Is it time to start Warren?

Who starts may not have been the correct question. They have been splitting the load the last few weeks. So maybe the more appropriate the question is should Warren take the majority of carries? I have been a Najee supporter and stated in the past that I don't have confidence that Warren can carry a big carry load. In addition, last week's fumble notwithstanding, Warren is more likely to cough up the ball. That said, this offense needs more explosiveness which Najee just lacks. It's easy to get caught up when Najee carries tacklers down the field a few yards. I'm sure it pumps up the team as well. However too often he just ends up fighting for two or three yards or even to get back to the line of scrimmage. I just think it is time to shake things up a little. If it lights a fire under Najee when he does come in all the better.

3 years ago.

Does it really matter?? Honestly. The Steelers have an over the hill QB, one legitimate WR, aa porous defense and a HC that thinks it's still 1996.

It matters unless you want to give up

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Originally Posted by DesertSteel

3 years ago.

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See to me, even early this year, I wouldn't have thought that. It's not so much what Najee is lacking at this point. He is what he is at this point; a hard runner that can run people over but just lacks shall we say suddenness and glide. If we had "the hogs" upfront and/or a consistent deep passing game I still think he would be the better option over Warren, because he can take and deliver a pounding. But since we are lacking in those two areas, I just think Warren getting the ball more gives us more big play potential.

Najee needs an above average line in front of him, an offense that has one decision and run and an offense that goes north and south. Najee, for whatever reasons, does not fit the offense every week. Sometimes he does (40) and sometimes he doesn’t (60). There’s also hesitation from him at times and he’s not the kind of back (LeVeon Bell) that can hesitate and run. He’s the type of back that needs to just go straight.

Yesterday vs Ravens:

Jaylen Warren, 12 carries, 48 yards, 4.0 YPC, Longest 11 yds

Najee Harris 9 carries, 42 yards, 4.7 YPC, Longest 11 yds

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Originally Posted by 86WARD

Najee needs an above average line in front of him, an offense that has one decision and run and an offense that goes north and south. Najee, for whatever reasons, does not fit the offense every week. Sometimes he does (40) and sometimes he doesn’t (60). There’s also hesitation from him at times and he’s not the kind of back (LeVeon Bell) that can hesitate and run. He’s the type of back that needs to just go straight.

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I think they compliment each other well. Nether are going to carry the running game. Not many RBs can these days.

Jaylen scares me with his ball security. I say leave it the way it is.

Chances are very good they both walk in FA and the Steelers sign aRB in FA, plus add one in the draft. With Warren being an RFA, he may be back.

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Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

Yesterday vs Ravens:

Jaylen Warren, 12 carries, 48 yards, 4.0 YPC, Longest 11 yds

Najee Harris 9 carries, 42 yards, 4.7 YPC, Longest 11 yds

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The stats don't lie here. And maybe yesterday is not the best example because we ran the ball pretty well. I just wonder if Warren was given a larger load that he might give more explosiveness to the offense. I'd also like to see Russ throw Warren the ball more is space, but maybe the need for extra pass protection is the issue there.

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Originally Posted by 86WARD

Najee needs an above average line in front of him, an offense that has one decision and run and an offense that goes north and south. Najee, for whatever reasons, does not fit the offense every week. Sometimes he does (40) and sometimes he doesn’t (60). There’s also hesitation from him at times and he’s not the kind of back (LeVeon Bell) that can hesitate and run. He’s the type of back that needs to just go straight.

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So is Derek Henry. Most big backs are like that. What made Henry more effective yesterday was because he was able to run through big holes by the offensive line without having to stop and start or go horizonal. That's when big backs are beasts to bring down.

And yes, I know that Najee Harris isn't as good as Henry. It is just how it works with big running backs. You want to get them before they really get started rolling.

Basically not a great return for a first round pick.

pretty sure if you extrapolate the carries to Najee’s our undrafted RB is about the same as Najee. Another former 3rd round pick of ours (Conner) is doing better. I always thought Conner was a good back (just injury prone)

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Originally Posted by Steeler-in-west

Basically not a great return for a first round pick.

