Moore looking like a good pick up.

[rpmpit]

As I started reading that I was thinking about John L. and then he gets mentioned.

As far as speed vs. vision in the return game, SMG is absolutely right. Blazing speed means nothing if you can't find a lane to run through. Sure the best returners (Hester, Sanders, etc) have both but I'd take vision over speed any day.

[frankthetank1]

i was very happy with the signing of moore. he should be a big upgrade in the return game. rossum sucked, he had one kick off return for a td against the 9'ers and that was it. he was better than reid but he still wasnt good. what a luxury to have so much depth at rb. it will be hard for russell to make the team this year. it will be very nice having a rb that can block as well. they were missing that, verrnon haynes was the best blocking rb they have had

[Shawn]

i was very happy with the signing of moore. he should be a big upgrade in the return game. rossum sucked, he had one kick off return for a td against the 9'ers and that was it. he was better than reid but he still wasnt good. what a luxury to have so much depth at rb. it will be hard for russell to make the team this year. it will be very nice having a rb that can block as well. they were missing that, verrnon haynes was the best blocking rb they have had

Let me promise you something...Russell makes this team. Tomlin is not that ignorant. Whether he gets any playing time...well thats another story.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Mewelde Moore could prove a free-agent steal according to PFW. Moore's play in offseason workouts drew comparisons to Patriots pass-catching RB Kevin Faulk. Moore, who signed a three-year contract reportedly worth up to $4.95 million in March, has a chance to be Pittsburgh's most formidable receiving threat out of the backfield in recent memory. The Steelers haven't had a back catch 40 passes since RB Amos Zereoue caught that many in 2003, and you have to go back to 1994 to find a Pittsburgh back with 50 catches or more (FB John L. Williams, who caught a team-high 51 passes). Moore is unlikely to be in the mix for the team lead in receptions, but he could be more of an offensive threat than may have been expected.

[url]http://www.ffmastermind.com/quickbits.php[/url]

Discuss

I'm really excited about his return ability.I know he had a couple of good ones last year.

funny thing about it, that's the one thing that has dumbfounded me... he's not that fast. How can a guy who's "not that fast" be a good return guy.

I never woulda guessed that.

Shawn hit it on the head! It isn't all about speed. Punt returners are a different animal than kick returners too. Punt returners that have some of those "RB skills" we talk about are better at it. Having the field vision is a big asset because you have to make decisions quickly just like when you hit the hole. Quick decisions made with good field vision equals success as a returner. Speed really doesn't factor to the equation as much as you think. Kick returners can use speed as their asset more. They have about 15 yards to make a decision and see something develop. The North/South directional speed of the return limits the defenders ability to close to the ball after the run their assigned lanes. For example, if you are running the hash on a kick return and the returner goes far hash you still need to run your lane. The returner is at full speed when you break off your assigned lane and you are already trailing laterally. In a punt return, the defender still runs his lane. The defender is allot closer when the returner fields the ball and for the most part, the returner is standing flat footed while the defender is at full speed. That is why shiftiness, vision, and quick decisions can make you a good punt returner even if you don't have elite speed. I saw some highlights of Moore from the Vikings. He does have a quick burst. He has better game speed than his timed 40 times. Some guys don't drop off as much when you put the pads on. If you look at his stats, he has more success returning punts than kicks. Makes sense since he is a running back and from what I just said.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

i was very happy with the signing of moore. he should be a big upgrade in the return game. rossum sucked, he had one kick off return for a td against the 9'ers and that was it. he was better than reid but he still wasnt good. what a luxury to have so much depth at rb. it will be hard for russell to make the team this year. it will be very nice having a rb that can block as well. they were missing that, verrnon haynes was the best blocking rb they have had

Let me promise you something...Russell makes this team. Tomlin is not that ignorant. Whether he gets any playing time...well thats another story.

