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IF McDonald can stay healthy...look out

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by Watt Wack, Jun 30, 2018.

  1. Watt Wack

    Watt Wack Well-Known Member

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    There were a few games when Vance was healthy and he made some big plays. You add his dynamics to the rest of the O, and they can be unstoppable. All of a sudden with VM in the game, James is plenty good enough to round out the TE unit.

    The plus side on VM is he plays with reckless abandon; the minus side is he plays with reckless abandon (and gets hurt). But man, I hope he can stay in one piece for most of the season; it will be special.

     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  2. jeh1856

    jeh1856 Beer is good

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    Big If
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. bigbenhotness

    bigbenhotness Well-Known Member

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    Music is awful lol.

    Vance is my X factor but he’s shattered glass
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Hilarious Hilarious x 1
  4. AFan

    AFan Well-Known Member

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    Define 'look out!'. Vance career best season is 30 catches for 392 yds. That's not too disimilar to what Jesse James gives you. And I don't think JJ is anything special.

    What level of performance are you expecting from the guy? Can he replace Jesse? Sure. But he hasn't shown he can be a 50 rec, 700 yd guy. And he hasn't shown he can play more than 10 or 11 games a season.

    Just for reference, Gronk considers retirement and is probably used up. He is also only one year and few days older than Vance.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2018
  5. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    McDonald is clearly better than James. He is a much better blocker. He is a better runner after the catch. He is better able to make plays down the field. Obviously, health is always going to be a question with him, but the OP is right. He can be a huge factor for the Steelers if he can stay on the field, much moreso than James.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. groutbrook

    groutbrook

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    I wonder if Vance would have done a better job of holding onto the TD vs NE last season...
     
  7. SteelerGlenn

    SteelerGlenn

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    Agree. McDonald if healthy is going to be an upgrade over James.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    this whole team needs to stay healthy. that will go a long way to our success. when healthy we are a match up nightmare to most teams. :cool:
     
    • Winner Winner x 1
  9. troybellringer55

    troybellringer55 Well-Known Member

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    I have hard time blaming him on that play. That seriously could of been anybody trying to do what he did in that situation. Not like the guy was dead open in the corner end zone and the pass hit him in the chest and he didn't catch it. He was just trying to make a play, and if it were to happen this year it would be a TD.
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
  10. Wardismvp

    Wardismvp Well-Known Member

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  11. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    Who?:cool:
     
  12. SteelerGlenn

    SteelerGlenn

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    DHB?
     
  13. Da Stellars

    Da Stellars Well-Known Member

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    But he can't stay healthy? He is injury prone.

    I think Jesse James is going to have a decent year.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2018
  14. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    Looks like some people are still working off McDonald's reputation when he arrived rather than what he showed in 2017. Yes, McDonald has had problems catching the ball in the past, but he seemed to improve in that area last season. The real issue is health, something he didn't put behind him in 2017. That is why the third tight end is such a concern, because they like to use two-tight end sets and it's tough to imagine McDonald staying healthy all season.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. bigbenhotness

    bigbenhotness Well-Known Member

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    seems like the splashier the player the more injury prone they are lol. Besides Brown... that guy is a golden man
     
  16. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    Some guys are just prone to injury. I actually like McDonald's approach. It's a lot like watching Heath Miller. He is athletic enough to make some plays down the field and he is a tremendous blocker. When healthy, he is the replacement they've been looking for to take Miller's place. Unfortunately, he lacks Miller's durability.
     
  17. jeh1856

    jeh1856 Beer is good

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    McDonald has 1054 yards over 5 seasons. Gronk had 1084 last year.
     
  18. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    Has McDonald played two games in a row? If so it can't have been very often. He could be such a difference maker but I still like that we have Jesse in the wings. He has improved since he got here. I do think with RF we will see nix taking a bigger role. Grumble also does a lot of blocking that goes unnoticed. Chuck's will receive some of that extra TE work as well. Then there is the role Samuels will take. A lot of ways to use an extra blocker and a lot of guys to take up that role if McDonald is out.:cool:
     
  19. mcam

    mcam Well-Known Member

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  20. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    Really comes down to Ben. If he likes you, trusts you, then he throws to you. Being in with Ben is the difference between being Jericho Cotchery versus Lance Moore. Ben has chemistry with James and Mac was getting there. If it continues he I'd a made man. If not he won't be around long.
     
  21. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    That is certainly part of it. Roethlisberger didn't even start throwing much in his direction until the second half of the season.

    The Steelers did a lot of damage with the tight end later in the season. That was on display in the games against the Jaguars and Ravens.
     
  22. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    I've already seen this thorn. Ben likes him and looks for him. Yet again I go back to the thread, is there enough balls to go around? Add Washington, juju, Samuels, nix, Jesse, Mac, Bell and AB and that's a lot of places to put the football and keep them all happy. Then the few hunter and Conner and anyone else that may see the field on offense and that is quite an assortment. We may never run it again.:eek:

    :cool:
     
  23. Busman

    Busman

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    No not DHB He is moving to safety
     
  24. Busman

    Busman

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    Not actually surprised.. Every other throw is to Gronk.
     
  25. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure that is every game, but it sure as hell seems that way when they play the Steelers.
     

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