A "Would You Do It" question concerning a trade

[Dwinsgames]

Other than Tate the only guy I would even consider placing a phone call on would be Michael Bush

[Seven]

If I had to pick names that I think are realistic I would say Jackie Battle and Javon Ringer are two guys we could probably get our hands on who would add some competition and talent at the position. But as far as guys like McFadden and Tate I just don't see it happening.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Dwyer is not bettis not even close, bettis had excellent vision quick feet and good accelleration through the hole. Bettis was more agile than dwyer despite being 25lbs heavier and bettis was a battering ram for 13 seasons and over 3400 carries, dwyer has not made it through a single season yet. The only similarity i see in the two is they both played for the steelers and dwyer tried to do bettis's dance.

I agree. I don't get the constant Bettis comparisons for Dwyer. I like Dwyer but he's no Bettis.

[silver & black]

Take Dmac....please!

I like the guy, but he's all but useless to us. Gregg Knapp has ruined his career in Oakland with his crap ZBS scheme. Dmac belongs in a power scheme. I'm afraid he is always going to have injury issues, no matter what scheme he plays in. He's just not very durable. He's already hurt again in his first game back.

He's a luxury for a good team. He isn't a player the Raiders need right now. If he could play a whole season, it would be different. I'd like to see him go somewhere and make something out of the little career he has left.

[Mojouw]

So a few comments...

Dwyer is not Bettis. He is a larger RB and plays for the Steelers. Those are about the only similarities.

Mendenhall is still the most physically talented back on the roster Although not the most effective. He will only be 26 (I think) next season. If he comes back on a team friendly deal, then why not?

But this thread is about potential TRADES so here goes...

Steven Jackson is a talented elite NFL RB but he is on the wrong side of 30 (or close to it) and has a ton of mileage on him. No way the Steelers should trade for a player whose most productive days are behind him.

Michael Bush is similar. I do not think that one should ever pay a ton of money for an older RB with wear on the tires so to speak.

Javon Ringer and Jackie Battle are just guys. I figure the only attraction people here have to them is that they are "big" backs and could look good averaging exactly 3 yards per carry. I refuse to endorse giving up draft picks or other talent in a trade for guys that are basically other versions of Redman and Dwyer.

McFadden would be amazing for the 4 games a year he isn't hurt.

Tate looks great in limited time with the Texans, but then again so does Forsett. Plus Foster wasn't a world beater before the Texans uncovered him. So how much of that is the line....?

Basically, I argue that RB's (aside from a few truly special talents in the league) are a dime a dozen and can be found almost anywhere, including outside of high draft picks. So why waste resources on acquiring them? I know. I know. We traded for Bettis. But I think that was a special case.

I still say that Mendenhall behind an injury free line of Starks/Colon/Pouncey/DeCastro/Adams would be a holy terror. Especially if they allow A FB to consistently lead him through the hole.

[Seven]

Javon Ringer and Jackie Battle are just guys. I figure the only attraction people here have to them is that they are "big" backs and could look good averaging exactly 3 yards per carry. I refuse to endorse giving up draft picks or other talent in a trade for guys that are basically other versions of Redman and Dwyer.

Battle averages 4.3 yards per carry, has experience in Haley's offense and can play fullback if needed. Don't see what's not to like.

[steeldawg]

why get battle when you can get a guy like legarrette blount

[Psycho Ward 86]

I like Michael Bush. Forte has the starting job in Chicago, but when Bush has filled in for him or McFadden in Oakland, he's been a beast. I've nabbed him the past two seasons in fantasy and when McFadden went down, or when Forte went down, he was always a strong play. He has a nose for the endzone. That said, Chicago may have him locked up for a few years...

I bet they would take Mendy plus a 4th round pick for him.

I disagree with the OP though. Dwyer, if he is fit and gains stamina, which very well could become a priority for the trainers, could serve as a true number one next season. He's really just coming into his own. Maybe now that he's had a taste of victory, he will see that his time is now, and conditioning is key. If that light turns on for him, watch out.

Dwyer and Redman are already 2 good bludgeoning backs. We need more balance from our RB stable imo. A well rounded guy like a chris ivory as said above

[Seven]

Dwyer and Redman are already 2 good bludgeoning backs. We need more balance from our RB stable imo. A well rounded guy like a chris ivory as said above

I like Ivory a lot, but don't you guys think the Saints have to realize what they have in him? He has been superior to Thomas and Ingram in my opinion.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Mendenhall is still the most physically talented back on the roster Although not the most effective. He will only be 26 (I think) next season. If he comes back on a team friendly deal, then why not?

I agree. I'd actually like to see Mendy back but undoubtedly some other team is going to offer him more money than what he's worth.

Steven Jackson is a talented elite NFL RB but he is on the wrong side of 30 (or close to it) and has a ton of mileage on him. No way the Steelers should trade for a player whose most productive days are behind him.

Jackson has the option to void the final year of his contract after this season so we wouldn't have to trade for him.

[steeldawg]

ivory would be great, i think the saints realize what they have but who knows they have so many backs maybe they will look to streamline their backfield

[Psycho Ward 86]

im curious as to why everyone wants a 3rd powerback in the form of steven jackson, michael bush, jackie battle, even javon ringer runs like one even though he isnt so big. Why not get some diversity in the backfield

[steeldawg]

im curious as to why everyone wants a 3rd powerback in the form of steven jackson, michael bush, jackie battle, even javon ringer runs like one even though he isnt so big. Why not get some diversity in the backfield

I dont want a third i would like to keep mendy, but if we dont i dont think dwyer is the answer at running back. I think mendy is a great combination of power and speed, that is the type of back i want to see.

