New Steelers RB James Conner Was One Of The Most ‘Explosive’ FBS Runners In 2016

[Shoes]

I really like this young man, he's going to keep Bell on his toes! I love how he handles and protects the football.


In general, it’s not too surprising that the Pittsburgh Steelers ultimately selected former University of Pittsburgh running back James Conner during the 2017 NFL Draft last weekend. However, what was a little surprising is the fact they took him in the third-round. While several will analyze the Steelers selection of Conner as a bit of a reach, the more you look at his college tape the more you can see why they took him in the third-round.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/05/new-steelers-rb-james-conner-one-explosive-fbs-runners-2016/

[DesertSteel]

Perhaps in 4 years we'll be talking about what a steal he was in the 3rd.

[Mojouw]

For quick reference - here is Conner's profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/james-conner?id=2557978 and Bell's: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/le'veon-bell?id=2540175

They look like carbon copies of one anther physically and Conner has the same measurables. Anyone want to bet me they have him lose a bit of weight? And start teaching him how to catch passes?

Both guys got dinged coming out of college for running too upright, not being amazing pass catchers, lacking long speed, etc.

[pczach]

For quick reference - here is Conner's profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/james-conner?id=2557978 and Bell's: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/le'veon-bell?id=2540175

They look like carbon copies of one anther physically and Conner has the same measurables. Anyone want to bet me they have him lose a bit of weight? And start teaching him how to catch passes?

Both guys got dinged coming out of college for running too upright, not being amazing pass catchers, lacking long speed, etc.


...and both guys get yards after contact as part of who they are as runners.

[tube517]

Perhaps in 4 years we'll be talking about what a steal he was in the 3rd.

Or what a bust he is in Preseason Game #1/1st possession..... 2017 :chuckle:

[Psycho Ward 86]

For quick reference - here is Conner's profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/james-conner?id=2557978 and Bell's: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/le'veon-bell?id=2540175

They look like carbon copies of one anther physically and Conner has the same measurables. Anyone want to bet me they have him lose a bit of weight? And start teaching him how to catch passes?

Both guys got dinged coming out of college for running too upright, not being amazing pass catchers, lacking long speed, etc.

sounds likely. i dont think it will work for Connor nearly as well as Bell though. Bell's running style was way more scatty in college than Connor's is. I remember when we took him my biggest concerns with Bell were how tall he runs and the fact that he tries to run like a scatback so frequently even though he's in Earl Campbell's body. Connor also runs too tall but he's a more masochistic runner than Bell

[GBMelBlount]

In total, there were 27 FBS running backs selected during the 2017 NFL Draft and when you look at the explosive runs of 20 yards or more each of those players registered during the 2016 season, only Donnel Pumphrey (23) and Aaron Jones (20) had more than Conner (19) did.

Sure, but if you take away his long runs. :behindsofa:

[Mojouw]

Sure, but if you take away his long runs. :behindsofa:

We do need a bigger back to beat off defenders...

[BurghBoy412]

sounds likely. i dont think it will work for Connor nearly as well as Bell though. Bell's running style was way more scatty in college than Connor's is. I remember when we took him my biggest concerns with Bell were how tall he runs and the fact that he tries to run like a scatback so frequently even though he's in Earl Campbell's body. Connor also runs too tall but he's a more masochistic runner than Bell "Running tall" appears to work well for both of them.

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We do need a bigger back to beat off defenders...Do you envision some kind of RB rotation? Do you think it remains an all Bell show?

[Psycho Ward 86]

"Running tall" appears to work well for both of them.

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Do you envision some kind of RB rotation? Do you think it remains an all Bell show?

What are you implying? Leveon Bell doesnt run tall anymore. He's also about 20-25lb. lighter than his final year in college

[BurghBoy412]

What are you implying? Leveon Bell doesnt run tall anymore. He's also about 20-25lb. lighter than his final year in college
There wasn't any implication. I said "running tall seems to work well for them". What exactly would that imply? I would appreciate if you would stop trying to read things into my posts that simply aren't there.

[teegre]

We do need a bigger back to beat off defenders...

Two words: suddenness and glide.

[Psycho Ward 86]

There wasn't any implication. I said "running tall seems to work well for them". What exactly would that imply? I would appreciate if you would stop trying to read things into my posts that simply aren't there.

Bell hasnt run tall since he was a Spartan. One of Connor's biggest knocks is that he doesnt always run with great pad level. Transferring your leg drive as a runner from a more horizontal access to a vertical one renders you weak no matter how strong you are. I wasnt aware that there were running backs in the league that defy fundamental physics. Hate to break it to you, but running tall doesnt work in the NFL. Defenders tee off on you, especially when you're a taller back like Bell or Connor. Luckily the steelers coaching staff is probably smart enough to realize Connor cant pinball linebackers by hitting them in the face with his chest . WHEW

[Steeldude]

I don't see the explosion. I see a slow back running through giant holes. Can he break tackles at the scrimmage? That's the key.

[pczach]

Two words: suddenness and glide.


That's what it always comes down to. :chuckle:

[Born2Steel]

Eddie George ran tall. Deuce McAllister ran tall. Adrian Peterson runs tall. Running tall is not a knock, it's a descriptive term about the running style. We talk and talk about 'pad level'. RBs that run tall but can lower their 'pad level' thru contact usually find great success.

But it's the 'suddenness and glide' that is truly exciting to watch. :eyebrows: