Najee Revisited

[Steeler Owl]

I haven't seen much lately from those bemoaning the first round selection of JAG Najee Harris. Slow, not powerful enough, can't catch, can't block, low energy. Where you at Fake Colberts?

[Ice]

I haven't seen much lately from those bemoaning the first round selection of JAG Najee Harris. Slow, not powerful enough, can't catch, can't block, low energy. Where you at Fake Colberts?

I think the biggest complaint wasn't the player, but the position and where it was picked. The player has been extremely good.

[Steeler Owl]

There was that, but there were also those claiming his effort/performance were subpar for someone drafted in any round. He improves every game. If the Steelers get five years out of him--seems the ceiling given his current use--the pick couldn't have been better. And, yes, I fully understand the usually valid arguments for not going RB in Round One. But Beast Mode should always be a factor.

[Greeksteel]

Najee is nothing short of a BEAST...and another who should get some love, who was also a talked about as a wasted 2nd rnd draft pick..Friermuth..kids been damn damn good

[Ice]

For as trash as the line was from the beginning of the season, he was getting a pass there from me. Hell, they even found him on repeated short passes to get the rock in his hands early on, and as the line has jelled a little, he's gotten more handoffs.

Not sure where folks were getting JAG/poor catcher/low effort with him, though.

[Steeler Owl]

I omitted poor vision! LOL Guys on their basement couches can see cutback opportunities that Najee can not. They and he are neck and neck for the Playoffs and Pro Bowl right now.

[ToddHaleysNineIron]

I think for each game I can count on my hand the number of times he's actually tackled to the ground.

Half of those might be him diving.

[Ice]

Najee is nothing short of a BEAST...and another who should get some love, who was also a talked about as a wasted 2nd rnd draft pick..Friermuth..kids been damn damn good

Freiermuth is starting to remind me of a TE version of Ed McCaffrey. Nothing spectacular, just seems to find a way at points in the game.

[LakecrestSteeler]

His power in the pile has been the biggest improvement over the last couple games.

When he was doing that worm move it made me laugh, but it is indicative of the power in him. Everything just keeps moving forward all the time and nobody seems to be able to stop much of his movement…watched his arms moving…they seemed like hydraulic struts just moving whatever was in their way to extend the ball.

I thought Snell’s failure to get the first was a splash of cold water to me on how much my expectations have shifted with Harris. Those plays are a given with Harris and he probably gets an additional 3 yards…with Snell him getting that first would be a career highlight.

[Jizz Mop]

Harris goes down we are super fucked

Nothing behind him

[Jobu]

Is anyone else concerned with him leaving his feet so much?
I’m not talking about diving for the end zone, but trying to hurdle tacklers in the open field. I know that is the go to move for a lot of these guys today, but it seems to me there is an unnecessary risk factor involved with it. Use a juke move, a stiff arm..,hell just lower your shoulder. Stay on your feet, stay healthy. Need this kid all season, because with Benny Snell toting the ball, the offense is a zero.

[Ice]

Is anyone else concerned with him leaving his feet so much?
I’m not talking about diving for the end zone, but trying to hurdle tacklers in the open field. I know that is the go to move for a lot of these guys today, but it seems to me there is an unnecessary risk factor involved with it. Use a juke move, a stiff arm..,hell just lower your shoulder. Stay on your feet, stay healthy. Need this kid all season, because with Benny Snell toting the ball, the offense is a zero.

Ben mentioned in the presser that he worries when Najee takes to the air so much.

[Steeler Owl]

For as trash as the line was from the beginning of the season, he was getting a pass there from me. Hell, they even found him on repeated short passes to get the rock in his hands early on, and as the line has jelled a little, he's gotten more handoffs.

Not sure where folks were getting JAG/poor catcher/low effort with him, though.

He snagged 14 passes for 100+ yards vs Bengals and was called a detriment to the passing attack. GENIOUS!

