James Conner

[feltdizz]

I’m a huge Conner fan. Loved watching him in college and defended him countless times before and after the draft. That being said, this offense isn’t nearly as potent as we thought it would be and Bell is still the best back in the game.

I would love to get Conner more touches because Bell could use a breather every now and then but it makes us one dimensional if he can’t pick up blitzes or do damage in the passing game.

Why is it so important for Conner to get touches right now? Is are running game stalled? Are we losing games? Is it the fear of Bell getting hurt?

I was definitely in the “less touched for Bell” camp but the way the season is playing out we haven’t had too many chances to spell Bell for long stretches.

Obviously the coaches don’t trust Conner enough to give him more reps.

[Eich]

Why is it so important for Conner to get touches right now? Is are running game stalled? Are we losing games? Is it the fear of Bell getting hurt?

Important? I don't know but some possible reasons:
-Bell didn't seem as explosive on Sunday as he normally does. Charlie Batch said the same thing. 26 attempts for 80 yards and 3.1 per. Is he wearing out a bit? An injury that we don't know of like last season?

-Bell has yet to be there for us through a playoff run. Shouldn't we get Connor more reps now to be ready for the playoffs if we need him?

-Connor seems to be productive when he gets the chance. Why not spell Bell more?

-Using Connor might be giving defenses something different to deal with. A change of pace.

[feltdizz]

Important? I don't know but some possible reasons:
-Bell didn't seem as explosive on Sunday as he normally does. Charlie Batch said the same thing. 26 attempts for 80 yards and 3.1 per. Is he wearing out a bit? An injury that we don't know of like last season?

-Bell has yet to be there for us through a playoff run. Shouldn't we get Connor more reps now to be ready for the playoffs if we need him?

-Connor seems to be productive when he gets the chance. Why not spell Bell more?

-Using Connor might be giving defenses something different to deal with. A change of pace.

ehhh, no one seemed that explosive last game. I think it's the typical bye week rust we usually have.

Haley has already stated he isn't going to keep the best RB in football on the sideline for Conner. That's why.

and Conner doesn't really give defenses something else to think about. Sure he is a one cut runner but it's not like there is anything else to think about because Conner is one dimensional right now.

[Eich]

ehhh, no one seemed that explosive last game. I think it's the typical bye week rust we usually have.

Haley has already stated he isn't going to keep the best RB in football on the sideline for Conner. That's why.

and Conner doesn't really give defenses something else to think about. Sure he is a one cut runner but it's not like there is anything else to think about because Conner is one dimensional right now.

So, we'll run the best RB in football into the ground so that by playoff time, he'll be worn out and injured. Hmmm... has that ever happened before?....

Bell had a one-on-one encounter with a line backer during that game. And he couldn't make a move to shake him. That seemed really strange to me. It ended up being an easy tackle.

[Slapstick]

Connor will have a chance to start after we've secured HFA by beating the Pats** at home...

The only way he'd get a major increase in touches would be an injury to Bell or the luxury of sitting Bell because the Steelers locked in the #1 seed...

Bell is the $12 million dollar man this year...he needs to live up to that or he'll never earn the money he wants...

BTW, how could Bell be worn out after a bye week?

[Steel Maniac]

It's a shame the coaches have not developed Connor enough to pass protect. He obviously needs reps. So give him the reps.

[RuthlessBurgher]

BTW, how could Bell be worn out after a bye week?

We need Bell to be ready for Sunday AND Thursday this week. Giving Bell 31 touches and Conner 1 touch was probably not the best strategy when you know you have another game 4 days later. Conner should have had at least a half dozen touches in both the IND and TEN games to ease Bell's overall workload since you know we'll be working on a short week this week.

[phillyesq]

We need Bell to be ready for Sunday AND Thursday this week. Giving Bell 31 touches and Conner 1 touch was probably not the best strategy when you know you have another game 4 days later. Conner should have had at least a half dozen touches in both the IND and TEN games to ease Bell's overall workload since you know we'll be working on a short week this week.

