Free Agent RB's

ESPN Insider posted in their rumor section this morning that Colbert is unhappy with the running game (obviously) and has hinted at change. While I don't think we can afford to go RB in the first 3 rounds of the draft, the article lists Reggie Bush, Benson, Hillis, and Shonn Greene as our most viable free agent options. Could one of these guys warrant a 1-2 year contract along with resigning Dwyer/Redman? I would hate a Hillis signing, but could probably get behind a Bush short term deal to buy us some time. The other 2 don't bring anything to the table that Dwyer and Redman don't IMO.

Obviously I'm assuming that Mendy walks; and not that I thought Rainey was the answer, but he definitely complicated things by getting himself waived.

 

All those F/A backs would cost more than a drafted back under the rookie pay scale cap, also at least 3 of those backs listed Hillis, Bush, Benson have been injured and that makes them risky to have another injury, Hillis for sure hasnt been the same since his injury, it's cheaper to go with a rookie over a veteran back in my opinion...

 

None of those guys appeal to me...Greene is the only name on there I'd POSSIBLY consider, but has he really shown he can be THE guy in NY? Not that I know of. At this point I'd rather draft someone in rounds 2-4.

 

You know, I was just listening to an interview of the new Panthers GM. He made the following statement and I think it will apply to us. Every team is up against the cap in a way they don't want to be (kind of makes me wonder why it is at the level it is then). He knows that come July there will be guys out there who just want a job, any job, for 1 year. When that happens, they will get signed for 1 year offers to the team which offers the most PT. There are a lot of good players who he thinks will be in that spot. You can look at say S. Greene and while I don't think he is great, I do think he would work okay here as a role player if Redman and Dwyer were both let go. He runs hard, but doesn't have the speed to take it to the house. I mean his long was only 36 yards. He did average about 4 yards a carry, scored 8 TDs and about 19% of his runs amounted to first downs.

 

Greene would have to be a role player for us. He would be an admission that we wouldn't have an every down back. Probably need to add a speed guy as well, but RBs as a rule are easier to find later in the draft...See Willie Parker.

 

Believe me, I would not think the day is saved were we to sign any of these guys. None of them are a long term solution (as Benson and Hillis have proven with their recent journeyman status). But with other pressing needs in the first 3-4 rounds of the draft, who will start week 1 for us? I personally was a fan of Dwyer and the way he ran, but Colbert verbalizing his displeasure and saying changes were on the horizon...I hope he is just implying the obvious that Mendy is gone. I'd rather keep Redman than get a guy like Greene. My only defense for Bush is that he is capable of contrasting our current depth even in his later years. Can't say I WANT any of these guys, but would probably back Bush the most.

Draft well this year on D, turn the focus back on Offense next year addressing RB ....and WR if we let Wallace walk.

 

Assuming Mendy walks, I feel pretty much the same. I definitely don't want another slow guy back there. No Hillis, no Benson, no Greene. We've got plenty of slow bruisers already. If he'd take it, I'd be open to signing Bush to a short deal for low money to buy us some time and get us some speed for the passing game and maybe return game.

But that's assuming we could afford it. Ultimately we have to draft someone this year, and since you can usually get a RB deep in the draft, I wouldn't break the bank on anyone.

 

i think bush could help us in the passing. Game but Im not sure we can afford him

 

i like justin forsett he is an under the radar rb that usually performed when his name is called

 

We'd have been better off re-signing Mendy; he's a better RB than all of them and would be cheaper than some. There's just no way he's playing for us again with his mind right. We totally mismanaged his season and pretty much guaranteed a burned bridge with him. He's clearly a philosopher-type, and you don't treat that kind of person the same way you treat the majority of the NFL neanderthal crowd.

Our answer at RB lies in the draft.

 

They'll be looking @ the elite RBs this draft. Slim pickens

 

hit the nail on the head. is that back in this draft or next years or later though? a lot of holes elsewhere with the right draft to replace it in.

 

Eddie lacy would be the man. The guy is going to be like AP. He runs hard and has excellent vision.

 

Agreed on the draft. Rb should be a primary need in the 2013 draft, although they will likely still be able to get someone good in round 2.
I like Lacy, my personal favorite is Joseph Randle. Of the FA, I'd pass, Hillis is mildly intriguing to me because he likely be cheapest, but I don't see him as being any better than Dwyer at this point.

 

I just dont see anyone from Alabama or Notre Dame that are standouts being there at 17. I realize our OL is getting better but at the moment we need a fast big back who can make his own holes when needed.

 

Yeah, let's go RB number one and WR number two. We've had success doing that in the recent past...no wait!

 

Heres a projected 2-3 round pick at running back that could be the steal in this draft:

Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
Height: 5-11. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
1/12/13: Taylor was phenomenal for Stanford in 2012 and was the workhorse for the Cardinal's offense. He carried Stanford to an upset win over USC with over 200 combined yards and two touchdowns. The senior followed that up with other big games against the likes of Oregon and UCLA.

Taylor averaged 4.8 yards per carry this year, having collected 1,530 yards and 13 touchdowns. He totaled 41 receptions for 287 yards with two scores through the air, too. Taylor showed three-down ability with his blocking and receiving. Nationally, he is a sleeper prospect who could be a draft-day steal.

8/16/12: Taylor could be one of the more underrated players in college football. Quarterback Andrew Luck, guard David DeCastro and tackle Jonathan Martin have received more attention, but Taylor has been a critical player in Stanford's ongoing success. The underappreciated back averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2011, rushing for 1,330 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

Taylor had his first 1,000-yard season as a sophomore, racking up 1,137 yards on the ground (5.1 average) and 15 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 266 yards and a score.

 

The Steelers could use Reggie Bush not as a feature back but as a part of the rotation at rb.

 

I agree it was a bit mishandled. Both sides aren't innocent though and I think a lot of fans don't care to see him back...

I think we can find a decent RB in the draft if we play our cards right.

 

I think Haley could get the most of Bush, like he did the fast guy he had in KC. Bush would be a much better third down option than Rainey was.

 

depends on the price i suppose bush will cost more than mendy

 

I would be really surprised if we take a back in FA. I think we will get one at some point in the draft. I wonder how much impact Haley will have on the draft. I feel like BA had a pretty big impact on the draft really. Seems like most of the players we took during his tenure are still here on offense. Young money is mostly what I'm talking about. It seems that mostly built our receiving core. Now with Wallace maybe going I wonder if we will try and get his replacement this year in the draft too. I think this is the draft I'm most looking forward to more than any I can think of recently. So many things that might have to be addressed.

 

I'm not sure I would be comfortable with the argument that "Mendenhall shouldn't be re-signed because fans have an idea about his output that doesn't reflect th reality."

But still.

The problem, I think, with a lot of the draft talk around now is that we are looking for someone to step in and play from the start. I'm not advocating the Lebeau-keep-players-on-the-bench-til-they're-35 strategy, but just being realistic about how many rookies make such an impact. Dwyer took his time to grow - maybe he comes back next year with more stamina? Redman too.

I still think we need to pick up an RB in the draft, but we should go for pace and reliability rather than awesome-ness. Nothing before the 3rd round, at least.

 

Stupid question maybe, but, can ANY running back be successful behind a often injured and rag tag offensive line the Steelers put on the field week after week??

The one stretch of 3 games with 100 yard runners was because the offensive line was actually working, am I wrong in this thinking??

 

i like barner if we keep dwyer and redman. he is a homerun threat. he's that same threat in the passing game too.