Steelers RB Group Overview

[Havoc]

The key to the RB group in 2020 is the OL + the ability to catch the football and slash in space.

[ironzabo]

I reside here in the 412 for some of you newbies that are doing nothing but bringing down this once great board.

I understand these are tough times in many ways but you dum dums need to get your head right and show some respect. Period.


That being said if I hear one more person tell me or state that James Conner is a solution to the Steelers RB conundrum I’m gonna lose it.

The dude can carry twelve trees around and look like the Swedes from the old Strong Man Comps - he is still a jag and if we don’t get major influx of speed and subsequent schemed attack from Canada then we are in double trouble.

Wake up and smell the coffee in more ways than one and be good to your fellow man with mindfulness and care both here and everywhere men.

[Ice]

Canada was around for some of Conner's tenure at Pitt, if I'm not mistaken. And hey, I never said he's an All Pro, sir; just the closest thing to a proven asset in the position group, and certainly the guy that's going to get the lion's share of the carries this year. Tomlin likes his feature backs.

[steelmann58]

i thing there going to be some swing passes to the backs

[bradshaw2ben]

I'd like to know where people get the idea that the new QB coach is going to design a new offense. I'm sure he will contribute to the room, like every other offensive coach... but how did there get to be the expectation that Canada is going to overhaul things?

[VeritasSteel]

I'd like to know where people get the idea that the new QB coach is going to design a new offense. I'm sure he will contribute to the room, like every other offensive coach... but how did there get to be the expectation that Canada is going to overhaul things?

I get that notion from his credentials. I believe that he might be slightly overqualified to be a QBs coach. He definitely has the chops to be an offensive coordinator if it is true that he put a lot of the Chief's current offense in place. But I believe that he could be a headcase if he couldn't get along in any place he's been. So I believe this is the Steeler's way of getting the offensive coordinator without committing to him knowing what happened with Haley. That way if he and Ben aren't jibbing then it's easy for them to show the guy the door. But honestly, the Chiefs offense the Terps offense had a strong run component to it - so what is he teaching Ben and others? How to hand off the ball?

I like the Chiefs offense but I am not wanting Ben running out on those edges unless there is a specific target out there for him. He has gotten hurt so many times on the chase down its ridiculous.

[bradshaw2ben]

That raises an interesting question: what were the circumstances when Ben got hurt?

I'll list the ones I can think of immediately; feel free to add some:

Sliding back from the pocket, extending play, dirty hit by Burfict. (separated shoulder)
In pocket, Mario Williams got a free run and blindsided him (separated shoulder)
Standing in pocket and throwing, defender bent his knee backwards (San Diego 2005 strained knee ligaments)
Standing in pocket and defender swiped him in face (broken nose)
Hit hand on helmet in 2005 (fractured thumb)
Tore elbow tendon when throwing football 2019
QB sneak concussion

Shoulder subluxation (I forget how)
I've fogotten how he injured the ankle

[Jobu]

I've fogotten how he injured the ankle

Was it when he was scrambling to his right and the defender dove at him from behind and his ankle rolled up under their body weight? Browns IIRC...

[NCsteelerSU]

On a side note Faulkner was Samuels running backs coach here in Raleigh, also had Canada as OC during Samuels time at State.

[bradshaw2ben]

On a side note Faulkner was Samuels running backs coach here in Raleigh, also had Canada as OC during Samuels time at State.

You're teaching me something I did not know about Canada––had no idea he overlapped with Samuels-- in fact, was the OC when Samuels first became a big part of the offense.

So, that means Canada was college OC for 3 of the Steelers RBs, at three different schools. That is crazy. Makes you wonder if he was part of recommending them to the Steelers?

[steelmann58]

I think Canada is going a positive influence on the steelers offense.

[Jobu]

I too am hoping that Canada can bring some new ideas to the offense, but this is the Rooney Steelers we are talking about. They still pretty much are running the same offense and blocking scheme they ran in the 90s...
And Canada coaching those guys in college means...nothing!

[steelmann58]

i guess we have to see what if anything happens with the addition of Canada

[stillthere]

Well, that is for certain that this season is going to be drastically different.

But you know what Core-Ten? I am old enough to remember the 1982 strike shortened 9 game season and the 1987 15 game season with the 3 games by scab players, and both of those seasons still ended with a winning team lifting up the Lombardi trophy in a Super Bowl.

