Props to lloydroid

[lloydroid]

Seeing a guy run in college only show "potential" ...I've seen a lot of flops in the NFL dominate in college.

DWYER runs way differently now than the last few years. He always reminded me of RICHARD HUNTLEY but now he is showing power and balance ...it's funny watching him get his pads low and DB's bouncing off him.

I totally disagree. He totally ran just like this in college. And I saw flashes of this every since he was on the team. The only reason he didn't earn more playing time previous to this year:

1.) He would come in super out of shape to camp.
2.) We didn't lose the 1st and 2nd string backs to injury previous to now, giving him a shot.

He has always run like this, even in college. Now you watch this, from his college days, and tell me how his style was any different, other than being lighter. He lowered his head all the time. I have no idea what you are talking about.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87oQfYptdJM[/url]

[lloydroid]

If you saw the guy run at Ga tech it was pretty easy to see his potential, you didn't have to be an NFL scout to see he could play if he kept his priorities straight. That being said, he will be a nice complement to Mendenhall when he returns and takes back his spot as the starter. It will also allow us to get rid of Mendenhall if he continues being a china doll. He might even have the potential to be the Bettis replacement we've all been looking for. But 2 games showing his potential does not a career make...but this is what I thought we'd get when we drafted him.

Actually, he was projected to be a fairly high pick, until he got all fat and showed real discipline problems. I think he even showed up at the combines, looking totally sloppy and fat. That took him off everyone's draft board. Pgh took a flier on him, and it is just now paying off, but paying off pretty big. 2 games does not a career make. Sure, but consider this is the first time a Pgh back has had 2 consecutive 100 yard games since 2008 with Willie Parker. That tells me Mendenhall has mostly been FAIL if he has NEVER put back to back 100 yard games together. JD is now on track. He will keep these type of games up, now that he is in a groove. Watch and see.

[lloydroid]

<----smarter than LloydDroid. Had DWYER as his starting RB today.

Oh, you don't get it. If he was still on my roster, I'd have started him the last 2 week; problem was, I cut him off my roster weeks ago. How long has he been on your roster, Sid? I really doubt you had him on your roster all along. Tell me you did. I cut him when it looked like all he could do was fall down when he got the ball. And my the time it looked like he might have something to offer, I was too far down on the waiver wire to get him and another Steeler fan in my league nabbed him just 2 weeks ago. I should have held on to him, but he was showing no signs of production when I dropped him.

[lloydroid]

I'll give credit where credit's due--lloydroid definitely had more faith than most of us, and called this early. My concern was never his talent... it has always been his professionalism and sense of urgency. As long as he is healthy and focused, he can shine. But we will know a lot more, when he has to face adversity and challenge (i.e. injuries, the team relying on him, possibly a big contract).

Look at Cam Newton... the guy is a physical beast. And after last year, everyone was touting him as god's gift. BUT what we ALL forgot was his immaturity, and it's manifesting itself as defenses have adjusted to him, as people are verbally criticizing him, etc. He pouts, he blames.

First of all, JD has already faced injury; you can be rest assured of that. A major injury? No. But he has faced injury already. No NFL running back who rushes for 100 yards a game goes unscathed. Bettis used to say it took him like an hour, just to get out of bed on Mondays. Secondly, JD was young coming into the league. He was only 20, wasn't he? A 20-year-old with that much talent, having that much success, had to learn that you can't just "show up" in the NFL and succeed. You have to work. You have to control your eating, etc. (if you tend to put on the lbs). Thirdly, Cam is just now facing that you "can't just show up" and succeed in the NFL. I predict by next year he will figure this out, and do what is needed to bounce back. Cam is just drowning right now. He is young. He most likely will mature (although he could go the route of Jamarcus Russell but I doubt it).

[hawaiiansteel]

He has always run like this, even in college.

[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87oQfYptdJM[/URL]

I agree with you on this.

the reason why I was skeptical is because Ga Tech ran a gimmick offense and I wasn't sure that Dwyer had the internal motivation to keep himself in proper football shape.

I'm glad he has matured...

[flippy]

I think many thought he was one of the top RBs (potential wise) in his draft class after Spiller and Matthews. But no one thought he was going to be a versaitle/dynamic back in the NFL. Maybe a Michael Turner type of back.

But he also had his risks and weaknesses.