[LakecrestSteeler]

Is anyone else concerned with him leaving his feet so much?
I’m not talking about diving for the end zone, but trying to hurdle tacklers in the open field. I know that is the go to move for a lot of these guys today, but it seems to me there is an unnecessary risk factor involved with it. Use a juke move, a stiff arm..,hell just lower your shoulder. Stay on your feet, stay healthy. Need this kid all season, because with Benny Snell toting the ball, the offense is negative 2 yards.

Fixed your post for you at the bottom.

Any RB jumping in non-end zone situations is the equivalent of a QB not sliding.

Playoffs perhaps……maybe final drives it is ok, but random hurdles during regular season is asking for trouble IMHO.

[DP39]

Najee is nothing short of a BEAST...and another who should get some love, who was also a talked about as a wasted 2nd rnd draft pick..Friermuth..kids been damn damn good

Freiermuth is starting to remind me of a TE version of Ed McCaffrey. Nothing spectacular, just seems to find a way at points in the game.

Good point, Ice. Both were slightly above average physical talents, but both seemed to be highly competitive and committed to working their tales off, while perfecting their craft.

For comparison of the exact opposite?.....I give you Eric Ebron.

[Ice]

If the trajectory continues with both, and even moreso with Green and Moore, I worry less about the draft slotting, too. Plenty of holes on the roster, gotta fill em in some order.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Najee has been a real difference maker for the Steelers

I really hope they add a late rd Najee clone like Keaontay Ingram in the draft

The Steelers desperately need someone to take some snaps from Najee

[franco32]

Look, there is no denying Najee made the wrong cuts a few times early in the season. I thought his vision the last two weeks has been much better. People also were complaining about his lack of explosive speed. He doesn't cut and explode off that cut the way some elite RBs do.

I have to say though that even his explosiveness seemed better yesterday. At the end of the day, it helps a lot when you aren't being met 2 yards into your backfield when taking the handoff...

[Ice]

Agree we need some complementary depth, and it isn’t (though maybe properly schemed, Ballage could take some carries) currently on the roster.

The transition from being an Alabama RB to the NFL, behind this line, could not have been an easy one. If Harris was a little over his skis early, well, kinda had to expect it.

[Stosh-67]

Is anyone else concerned with him leaving his feet so much?
I’m not talking about diving for the end zone, but trying to hurdle tacklers in the open field. I know that is the go to move for a lot of these guys today, but it seems to me there is an unnecessary risk factor involved with it. Use a juke move, a stiff arm..,hell just lower your shoulder. Stay on your feet, stay healthy. Need this kid all season, because with Benny Snell toting the ball, the offense is negative 2 yards.

Fixed your post for you at the bottom.

Any RB jumping in non-end zone situations is the equivalent of a QB not sliding.

Playoffs perhaps……maybe final drives it is ok, but random hurdles during regular season is asking for trouble IMHO.

True.
Save your battles for the War.

[Stosh-67]

Look, there is no denying Najee made the wrong cuts a few times early in the season. I thought his vision the last two weeks has been much better. People also were complaining about his lack of explosive speed. He doesn't cut and explode off that cut the way some elite RBs do.

I have to say though that even his explosiveness seemed better yesterday. At the end of the day, it helps a lot when you aren't being met 2 yards into your backfield when taking the handoff...

No he does not.
Watch a guy like Dalvin Cook....explodes thru the line.
Yes, our Oline is not opening those holes like some teams do, hence, where Cook sees that hole happening the second he takes the hand-off, or before handoff....
Najee is not there.
1. Still aprehensive as a rookie.
2. Still not seeing much room to run. Altough he has close to 300 yards in his last 3 games.
3. He is earning every last yard he carries. First four games, 46 of his first 60 carries were for 4 yards or less.

4. Steelers run game is still soooooo vanilla. Not much pulling of the guards, center or tackles. We have not seen many counters with a guard and TE pulling and leading the way. Alot of it is trust, ability and repition....which comes with experience.

Hoping home games vs the Bears and Lions can see incremental improvements with the Ol and run games, as we have been seeing the last 3 weeks. Bears and Lions are 23rd and 30th against the run. Bears are 20th in the league giving up pooints, Lions dead last.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Look, there is no denying Najee made the wrong cuts a few times early in the season. I thought his vision the last two weeks has been much better. People also were complaining about his lack of explosive speed. He doesn't cut and explode off that cut the way some elite RBs do.

