What ? No sign Leach thread yet?

My answer to it would be, we don't use a fullback anyhoo so why sign him?

 

Will Johnson played some last year and I think will get even more time this year. For those that don't remeber we stopped using the rb with FWP because he ran better without one.

 

It was Arians who didnt use a FB. Will Johnson played well last year...while Leach might be better at this point and time...I'll take the improving, younger, and cheaper Johnson.

 

So you me and 2188 all agree.

 

I'd be down if he came cheap, but I'm guessing he won't come cheap.

 

Stick with Will Johnson, I think he has a bright future for us at full back, Plus he is younger and cheaper too.

 

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/06/steelers-will-johnson-2013-receiving-opportunities/

i think they are fine with will j. he's a tomlin hand pick.

 

I agree with you Mac. We better stop agreeing with each other. Guys will think we're friends. Ha-ha

 

Will Johnson is awesome I hope he stays on the team for many years!!!! Dennis Johnson not so much.

 

We stopped using the fb because of arians.....fwp said many times over that he wanted a lead blocker.

 

He said that but all the stats showed that he ran better from the singleback. He was leading the league in rushing from the single position.

 

Nice link Mac!!! I truly am looking forward to seeing WJ playing many many more snaps this year. He provides so many more options as a FB and is growing, just as this offense is growing and when you grow together the result is staggering.

Arians, as a former college QB and WR coach in the NFL, just didn't see the benefit of a FB, a better roster spot would be that other WR or return specialist. This was a downfall of his because a FB is NOT just valuable in the run game as a lead blocker but ALSO in the pass game as added QB protection plus remember this, The FB is Always open in the flats.

I'll agree with you all in I would preferr we keep W. Johnson over D. Johnson or Leach or whoever!!!!

Cajun-

 

Mendenhall also said he wanted a lead blocker. Arians didn't seem to listen to his players.

Anyway, Leach is the best FB in the league, but he's too expensive. Would love to have him, but I'd love to have a lot of players out there. It's not gonna happen

 

The most expensive FB in the league would still only cost us maybe 2 mil a season (which we could fit under the cap)... I'd take him in a heartbeat. If the Steelers are as serious about pounding the rock as they say they are then Leach instantly upgrades the entire running game. He played in houston which is probably the best ZBS in the NFL, and in Baltimore where the Ravens love to run the stretch play that we're implementing more.

Leach would make us a top 10 rush offense... and I think with our lack of firepower at receiver, that could REALLY help out Ben.

 

Leach would also bring an intimidation factor back to the offence. When he lays blocks, it hurts people. He hits hard every play. I would love the guy, but I still don't see any chance in hell of it happening

 

Good lord man what do you want 4 jerry rices I don't think we have a lack of firepower at wr

 

We have Antonio Brown who in my opinion is a very good #2 receiver. I'm very nervous to see how he handles getting covered by the #1 CB week in and week out. I hope I'm wrong.

We have Emmanuel Sanders who's best season is 44 catches, 600 yards, and 1 Touchdown. Which isn't shabby, but he's always hurt too.

Plaxico and Cotch are past their prime. To rely on them for much would be foolish.

I have high hopes for Wheaton but he's a rookie. Some receivers don't figure it out until year 3. We've been spoiled by success lately, and people shouldn't expect him to come right in and contribute.

 

I would agree if this was a few years back. The Ravens cut leach for a reason and they drafted a FB in rd 4 for a reason. Leach is a a pro-bowler the last 2 years and will find work soon but he won't get his 3 mil/yr he was getting. I would much rather have Johnson at his current contract #'s than Leach even if he accepted a 2mil$/yr deal. We could use that extra money to extend a couple players instead.

Leach is also a 9yr vet ( old for a FB ) and over 30 ( in Nov. he turns 32 ) and W. Johnson is much younger and still improving.

By the Numbers---------------

Att. Yds. Avg. TDs.
Leach Rushing 9 32 3.6 1
Receiving 21 143 6.8 0

Johnson Rushing 2 7 3.5 0
Recieving 15 137 9.1 1

Their Stats are similar with Johnson being the obvious more athletic and effective receiving threat. With his youth and lower salary you'd have to seriously consider him over Leach today. The other thing is intangibles, Run & pass Blocking. Leach is a Proven Pro-bowler. If Johnson is anywhere near as good here then it becomes a no-brainer. Wil didn't get alot of snaps last year in Haley's new system. We're committing to the run, switching blocking schemes- one that W. Johnson has experience in- I think we should give him the chance to prove he's able to handle the job at hand. He's done everything asked of him to this point.

Cajun-

 

I'm not concerned with their offensive numbers. I want Leach on the roster to be an enforcer, and help a rookie RB. It pissed me off for years that Arians would have no use for a guy like Kreider, and would preach about how guys like Carey Davis brought more versatility as a weapon on offense, only for them to get 8 catches and 3 carries in a season.

I'll happily trade the 12 catches and 1 TD Will Johnson will score this year for the 12 Touchdowns we'd score in the redzone with Leach blowing holes through defensive lines.

I know it won't happen. I just don't get the love for Will Johnson. We could sign Leach for 2 years (Lorenzo Neal played till he was near 40 didn't he?), and pick up another Will Johnson as an UDFA. He's very much "just a guy" in my opinion.

 

agreed.

 

I get your point about arians and FBs. I get your desire for a FB. I even understand your desire for the best at that position the last few years.

I don't get "just a guy" opinion on WJ. He's not just another UDFA. He's a player with the perfect size and very athletic with great hands. He has the perfect mentality of a FB and has fought,scratched and clawed to get to where he is. He's fighting to constantly improve every aspect of his game from blocking 1st. There a good link from the Trib in the thread about wil johnson that either Mac or BF posted.

I believe wil johnson will become a top FB in this league and for this team. Finding talented gems late in the draft and thru UDFA is what seperates top teams. We can't afford the top guy at every position. We also need to re-sign/extend some key guys like pouncey/sanders and/or even Hood/Keisel or Worilds/C. Allen so spending an est. 2 mil ( if he'll even except that) when you have a young talented and improving player at that position makes no economic sense.

Cajun-

 

Im pulling for Johnson but there's a reason Dan the man is in my top 10 all time favorite Steelers.

 

I don't really have anything against Johnson, I just think that athletic ability and receiving ability are really overrated when it comes to a fullback. He's always going to be the last option on a given play... So I'd rather have a guy that blasts open holes, even if it's at the expense of a few catches per season. Mike Alstott is the last fullback I can remember that was truly a threat with the ball in his hands.

I criticize them for paying way too much money to guys that clearly don't have it anymore. Leach has been an ALL-PRO for 3 consecutive seasons. To say his "best days are behind him" may be true but there's no reason to think he can't play just as well as he did last season. He's still big, he's still strong, and he still has the vision to know where he needs to be on a running play.