David Johnson is your new Steelers full time Fullback

[hawaiiansteel]

David Johnson is your new Steelers full time Fullback

May 23,2012

So it appears that new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley is putting at least some type of emphasis on the fullback position after all. Many fans were wondering if the team would draft a FB late in the draft last month, or perhaps pick up an undrafted free agent to fill that role. Things became a bit more clear, or perhaps even more clouded depending on how you look at it, according to Ed Bouchette via his blog:

Excerpt below (the full story can be read for subscribers). Either way there definitely appears to be a change of emphasis on the style of running that the Steelers will do.

"Steelers just finished their second spring practice and halfback Isaac Redman dropped some news – tight end David Johnson has been moved to fullback on a fulltime basis. He no longer attends meetings with the tight ends and will be part of the running backs meetings. Redman also said there will be more emphasis put on the running game this season."

to read the rest of the story click on the link below:

[URL]http://www.steeleraddicts.com/2012/05[/URL]...

[Crash]

Yay. Yoi!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Someone tell them that when we said we wanted a fullback, we meant we wanted a GOOD fullback!

[Ghost]

I am mystified that this is the best they can do at the FB position.

[Djfan]

Should have given that honor to Legs.

[hawaiiansteel]

Should have given that honor to Legs.

I hope Legs is our FB in short yardage and goal line situations.

[SteelBucks]

Heaven forbid we get a REAL fullback.

[Steelerphile]

Believe it or not, DJ blocked well from the fullback position last season. He's not a great offensive threat at tight end, so it makes sense to me. The more reps he gets just at one position, the more proficient he will be. I am one of DJ's few fans.

[Djfan]

Believe it or not, DJ blocked well from the fullback position last season. He's not a great offensive threat at tight end, so it makes sense to me. The more reps he gets just at one position, the more proficient he will be. I am one of DJ's few fans.

I really want to be one of his fans. I can't tell you exactly how many, but I remember seeing him run through holes, hitting no one. The defenders let him past, just to hit the runner. After the tackle DJ was standing in the middle of the field looking around.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I really want to be one of his fans. I can't tell you exactly how many, but I remember seeing him run through holes, hitting no one. The defenders let him past, just to hit the runner. After the tackle DJ was standing in the middle of the field looking around.

The rule of thumb in football is, even if you miss your assignment, hit someone!!!

[steelerkeylargo]

Ask Mendenhall what he thinks of Johnson's blocking ability!!

[DukieBoy]

Trade him to Arizona.

[Shawn]

Ask Mendenhall what he thinks of Johnson's blocking ability!!

Since we can't do that, why don't you tell us.

[phillyesq]

If the Steelers are going to use a FB, why not at least bring in a natural UDFA to compete with Johnson? Or bring in one of the veteran guys that was cut (I think Mughelli is out there).

[RuthlessBurgher]

While we are talking about fullbacks, a guy I had in my mock already retired due to a concussion at minicamp (following a concussion at the Senior Bowl). And since he was an UDFA of the Ravens, it's relevant to our division as well (a Browns UDFA LB also gave up the NFL dream because of concussion nightmares).

Another rookie cites concussions in passing on NFL

By Peter Barzilai, USA TODAY
Updated 5d 9h ago

Chad Diehl's NFL career is over before it started after the undrafted fullback announced his retirement following a concussion sustained during a rookie minicamp last weekend.

Chad Diehl is passing on trying to make the NFL after sustaining another head injury, he says.

Diehl, 6-2, 260 pounds, was a blocking fullback at Clemson before signing as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens after the draft. He was probably a longshot to make the Ravens so he says he decided to step away from football after another head injury, according to the Spartansburg (S.C.) Herald-Journal.

From Diehl's Facebook page:

At rookie mini-camp this past weekend I suffered another concussion. With this concussion happening so soon after the concussion I had in January at the Senior Bowl it left many people concerned including family, doctors, and myself about my health and future if I were to continue playing.

With that being said, after having an MRI done, along with multiple tests and a history of quite a few collisions as a fullback, the doctor and I came into agreement that it would be in my best interest for my football career to go ahead and come to an end.

I know that God has a plan for everything and I love my wife and daughter way too much to risk my future with them. To all of my friends, family, and fans, I love (you) too and want to say thank (you) for all of your support over my years of playing football. God bless.

Diehl is the second undrafted free agent this spring to cite concussions as a reason to quit football, following Cleveland Browns linebacker Andrew Sweat, who chose to attend law school instead.

[URL]http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2012/05/another-rookie-cites-concussions-in-passing-on-nfl/1[/URL]