Pittsburgh Steelers Undrafted Rookie Could Have Big Impact in 2013

[crcsnail]

COMMENTARY | Even with the NFL draft already two weeks behind us, most of the Pittsburgh Steelers fans that I've spoken with recently are still abuzz over the nine rookies picked during those seven rounds. With more holes than usual to fill, fans expect early-round selections like Jarvis Jones and Le'veon Bell to step up and make immediate impacts for the Steelers. While this is certainly possible, and in all likelihood probable considering the team's needs at outside linebacker and running back, the one rookie who could make the most contributions is one that didn't even get to hear his name called by commissioner Roger Goodell.

That would be undrafted free agent Reggie Dunn from the University of Utah. Though listed as a wide receiver for the Utes, the 5' 10", 175 lb Dunn truly made a name for himself as one of the absolute best kick returners in the nation last year. In fact, he set an NCAA single-season record by returning four kickoffs 100+ yards for touchdowns. What is even more impressive is that he did so with only 10 attempts. You see, after returning two of those touchdowns against California in the eighth game of the season, opposing teams knew enough to stop kicking the ball to Dunn, preferring to send their kicks out of bounds. Dunn also holds the NCAA career record for 100+ yard kickoff returns for touchdowns with five.

Dunn was able to accomplish these feats due to his world-class speed. He was timed at 4.22 and 4.26 in the 40-yard dash at the Utah pro day on March 20th. To put that into perspective for Steeler fans, Mike Wallace (widely regarded as one of the fastest players ever to wear the Black & Gold) ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in 2009.


http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pittsburgh-steelers-undrafted-rookie-could-big-impact-2013-210400157.html


looks a very interesting proposition .

[GBMelBlount]

What is even more impressive is that he did so with only 10 attempts.

You see, after returning two of those touchdowns against California in the eighth game of the season, opposing teams knew enough to stop kicking the ball to Dunn, preferring to send their kicks out of bounds.

Dunn also holds the NCAA career record for 100+ yard kickoff returns for touchdowns with five.




http://youtu.be/nPBCPxYjgrI

[SteelerFanInStl]

Impressive. Not just good speed but good field vision and he used his blockers well.

[Mojouw]

Yeah, but his college stats look like he either can't catch or run routes. Maybe both? I think Stefan Logan was the last time they carried a true "specialist" returner on the team. I figure he makes the team if he can catch, if not...

[GBMelBlount]

Impressive. Not just good speed but good field vision and he used his blockers well.

I noticed that as well - he was not just a bullet through a seam on a lot of these.

[ALLD]

Not to mention the habit of our STs to block in the back for no reason.

[Count Steeler]

Not to mention the habit of our STs to block in the back for no reason.

That better not be the norm again this season. Would be nice to have some good returns, maybe even a TD or 2 and not have a flag on every one of them.

[st33lersguy]

All his impact will be negated unless the hold happy return team learns to do something other than at every possible opportunity

[Chidi29]

He has to be more than just a returner. As pointed out, we last tried that with Stefan Logan. He better be able/learn how to play gunner/jammer, have a lot of hats in order to stick.

[GBMelBlount]

He has to be more than just a returner. As pointed out, we last tried that with Stefan Logan. He better be able/learn how to play gunner/jammer, have a lot of hats in order to stick.

So if he ended up being the number 1 returner in the nfl we wouldn't keep him?

[Chidi29]

So if he ended up being the number 1 returner in the nfl we wouldn't keep him?

To be able to prove that, he has to first earn a spot. And pure returners don't earn that spot. If he can't do anything else but return kicks, he won't be on the Week 1 roster.

[GBMelBlount]

To be able to prove that, he has to first earn a spot. And pure returners don't earn that spot.

If he can't do anything else but return kicks, he won't be on the Week 1 roster.

He runs 4.22 40 and returned 40% of his kick returns for touchdowns....

I am going to go out on a limb and say if they see even a remote chance for development in another area they will give him a spot.

I guess we will see.

[Chidi29]

At a 4.22 40 and returning 40% of his kick returns for touchdowns....I am guessing if they see even a remote chance for development in another area they will give him a spot.

We will see.

Something that won't happen in the NFL.

I'm not saying whether or not he can play other positions or if he'll make the team...all I'm saying is versatility is vital for the back end of the roster kids.

[GBMelBlount]

Something that won't happen in the NFL.

I'm not saying whether or not he can play other positions or if he'll make the team...all I'm saying is versatility is vital for the back end of the roster kids.

Yes, but how many college returners are even remotely close to 40%?

This guy has suddeness and suddeness. :chuckle:

By the way Chidi, in the future can you give me a few minutes to post AND edit?

I like to lay it out on the screen and then simple it up a bit. lol.

[cold-hard-steel]

Yes, but how many college returners are even remotely close to 40%?