[lloydroid]

I think many thought he was one of the top RBs (potential wise) in his draft class after Spiller and Matthews. But no one thought he was going to be a versaitle/dynamic back in the NFL. Maybe a Michael Turner type of back.

But he also had his risks and weaknesses.

I think a lot of teams would love to have a Mike Turner type back (especially the one of a few years ago, he's starting to get slow it seems.) Did you notice, that all of a sudden, announcers are saying things like "Dwyer just seems like a Steeler back" which is another way of saying that Mendenhall does not, which I agree with.

[flippy]

I think a lot of teams would love to have a Mike Turner type back (especially the one of a few years ago, he's starting to get slow it seems.) Did you notice, that all of a sudden, announcers are saying things like "Dwyer just seems like a Steeler back" which is another way of saying that Mendenhall does not, which I agree with.

Absolutely, anyone would take a Turner in his prime. But Turner's one dimensional. He's gonna run it out of the backfield. He's gonna plow through for tough yards maybe making one cut and going north/south. And he's deceptively fast for his size if he breaks through a tackle. This type of runner is not easy to find. That's who I can see Dwyer being if he works hard.

I do think Haley designed this offense for Mendy. Mendy's still the best athlete we have a RB. He's the most explosive. He can catch and make plays running in the open field. I say you can never have enough RBs. I say you go with the hot hand and roll with that guy. Keep everyone's touches low and keep everyone fresh for the long haul.

[lloydroid]

Absolutely, anyone would take a Turner in his prime. But Turner's one dimensional. He's gonna run it out of the backfield. He's gonna plow through for tough yards maybe making one cut and going north/south. And he's deceptively fast for his size if he breaks through a tackle. This type of runner is not easy to find. That's who I can see Dwyer being if he works hard.

I do think Haley designed this offense for Mendy. Mendy's still the best athlete we have a RB. He's the most explosive. He can catch and make plays running in the open field. I say you can never have enough RBs. I say you go with the hot hand and roll with that guy. Keep everyone's touches low and keep everyone fresh for the long haul.

There are a ton of "best athletes" who don't end up being the best "players." That is what RM is to me; has all the measureables, but he just isn't a great player. He's good. He's not worthless, but I don't think he is deserving of getting the majority of carries. I'd like to see a 50% JD, 40% RM and 10% other mix. I think that would be a strong plan. Plus, I don't think JD is a natural 30 carry guy; he just doesn't want to grind that hard. He wants to go hard the plays he's in, but he doesn't have the endurance to go hard for 30 carries a game. And we don't need him to, so....imagine RM coming in after JD has the D gassed? He would have a chance to break off big gains.

[aggiebones]

First, I'm not sold on him quite yet. These were 2 pretty soft defenses.
Hopefully this sticks.

[lloydroid]

First, I'm not sold on him quite yet. These were 2 pretty soft defenses.
Hopefully this sticks.

Why do some people refuse to acknowledge that the Skins were the #7 rushing D in the entire NFL?

[BigRob]

Why do some people refuse to acknowledge that the Skins were the #7 rushing D in the entire NFL?

Because its not that simple. Why run against the Skins when you can pass to your hearts content? Their #7 rushing D is partially an illusion.

The Bengals were a good pass rushing team, but have struggled against the run all year.

If Dwyer does it against a front like the Giants and JPP, colored me impressed. Of course, it also depends on the O-line.

[lloydroid]

Because its not that simple. Why run against the Skins when you can pass to your hearts content? Their #7 rushing D is partially an illusion.

The Bengals were a good pass rushing team, but have struggled against the run all year.

If Dwyer does it against a front like the Giants and JPP, colored me impressed. Of course, it also depends on the O-line.

I realize there are "lies, damn lies and statistics" (meaning sometimes stats are the most dishonest to what is truly happening). But show me the 32nd ranked rush D and the Skins, and I bet the Skins are the better rush D. I bet the Bills and Saints are easier to run on than are the Skins.

As far as running on NY, sure, it won't be easy. Their rushing D is only 19th ranked, but we know how they can cream QBs with their front 4, making it harder for Ben to convert on 3rd downs, giving JD less series to run the ball; can't rack up yards unless you are making first downs. They are the current SB Champs, with mostly the same players as when they won it, so, yea, my guess is they won't be easy to beat, unless they are unfocused (which sometimes they are, but I have a feeling they won't be looking past the Steelers, as they are a big time franchise, even if only 4-3. If anyone knows a win-loss stat can be deceiving, it is the New York Giants.)