Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

[Lebsteel]

[url]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2010/08/diesel-jonathan-dwyer-likely-headed-for-tune-up-on-the-practice-squad/[/url]

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced today in his weekly press conference that rookie 6th round draft pick running back Jonathan Dwyer is doubtful to play Saturday night versus the Giants with a shoulder injury he suffered against Detroit last week. Dwyer has not participated in the hitting portions of practice this week and continues to miss valuable practice time in the process. This is the second injury since camp started for Dwyer, who by all reports was a little out of shape upon arriving at Latrobe. Dwyer first battled a hamstring strain right as camp started and was just getting back in the flow when he hurt his shoulder last week.

Dwyer is no longer battling for a spot on the 53 man roster, but is now in jeopardy of not even being healthy enough to make the practice squad. If Dwyer can not get back healthy in the next couple of weeks, the Steelers might place him on the reserve PUP list or even on injured reserve. Both of those situations are extreme, but all players on the practice squad need to be able to contribute. When asked about Dwyer on Thursday, Tomlin said, "The reality is that he’s not on the field so he’s not helping himself."

As it looks right now the Steelers will likely only carry 3 running backs and one fullback when the season starts. Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore and Isaac Redman are all locks at that running back spot and the Dwyer injury certainly helps the chances of Frank Summers getting the fullback spot. The Steelers could also watch the final cut down transaction wire to see if any running back peaks their interest. The name of Willie Parker continues to surface should he be released from the Redskins, but Ed Bouchette reported a few days ago that sources told him the Steelers have no interest in bringing back Parker, so that should end that speculation.

Everyone knows Dwyer can run North and South, but the knock on him is the other things that go along with being a complete running back in the NFL. The best thing for Dwyer right now is to spend a full year on the practice squad and give it another shot next year in camp. Dwyer goes by the nickname of Diesel, but for now it appears he needs a serious tune-up. The Steelers have a perfect mechanic in running backs coach Kirby Wilson and I think he can get the Diesel running on all cylinders by mid season or by training camp 2011 at the latest. Regardless, Dwyer needs to get out of the tub and on the road before anything can happen.

[JTP53609]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

sometimes we think that players are destined to be great before they do anything, last year it was frank the tank and urbik, this year it was dwyer.

[feltdizz]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

sometimes we think that players are destined to be great before they do anything, last year it was frank the tank and urbik, this year it was dwyer.

I wouldn't mind if he tried and came up short but it feels like he doesn't have his head on straight.

[Oviedo]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

Not real optimistic about our RB situation if Mendy would ever get hurt. I originally thought we might be solid there but it sure doesn't look that way.

Dwyer needs to spend a year on the PS. Hopefully hewon't get grabbed but that would have to be highly unlikely given he has not gotten on the field in pre-season and anyone signing him off our PS has to put him on their active 53.

[phillyesq]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

Not real optimistic about our RB situation if Mendy would ever get hurt. I originally thought we might be solid there but it sure doesn't look that way.

Dwyer needs to spend a year on the PS. Hopefully hewon't get grabbed but that would have to be highly unlikely given he has not gotten on the field in pre-season and anyone signing him off our PS has to put him on their active 53.

Since he hasn't done much of note, I doubt that he'd get nabbed from the PS. It seems like many teams end up with a back that impresses in camp and ends up on their own PS, so I doubt that people will be clamoring for Dwyer. A year on the PS, working with Steelers coaches, could really help Dwyer, just like it appeared to help Redman.

If the Steelers can develop Dwyer on the practice squad, it may also help them keep some of their promising young players. If the Steelers go with 4 RBs, it could allow them to keep somebody like Brown, Butler or Sylvester, or a ST guy like Madison or Logan.

[Slapstick]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

Going from the triple option to a pro-style offense can be challenging...

I would love for Dwyer to follow Redman's example...spend a year on the PS, improve his game, become a professional....

If Dwyer can learn how to translate his college game into the pros, Moore could conceivably be allowed to walk after his contract expires this year...'cause Dwyer sure had game in college...

[jj28west]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

I am dissapointed in the shape he came into camp. I was and still am one of his biggest cheerleaders. I feel he still will be successful on this level and really was not expecting alot this year from him. Like Felt already mentioned his head is just not ready.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

sometimes we think that players are destined to be great before they do anything, last year it was frank the tank and urbik, this year it was dwyer.

Before camp, some on this board had already anointed Dwyer as a roster lock for this season (one poster even was talking about him having a 1000-yard season). Some of the same voices were ready to kick Redman to the curb.

