Najee Harris' Run Game

[WindyCitySteel]

Jonathan Taylor makes me sad. 41st pick in the draft and can take over games like that. I know he has the far better line, but Najee simply doesn't have that breakaway gear in his game. His longest career run at Alabama on that stacked team with pro OLs was only 42 yards, and it came last season.

The Steelers spent a first round pick on a singles hitter that lacks warning track power even.

[NorthCoast]

Jonathan Taylor makes me sad. 41st pick in the draft and can take over games like that. I know he has the far better line, but Najee simply doesn't have that breakaway gear in his game. His longest career run at Alabama on that stacked team with pro OLs was only 42 yards, and it came last season.

The Steelers spent a first round pick on a singles hitter that lacks warning track power even.

I like that Reich did a Belichick on Belichick and ran the snot out of the ball. I don't think Wentz had more than a dozen passes on the day.
On Taylor, yea he's good. But Indy OL and the OC are the best in the business. Did you see the push they were getting even when NE stacked the box? Najee might not hit the home runs but he is capable of overwhelming a defense if he had an OL like Indy. Bettis never had home run speed either. And Najee is a better receiver than Taylor.

Until the mess of the OL is fixed I'm trying to reserve judgment on Harris.

[WindyCitySteel]

I like that Reich did a Belichick on Belichick and ran the snot out of the ball. I don't think Wentz had more than a dozen passes on the day.
On Taylor, yea he's good. But Indy OL and the OC are the best in the business. Did you see the push they were getting even when NE stacked the box? Najee might not hit the home runs but he is capable of overwhelming a defense if he had an OL like Indy. Bettis never had home run speed either. And Najee is a better receiver than Taylor.

Until the mess of the OL is fixed I'm trying to reserve judgment on Harris.

Najee is a better receiver, which will only get him more touches and wear him down even faster. I'll never understand Tomlin's obsession with the do-it-all multitool at RB as opposed to using multiple guys. I have to chalk it up to laziness. It requires zero thought to roll out the same guy on every play.

[NJ-STEELER]

I like that Reich did a Belichick on Belichick and ran the snot out of the ball. I don't think Wentz had more than a dozen passes on the day.
On Taylor, yea he's good. But Indy OL and the OC are the best in the business. Did you see the push they were getting even when NE stacked the box? Najee might not hit the home runs but he is capable of overwhelming a defense if he had an OL like Indy. Bettis never had home run speed either. And Najee is a better receiver than Taylor.

Until the mess of the OL is fixed I'm trying to reserve judgment on Harris.

not just the OL.
on late TD, he made a tremendous cut across the grain that got him in the open field


you need talent to make that run. something the connors, russells, dwyers never had

[Steelerphile]

Jonathan Taylor makes me sad. 41st pick in the draft and can take over games like that. I know he has the far better line, but Najee simply doesn't have that breakaway gear in his game. His longest career run at Alabama on that stacked team with pro OLs was only 42 yards, and it came last season.

The Steelers spent a first round pick on a singles hitter that lacks warning track power even.

I am going to voice some agreement with you. Najee is a big strong durable back, and he has talent. But he spins his wheels before he accelerates. He hasn 't shown the burst and agility you want to see in an every down back. They should distribute the carries more in the backfield. Even though Snell isn't fast, he has some quickness and his running style is a little different. That can give the defense a different look.

You can't tell about McFarland when he has only gotten 2-3 carries.

And really to disagree with the posters on here who he keep bringing up Conner. I don't think Harris is more talented. He is more durable and doesn't get injured. that is all you can say. But Conner made many good runs and plays with the Steelers and he is still making them for Arizona.

BTW beloved Le'Veon cannot beat out FAs from Div III at this point. He is home in the hot tub, inhaling a bong. Hope the contract cash lasts a little longer.

[NorthCoast]

I am going to voice some agreement with you. Najee is a big strong durable back, and he has talent. But he spins his wheels before he accelerates. He hasn 't shown the burst and agility you want to see in an every down back. They should distribute the carries more in the backfield. Even though Snell isn't fast, he has some quickness and his running style is a little different. That can give the defense a different look.

You can't tell about McFarland when he has only gotten 2-3 carries.

And really to disagree with the posters on here who he keep bringing up Conner. I don't think Harris is more talented. He is more durable and doesn't get injured. that is all you can say. But Conner made many good runs and plays with the Steelers and he is still making them for Arizona.

BTW beloved Le'Veon cannot beat out FAs from Div III at this point. He is home in the hot tub, inhaling a bong. Hope the contract cash lasts a little longer.

I agree that Najee looks hesitant at times when he should just make a cut and go. I am keeping out hope it's partly on the OL and partly inexperience. What he doesn't have in burst he makes up for in power. Someday when the passing game is able to complete 10+ yard passes his game may look different as defenses back off.

[WindyCitySteel]

Bruh, celebrate with your teammates.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Fantasy/status/1472660900616151041?s=20

[papillon]

Najee is a better receiver, which will only get him more touches and wear him down even faster. I'll never understand Tomlin's obsession with the do-it-all multitool at RB as opposed to using multiple guys. I have to chalk it up to laziness. It requires zero thought to roll out the same guy on every play.

