The division of labor at RB

Going to be interesting to see how this all goes. Training Camp is still well over a month away but that doesnt make it any less intriguing.

 

Would be nice to see fullback back. The rookie playing a decent amount, but also, if he's up to it, having Darnell Washington as a VERY imposing FB in front of either RB. I'd like to see a power running game make a come back along with better, FULL-field passing attack and FAR less screens, backwards passes and quick outs.

 

K J Sprinkles

 

I wouldn't like to see Washington at FB under any situation. Even though big guys love to do it, 6'7" is not ideal for a FB. The fridge was only about 6'2" and much heavier. The FB has to get low. But my bigger concern is the risk of injury. The primary tactic for cutting down a FB is to get low and take him out at the knees. For a guy who entered the league with knee concerns, I'm not putting a target on them when a backup OL can do the same job.

 

I assume that the Steelers will split snaps and touches between Dowdle and Warren, with Dowdle getting the ball a bit more in running situations and Warren getting all of the snaps in passing situations. I'm sure they will sprinkle Johnson in some, but not enough to make a huge difference.

Johnson will have to earn his way to getting anything more than the occasional carry or two.

 

Well other than that this is a good idea

 

Just ride the RB who is performing best. Cycle them enough to allow the others to get hot and when that happens switch it up.

 

It will be interesting to see how ot plays out, I really like both of our backs, i feel like the running game is in a good spot.

 

It will be fun to see who they like best

 

But doesn’t it take a little while for running backs to get into stride

 

But will we see the tush push? It seemed successful last year.

 

They just paid Washington $42m and will not give him the rock to run out of the backfield unless it's a reverse. He is not a battering ram he is a safety valve.

 

So we're not going to run the wheels off of anyone anymore?

 

I’m having a funny vision of that large man running a reverse

But I have seen him running down the field with the ball and to a DB he looks like a battering ram

 

hmmm..

It will be interesting to see how McCarthy divides up the workload in the backfield. Here’s my current projection as of 6-10-2026


RB 1 nad RB 2 will be Warren and Dowdle
3rd down back passing back will likely be Heidenreich
FB / TE will likely be Nowakoswki
LO will likely be Johnson as if left out.

Injuries can play a role as who makes the initial team.

 

Brilliant

 

I like Heidenreich and hope he makes the team, but I certainly hope they don't take Warren off the field on third down to get him in there.

 

Unless he's really, really good at third down situations, and he appears to be.

They can also have packages where both are on the field.

 

Warren has proven himself to be outstanding in those situations. He is an explosive runner. He can turn throws short of the sticks into first downs. He can pick up blitzers.

They put resources into improving the receiving corps. Those are the guys who need to be out there along with Warren in passing situations. I'm not even sure Heidenreich will stick at running back. His future could be at receiver.

 

They will have to find a guy to do what Connor Heyward did in the tush push.

 

I was thinking about the 2nd thing you said.

 

Jimmy's?

 

I understand that. That's why they may be on the field at the same time. Warren can be in the backfield, and Heidenreich could be split out, in the slot, brought in motion and move into the backfield, or use him for screens, jet sweeps, or a host of other things. It doesn't mean that Warren will be off the field whenever he is on the field. His versatility makes him valuable and allows an OC to get creative.

That's the point I'm trying to make.