CJ2000 should have been a Steeler

[teegre]

Chris Johnson was on Bryant McFadden’s show saying that during the draft process, Tomlin was extremely interested in drafting him. But… Johnson refused to take an MRI. Johnson said he was claustrophobic and wouldn’t take an MRI… to which Tomlin responded by saying that the Steelers would not be able to draft him without a medical check. (That’s why the Steelers passed on him.)

Imagine what could have been with our defense paired with CJ2000 in offense. :scared:

[Edman]

I think CJ2K wouldn't have put up 2000 yards in our offense in those days. Air-ians was the OC, Our Offensive line was average, blocking was non-existent and everything was based on Ben's improvisation and making something out of nothing.

Johnson would've been on the PUP every year witj the beatings he would've took.

[86WARD]

Ugh…

[st33lersguy]

I think CJ2K wouldn't have put up 2000 yards in our offense in those days. Air-ians was the OC, Our Offensive line was average, blocking was non-existent and everything was based on Ben's improvisation and making something out of nothing.

Johnson would've been on the PUP every year witj the beatings he would've took.

Agreed. Arians would have misused him (probably nosedives up the middle) and saying the o line was average in those days was a great overstatement

[st33lersguy]

Plus when a guy denies an MRI, you can't blame the team for passing on him

[Fire Goodell]

I think CJ2K wouldn't have put up 2000 yards in our offense in those days. Air-ians was the OC, Our Offensive line was average, blocking was non-existent and everything was based on Ben's improvisation and making something out of nothing.

Johnson would've been on the PUP every year witj the beatings he would've took.

He still would've been good imo, Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall had success behind our line, and CJ was much better. Our line then weren't bad at run blocking, though the pass blocking was terrible. Kemo was a road grader but couldn't pick up a stunt to save his life

[teegre]

Speaking of RBs we should have drafted…

Winning the final game of the 2006 season moved us from out of the top ten in the ensuing draft (but, it also knocked the Bengals out of the playoffs; so I’ll take it). Ajyway, dropping in the draft meant that we would have had to have traded up for AP or Beast Mode… and I gladly would have traded the ENTIRE 2008 draft to have had one of them.

If we have AP or Lynch, we win three of the next five Super Bowls.

[st33lersguy]

Speaking of RBs we should have drafted…

Winning the final game of the 2006 season moved us from out of the top ten in the ensuing draft (but, it also knocked the Bengals out of the playoffs; so I’ll take it). Ajyway, dropping in the draft meant that we would have had to have traded up for AP or Beast Mode… and I gladly would have traded the ENTIRE 2008 draft to have had one of them.

If we have AP or Lynch, we win three of the next five Super Bowls.

I really don't follow this line of thinking. Keeping in mind Lynch won one Super Bowl with Russell Wilson and the Legion of Boom. Peterson meanwhile never made a Super Bowl (in part because of fumbling issues) even when he had Brett Favre and a dominant Vikings D-line.

[teegre]

I really don't follow this line of thinking. Keeping in mind Lynch won one Super Bowl with Russell Wilson and the Legion of Boom. Peterson meanwhile never made a Super Bowl (in part because of fumbling issues) even when he had Brett Favre and a dominant Vikings D-line.

AP or Lynch would be much better than Mewelde Moore and Isaac Redman. They would have been the straw that would break our opponents’ backs.

[Born2Steel]

If I'm remembering correctly(big IF), when Lynch left Buffalo there was an attempt to bring him to the Steelers. I think he chose Seattle over some other teams.

I would still bring in AP as a backup RB today.

- - - Updated - - -

After watching JH92 take one goal-line to goal-line in the SB, why did he not get some opportunities to punch it in from goal-line formations? Those 'Refrigerator Perry' moments are considered gimmicks but if they work, they work.

[st33lersguy]

AP or Lynch would be much better than Mewelde Moore and Isaac Redman. They would have been the straw that would break our opponents’ backs.

They may have been better but they would have not won 2 extra super bowls on their own. RBS are just not that valuable

[teegre]

They may have been better but they would have not won 2 extra super bowls on their own. RBS are just not that valuable

2010 - Either would have been better than our RBs against the Packers. Slight improved running game… we win.

