James Conner

[Slapstick]

Hoping his on field performance lives up to the standards of his jersey sales. Can't recall a rookie I have wanted to be successful more than Conner

Apparently, neither can anyone else! His story hits everybody in the feels...

[feltdizz]

I love Connor but I hope fans keep their expectations in check.

[williar]

I love Connor but I hope fans keep their expectations in check.

Ditto! I hear too many fans talking like he is going to replace Le'Veon. I would love it, but I understand that is unrealistic and I don't think he needs that kind of pressure in his rookie year.

[Ernie]

Ditto! I hear too many fans talking like he is going to replace Le'Veon. I would love it, but I understand that is unrealistic and I don't think he needs that kind of pressure in his rookie year.

When the time comes, it's likely going to take 2 quality backs to replace Bell's production (or close to it)....
and that's fine by me...because it's a 2 back league these days.

[Northern_Blitz]

Ditto! I hear too many fans talking like he is going to replace Le'Veon. I would love it, but I understand that is unrealistic and I don't think he needs that kind of pressure in his rookie year.

That's kind of ridiculous. Bell is one of (if not the) best back in the league.

But, if Connor has to play due to injury, I think it's reasonable to expect that he'll at least look like an average back. If Bell is out, I think teams will focus more heavily on our passing attack so there will be some room to run behind one of the best lines in the league.

Remember that DeAngelo also looked like one of the best backs in the league behind our line (granted, he's always been a skilled back).

TLDR: Connor won't be nearly as good as Bell, but if he has to play I think that he'll be fine.

[Steel Maniac]

Northern, you've hit it right on the head. Bell gets a lot of credit but out our O-line is top 5 in the league. And an average back can look really good behind our line. And I think Connor is at least average.

If someone wants Leve'on from us, make an offer. But include your backup running back in the offer so we have decent depth at the position.

[feltdizz]

D. Williams wasn't an average back. I'm not sure an average back can look good behind our OL.

[Slapstick]

I believe that, if Connor runs behind our O Line like Williams did (hit the hole and run) and doesn't try to imitate Bell, he'll perform as well as Williams did...

[Captain Lemming]

Ditto! I hear too many fans talking like he is going to replace Le'Veon. I would love it, but I understand that is unrealistic and I don't think he needs that kind of pressure in his rookie year.

Franco Harris in his prime could not replace what Bell can do in our offense.
Odds that the 15th RB picked in the 2017 draft will do it are slim and none

[NorthCoast]

Thought I just heard Connor is the #1 selling NFL shirt in PA.

[Slapstick]

#1 in NFL jersey sales for a rookie, #3 overall...

[Steel Maniac]

Franco Harris in his prime could not replace what Bell can do in our offense.
Odds that the 15th RB picked in the 2017 draft will do it are slim and none

Not expecting him to be Bell. But he could be Williams behind our top 4 offensive line.

[SteelCrazy]

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/07/26/cancer-survivor-has-top-selling-jersey-in-nfl.html

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back James Conner has beaten Tom Brady, Dak Prescott, Marshawn Lynch, Ezekiel Elliot and Von Miller to nab the top spot in jersey sales this week, before he’s even played a professional down. Conner, who was taken in the third round by the Steelers with the 105th pick, is inspiring fans around the league with his story of resilience.


“It’s a dream come true,” Conner told ESPN, after being picked by Pittsburgh. “They gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and they are going to get a hard worker and a great football player.”

[RuthlessBurgher]

Mike Tomlin wants to talk about James Conner, not Le’Veon Bell
Posted by Mike Florio on July 30, 2017, 10:57 PM EDT

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has a lot of praise for rookie running back James Conner. Whether Tomlin intends it or not, that could put a lot of pressure on holdout running back Le’Veon Bell.

After the first day in pads, Tomlin gushed about Conner to Ike Taylor of NFL Network.

“He’s got a reputation that he doesn’t back down from physical confrontation and I wanted to give him an opportunity to confirm that on Day One,” Tomlin said regarding Conner. “And he did in a lot of ways. He’s a highly competitive guy. He showed some good technical things. Obviously, it’s Day One. He’s got a ways to go. But his mental approach and demeanor is what we desire.”

For as much as Tomlin wanted to talk about Conner, Tomlin didn’t want to talk about Bell.

“We’re not gonna waste a whole lot of time worrying about the guys that aren’t here,” Tomlin said. “I’d be doing guys like James Conner a disservice if I wasted any portions of my day on stuff like that. I’m gonna give my energies to guys like James in here working.”

In theory, Tomlin could become sufficiently impressed by Conner that the Steelers decide to save $12.1 million and rescind Bell’s franchise tender. Conner will have to show a lot more on Day Two and beyond before the Steelers would ever get to that point.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/07/30/mike-tomlin-wants-to-talk-about-james-conner-not-leveon-bell/

[phillyesq]

According to Colin Dunlap, Conner is going back to Pittsburgh today to get his shoulder looked at further. Hope it's nothing serious.