If everybody starts this season under the same circumstances, has to deal with the same trials and tribulations then in my mind this season is as legitimate as any other, no asterisk has to be applied.

I don't disagree that if all teams have the same logistical issues RE covid 19, then so be it. I was just commenting on the fact that a year or two from now when people declare draft picks a bust or didn't live up to their potential, they should at least get a year or so pass. In the greater scheme of things. I too am confident the moves the steelers made are positive, and look forward to watching them play. I share your enthusiasm.

As a minor counter to this thought. Think about the schedule that most rookies keep.

- Final year of college ball
- Combine/Draft prep
- Draft
- Rookie Camp
- OTA's
- Camp (lots of reps)
- Pre Season (lots of reps)
- Regualar Season (this is when the "rookie wall" hits)

These young guys literally have to go from August college camp through the following New Year and if you are on a good team another month possibly from there. These youngsters while mentally behind in the NFL will have had time to rest their bodies and just have to catch up mentally with playbook. We may actually see more rookies playing better late in the season purely because of recovery time that is usually not available to them prior to the rookie season. Give them a 3 or 4 month rest and they may be at better physical stamina level than if they are just burning out all their muscle groups for upwards of 16 or 17 months straight.

Or they could just stink because of lack of time in various camps but their could be a silver lining.

Also getting Minkah last year may be a bigger help than most think since he is already had time to devour the playbook and work mentally and physically with the team. If you were expecting your first round stud to come in this year and contribute right away that may not happen for a lot of teams this season. Imagine if Bush had not had the kitchen sink thrown at him last off season and was only given a green light when camp started in late July last year. There is no way he would have played the number of snaps he on the field for last season.

[stillthere]

I too am hoping that Canada can bring some new ideas to the offense, but this is the Rooney Steelers we are talking about. They still pretty much are running the same offense and blocking scheme they ran in the 90s...
And Canada coaching those guys in college means...nothing!

Sorry but the offense the Steeler run currently has almost nothing in common with the scheme from the 90's other than the center on both squads had the ability to pull either direction.

[Jobu]

I too am hoping that Canada can bring some new ideas to the offense, but this is the Rooney Steelers we are talking about. They still pretty much are running the same offense and blocking scheme they ran in the 90s...
And Canada coaching those guys in college means...nothing!

Sorry but the offense the Steeler run currently has almost nothing in common with the scheme from the 90's other than the center on both squads had the ability to pull either direction.

I’m talking philosophically. Power runs between the tackles. Pulling and tackling. Short passes outside the numbers, little to nothing in the middle of the field, with the occasional bomb (more so with Ben, but wait til he’s gone). Same blocking scheme.
The formations may be different, the terminology may be different...the offense is the same.

[steelmann58]

Canada will bring more motion in their offense.

[Jobu]

Canada will bring more motion in their offense.

I hope you’re right...I believe you are not.

[steelmann58]

Jobu i guess we see what happens

[Scunge]

I listen to Tunch and Wolf from time to time and the scuttlebutt they are hearing is that Matt Canada IS going to bring some of his ideas into the offense.

Also, B2B, prepare to have your mind blown.

Yes, Canada coached Anthony McFarland at Maryland.

Yes, Canada coached Jaylin Samuels at NC State.

Yes, Canada coached James Conner at Pitt.

AND... Matt Canada in 2012 at Wisconsin coached our new Fullback Derek Watt.

Matt Canada has coached 4 of our RBs already. He has 4 RBs on the roster that have experience playing in his offense with him as their offensive coordinator. I don't know, I tend to think that may really get our running game back on track pretty quickly.

It would be one thing for the Steelers to implement a lot of motion, add so many new ideas and wrinkles, and then expect our young offense, and RBs to be able to learn it and digest it with no preseason games, etc.

But, the RBs at least have experience, McFarland can say oh yeah, we did this at Maryland, Samuels can say cool, we did some of this at NC State, Conner and Watt are no strangers to it either, meaning Canada's schemes, etc.

I said when they hired him that Canada was brought on not only for our young QBs but also to give Randy Fitchner a helping hand, a strong right hand, new eyes, a fresh perspective.

What we expected of Randy last season was atrocious. There are so many OCs in the NFL that have way more support. There are teams that will have not just a separate QB coach, but also coaches that are passing game or running game coordinators.