2011 - We can rely on the running game. We rest Ben (who isn’t hobbled for the playoffs).

[86WARD]

They may have been better but they would have not won 2 extra super bowls on their own. RBS are just not that valuable

https://media1.giphy.com/media/6yRVg0HWzgS88/giphy.gif

[st33lersguy]

2010 - Either would have been better than our RBs against the Packers. Slight improved running game… we win.

2011 - We can rely on the running game. We rest Ben (who isn’t hobbled for the playoffs).

You're just blindly assuming that adding one player would automatically lead to a super bowl when it's more complicated than that including performance in the game. Also a rb was not going to turn a team that flamed out against tim tebow and the -81 point differential Broncos into super bowl winners especially considering that in 2011, Peterson suffered an acl tear and lynch couldn't elevate his team past 7-9 in 2011

[teegre]

You're just blindly assuming that adding one player would automatically lead to a super bowl when it's more complicated than that including performance in the game. Also a rb was not going to turn a team that flamed out against tim tebow and the -81 point differential Broncos into super bowl winners especially considering that in 2011, Peterson suffered an acl tear and lynch couldn't elevate his team past 7-9 in 2011

So, you’re saying that improving from Redman to Lynch wouldn’t have made any difference. Okay. Sure. :lol:

If the Chiefs lose Mahomes… it won’t many ANY difference. You’re funny.

[st33lersguy]

So, you’re saying that improving from Redman to Lynch wouldn’t have made any difference. Okay. Sure. :lol:

If the Chiefs lose Mahomes… it won’t many ANY difference. You’re funny.

Yeah because a franchise qb has the same value as a rb. You're funny

[teegre]

Yeah because a franchise qb has the same value as a rb. You're funny

You said “one player”… your words. :noidea:

[Fire Goodell]

They may have been better but they would have not won 2 extra super bowls on their own. RBS are just not that valuable

Tell that to John Elway

[teegre]

Tell that to John Elway

BOOM!!!

Game.
Set.
Match.

[st33lersguy]

You said “one player”… your words. :noidea:

I was meaning one rb but it is hard in general for many non positions to have that kind of impact.

While your at it, compile a list of some of the greatest rbs then count how many of those players have 2 super bowl/nfl championship wins. Or take a look at the top 10 rushing seasons and count how many led to super bowl wins (hint not many for either)

[teegre]

While your at it, compile a list of some of the greatest rbs then count how many of those players have 2 super bowl/nfl championship wins. Or take a look at the top 10 rushing seasons and count how many led to super bowl wins (hint not many for either)

One thing has nothing to do with the other.

If you put Barry Sanders on the 90s Steelers, are you realistically saying it wouldn’t have improved those Steelers teams? I mean… really??? You’re saying that there would have been ZERO difference…???

[st33lersguy]

One thing has nothing to do with the other.

If you put Barry Sanders on the 90s Steelers, are you realistically saying it wouldn’t have improved those Steelers teams? I mean… really??? You’re saying that there would have been ZERO difference…???

What capsized all those pre-Ben cowher postseason runs, qb play or rb play?

[teegre]

What capsized all those pre-Ben cowher postseason runs, qb play or rb play?

Interceptions

Back to the point: Are you really saying that adding Barry Sanders to a team (almost any team) in the 90s wouldn’t have made that team better???

[st33lersguy]

Interceptions

Back to the point: Are you really saying that adding Barry Sanders to a team (almost any team) in the 90s wouldn’t have made that team better???

Ok I thought that question would have lead to your answer but I guess I'll have to spell it out to you in a far more simpler way. It probably would have led to better rushing totals and even a rushing title but it ultimately wouldn't have improved in terms of leading it to a super bowl because poor qb play and interceptions would have still capsized those 90s postseason runs. Is that direct enough for you?

[teegre]

Ok I thought that question would have lead to your answer but I guess I'll have to spell it out to you in plain English. It probably would have led to better rushing totals and even a rushing title but it ultimately wouldn't have improved in terms of leading it to a super bowl because poor qb play and interceptions would have still capsized those 90s postseason runs. Is that direct enough for you?

