What the Steelers Should Expect from RB/WR Chris

Good article on this kid like to see how Haley pans out along with this pick

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-should-expect-from-rbwr-chris-rainey-in-2012

 

Excellent read, Hangst discusses the opportunity for change on the offensive side of the ball. I've often agreed with her assesments, this one is right on, IMO.

 

is he really that fast?

 

Your opinion is alike with mine cause i found it could be one of the most positive low risk draft options we've had asides from E.Colonel Sanders and Downtown Antonio Brown and look how well thats worked out so far...Low risk potential for very high reward

 

I think he's in a 2 man race for a roster spot. I can't see us keeping both him and Barron Batch.

 

They can easily keep them both.

 

Yes. While faster than Mike Wallace may be stretching it, he has clocked 40 times in the 4.3's. More importantly than his straight line speed is his change of direction skills, which are really impressive.

 

Yup. I think he and Batch are two different RB's. Rainey is the lightning bolt playmaker while Batch is the steady 3rd down and change-of-pace back. Think of Rainey as Stefan Logan (except being utilized in the offense) and Batch as Mewelde Moore.

 

ACTIVE, GAMEDAY players (does not even include the extra inactive guys):

2011
Mendenhall, Redman, Moore, Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Ward, Battle, Miller, D. Johnson, Saunders = 12

2012
Redman, Dwyer, Rainey, Batch, Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Miller, (D. Paulson or W. Johnson), Saunders = 12.

Whenever Mendenhall comes back, you can bump any of the bottom three RBs to inactive. Or one of the tight ends. Kicking one off the team is silly.

 

While i dont see it as simple as making one inactive. As PUP players do not count against the roster right? If thats true and they have 53 players on the roster already...they'd have to make room for Mendy if he doesnt go on IR. So someone might have to get cut from the team to make room for him (it doesnt have to be an RB though).

 

going to school at ole miss and living in the heart of SEC country, i get to here alot of things about a lot of different players... there was a rumor going around about rainey that he ran in the 4.1's on Florida's track( which is known to be a fast track.) don't know if its true or not, but regardless, rainey does have world class speed...

 

As another poster already suggested, Haley has his Mcluster on the team.

 

I've never heard 4.1, but i'm pretty sure I read he ran a 4.26 on Florida's track. Either way that's incredibly fast!

 

I was thinking that it would have to be either Batch or Rainey myself but you make a good point. Batch will be the consistent 3rd down back and Rainey will probably be a 'special package' back. This should be an extremely interesting season with these new additions, including Haley.

 

Rainey & Batch can both make the team, with Mendy's injury,Moore being gone, Clay & Dwyer may both be gone or one of them. I think one thing is for certain, Clay & Dwyer both won't make the team, just one possibly but their games are similar. I see the RB's being this: Redman, Batch, Rainey & Dwyer with Mendy on IR.

 

This is kid is electric and I think he's going to WOW us on punt rtns!

He's small so we'll see how he does at the next level but his was definitely a worthy gamble where we got him. Great drafting by our team IMO.

If he can handle the size I wouldn't be surprised to see him in some unique options behind the offense too. He'll start on ST and if that goes well, then it wouldn't surprise me to see them use this kid in some fun plays for us fans to watch. This kid hits a corner, he be gone!

 

i see lots of all-purpose yards.

 

Havent seen much on him but he sounds like FWP with vision and awareness. Parker was bigger built but he still was a small back. When him wallace brown and sanders are on the field teams are in trouble. That is so much speed

 

I hear he fumbles the ball. I don't know what to make of a small back like him, he is only 180 lb's.....


He is going to have to step into camp and really shine at being the 3rd down back or returning kicks or he is most certainly cut.

 

I'd like to see him work in close action and also in wide open space just to get an idea on how he works and absorbs hits

 

I'd like to see him work in close action and also in wide open space just to get an idea on how he works and absorbs hits[/quote:1mcpqu09]

His former coach has stated that he knows how to take hits. He said he never takes them head on and most hits are usually glancing blows. I think this has to do with his ability to change directions quickly (something else his former coach has stated).

Edit: Found some of his former coaches quotes.

"His change of direction is the best I've ever seen. I've never been around anyone who can change direction and accelerate like him. He'll make a ton of dynamic plays in a lot of different areas for the Steelers and people will enjoy watching him play. He'll bring enthusiasm and excitement to practice and the stadium that people will enjoy."


"I've coached little backs and I've coached big backs," said White, who coached a really big one in 250-pound Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne at Wisconsin. "Chris doesn't take a lot of full-contact hits, he has a sixth sense. They don't square him up. He takes glancing blows, not direct hits. He didn't have any problem holding up for us this past year. He's extremely durable."

 

I'd like to see him work in close action and also in wide open space just to get an idea on how he works and absorbs hits[/quote:2ijx2jsw]

His former coach has stated that he knows how to take hits. He said he never takes them head on and most hits are usually glancing blows. I think this has to do with his ability to change directions quickly (something else his former coach has stated).

Edit: Found some of his former coaches quotes.

"His change of direction is the best I've ever seen. I've never been around anyone who can change direction and accelerate like him. He'll make a ton of dynamic plays in a lot of different areas for the Steelers and people will enjoy watching him play. He'll bring enthusiasm and excitement to practice and the stadium that people will enjoy."


"I've coached little backs and I've coached big backs," said White, who coached a really big one in 250-pound Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne at Wisconsin. "Chris doesn't take a lot of full-contact hits, he has a sixth sense. They don't square him up. He takes glancing blows, not direct hits. He didn't have any problem holding up for us this past year. He's extremely durable."[/quote:2ijx2jsw]

I read this somewhere maybe bleacherreport but ya thanks for the insight not a ton on him besides rants on being **** or rants on being perfect

 

i really don't see him running up inside alot anyway. he's an open field threat. getting him the ball in space is the way to utilize this kid. using him like this also opens up other people on the offense, because the D has to account for him and not just with some big ol' LB. with brown, sanders, wallace and rainey on the field, teams don't have enough speed to cover all that.what does that do then? opens up heath and haley seems to like that option. we should be very hard to match up on this year. ben needs to get the ball to the right spot.

 

Yup cause you and everyone else makes him sound like a smaller version of D.Sproles which would be pimp but I dont know still nice part about new guys its always till they play a few games and we see what they are really worth