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Ant is back

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by PWP, Oct 19, 2023.

  1. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    McFarland hasn't made any splash plays in a regular-season game. He had a couple of long runs in the preseason that got some people overly excited, but he hasn't done it in a game that counts. Warren and Austin have, and they are the ones most likely to lose playing time if the team tries to force McFarland into the lineup more.
     
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  2. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    If Ant has 5 returns, that means Green Bay has scored at least 4 times. We want to kickoff a lot, not return a lot of kicks.
     
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  3. pczach

    pczach Well-Known Member

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    It was supposed to be a joke, but I guess I missed. Should have gone green font. :lolol:
     
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  4. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    I just figured it was a brain fart. We all have them.
     
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  5. pczach

    pczach Well-Known Member

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    I have plenty of those too!
     
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  6. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    The overall argument towards Warren is they don’t game plan for him, teams play him differently than Harris. You’re talking about when they are on the field at the same time.

    Were you upset by McFarlands two positive plays against the 49ers?

    Again, it’s about creating mismatches, they are mostly going to use him as a receiver. You act like he will take 15 touches from Warren, he’s just a roll player, every team has them, he’ll get a few plays a game. If when they use him and it yields positive results I can’t for the life of me see why that would upset fans.
     
  7. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    Again, you are assuming the results will be positive while ignoring that he is less likely to be successful than Harris or Warren. Warren has shown more ability to make things happen as a receiver than McFarland, but his presence doesn't eliminate the possibility of running some plays the way McFarland's does.
     
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  8. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    Ok, so you can’t answer the question. So I’ll answer it for you, you weren’t upset by McFarlands positive plays against 49ers.

    Of course if he keeps getting opportunities there will be negative plays just like Warren, Harris, Pickens, DJ and every single other player is prone to but as long as there are more positive ones than negative ones there is zero argument against having him out there. If he ends up being like a Switzer out there I’ll be right there with others calling for him to be off the field.

    But so far in preseason and the 49ers game it seems he has begun to turn the corner and can contribute to this team. I don’t think we will actually find out just how much or how little his play on the field will matter because I suspect he won’t stay healthy long enough to draw that conclusion.
     
  9. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    i guess if he does nothing more than help keep a small amount of wear and tear off the top two it is a success. it's a long season. :cool:
     
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  10. Steelers304

    Steelers304 Well-Known Member

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    Dude is cheeks. On the team because he went to Maryland
     
  11. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    I'm never upset when a Steeler makes a positive play, but assuming he will make more is foolish.

    Today should tell you how silly those fantasies about McFarland are. Harris and Warren need to get the ball as much as possible. Did McFarland get a single snap on offense today?

    At least he only did a lousy job on two of his three kickoff returns.
     
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  12. D0bre Shunka

    D0bre Shunka Well-Known Member

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    He’s been on our team for years and I still don’t know what we have in him. Does anyone ? While there was a brief sighting today that’s normally not a good sign….
     
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  13. Pappy928

    Pappy928 Well-Known Member

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    The saying goes, if you've been around for years and don't know what you've got the answer is elsewhere.

    He can return kicks. End of story. Much like gadget Austin.
     
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  14. jeh1856

    jeh1856 Happy Holidays Yinz Jagoffs

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    Ok I was planning to be a smart ass

    Considering his 73 yards on returns I think that is excellent

    Also considering what Warren and Harris did thank goodness they didn’t waste a single offensive snap on him

    Hope this continues
     
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  15. Brice

    Brice

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    OK. next week he will get his 100 yards. :)
     
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  16. Hanratty#5

    Hanratty#5 Well-Known Member

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    He didn't take one snap on offense today. So much for the Steelers to unleash the "special package" they had in store for him. The coaching staff needs to tell him that he is allowed to call a fair catch on a kickoff. He buried us twice by trying to run the ball out.
     
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  17. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    Austin is still in what is essentially his rookie season, so he's not exactly in the same situation as McFarland.
     
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  18. PWP

    PWP Well-Known Member

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    I actually agree with him not getting snaps .. No need to use another style of Attack if the one you are using is working that well .. I hope they continue to work on the package so it will be ready if needed..
     
  19. D0bre Shunka

    D0bre Shunka Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I mean, like he’s been here since the year 20, I believe. Does anyone know if he’s worth the green? Never mind debating his performance, the problem is there’s nothing to debate! We’re all down to these rare sightings of him. He may be great but if he’s never on the green that’s useless to us.
     
  20. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    There were times the offense bogged down on Sunday and they were facing a weak run defense. One of those drives could have been a good time to break it out, but of course, that would have meant taking snaps and touches away from Harris and Warren and that would have been stupid.
     
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  21. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    I think they could have used him like you are referring to at least once when Harris went airborne when he didn't need to. It would have let him catch his breath and they could try the dual backfield that they had used several times yesterday. I'm not sure the Packers would buy it but it gives Harris a play off and doesn't take a snap from either to try it.
     
  22. Hanratty#5

    Hanratty#5 Well-Known Member

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    I get nervous when the ball is kicked to him also. He fumbled one and buried us in terrible field position, he ran another one out short of the 25 yard line but he did gain the team 5 yards by returning one to the 30. It just makes much more sense to make the fair catch and get the ball on the 25. It takes away the risk of a fumble or a penalty that puts you in bad field position.
     
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  23. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    I don't think Harris's problem there was fatigue. It was making a really stupid decision. In fact, Harris got the ball 16 times and Warren had it 15 times. Given how well both ran it, if anything, each of them should have gotten it more.
     
  24. Brice

    Brice

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    A healthy McFarland inactive for the Bengals game.

    That should be the end of my Dream on my McFarland being a useful tool in the belt for the Steelers. :(
     
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  25. Hanratty#5

    Hanratty#5 Well-Known Member

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    I see on the Steelers depth chart that Godwin Igwebuike is now listed as the 3rd team back while McFarland is listed as 4th team. He will probably be released and out of the league at the season's end.
     
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