[Dwinsgames]

Bush does not have the miles on him that some seen to think , he has been a backup and spot starter his entire career ... lots of tread left on those tires IMO ...

[steelreserve]

im curious as to why everyone wants a 3rd powerback in the form of steven jackson, michael bush, jackie battle, even javon ringer runs like one even though he isnt so big. Why not get some diversity in the backfield

Exactly. We don't need another one. I was thinking Rainey could serve as a guy who brings some speed, but if there's someone else out there who's more proven and still cheap, then just as good. It would be great if we had Mendenhall back from when he was good, but at this point I'm not convinced it's happening, and it's not worth gambling the $4-$5M or so he's making.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Exactly. We don't need another one. I was thinking Rainey could serve as a guy who brings some speed, but if there's someone else out there who's more proven and still cheap, then just as good. It would be great if we had Mendenhall back from when he was good, but at this point I'm not convinced it's happening, and it's not worth gambling the $4-$5M or so he's making.

rainey's too small and weak to be an all-purpose back though.

and no people. baron batch is not the answer.

[Steeldude]

McFadden isn't worth a 2nd and 4th. He is worth about a 5th round pick. The O-line pretty much makes the run game happen. If McFadden was a special back(Sanders, Campbell, Payton etc...) then a trade would be a good idea. The main issue with McFadden is his poor durability.

Pick a RB up via draft or free agency. The Steelers are fine with Redman and Dwyer going into next season.

So really, NT, and maybe LB are our only "needs" going into the draft

They have Mclendon and Alameda Ta'amu is on the practice squad. IMO, LB and S are positions of need come next draft.

[steeldawg]

safety will be a spot for sure we have to look at, we dont know what we are going to get from troy, clark is getting older and hes one missle tackle away from an injury.

[steelreserve]

rainey's too small and weak to be an all-purpose back though.

and no people. baron batch is not the answer.

He wouldn't be an all-purpose back. He'd be the change of pace back who's quick and sometimes catches passes. With who we've got on the team already, I honestly don't think we really NEED an all-purpose back. Redman and Dwyer do an OK job filling most of the purposes, and we can fill in the rest with either a guy like Rainey or some other guy who won't cost a fortune.

[Psycho Ward 86]

He wouldn't be an all-purpose back. He'd be the change of pace back who's quick and sometimes catches passes. With who we've got on the team already, I honestly don't think we really NEED an all-purpose back. Redman and Dwyer do an OK job filling most of the purposes, and we can fill in the rest with either a guy like Rainey or some other guy who won't cost a fortune.

Haley's always liked his backs to be able to do everything. seems to me its a big part of what makes his offenses effective, like what he did with curtis martin, edgerin james, jamaal charles. Defenses had to hold those guys accountable as formidable runners, receivers, and blockers. No one is scared of what dwyer and redman can do off of checkdown passes

[SteelerFanInStl]

rainey's too small and weak to be an all-purpose back though.

and no people. baron batch is not the answer.

Correct on both points.

[steelreserve]

Haley's always liked his backs to be able to do everything. seems to me its a big part of what makes his offenses effective, like what he did with curtis martin, edgerin james, jamaal charles. Defenses had to hold those guys accountable as formidable runners, receivers, and blockers. No one is scared of what dwyer and redman can do off of checkdown passes

OK, well then let's be prepared to spend a few million to get one of those guys. I totally agree that Jackson, Bush, etc. are not those type and it would be redundant to go looking for them. If money were no object, then yeah, I'd say it would be great to have such a back. Realistically, I think money is too much of an issue for us to do it unless we draft someone.

[Heinz Hitman]

you know who i wouldnt mind seeing here and is probably a realistic option, LeGarrette Blount. Or a guy like chris ivory from new orleans.

I would love to see Chris Ivory in the black n gold. Big fan of his.

[SteelerFanInStl]

OK, well then let's be prepared to spend a few million to get one of those guys. I totally agree that Jackson, Bush, etc. are not those type and it would be redundant to go looking for them. If money were no object, then yeah, I'd say it would be great to have such a back. Realistically, I think money is too much of an issue for us to do it unless we draft someone.

Jackson is that type. He had 90 receptions one year for the Rams.

Like I've said before, he's not a long term solution but he'd be a great fit for a few years. I don't see it happening though.

[86WARD]

From my understanding things are going to be fairly tight. I'm not necessarily saying I disagree with your points, I just don't see it playing out in such a way that we end up signing a runningback via free agency.

There will be some players dumped that will free up cash and there will be some renegotiating done. They'll have money and will be fine.

Ben, Woodley, Timmons, Colon will all have to be redone. Suisham, if they keep him, will have to be redone as well. They'll need to decide to either release or redo Harrison's desk as well. They could use the money that they would pay Redman towards a better back...so it's not do bad as far as out of pocket goes to bring in a new back.

I believe both Redman and Dwyer are RFAs this offseason (with Sanders.)

[86WARD]

I would love to see Chris Ivory in the black n gold. Big fan of his.

Much rather have Chris Ivory than Steven Jackson. Jackson is just a name at this point...

Sign Dwyer as a RFA. Let Mendenhall and Redman go. Sign a solid FA. Once Mendenhall is released it will be official that the 2008 draft class was the WORST EVER.