Dwyer's Cut-O-Meter at 55 percent

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Dwyer's Cut-O-Meter at 55 percent

I think the pure blocking FB train has sailed...the Bruce Arians offense isn't going to do it...

They will make do with a RB like Redman or a TE like Johnson or McHugh...

The pure blocking FB has sailed from most of the teams in the NFL. Every successful team uses more one back sets that they do I-formations. How often do you see two backs behind Brady, Brees or Manning? Maybe 10% of the plays.

That is true, but even if they are only used 10% of the time, aren't those few plays some of the most important snaps in the game? Being able to convert 3rd and 1 is vital...you either move the chains and keep the drive going, or punt the ball to the other team. Being able to pound the ball in goalline situations is monumental...the difference between getting a TD or FG there is huge...those 4 points could easily be the difference in the game.

We are already quite good between the 20's when we tend to use single back sets ourselves...where we suck is in short yardage and goalline, which is were a fullback would be most useful (I'm talking about a real fullback like Dan Kreider or Tim Lester, not a pseudo-FB like Frank Summers or Carey Davis). I don't care if he's only on the field 10% of the time or less on offense...I just want him to be available when we need him (plus, a good hard-nosed fullback should be able to contribute on special teams as well).

Ruth - Please don't cloud the discussion with reasonable points of view!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Dwyer's Cut-O-Meter at 55 percent

I think the pure blocking FB train has sailed...the Bruce Arians offense isn't going to do it...

They will make do with a RB like Redman or a TE like Johnson or McHugh...

The pure blocking FB has sailed from most of the teams in the NFL. Every successful team uses more one back sets that they do I-formations. How often do you see two backs behind Brady, Brees or Manning? Maybe 10% of the plays.

That is true, but even if they are only used 10% of the time, aren't those few plays some of the most important snaps in the game? Being able to convert 3rd and 1 is vital...you either move the chains and keep the drive going, or punt the ball to the other team. Being able to pound the ball in goalline situations is monumental...the difference between getting a TD or FG there is huge...those 4 points could easily be the difference in the game.

We are already quite good between the 20's when we tend to use single back sets ourselves...where we suck is in short yardage and goalline, which is were a fullback would be most useful (I'm talking about a real fullback like Dan Kreider or Tim Lester, not a pseudo-FB like Frank Summers or Carey Davis). I don't care if he's only on the field 10% of the time or less on offense...I just want him to be available when we need him (plus, a good hard-nosed fullback should be able to contribute on special teams as well).

Ruth - Please don't cloud the discussion with reasonable points of view!

Sorry about that...I'll go back to what I do best then...posting funny pictures. :P

[flippy]

Re: Dwyer's Cut-O-Meter at 55 percent

I think the pure blocking FB train has sailed...the Bruce Arians offense isn't going to do it...

They will make do with a RB like Redman or a TE like Johnson or McHugh...

The pure blocking FB has sailed from most of the teams in the NFL. Every successful team uses more one back sets that they do I-formations. How often do you see two backs behind Brady, Brees or Manning? Maybe 10% of the plays.

That is true, but even if they are only used 10% of the time, aren't those few plays some of the most important snaps in the game? Being able to convert 3rd and 1 is vital...you either move the chains and keep the drive going, or punt the ball to the other team. Being able to pound the ball in goalline situations is monumental...the difference between getting a TD or FG there is huge...those 4 points could easily be the difference in the game.

We are already quite good between the 20's when we tend to use single back sets ourselves...where we suck is in short yardage and goalline, which is were a fullback would be most useful (I'm talking about a real fullback like Dan Kreider or Tim Lester, not a pseudo-FB like Frank Summers or Carey Davis). I don't care if he's only on the field 10% of the time or less on offense...I just want him to be available when we need him (plus, a good hard-nosed fullback should be able to contribute on special teams as well).

James Harrison likes to hit people. And he's got a low center of gravity. I bet he'd relish the opportunity to take out LBs.

[Slapstick]

Re: Dwyer's Cut-O-Meter at 55 percent

There are lots of offenses that use a player in the more traditional FB role than the Steelers do...

The problem is that the Steelers are not one of those teams and will not be as long as Bruce Arians is calling the offense...

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Dwyer's Cut-O-Meter at 55 percent

Here's my take on the FB issue. I believe they gave the shot to Summers to be that guy. But the more and more I watch the Tomlin-Arians driven offense...And the more the identities of the young players take shape...I believe the Steelers will not have that true blocking FB. Arians wants "football" players on the field at skill postions. Meaning all can run, block, & catch...All need to be accounted for by the defense. It is the league trend it seems. For the limited number of plays the Steelers would need a true FB in the Bronco package...The Steelers have their FB in Doug "Bronco" Legursky.

To comment on Dwyer. Probably a real accurate number at 55%. I don't believe he did just enough to be on the 53 just yet. Good production in the last game could put him on. If he doesn't stand out, he could be headed for the PS. My personal wish would be he will do enough in the last game to make the Steelers keep him on the 53 to avoid another team stealing him. There is such a thing as momentum, building confidence, getting on a roll....I believe that is the direction this could be going. Some of his actions during the last game showed me that the smoke actually was coming from a fire. I think Dwyer was possibly being too hard on himself struggling through camp or maybe feeling a little sorry for himself. More than likely the latter which comes with the imaturity. But he seemed to get a hop as things started rolling right...I hope this continues.

From what I'm gathering from some media close to the Steelers is they are impressed with the youth and might lean towards taking a chance on 2 QBs while Ben is out. Perhaps extending the evaluation period for some bubble players who they normaly would release & tuck away on the PS. They go with Lefty & Dixon for 4 games and El serves as the emergency QB. Opening a roster spot and extending evaluation period for a player like Dwyer, Sylvester, or Butler. But if Dwyer puts up something like 12 carries for 28 yards...Don't expect him to earn a spot on the 53. You take away his 40 yd run he still average 4.1 a carry. That is still some solid production no matter who you are running against when you go over 10 carries. Duplicate it again...I think the Steelers will continue to let him come into his own.