2016?

Who recommended a benching?

Also, not all fumbles are equal. I don't remember a bell fumble directly changing the outcome of a game as Conner's against the browns. In turtle mode, objective #1: do not fumble.

That said, he seems to have learned from it and immediately you saw 2 arms on ball in traffic. I'm not declaring Conner incompetent because of the fumble, but 3-2 and we are looking to possibly share division lead with Bungs this week. It was costly.

Conner was a man possessed yesterday. Great effort. As B2B says, him and Bell would make one hell of a combo.

People can deny it, but Bell is playing for the steelers this year. All parties will probably stay quiet to cool the emotions of the past few weeks. Having these 2 backs healthy is this team's best chances for a run this year.

It's an uphill battle for a playoff spot right now.

[zeke5123]

I'm on board with Conner.

He's a stud receiving the football. Has not even had one bobble that I can remember... fantastic hands, solid as a rock.

18.8 Y/R long of 29

30 yd run

Conner gives us splash plays that Bell cannot do. I do not want to see that splash removed from the offense.

I do not believe we would have scored more points with Molasses at RB today and we might not have scored as many.

Conner had the massive, game altering fumble in week one.

Probably tired at the time from being overworked in his first game, but he coughed it up inside his own 20 yard line and one play later, our 14 point lead was 7.

I believe he did have a bobble yesterday (perhaps it was someone else?) that ended up going out of bounds. I'm pretty sure it was Conner and I was scared shitless he was going to fumble the ball through the endzone for a touchback.

If you mean no bobbles as a receiver, then I apologize.

I have to admit, Conner has been better than expected but I think we forget how good Bell is.

There's a reason he's considered among the best backs in the NFL. I wish he was more of a threat to take it to the house on any given play, but Bell is special.

I'm with KC on this one...This thread popped up because JC had a big game. What about three out of five games this year?

JC's vision is below average. Maybe that will improve with time, but for now JC is a good but not great back.

[Kodiak]

JC's vision is below average. Maybe that will improve with time, but for now JC is a good but not great back.

He's been a standout receiving.

I'm still undecided on him as a runner. I agree with what you said, but the first 4 games unfolded strangely. He's run well in 2 of the 3 games we got early leads in, so I think the jury is still out.

He and Bell would be a great 1-2 punch, but that will probably never happen.

[DP39]

I'm on board with Conner.

He's a stud receiving the football. Has not even had one bobble that I can remember... fantastic hands, solid as a rock.

18.8 Y/R long of 29

30 yd run

Conner gives us splash plays that Bell cannot do. I do not want to see that splash removed from the offense.

I do not believe we would have scored more points with Molasses at RB today and we might not have scored as many.

Conner had the massive, game altering fumble in week one.

Probably tired at the time from being overworked in his first game, but he coughed it up inside his own 20 yard line and one play later, our 14 point lead was 7.

I believe he did have a bobble yesterday (perhaps it was someone else?) that ended up going out of bounds. I'm pretty sure it was Conner and I was scared shitless he was going to fumble the ball through the endzone for a touchback.

If you mean no bobbles as a receiver, then I apologize.

I have to admit, Conner has been better than expected but I think we forget how good Bell is.

There's a reason he's considered among the best backs in the NFL. I wish he was more of a threat to take it to the house on any given play, but Bell is special.

I'm with KC on this one...This thread popped up because JC had a big game. What about three out of five games this year?

JC's vision is below average. Maybe that will improve with time, but for now JC is a good but not great back.

I disagree about his lack of production in 3 of the 5 games this year. In those 3 games he touched the ball 12, 20 and 13 times. In the 2 games he's been Bell's equal, he's touched it 36 and 25 times...just like Bell did last year whenever he had a big game. If the game unfolds in a way he can get a lot of touches (Bell average something like 35 touches a game last year) then he's shown he can produce just as well as Bell, with more explosive plays to boot.

[stillthere]

Definitely to work on his craft and not to become a Bell clone. I think I have seen him bust through a play or two when he could have waited for a block. It might go against his style to wait or pause. Maybe he will need to get further in the backfield to allow for timing. When you watch the replays with him, I believe he has incredible vision. He is seeing everything and it just so happens he has been shot out of a cannon too. To Scunge’s point he is on the cusp of busting some big runs from rushing or passing...they are coming.

We won today with no focus on the TE. We have 3 groups that we can really shift the offense towards. Great receivers, great feature back and great TE group (when healthy); so this offense can do whatever the hell it wants. Only thing stopping it will be coaching, injuries, or messing with Bell.

Connor may have to deal with his second cancer when Bell gets back.

I just can’t imagine starting Bell over JC if we are on a hot streak, why waste the money when we need stars on D.

Don’t forget the OK State example. Thurman Thomas was one fine back coming out of college and went on to have an amazing NFL career for Buffalo...4 Superbowls. His Cowboy back-up was????? Barry Sanders.

Maybe Bell is Thomas

Sanders was a bit introverted coming out of HS and was told by OU (switzer) that he would start immediately but OSU told him that Thomas was the starter and that fit with what Barry wanted at the time better.

[stillthere]

ha ha

[stillthere]

https://twitter.com/pff_steelers/status/1049362176664854529?s=21

Most missed tackles forced as a runner and a receiver through the first 5 weeks this season:

James Conner - 32
Saquon Barkley - 27
Kareem Hunt - 26
Lynch, Gordon, McCaffrey - 23

@JamesConner_ is one hard man to bring down! #Steelers