Running Backs

You guys are more informed then me on the subject. Are you comfortable with Warren/Johnson going into season?? I really don't follow Iowa except for uniforms I'm assuming Johnson kicked ass there.

I don't see Gainwell getting a lot of time. Hell of a name for a RB. Let us hope he gains yards well.

 

Johnson should be an ideal fit for smith’s offense. He has a lot of experience in a zone based system and has performed very well. Only time will tell if that translates to success at the nfl level.

 

The problem with Johnson right now is he sucks at blocking but he is working on it

There’s still a lot of room for growth, but pass blocking was one of Johnson’s biggest knocks coming into the NFL

 

Give Johnson the rock!

 

I believe we will see a bit of that.

 

That's what I heard, but since I haven't actually seen him play with us, it's a wait, and see thing.

 

Gainwell as an RB is much better than Blewitt as a Kicker (Pitt's kicker a few years back who was better than his name indicates).

 

and smell.............................................

 

I don’t think we actually know if he sucks at blocking. He just didn’t do it much at Iowa.

 

Just what I read on the internet so it must be true

One article did say Warren was working with him and that he was improving

For what that is worth

https://stillcurtain.com/pittsburgh...b-johnson-problem-on-their-hands-01k1hjnfn6bc


https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-rookie-kaleb-johnson-big-step-crucial-area

May just be clickbait but since @steelersrule6 hasn’t posted it I doubt it

 

I didn’t check the SI article, but did check the still curtain article. It very well might be true. However, is the author actually attending training camp and witnessing it with his own two eyes or is he running with what he’s read somewhere else? There’s a significant difference between the two. That’s why I pay very little attention to the talking heads on espn, nfl network etc. these people aren’t at practice. They aren’t in the locker rooms. They’re just reading off a teleprompter.

 

I have confidence in our RB’s ... I think it comes down to more of the blocking on the line than it does the backs ability to execute.

 

Just what I read on the internet so it must be true

 

I am looking forward to seeing the 2 VETS, Gainwell and Sermon, play in preseason this year. I think the release of Patterson means the Steelers are happy with what they have as a backup in these 2 VETS.

 

Either way it will come with time. The hard part is identifying who to block

 

I think there is more to it than that

 

Blocking can be taught and improved with practice. The other stuff like quickness, speed and vision can’t be taught.

i’m hopeful he can improve his blocking with practice. This is where good coaching comes in as well.

 

Clearly, but the first step is identifying correctly which player is coming in clean

 

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/08/k...kner-proud-in-fridays-backs-on-backers-drill/

 

He is improving

 

There is more ,but that's the hardest from what I've been told by RBs.

 

how is his ability to beat off defenders? that's critical i read somewhere.

 

Blocking is like tackling, you have got to WANT to do it.