Okay… so, the QB play of a specific team during a specific era would have kept them from winning a championship.

But, what about your blanket statement upgrading a position (other than QB) wouldn’t improve a team. How about Sanders on the Favre-led Packers?… that wouldn’t have improved that team? How about putting Sanders on the Niners?… there’s no interception problem there.

Going back in history, if the Steelers draft Justin Houston instead of Jason Worilds… you’re saying it wouldn’t have improved the Steelers???

How about drafting Xavien Howard instead of Artie Burns?

How about having Bell for the 2016 playoff game in Denver? Would you really stick with Toussaint???

How about having Bell for the 2017 AFCCG?

[Mojouw]

I still would want some spare ligaments and joints for Troy P over Lynch or AP. Healthy Troy might have made a difference more than a few times.

[teegre]

I still would want some spare ligaments and joints for Troy P over Lynch or AP. Healthy Troy might have made a difference more than a few times.

No way… he’s not a QB.

[st33lersguy]

Okay… so, the QB play of a specific team during a specific era would have kept them from winning a championship.

But, what about your blanket statement upgrading a position (other than QB) wouldn’t improve a team. How about Sanders on the Favre-led Packers?… that wouldn’t have improved that team? How about putting Sanders on the Niners?… there’s no interception problem there.

Going back in history, if the Steelers draft Justin Houston instead of Jason Worilds… you’re saying it wouldn’t have improved the Steelers???

How about drafting Xavien Howard instead of Artie Burns?

How about having Bell for the 2016 playoff game in Denver? Would you really stick with Toussaint???

How about having Bell for the 2017 AFCCG?

Read my statement again it was specifically about winning super bowls I never said one player or another would never improve a team in one aspect. Try practicing your basic reading comprehension

[teegre]

Read my statement again it was specifically about winning super bowls I never said one player or another would never improve a team in one aspect. Try practicing your basic reading comprehension

The Favre-led Packers were routinely on the cusp of going to/winning SUPER BOWLS… and my contention is that adding Sanders could have improved them enough to WIN another.

The 90s Niners were routinely on the cusp of going to/winning SUPER BOWLS… and my contention is that adding Sanders could have improved them enough to WIN another.

The 2015 Steelers were on the cusp of going to that championship game (and maybe even a SUPER BOWL)… and my contention is that adding having a healthy Bell could have improved them enough to go to (WIN) another SUPER BOWL.

The 2016 Steelers were on the cusp of going to that SUPER BOWL… and my contention is that adding having a healthy Bell could have improved them enough to go to (WIN) another.

Coming back full-circle, the 2011 Steelers were on the cusp of winning the division. Instead, they could not RUN out the clock against the Ravens… and the Steelers ended up as a 5 seed. My contention is that adding Beast Mode would have helped them win the division (in turn, not have to play in the Wild Card round)… which means Ben could have rested, gotten healthy, which vastly increases their chances of winning another SUPER BOWL.

Et cetera.

[st33lersguy]

The Favre-led Packers were routinely on the cusp of going to/winning SUPER BOWLS… and my contention is that adding Sanders could have improved them enough to WIN another.

The 90s Niners were routinely on the cusp of going to/winning SUPER BOWLS… and my contention is that adding Sanders could have improved them enough to WIN another.

The 2015 Steelers were on the cusp of going to that championship game (and maybe even a SUPER BOWL)… and my contention is that adding having a healthy Bell could have improved them enough to go to (WIN) another SUPER BOWL.

The 2016 Steelers were on the cusp of going to that SUPER BOWL… and my contention is that adding having a healthy Bell could have improved them enough to go to (WIN) another.

Coming back full-circle, the 2011 Steelers were on the cusp of winning the division. Instead, they could not RUN out the clock against the Ravens… and the Steelers ended up as a 5 seed. My contention is that adding Beast Mode would have helped them win the division (in turn, not have to play in the Wild Card round)… which means Ben could have rested, gotten healthy, which vastly increases their chances of winning another SUPER BOWL.

Et cetera.

2015 and 16 their pass defense wasn't good enough to get them to a super bowl regardless of who the rb was. 2011, if you can't beat a bad Broncos team, you probably have more problems than one rb.