This guy has suddeness and suddeness. :chuckle:

By the way Chidi, in the future can you give me a few minutes to post AND edit?

I like to lay it out on the screen and then simple it up a bit. lol.

I thought our last return specialist was Louis Lipps . Man you take a nap and the time passes bye . I need to pay attention .

[steelreserve]

To be able to prove that, he has to first earn a spot. And pure returners don't earn that spot. If he can't do anything else but return kicks, he won't be on the Week 1 roster.

Easy - teach him how to be a long snapper too. Two birds, one stone.

Move over Colbert, I got this.

[Psycho Ward 86]

just checked up on how our last pure return specialist has been doing (Stefan Logan). 4 years in the league now, and he already has 18 fumbles lol...as a pure return man.

[salamander]

Easy - teach him how to be a long snapper too. Two birds, one stone.

Move over Colbert, I got this.

Good thing James Harrison is no longer here to teach him how to long snap. :chuckle:

[cold-hard-steel]

just checked up on how our last pure return specialist has been doing (Stefan Logan). 4 years in the league now, and he already has 18 fumbles lol...as a pure return man.

I thought he went Canadian , damn man i need to wake up . I still think the last specialist we had was Lipps . Ole Woodson was not a slouch either .

[86WARD]

Joshua Cribbs brings little to nothing to the table other than a returner...lol...

To add to what Chidi has said, it's actually quite difficult to justify carrying a kickoff return specialist with the way the rules are in the league nowadays.

[Chidi29]

Joshua Cribbs brings little to nothing to the table other than a returner...lol...

To add to what Chidi has said, it's actually quite difficult to justify carrying a kickoff return specialist with the way the rules are in the league nowadays.

No way, he is a multi-purpose player. Old regime used to use him in the Wildcat and as a rusher/receiver. Even know, he'll play everywhere on special teams, including running down kicks and punts. 103 career tackles.

[steelreserve]

No way, he is a multi-purpose player. Old regime used to use him in the Wildcat and as a rusher/receiver. Even know, he'll play everywhere on special teams, including running down kicks and punts. 103 career tackles.

I don't know if it counts as being "multi-purpose" if you suck at the rest of your purposes. He was an occasional misdirection/wildcat runner and a third-string caliber receiver. His impact has been megligible at anything other than returns. I honestly wasn't even sure if Cribbs was still on the Browns at all last year. Of course, I tuned out most of the fumble game in disgust and skipped the last game, but over the course of the season I barely heard a peep from him.

[Chidi29]

I don't know if it counts as being "multi-purpose" if you suck at the rest of your purposes. He was an occasional misdirection/wildcat runner and a third-string caliber receiver. His impact has been megligible at anything other than returns. I honestly wasn't even sure if Cribbs was still on the Browns at all last year. Of course, I tuned out most of the fumble game in disgust and skipped the last game, but over the course of the season I barely heard a peep from him.

Yes, his playing time on offense has been cut drastically but still, he's a factor running down kicks and punts. Not something that will jump of the stat sheet but it is there. Looking at Dunn's bio, he doesn't have anything else but returns (overall).

[Pristas]

Why not use him as a reverse threat as well. Line him up as a WR, then let him open it up on the end around. Haley's offense is designed for fast movement, yards in space. We just have to put the ball into the hands of playmakers. Let Bell run the defense into the ground and then insert this kid late game. Defenses won't know what hit them. If Dunn makes the edge, he's gone.

[HollywoodSteel]

Why not use him as a reverse threat as well. Line him up as a WR, then let him open it up on the end around. Haley's offense is designed for fast movement, yards in space. We just have to put the ball into the hands of playmakers. Let Bell run the defense into the ground and then insert this kid late game. Defenses won't know what hit them. If Dunn makes the edge, he's gone.

Yeah, but if he gets a step on his man on a deep route Ben will get Wallace flashbacks and actually throw it to him. And when he can't catch it we'll all be screaming for his head.

Although catching a kick off always seemed to me like a very difficult thing to do. I don't see why catching a pass where the guy throwing it is actually trying to get it into your hands should be any harder. I'm talking deep ball floaters here, not route running or catching Favre-like bullets, which of course takes a different skill set.

[ALLD]

Cribbs got paid and then stopped playing. The gong he got from Harrison cooled his ass off too.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Although catching a kick off always seemed to me like a very difficult thing to do. I don't see why catching a pass where the guy throwing it is actually trying to get it into your hands should be any harder. I'm talking deep ball floaters here, not route running or catching Favre-like bullets, which of course takes a different skill set.


have you played football before?

[86WARD]

Please. Cribbs is "multi-purpose" by title only. He's a HORRIBLE WR and a below average RB if that. He can return kicks and punts, but really, aside from a couple/few seasons, he's been average to just above average at that.