Cosell: Is Harris really the "guy" at RB?

[whisper]

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/01/is-najee-harris-really-that-guy-analyst-greg-cosell-unsure-of-steelers-starting-rb/

A lot of good points. The one about the company of RBs with that many carries and not making 4 ypc is disturbing.

Since 2010, only a hand full of RBs have had 550+ carries without breaking 4 ypc: Peyton Barber, Alfred Blue, Mike Davis and Trent Richardson. Not great company. If this is the guy our offense is to be centered around, geesh. But you know Pgh will stick to that plan for years, even if it's obvious it's a mistake. Steelers are very slow to admit mistakes (see Canada for 3 years).

[Steel Maniac]

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/01/is...s-starting-rb/

A lot of good points. The one about the company of RBs with that many carries and not making 4 ypc is disturbing.

Since 2010, only a hand full of RBs have had 550+ carries without breaking 4 ypc: Peyton Barber, Alfred Blue, Mike Davis and Trent Richardson. Not great company. If this is the guy our offense is to be centered around, geesh. But you know Pgh will stick to that plan for years, even if it's obvious it's a mistake. Steelers are very slow to admit mistakes (see Canada for 3 years).

Harris is Tomlin's guy. So he's going to be the starter next year. Let's hope we upgrade the lines and that should (hopefully) allow Harris to be a better RB. But they are going to stay with their first round pick guy..regardless. Same as they stayed with Jarvis Jones to the very end.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Harris can be that guy at RB. He's shown the ability as a RB, blocker, and pass catcher. The Oline improved and Harris improved. Harris stopped trying to juke defenders as the season progressed. I supposed he was coached or learned that he is big enough to run through smaller defenders but he won't be able to out run or juke smaller defenders in the NFL.

KP's growth will also be a plus for Harris.

[whisper]

Harris is Tomlin's guy. So he's going to be the starter next year. Let's hope we upgrade the lines and that should (hopefully) allow Harris to be a better RB. But they are going to stay with their first round pick guy..regardless. Same as they stayed with Jarvis Jones to the very end.

The only way they go in another direction from a 1st round pick is the player has to be exceptionally bad, ala Artie Burns bad. Other than that, they stubbornly stay with said player regardless, because they can't admit a mistake.

[whisper]

Harris can be that guy at RB. He's shown the ability as a RB, blocker, and pass catcher. The Oline improved and Harris improved. Harris stopped trying to juke defenders as the season progressed. I supposed he was coached or learned that he is big enough to run through smaller defenders but he won't be able to out run or juke smaller defenders in the NFL.

KP's growth will also be a plus for Harris.

Harris must progress to over 4 ypc if he wants to be a part of this offense. Whatever it takes to get there, he must do it. Drop some weight might not be a bad idea.

[Steel Maniac]

4 YPC is what we want to see.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Harris must progress to over 4 ypc if he wants to be a part of this offense. Whatever it takes to get there, he must do it. Drop some weight might not be a bad idea.

Who are you to say "must"? What power do you have? Will you bench Harris? Commical ish.

Bettis had 3.9 ypc for his career. He was an ok big RB.

As long as Harris is productive, doesn't complain, remains healthy, and helps this team wins games he will be apart of this team. I don't think the Steelers are focused on his ypc average at this point. They know what Harris can bring to the table as a complete RB.

[feltdizz]

Harris is fine. I would like to see him used more in the passing game next year. Once that dude hits the second level he punishes defenders. DB’s start making business decisions after a few of those stiff arms.

[feltdizz]

Who are you to say "must"? What power do you have? Will you bench Harris? Commical ish.

Bettis had 3.9 ypc for his career. He was an ok big RB.

As long as Harris is productive, doesn't complain, remains healthy, and helps this team wins games he will be apart of this team. I don't think the Steelers are focused on his ypc average at this point. They know what Harris can bring to the table as a complete RB.

love when these guys make threats like they have a say in our FO decisions.

[TheRealTazz864]

Harris must progress to over 4 ypc if he wants to be a part of this offense. Whatever it takes to get there, he must do it. Drop some weight might not be a bad idea.

You know you're quite mad... If NH bulks-up a bit, and starts runnin' between the tackles, he'll be unstoppable... How much did Franco weigh?? Or Jerome Bettis?? Actually, I see more Bam Morris in 22's running than 'Fast' Willie Parker....

[TheRealTazz864]

The only way they go in another direction from a 1st round pick is the player has to be exceptionally bad, ala Artie Burns bad. Other than that, they stubbornly stay with said player regardless, because they can't admit a mistake.

Then they will stick with Devin Bush... Wasn't he a first-rounder in 2019??

[Monalo]

4 YPC is what we want to see.

Harris' average is 3.9 for his career so far. Over 4 ypc for the last 9 games as he got healthy and the OL got better.
If healthy 4 ypc shouldn't be a problem next year.

[whisper]

https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/rushing/2022/reg/all/rushingyards/desc

16th on 2022 rushing list, and a lower ypc than all 15 above him. Barkley actually has more carries, but his average is 4.4, big difference. Chubb had more carries but averaged over 5.0 ypc. Now that's a healthy ypc.

[Steel Maniac]

https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-sta...hingyards/desc

16th on 2022 rushing list, and a lower ypc than all 15 above him. Barkley actually has more carries, but his average is 4.4, big difference. Chubb had more carries but averaged over 5.0 ypc. Now that's a healthy ypc.

Let's see what the new regime does with free agency and the draft. We have to give them a chance. If we see eerily similar stuff coming from Khan/Wiedl then we're going to know how much Rooney/Tomlin really influences the front office on what is & isn't done.

[whisper]

Let's see what the new regime does with free agency and the draft. We have to give them a chance. If we see eerily similar stuff coming from Khan/Wiedl then we're going to know how much Rooney/Tomlin really influences the front office on what is & isn't done.

Fair enough, if they take Porter #1 it looks like nepotism is still the thing.