Very good point. I'm not saying that Connor should get 10 carries a game, but having him ease the load on Bell just a touch can't hurt.

The pass protection concern is real. One of the INTs in the Jags came was largely attributable to him missing a block.

[Ernie]

So, we'll run the best RB in football into the ground so that by playoff time, he'll be worn out and injured. Hmmm... has that ever happened before?....

Bell had a one-on-one encounter with a line backer during that game. And he couldn't make a move to shake him. That seemed really strange to me. It ended up being an easy tackle.

Excellent point...and one that I have been discussing for months.

[NorthCoast]

We need Bell to be ready for Sunday AND Thursday this week. Giving Bell 31 touches and Conner 1 touch was probably not the best strategy when you know you have another game 4 days later. Conner should have had at least a half dozen touches in both the IND and TEN games to ease Bell's overall workload since you know we'll be working on a short week this week.

You may be shocked when Connor gets the majority of carries on Thursday. All part of Haley's machinations to do the unexpected and avoid the obvious.

[feltdizz]

It's a shame the coaches have not developed Connor enough to pass protect. He obviously needs reps. So give him the reps.

Wait, either you can pass protect or you can’t. If he is struggling it’s not due to coaching. Either he doesn’t know his assignment or wasn’t much of a blocker in college. You can’t make someone into a great blocker overnight.

[feltdizz]

We need Bell to be ready for Sunday AND Thursday this week. Giving Bell 31 touches and Conner 1 touch was probably not the best strategy when you know you have another game 4 days later. Conner should have had at least a half dozen touches in both the IND and TEN games to ease Bell's overall workload since you know we'll be working on a short week this week.

Ehh, we were down on the road early to the Colts. Not the best time to think about saving Bell for Thursday.

I bet the strategy wasn’t to give up 2 60 yard TD’s to Brissett but it happened.

I think if we actually play Steeler football and get a freaking lead we can do more things on offense but right now it’s like every possession is life and death (it’s not but it feels that way).

How about scoring a TD on the first possession and then getting a stop? Do that and I think we can sprinkle in some Conner. If Tennessee scores first though? Don’t think for a second Haley and Tomlin are thinking about how to spell Bell.

[K Train]

It's a shame the coaches have not developed Connor enough to pass protect. He obviously needs reps. So give him the reps.

really strange argument.

If hes not picking up blocks in practice where the QB is wearing a red jersey, lets throw him out there where the QB can be killed on a missed block...i mean, you know, for his development

[Northern_Blitz]

ehhh, no one seemed that explosive last game. I think it's the typical bye week rust we usually have.

Haley has already stated he isn't going to keep the best RB in football on the sideline for Conner. That's why.

and Conner doesn't really give defenses something else to think about. Sure he is a one cut runner but it's not like there is anything else to think about because Conner is one dimensional right now.

I agreed with this position at the beginning of the season. But, Bell has not been the best back in the league this year. Maybe that's because he had 336 touches last year in 12 games. On top of that he already has 260 touches this year in 9 games (on pace for 462 touches).

It's too bad because while the passing game is struggling, Bell have his worst season since his rookie year (ypc down ~ 1 yard/carry and ypr down ~ 2 yards / reception). Maybe giving Connor every 3rd or 4th series over the last 7 games would let us keep him under ~ 400 on the season (if he lasts that long). Maybe giving him a bit of a breather on the sideline now and again will let him be the best back in the league again.

[Oviedo]

Wait, either you can pass protect or you can’t. If he is struggling it’s not due to coaching. Either he doesn’t know his assignment or wasn’t much of a blocker in college. You can’t make someone into a great blocker overnight.

Yes to this. Connor is work in progress and you don't put him out there so the offense is one dimensional and you don't put him out there if he is going to get Ben killed. Bell is one of the better pass blocking RB in the league.