I guess that's why they actually do training camp.

[ramblinjim]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

I don't think I was the one that anointed Dwyer as a 1000 yard guy but I was awfully excited to get him. I'm always pulling for the later picks and UDFA's though.

Thank goodness I'm not paid to scout.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

I don't think I was the one that anointed Dwyer as a 1000 yard guy but I was awfully excited to get him. I'm always pulling for the later picks and UDFA's though.

Thank goodness I'm not paid to scout.

I suggested picking Dwyer in the 4th round!

I still think the kid can be good, though.

Redman came into his first camp out of shape, and had to spend his first year on the P.S.

Now, he's in tip-top shape, is being touted as the best blocking RB on the team, and is showing the ability to run in more than just 1 or 2 yard bursts at the goal line.

Hopefully, Dwyer can follow a similar pattern onto our roster.

Last year: Mendenhall, Parker, Moore P.S.: rookie UDFA Redman

This year: Mendenhall, Moore, Redman P.S.: rookie 6th round pick Dwyer

Next year: Mendenhall, Redman, Dwyer P.S.: A new late round or UDFA RB

[Oviedo]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

Any thoughts there is some sandbagging going on here and there is a "wink wink" agreement that it was going to take Dwyer and season to convert from the Tech offense and they don't want anyone else to see him in the preseason thereby reducing his desireability when they try to stash him on the practice squad?

I still think if he gets a year to develop he could be a solid back up. Just seems snakebit this preseason.

[feltdizz]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

Any thoughts there is some sandbagging going on here and there is a "wink wink" agreement that it was going to take Dwyer and season to convert from the Tech offense and they don't want anyone else to see him in the preseason thereby reducing his desireability when they try to stash him on the practice squad?

I still think if he gets a year to develop he could be a solid back up. Just seems snakebit this preseason.

you could be right about the sandbagging Ovie. Maybe Redman and the others are so far ahead of him it's best to limit his playing time and throw him on the practice squad. If he busted a 40 yard off and showed some moves and we put him on the practice squad he probably gets scooped up.

I hope this is the case because he looked flavorless.

[phillyesq]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

Any thoughts there is some sandbagging going on here and there is a "wink wink" agreement that it was going to take Dwyer and season to convert from the Tech offense and they don't want anyone else to see him in the preseason thereby reducing his desireability when they try to stash him on the practice squad?

I still think if he gets a year to develop he could be a solid back up. Just seems snakebit this preseason.

What is Dwyer's incentive to go for such an agreement? PS players make something like 1/4 of what players on the active rosters get. I'm sure he'd love to be healthy and try to prove to any of the teams in the league that he can get the job done now. Especially with a potential lockout next year, there is no way that Dwyer would want to take part in a "wink wink" agreement.

[feltdizz]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

Any thoughts there is some sandbagging going on here and there is a "wink wink" agreement that it was going to take Dwyer and season to convert from the Tech offense and they don't want anyone else to see him in the preseason thereby reducing his desireability when they try to stash him on the practice squad?

I still think if he gets a year to develop he could be a solid back up. Just seems snakebit this preseason.

What is Dwyer's incentive to go for such an agreement? PS players make something like 1/4 of what players on the active rosters get. I'm sure he'd love to be healthy and try to prove to any of the teams in the league that he can get the job done now. Especially with a potential lockout next year, there is no way that Dwyer would want to take part in a "wink wink" agreement.

If a guy drops to the 6th round and comes to camp out of shape what gives you the impression he wants to prove other teams wrong?

[Oviedo]

Re: Dwyer destined for the Practice Squad or IR

Any thoughts there is some sandbagging going on here and there is a "wink wink" agreement that it was going to take Dwyer and season to convert from the Tech offense and they don't want anyone else to see him in the preseason thereby reducing his desireability when they try to stash him on the practice squad?

I still think if he gets a year to develop he could be a solid back up. Just seems snakebit this preseason.

What is Dwyer's incentive to go for such an agreement? PS players make something like 1/4 of what players on the active rosters get. I'm sure he'd love to be healthy and try to prove to any of the teams in the league that he can get the job done now. Especially with a potential lockout next year, there is no way that Dwyer would want to take part in a "wink wink" agreement.

He gets something like $5200 a week on the PS which would equate to $83,200. That would be lots less than the $320,000 contract he has for 2010 but that money is phantom money because he gets none of it if he doesn't make the team. Anyway he gets to keep any bonus dollars ($70K+) he got regardless. Being on the PS beats taking the risk of having no job at all and if the handwriting is on the wall he probably would be happy for making $80k+