I agree with Shawn. Russell might be inactive come gameday but he makes the 53. If one RB gets dinged, the Steelers have the luxury to sit the guy gameday and activate Russell. I don't see how the Steelers let a raw talent like Russell get away unless his work ethic drops off. With the longevity of a RB in this league for a position that touches the ball around the 50% range...You find ways to keep a guy who could develop and contribute. I actually think Parker, Mendenhall, Moore, Russell, and Davis make the roster. They carry 2 TEs in Miller & Spaeth with the other (Boyd) on the PS. I wouldn't be surprised with 10 OL if Baker seperates himself from Reid and Reid is cut. Meaning, they might go with 5 WR and 10 OL. All being said, I think they find a way to carry 5 RBs on the 53.

[Oviedo]

i was very happy with the signing of moore. he should be a big upgrade in the return game. rossum sucked, he had one kick off return for a td against the 9'ers and that was it. he was better than reid but he still wasnt good. what a luxury to have so much depth at rb. it will be hard for russell to make the team this year. it will be very nice having a rb that can block as well. they were missing that, verrnon haynes was the best blocking rb they have had

Let me promise you something...Russell makes this team. Tomlin is not that ignorant. Whether he gets any playing time...well thats another story.

I agree with Shawn. Russell might be inactive come gameday but he makes the 53. If one RB gets dinged, the Steelers have the luxury to sit the guy gameday and activate Russell. I don't see how the Steelers let a raw talent like Russell get away unless his work ethic drops off. With the longevity of a RB in this league for a position that touches the ball around the 50% range...You find ways to keep a guy who could develop and contribute. I actually think Parker, Mendenhall, Moore, Russell, and Davis make the roster. They carry 2 TEs in Miller & Spaeth with the other (Boyd) on the PS. I wouldn't be surprised with 10 OL if Baker seperates himself from Reid and Reid is cut. Meaning, they might go with 5 WR and 10 OL. All being said, I think they find a way to carry 5 RBs on the 53.

Agree 100% that Russell will be on this team and is a critical insurance policy against FWP or another RB getting injured. He is also the insurance policy to clear cap space with the trade or release of FWP after this coming season. If Mendenhall shows that he can be a top NFL RB then FWP becomes a very valuable trade candidate. This is especially the case with Russell on the roster and showing that he is capable of being a solid NFL contributor.

I could easily see by the end of the season Moore becoming no more than a returner since early indications are that you could keep Mendenhall in the backfield on 3rd down and don't need a "specialist." Mendenhall and Russell are the backs of the future for this team. IMO FWP and Moore will leave before either of them.

[Shawn]

If Russell and Mendy show that they can carry the weight of the running game...Parker will certainly be traded. I don't believe it will be this season however. I do see a possible trade happening before next years draft...one that will likely involve a second round pick.

[Oviedo]

If Russell and Mendy show that they can carry the weight of the running game...Parker will certainly be traded. I don't believe it will be this season however. I do see a possible trade happening before next years draft...one that will likely involve a second round pick.

Agree, but FWP would have to have a monster year to get a 2nd round pick. I'd bet no better than a 3rd, but likely a 4th. RBs are just a dime a dozen anymore.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

i was very happy with the signing of moore. he should be a big upgrade in the return game. rossum sucked, he had one kick off return for a td against the 9'ers and that was it. he was better than reid but he still wasnt good. what a luxury to have so much depth at rb. it will be hard for russell to make the team this year. it will be very nice having a rb that can block as well. they were missing that, verrnon haynes was the best blocking rb they have had

Let me promise you something...Russell makes this team. Tomlin is not that ignorant. Whether he gets any playing time...well thats another story.

the writing was on the wall the moment they cut Najeh.

[AngryAsian]

Last year I cried and cried about Arians' ability to play call appropriately because or RBs were under utilized in the passing game. IMO, this is about as obtuse as using your TEs strictly to block. Between Moore and Mendenhall we should be extremely productive in the passing game at RB.