Todd Haley when he was with Dallas he was the WR coach/ Passing game coordinator.

Currently, the Baltimore Ravens have Greg Roman as their OC but they have WR coach Dave Culley also listed as the Passing Game coordinator.

To expect Fitchner to be able to be the OC and QB coach, along with the loss of Mike Munchak, who in my mind was the Running Game coordinator, to expect Randy to juggle all that and to make do with way less support was idiotic last season.

Hiring Matt Canada reminds me of the Chan Gailey/Ron Earhardt days under Cowher. A long overdue Back to the Future type of hiring if you catch my meaning.

[bradshaw2ben]

IIRC Canada was the guy who created the role for Samuels at NC State in his breakout year.

I hope Whyte can make it somehow. Don’t be shocked if he makes it over McFarland. The practice squad rules this year make it more like the inactive list in previous years. You could let McFarkand learn and serve his apprenticeship on practice squad until you’re going to make him inactive. Backup RBs/FB are the core of your STs. Samuels plays on all units, Snell on most, Whyte should be the KR. If McFarland is going to dress, he has to contribute on STs. I’d ease him in.

[NCsteelerSU]

On point Scunge and b2b, article from 12/15 on JSam and Canada.



Versatility, big-play capability make NC State’s Jaylen Samuels a nightmare to defend

N.C. State offensive coordinator Matt Canada has a unique term to describe Jaylen Samuels’ role for the Wolfpack this season.

“He’s like an amoeba for us,” Canada said, comparing the former Mallard Creek High star to the shape-altering organism. “ He can play in the backfield, he can play at receiver, he can play at tight end. He can block, he can catch, he can run, so that’s what we use him as.”

Samuels, a 5-foot-11, 234-pound sophomore, is a key component in N.C. State’s offense because of his versatility, which will be on display in Wednesday’s Belk Bowl against Mississippi State at Bank of America Stadium.

Samuels said it doesn’t matter what he’s called, as long as his number is called when a big play is needed.

“I can be any type of person they need – I can get the ball from the backfield or the slot, or even at the tight end position,” Samuels said. “For me to be able to do that at different positions, it kinda makes it hard for the defense, not knowing where I’m going to line up .”

No matter the position – whether he’s lined up in the backfield at tailback, fullback or H-back, on the offensive line at tight end, or outside as a slot receiver – Samuels has delivered for the Wolfpack.

He leads N.C. State in touchdowns with 14, third-best in the ACC behind Florida State’s Dalvin Cook (19) and North Carolina’s Elijah Hood (17). His team-best 64 pass receptions are fifth-best in the league, and his seven receiving touchdowns are tied for fourth.

“He’s a great player – we’re lucky to have him on the team,” Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett said. “He provides an element to our team that not a lot of other teams have.

“It gives you some comfort that once he gets the ball, you’ve put it in good hands. Anytime he gets the ball, it’s an opportunity for a big play to happen.”

It was that versatility and athleticism that caught N.C. State’s attention when Samuels was recruited while at Mallard Creek, especially after he set a county record with 55 touchdowns (39 rushing, 16 receiving) in leading the Mavericks to the 2013 4AA state championship.

“He could move and run and catch, just do everything – that’s what caught our eye first,” Canada said. “We’ve always had that kind of position in our offense, but we’ve never really had a guy who’s been quite as good at everything as he is. But he can do it all.”

Samuels began showing what he was capable of as a freshman at N.C. State – in limited action, he ran for 143 yards and one touchdown on just 15 carries, and caught six passes for 96 yards and a score.

But with graduation and other circumstances depleting the Wolfpack’s skill players this season, Samuels has been getting his hands on the ball more often – with positive results.

“He was productive a year ago for us, he just didn’t get the ball as much,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. “With what happened in our backfield this year … Jaylen’s had more opportunities, and he’s taken advantage of them.”

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sport ... 91835.html

[Thrillsseeker]

Cant wait to see Jaylen get more touches this year.

Interested to see if Snell progresses this year also. I felt like he was a little underwhelming last year but then again the entire O sucked once Ben went down.

McFarland I think doesn't do jack this year but I guess we’ll see.

Conner is playing to showcase himself for his new team next year.

[bradshaw2ben]

Ant ac looks better on the hoof than I thought he would. think Whyte has had a slow start to camp and he's got an uphill battle to make the team unless he balls out as a KR... hard to do in practice.