James Conner

[RuthlessBurgher]

Getting To Know: James Conner
Posted 2 hours ago


Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

Learn more about the Steelers' third-round draft pick.

James Conner
Running Back
Pittsburgh
Rookie

Who is your football mentor or inspiration?

That is a tough one. I don’t know who really inspired me to play football. I have always loved the game. I watched Emmitt Smith and heard stories about Walter Payton. Those guys made me want to play running back. But I just kind of fell in love with the game myself.



What motivates you?

Just my recent past, my recent history. And my area. Being from Erie, Pa., we are a smaller town, we aren’t too well known. I just like to do it for the city. I get so much love and support from my hometown, and Pittsburgh. I just want to do good for the people.


What is your approach to football?

Beast. Especially now. It’s a grown man’s game. I was talking to our strength coach and there are some creatures out there so you have to go out there and be dominant, unstoppable and ready to play.


Why do you play football?

There is no other thing like it. It is a job, but at the end of the day it is a game. I play because you don’t get the feeling you get from playing football, scoring touchdowns, doing it together, anywhere else.


When did you start to dream about playing in the NFL?

When I was in fifth grade. I was 10 years old when I started playing football. And I started thinking about it. I knew it would take steps to get there, high school and college.


What is your proudest football moment or memory?

I have had so many. When we beat Clemson last season as a team. My return to the field last year against Villanova. My first varsity high school game. But I am hoping it’s a Super Bowl soon. I am not saying I had a special moment until we win a Super Bowl.


When you hear Steelers, what do you think?

Tradition. There are so many greats that have come before us and we have to honor their legacy. The Rooney family, what they have established and put together is unbelievable. When you think of the Steelers, you think of men of steel, Steel City, hard-nosed football players who do things the right way.

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Getting-To-Know-James-Conner/62724696-003d-4a18-abdc-ce458f75b147

[feltdizz]

Not surprised he said he watched Emmit Smith, that's exactly who I think of when watching him run. He has a nice stiff arm but he also utilized the hook like Emmit used to do.

[williar]

I love this guy! He is one of my favs already... If he plays half as good as his attitude we've got a stud on our hands.

[Steel Maniac]

He'll get a chance to show his talents. He'll be our starter in the Super Bowl this year.

[winwithd]

I think Isaac Redman with better hands. Hopefully he is more than that. A feel good story, Yes. More than a career backup, we'll have to wait and see.

[Steelerphile]

I think Isaac Redman with better hands. Hopefully he is more than that. A feel good story, Yes. More than a career backup, we'll have to wait and see.

Isaac Redman with hands?! You must not be from around Pittsburgh and watched him play a lot. I'd say he is much better than Redman. I think he'll be really good for a while. I do wonder how
long he can take the pounding from NFL players.

[Mr.wizard]

Conner could be a nice short yardage back but I don't think he ever becomes a feature back, he just doesn't have the skill set that teams look for in a feature back these days.

[Iron City Inc.]

Conner could be a nice short yardage back but I don't think he ever becomes a feature back, he just doesn't have the skill set that teams look for in a feature back these days.

Well he compares well to Carlos Hyde. Height weight speed (Hyde ran 4.66 at combine) and Conner can block and catch better than average. So not a star as I would not say Hyde is a star but a solid back with quick jump cut ability in the hole and enough vision to at least be solid. Watch the game against the National Champs and you'll see his skills on display against top competition.

[Shoe]

Well he compares well to Carlos Hyde. Height weight speed (Hyde ran 4.66 at combine) and Conner can block and catch better than average. So not a star as I would not say Hyde is a star but a solid back with quick jump cut ability in the hole and enough vision to at least be solid. Watch the game against the National Champs and you'll see his skills on display against top competition.

I think you are also describing Le'veon Bell coming out of college. He was dinged for a perceived lack of really explosive qualities--He was a big, smooth runner, lacking explosive speed. No experts had Le'veon going in the 1st. Similar to Connor.

I think the plan is a 3-year one with Connor and Bell. Run Bell (until the wheels start falling off), let Connor slowly acclimate, and by Year 4, hopefully he'll take the reigns.

This pick didn't thrill me back then, but I'm really liking it now.

[Oviedo]

I could see Conner being a better Chris Fuamatu Mualafala

Hopefully minus injury issues and a shorter name

[Mr.wizard]

Well he compares well to Carlos Hyde. Height weight speed (Hyde ran 4.66 at combine) and Conner can block and catch better than average. So not a star as I would not say Hyde is a star but a solid back with quick jump cut ability in the hole and enough vision to at least be solid. Watch the game against the National Champs and you'll see his skills on display against top competition.

Conner doesn't have the short space quickness that Hyde has and it's not even close. Hyde can make people miss and he has power, Conner is not going to do that he will give you good power but if the O-line isn't opening clear holes he won't create his own space.

[Iron City Inc.]

Conner doesn't have the short space quickness that Hyde has and it's not even close. Hyde can make people miss and he has power, Conner is not going to do that he will give you good power but if the O-line isn't opening clear holes he won't create his own space.

Hyde has performed against pro's and JC has not so what he can do on this next level is still unclear. Hyde suffered a mcl injury at the end of last year so who knows for this year. The skill set of JC I believe you'll find to be solid but we'll see at camp. To me from the film I saw his short area quickness is fine he lacks breakaway speed imo if anything. Hope he comes into camp healthy n gets in best shape of his life. He does that he will contribute ear;y on.

[RuthlessBurgher]

James Conner has the NFL’s best-selling rookie jersey
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 19, 2017, 5:35 AM EDT

Steelers running back James Conner was the 105th player chosen in this year’s NFL draft. But he’s first in jersey sales.

According to data released by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Conner’s jersey is the No. 1 best seller among NFL rookies this year. Among all NFL players, only Dak Prescott and Tom Brady have sold more jerseys this year.

Conner’s No. 30 jersey was expected to sell well this year. He’s well-liked among Pittsburgh fans because he was a college star at Pitt, and he has an inspirational back story as a cancer survivor.

The other rookies in the Top 5 in jersey sales are Houston’s Deshaun Watson, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, Chicago’s Mitch Trubisky and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/07/19/james-conner-has-the-nfls-best-selling-rookie-jersey/

[Steel Maniac]

Good luck to Mr. Conner

[Oviedo]

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