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Neither was Kenny Pickett.

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Originally Posted by hawaiiansteeler

Neither was Kenny Pickett.

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i don't blame them for taking a shot at a Qb in the first round. Their mistake was pairing him with Matt Canada. But spending a first on a RB is almost never a great idea.

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Originally Posted by Born2Steel

Chances are very good they both walk in FA and the Steelers sign aRB in FA, plus add one in the draft. With Warren being an RFA, he may be back.

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What RBs will they sign that’s better than this tandom? Harris may be the best back available…

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Originally Posted by 86WARD

What RBs will they sign that’s better than this tandom? Harris may be the best back available…

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Draft pick and Warren they control Warren next year.

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Originally Posted by 86WARD

What RBs will they sign that’s better than this tandom? Harris may be the best back available…

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I tried to explain myself. I don't think Najee will be here next season. Warren may be due to the RFA status, we can match the offer. I don't think we will but it is more likely than Najee, IMO.

I think Najee may be the best option out there in FA. But he will cost around $9M. We may bring back Warren or another FA. I think we also add someone in the draft.

They didn’t pick up his 5th year, so Najee is gone after this season. We are drafting one this year.

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Originally Posted by Born2Steel

I tried to explain myself. I don't think Najee will be here next season. Warren may be due to the RFA status, we can match the offer. I don't think we will but it is more likely than Najee, IMO.

I think Najee may be the best option out there in FA. But he will cost around $9M. We may bring back Warren or another FA. I think we also add someone in the draft.

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A RB with 1300 touches who was slow to the hole from the start and has a 3.9 YPC? He might be the best, but that's why you draft one. There's at least 10 better in the draft.

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Originally Posted by DesertSteel

A RB with 1300 touches who was slow to the hole from the start and has a 3.9 YPC? He might be the best, but that's why you draft one. There's at least 10 better in the draft.

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I do agree that it's a poor return for a first round RB stat. But YPC does not tell the whole story. There are many things required of an NFL RB. Najee does all of them well enough to be on an NFL roster. Just not at $9M per season, IMO. I'm not gonna consider him a 'bad' RB just because his YPC is just below 4. That is what he has been for 4 seasons, roughly 4 yards every time he gets the ball.

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Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

Yesterday vs Ravens:

Jaylen Warren, 12 carries, 48 yards, 4.0 YPC, Longest 11 yds

Najee Harris 9 carries, 42 yards, 4.7 YPC, Longest 11 yds

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Exactly. Does "starting" really matter in the NFL when it comes to RB's anymore? Like one user said this isn't 1996 anymore. No one lines up a cow bell RB like Emmitt Smith or Bettis and tries to wear defenses down. Today's backs have to block, run, and catch passes. Both these guys have different roles and could "start" based on the defense and team we are facing.

Does that mean we resign NH? For the right $$, yes but we could easily draft a guy in the first 3 rounds and go with Warren and the rookie next year as well. I'll tell you one thing had we signed Derrick Henry he would be having a great year for us now that our OL seems to be blocking.

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Originally Posted by Born2Steel

I do agree that it's a poor return for a first round RB stat. But YPC does not tell the whole story. There are many things required of an NFL RB. Najee does all of them well enough to be on an NFL roster. Just not at $9M per season, IMO. I'm not gonna consider him a 'bad' RB just because his YPC is just below 4. That is what he has been for 4 seasons, roughly 4 yards every time he gets the ball.

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Agree, not well enough to be paid a fat guaranteed contract in free agency.

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Originally Posted by DesertSteel

Agree, not well enough to be paid a fat guaranteed contract in free agency.

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We are agreed on that. Some team will still pay it though.

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Originally Posted by Born2Steel

We are agreed on that. Some team will still pay it though.

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Probably the Jets.

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Originally Posted by DesertSteel

Probably the Jets.

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Raiders.