The Undersized Playmaker!!

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: The Undersized Playmaker!!

I thought Barron Batch could fulfill that role until he got hurt

[phillyesq]

Re: The Undersized Playmaker!!

I thought Barron Batch could fulfill that role until he got hurt

Good point. I almost forgot about him.

I agree with Dub. I think a smaller, quick back with good receiving skills could be a nice asset for the offense.

Given the structure of the team, that is an easy way to get a lot of bang for your buck. Going into the draft next year, the Steelers are going to need to focus on OG, DT, ILB, and perhaps a FS. Luckily, you can find fast, undersized backs in the middle rounds of the draft, without having to invest a premium pick.

[pittpete]

Re: The Undersized Playmaker!!

Ba wouldnt use a back like that.
Hed rather have his mancrush Johnson in there as much as possible.

[Dee Dub]

Re: The Undersized Playmaker!!

Ba wouldnt use a back like that.
Hed rather have his mancrush Johnson in there as much as possible.

That's funny. I am hoping that the Steelers draft a guy like Rhett Ellison of USC. He can play both FB and TE. He is a solid blocker and a solid pass catcher. And he could spell the end of Johnson. 3 birds with one stone. Now that's value from a mid round draft pick.

[Keyplay1]

Re: The Undersized Playmaker!!

I thought Barron Batch could fulfill that role until he got hurt

Good point. I almost forgot about him.

I agree with Dub. I think a smaller, quick back with good receiving skills could be a nice asset for the offense.

Given the structure of the team, that is an easy way to get a lot of bang for your buck. Going into the draft next year, the Steelers are going to need to focus on OG, DT, ILB, and perhaps a FS. Luckily, you can find fast, undersized backs in the middle rounds of the draft, without having to invest a premium pick.

I was wondering when someone would bring him up. He was the talk of the camp til he got hurt. Everyone , camp regulars, coaches, writers, readers , trainers, groundskeepers, like I said just about everyone was smiling. The impression I got was it was just a matter of time when even the alleged #1 guy might be out on the street . And why not? There is nothing there that even remotely resembles a halfa-s-s running game. Is there?

But what is really puzzling me and probably some other casual fans is how is it that everytime Mewelde Moore is in for a series or two the offensive line suddenly looks like there are 3 all pros and 2 hall of fame candidates out there. Can someone explain this? Are these other teams putting in the 2nd and 3rd stringers or bringing in there practice squad players? I don't get it. And it's nothing new. MM saved the Steelers butt in 2008 and it looks like he's going to have to do it again with several years and a lot of miles on him.

It seems to me that just about every game the Steelers have lost in the past few years, has been because they absolutely cannot eat up those final 6-8 minutes because of the running game failure. Not only that, but there have been numerous games they held on by a thread or needed a lucky break at the end to save the game. This is also the reason why the Steelers are not having too much success in the Redzone. Teams that cannot run the ball always have trouble in the RZ. Can anyone remember the last time the Steelers ran the ball 3 consecutive plays and got a 1st down? If the Steeler QB's over the years had not been superb in converting those critical 3rd down keep the clock moving 1st downs -----well, I just don't want to imagine how disastrous the results would have been.

But no one would disagree with you about drafting a Sproles type back. How could it hurt? Personally, I would prefer picking up an Adrian Foster, actually I would settle for a Barry Foster.

Now, while it's obvious this is one casual fan who is not too thrilled with the Steelers running game, I will not be surprised if the Steelers come out and do a number on the Bengals Sunday. As a matter of fact I really expect this. But it would also be nice to get a little help from the run game.

Talking about Batch: This is info from nfldraftscout.com --You can compare the two.

Baron Batch, DS #36 RB, Texas Tech Bookmark and Share
Selected: Round 7, Pick 29, Overall Pick 232 by Steelers

Name: Baron Batch (+) Coming off elbow injury
College: Texas Tech Number: 25
Height: 5-10 Weight: 207
Position: RB Pos2: KR
Class/Draft Year: rSr/2011
40 Time: 4.50 40 Low: 4.45 40 High: 4.58
Projected Round: Stock: High: 6-7 Low: PFA
Rated number 36 out of 160 RB's 408 / 2083 TOTAL


Dates: 03/10/11
Height: 5095
Weight: 207
40 Yrd Dash: 4.50
20 Yrd Dash: 2.61
10 Yrd Dash: 1.50 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 24
Vertical Jump: 39
Broad Jump: 10'06"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.32
3-Cone Drill: 7.03

40 time range: 4.50-4.54

Darren Sproles, DS #14 RB, Kansas State Bookmark and Share
Selected: Round 4, Pick 29, Overall Pick 130 by Chargers

Name: Darren Sproles
College: Kansas State Number: 43
Height: 5-06 Weight: 187
Position: RB Pos2:
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2005
40 Time: 4.47 40 Low: 40 High:
Projected Round: 4 Stock:
Rated number 14 out of 108 RB's 128 / 1451 TOTAL

Combine Results

Pro Day Results
Combine Invite: yes
Height: 5061
Weight: 187
40 Yrd Dash: 4.47
20 Yrd Dash: 2.62
10 Yrd Dash: 1.55 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 23
Vertical Jump: 33
Broad Jump: 08'09"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 3.96
3-Cone Drill: 6.96

How do you think they stack up --at least on paper?

[WindyCitySteel]

Re: The Undersized Playmaker!!

I don't recall Mewelde Moore saving us in 2008. As far as this year, he has 17 carries in 11 games. Pretty small sample size.

If we need Mewelde Moore to save the season, it's already lost.

[Slapstick]

Re: The Undersized Playmaker!!

I don't recall Mewelde Moore saving us in 2008. As far as this year, he has 17 carries in 11 games. Pretty small sample size.

If we need Mewelde Moore to save the season, it's already lost.

Mewelde Moore took significant snaps in 6 games in 2008 with the Steelers winning four of those games...one of the losses was the Giants game where James Harrison long snapped the ball out of the end zone and Ben threw 4 INTs...in that game, Moore had 19 carries for 84 yards and a TD, so I think he did his part in that game...

In those 6 games, Moore put up these numbers:

107 carries - 483 yards - 4.5 YpC - 5 TDs

22 catches - 139 yards - 6.3 YpC - 1 TD

I was glad to have him then, I am glad to have him now...

[WindyCitySteel]

Re: The Undersized Playmaker!!

Glad we had Moore, too, but the OP made it sound like he rode in on a white horse to save the day. He did the job he was asked to do - fill in at RB. Willie had as many or more big games in wins when healthy.