I have to say though that even his explosiveness seemed better yesterday. At the end of the day, it helps a lot when you aren't being met 2 yards into your backfield when taking the handoff...

No he does not.
Watch a guy like Dalvin Cook....explodes thru the line.
Yes, our Oline is not opening those holes like some teams do, hence, where Cook sees that hole happening the second he takes the hand-off, or before handoff....
Najee is not there.
1. Still aprehensive as a rookie.
2. Still not seeing much room to run. Altough he has close to 300 yards in his last 3 games.
3. He is earning every last yard he carries. First four games, 46 of his first 60 carries were for 4 yards or less.

4. Steelers run game is still soooooo vanilla. Not much pulling of the guards, center or tackles. We have not seen many counters with a guard and TE pulling and leading the way. Alot of it is trust, ability and repition....which comes with experience.

Hoping home games vs the Bears and Lions can see incremental improvements with the Ol and run games, as we have been seeing the last 3 weeks. Bears and Lions are 23rd and 30th against the run. Bears are 20th in the league giving up pooints, Lions dead last.

They should bench Najee for the Detroit game to help with the rookie wall. Let Balage and Snell carry the day.

[Roeth2Rudolph]

It really wouldn't be a bad idea to unleash Snell a little more over the next couple weeks. Especially if we get the game in hand at some point. I'm pretty sure Ballage got injured on his one carry.

[Steelperch]

If Najee stays healthy he will be one of the 3 best Steelers RBs of All Time by the end of his rookie deal. And Friermuth will be a top 2 TE. Anyone who hated those picks have crow to eat.

[K_C_]

Anybody who criticized this pick now looks like a fucking idiot.

Sorry, that's the reality.

[K_C_]

They should bench Najee for the Detroit game to help with the rookie wall. Let Balage and Snell carry the day.

Neither of these upcoming games are going to be easy, especially Chicago.

Geno Smith took us to OT in the first game he started in like 4 years. Seattle's defense was HISTORICALLY TERRIBLE.

.....and we had to go to overtime to beat them.

Chicago isn't a bad team. Justin Fields is getting better and he's very mobile. Improving as a passer and he's a tough sonofabitch.

Detroit has no wins, but they've been in a bunch of games. Got fucked out of a win against the Ravens.

Don't forget that.

They might have a terrible record but the Lions have a ton of fight in them. They WILL win a game or 2 this year.

Let's hope it isn't against the Steelers but we simply are not good enough to take ANYBODY lightly.

[Jizz Mop]

Lions who just lost 44-6 at home to the Iggles?

[Jobu]

Lions who just lost 44-6 at home to the Iggles?

The Bungals went in to Baltimore and laid an ass whopping on the Rats last weekend, then lost to the Jets yesterday. And they aren’t coached by Cool Shades. There are no sure things…
The Steelers should probably beat the Lions, but I’m sure we will all be in the edge of our seats in the 4th quarter.

[Jizz Mop]

Lions who just lost 44-6 at home to the Iggles?

The Bungals went in to Baltimore and laid an ass whopping on the Rats last weekend, then lost to the Jets yesterday. And they aren’t coached by Cool Shades. There are no sure things…

I realize that

But Goff looks like shit….the Lions could have beaten the Ravens….understand it all

But this is the type of game we are supposed to enjoy.

I get tired of “enduring” Steeler games. (Credit to Swiss)

[K_C_]

Lions who just lost 44-6 at home to the Iggles?

Yes.

The Lions who lost to San Fran 41-33
Lost to the Vikings 19-17
Lost to the Ravens 19-17 (we all know how that ended)
Lost to the high powered Rams who many believe is the best team in the NFL 28-19

The Lions got murdered yesterday, but let's also remember we scored 15 whole points.

I already mentioned that Geno Smith took us to overtime. The Steelers have yet to score 30 points in a game.

We struggle to score points. Nothing comes easy for this team.

.....and we ALL know Tomlin struggles against bottom feeders.