Rushing needs fixed 1st and foremost

[Captain Lemming]

I agree, but lets not forget Tomlin's propensity to over-use the #1 RB. It's foolish, but it's real. I am so sick of Tomlin-isms, but that doesn't change the fact they exist.

I too have criticized Tomlin for not using backup running backs.

But last season he used an undrafted free agent a ton.
So why complain when he is trending in a better direction?

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Jones may not start right away

if they start him opening day against the poor man's Watt brother (Nick Bosa) I would be impressed

[WindyCitySteel]

if they start him opening day against the poor man's Watt brother (Nick Bosa) I would be impressed

Start him and bracket him with Washington and run the ball.

[whisper]

Of course. One of many improvements made. The whole idea of this thread is ridiculous because in sports nothing gets "fixed". It either improves, declines, or stays the same. What has the FO done to improve the running game this off-season?
Add two FA IOL
Draft first round OL
Draft TE whose nickname was “The Sixth Offensive Lineman”

Organic improvements:
Najee entering the season without lisfranc injury
OL second year in Meyer system
Warren no longer a rook
Seumalo replacing Dotson

Potential concerns:
Seumalo first has to learn new blocking system
Jones may not start right away
If passing game doesn't improve, pressure continues on running game

Overall, the team has done a lot to try to improve the running game, and whether or not it works we can see that they have addressed it, which is what we wanted to see.

Add to the issues: How good of an NFL RB is Najee to begin with? He's no Derrick Henry. Is he more of a Trent Richardson? 4.8 40 speed? His YPC seems to be pointing in the TR realm.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Add to the issues: How good of an NFL RB is Najee to begin with? He's no Derrick Henry. Is he more of a Trent Richardson? 4.8 40 speed? His YPC seems to be pointing in the TR realm.

It's hard to say - as shown in the other thread, he ran against a predominantly stacked box.

I think he's closer to Marshawn Lynch, but his o-line hasn't been good enough, nor has his offense passed downfield enough to loosen up the D. With a stacked box, the *should* be taking more shots.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Add to the issues: How good of an NFL RB is Najee to begin with? He's no Derrick Henry. Is he more of a Trent Richardson? 4.8 40 speed? His YPC seems to be pointing in the TR realm.

He is the same guy who started last season, just one year older. If the pieces around him improved then the running game should be better. If not, then it won't. Can RB1 be improved upon? Definitely, but the overall team building process is always ongoing, and the running game should be one of the improvements overall from last year.

[whisper]

He is the same guy who started last season, just one year older. If the pieces around him improved then the running game should be better. If not, then it won't. Can RB1 be improved upon? Definitely, but the overall team building process is always ongoing, and the running game should be one of the improvements overall from last year.

To a degree, NH is the man pulling the sled. If he's inferior, so too will be the rushing effort.