[teegre]

2015 and 16 their pass defense wasn't good enough to get them to a super bowl regardless of who the rb was. 2011, if you can't beat a bad Broncos team, you probably have more problems than one rb.

In 2015, the Broncos made it without a QB… and having Xavien Howard would have helped, right???

In 2016, the way Bell was running, I’d take that bet.

For much of 2011, the Steelers were in the driver’s seat. Injuries derailed their chances… and getting a bye week would have been HUGE. They played the Denver game without Hampton, Keisel, Clark, and a hobbled Ben. Even in that game, much like the regular-season loss to the Ravens, they couldn’t RUN the ball to end the game. In both games, having a better RB leads to a victory.

[st33lersguy]

In 2015, the Broncos made it without a QB… and having Xavien Howard would have helped, right???

In 2016, the way Bell was running, I’d take that bet.

For much of 2011, the Steelers were in the driver’s seat. Injuries derailed their chances… and getting a bye week would have been HUGE. They played the Denver game without Hampton, Keisel, Clark, and a hobbled Ben. Even in that game, much like the regular-season loss to the Ravens, they couldn’t RUN the ball to end the game. In both games, having a better RB leads to a victory.

I also remember in that 2011 game they let joe flacco go 92 yards on them.
2015, the Steelers defense also surrendered a game winning g 65 yard td drive on them against that hobbled qb. If they beat Denver, NO WAY does that pass defense hold up against brady.
2016, you sure you want to put bell up against the Patriots 36 points offensively? Good luck.
Btw, it's also worth noting that in 2010, mendenhall did actually run for over 1200 yards and the Steelers rushed for 126 yards and 5.5 ypc in the superbowl. Sure there was the fumble but ultimately there were bigger issues than rb in that loss too

[teegre]

I also remember in that 2011 game they let joe flacco go 92 yards on them.
2015, the Steelers defense also surrendered a game winning g 65 yard td drive on them against that hobbled qb. If they beat Denver, NO WAY does that pass defense hold up against brady.
2016, you sure you want to put bell up against the Patriots 36 points offensively? Good luck.
Btw, it's also worth noting that in 2010, mendenhall did actually run for over 1200 yards and the Steelers rushed for 126 yards and 5.5 ypc in the superbowl. Sure there was the fumble but ultimately there were bigger issues than rb in that loss too

2011: EXACTLY!!! We couldn’t convert a 3rd-&-short to close out the game. We punt, and gave Flacco a chance to win it. Beast Mode gets that 3rd down, kills the clock, and we get the #1 seed (or, at worst, we aren’t a Wild Card team).

2015: Again, if we have a better RB, we don’t have to punt… ergo, we don’t give Manning the opportunity to come back.

2016: We lost Bell early (first play?). He WAS the entire gameplan. We were scrambling after that. If we could have kept the ball for more than two minutes (i.e. RUN the ball/controlled the clock), I do indeed believe we had a very good chance of winnng the game. As it was we were throwing pass after pass to DeMarcus Ayers.

Spinny: True, he had a good day. That said, over their careers, I’d take AP or Beast Mode. Specifically, there is no way Beast Mode fumbles in a Super Bowl.

[Born2Steel]

I have always liked CJ2K but felt like in 2009 he caught 'lightning in a bottle' and just had one of those career years everyone will continue to talk about. He never matched that success or really even got close again. Then again, he never got that many attempts again either.

The direct comparison between CJ2K and Mendenhall is a legitimate conversation since one was drafted right before the other. That could be an interesting debate all by itself. Did Johnson's career last longer because of that one season, teams were more willing to take a chance? Could Mendenhall have achieved 2k rushing had he gone to the Titans? Would CJ2K have been a more potent weapon for the Steelers than for the Titans? All excellent debate points that could be a fun conversation thread.

[86WARD]

I was meaning one rb but it is hard in general for many non positions to have that kind of impact.

While your at it, compile a list of some of the greatest rbs then count how many of those players have 2 super bowl/nfl championship wins. Or take a look at the top 10 rushing seasons and count how many led to super bowl wins (hint not many for either)

Terrell Davis.