Not when the line is better and he doesn't need as many rushing attempts to have an impact on the game. He'll end up with 20 - 25 touches per game, rushing and receiving but right now, he needs volume to be effective because holes and seams are nearly non-existent.

Pappy

[Dwinsgames]

at risk of being captain obvious , the run game SUCKS worse now than at any point in memory ( and I remember way way back ) Famous Amos would look like an improvement at this point ... Sure I realize this line blows chunks at not only pass blocking but run blocking as well , that said Harris runs more east and west than north and south and when behind a **** line that makes bad worse .... what worries me even more is its becoming more and more prominent ... that tells me its not being coached out of it and bad habits are forming ....

they are reluctant to make changes in the O-Line for fear of continuity but my God man I would rather have a line that lacks continuity that can flipping block someone than a line that has continuity that cant .... Get Banner on the field at least we can run behind him !!! Chuks is soft and gets no push in the run game and is good for at least 1 penalty a game on top of it .... forget zone blocking and man up and play power football put a FB on the field to help out or go 2 TE sets you have to figure out a way to run the damn football 1.5 YPC isnt cutting it

[NorthCoast]

at risk of being captain obvious , the run game SUCKS worse now than at any point in memory ( and I remember way way back ) Famous Amos would look like an improvement at this point ... Sure I realize this line blows chunks at not only pass blocking but run blocking as well , that said Harris runs more east and west than north and south and when behind a **** line that makes bad worse .... what worries me even more is its becoming more and more prominent ... that tells me its not being coached out of it and bad habits are forming ....

they are reluctant to make changes in the O-Line for fear of continuity but my God man I would rather have a line that lacks continuity that can flipping block someone than a line that has continuity that cant .... Get Banner on the field at least we can run behind him !!! Chuks is soft and gets no push in the run game and is good for at least 1 penalty a game on top of it .... forget zone blocking and man up and play power football put a FB on the field to help out or go 2 TE sets you have to figure out a way to run the damn football 1.5 YPC isnt cutting it

Not sure if anyone else has noticed but the Steelers started the season with a nearly balanced run/pass ratio. They have slid into pass heavy playcalling in the last month (yes game circumstances affect this). But the formula to beat the Steelers hasn't changed since last season. Stop the run, force Roethlisberger to pass 35+ times a game, wait for the mistake in a low scoring game. Add in that the OL is getting beat regularly in one on one (or one on nobody) matchups so opponents don't even have to stack the box much (Najee faces one of the lowest stacked box rates in the NFL). Watch the game clips from the Vikings first half. Truly abysmal line play.

[Oviedo]

Jonathan Taylor makes me sad. 41st pick in the draft and can take over games like that. I know he has the far better line, but Najee simply doesn't have that breakaway gear in his game. His longest career run at Alabama on that stacked team with pro OLs was only 42 yards, and it came last season.

The Steelers spent a first round pick on a singles hitter that lacks warning track power even.

Najee doesn't have the off line that Taylor does!

[Oviedo]

I like that Reich did a Belichick on Belichick and ran the snot out of the ball. I don't think Wentz had more than a dozen passes on the day.
On Taylor, yea he's good. But Indy OL and the OC are the best in the business. Did you see the push they were getting even when NE stacked the box? Najee might not hit the home runs but he is capable of overwhelming a defense if he had an OL like Indy. Bettis never had home run speed either. And Najee is a better receiver than Taylor.

Until the mess of the OL is fixed I'm trying to reserve judgment on Harris.

Totally agree. Until the OL is sorted out, it is impossible to get a real assessemnt of this offense. Steelers took a risk on the O line and it has blown up on them. Fortuantely, they will likely have the draft position and the cap space to do something about it.

[WindyCitySteel]

Najee doesn't have the off line that Taylor does!

I acknowledged that, but he was never a home run threat at Alabama, where he had the best OL in the country. He's a plodder.

[Dwinsgames]

Not sure if anyone else has noticed but the Steelers started the season with a nearly balanced run/pass ratio. They have slid into pass heavy playcalling in the last month (yes game circumstances affect this). But the formula to beat the Steelers hasn't changed since last season. Stop the run, force Roethlisberger to pass 35+ times a game, wait for the mistake in a low scoring game. Add in that the OL is getting beat regularly in one on one (or one on nobody) matchups so opponents don't even have to stack the box much (Najee faces one of the lowest stacked box rates in the NFL). Watch the game clips from the Vikings first half. Truly abysmal line play.

yeah if I was Adrian Klemm I wouldn't be house shopping , all the tough talk coming into the season about this line having an identity of toughness and meanstreaks , gonna bully opponents blah blah blah ... they look like the kids that are getting their lunch money taken more often than not

[crushedspirit]

Taylor has a line for sure, but if you watch highlights closely, you'll see how excellent he is. The vision and explosiveness is top 3 in the league.