Conner's rising star

So the compelling story of James Conner has continued in his second season. What began as the hottest selling jersey in Camp last year has continued with Conner coming into camp fit and ready to showcase what he can bring to the team. He has showed explosive runs and tenacity that has drawn media and fan praise through out camp. The offensive line has talked about how he runs and how they like blocking for him. The crowd response when he was announced at Family Fest at Heinz Field was said to be loud and vocal. Clearly in a town that loves its heroes his star is rising.

Which brings us to Bell. There is no doubting that his teammates like him. The juice is an electric player. When he is on the team things are clicking. However he also has some very thin skin. He feels the fans in Pittsburgh don't appreciate him. He makes comments about hard to be a hero in a town that makes him a villain. After the initial reports of Conner's play in camp he tweeted about how quickly they forget. Lets face it, football is the epitome of What have you done for me lately. So when he does get to camp and what I am sure will be fans clamoring for more Conner in the first month while Bell rounds into shape what will his attitude and response be? How will the locker room and team chemistry be?

 

Bell only cares about Bell. Bad mistake keeping him around this year.

 

Bought a Conner shirt in the burgh last week! I’m all in. Think if Leveon gets hurt we will see him come on but certainly next year will be his!

 

I like James Conner a lot and respect what he has overcome in his young life so far. He is such a likable player and person to root for. However, He still needs to prove plenty when it comes to consistent play, durability, and game changing contributions at the Pro level. As much of a jerk that Bell has been with his attitude, commentary, extra-curricular activities and injury proneness at the worst times, you honestly can't mention Conner and Bell in the same sentence except as an unproven promising backup. I'll be first in line to crown James the real deal when he proves it over the course of several seasons as Bell has done in spite of some glaring exceptions.

 

I said it since the day they drafted him: I like him, as a player and person. I got a buddy who's sons even were training with him. (His haircut is terrible though.) My only problem with drafting him was:

1.) He was a reach where they took him, he was gonna be around to take later most likely. (The Rooneys over-value anyone from western PA - they can't help themselves.)

2.) His running style will likely get him hurt too often; it's OK to run over little CBs, but you do that vs. NFL LBs (or some safeties) and you're gonna go down.

But I hope I'm wrong and he becomes our stud RB for the next decade.

 

Go dirty thirty!!!!!

 

Conner showed nice hands today and he has shown some burst as a runner, but we still haven't seen him take on a heavy workload and I'm still not sure he can do the job picking up the blitz. They still need Bell and the Steelers are still going to have to sign a free agent or draft another back fairly high next season.

 

Conner will be lucky to get five carries a game when Bell returns, Bell's trainer tweeted that Bell isn't worried about Conner.

 

The blitz is what I am concerned about with Conner and Samuels.

 

I didn’t think Connor looked that great lasted year, so what he is doing this years is really surprising me.

It would be huge if he is a legitimate threat even when Bell is out.

 

The fact that he tweeted he isn’t worried tells me he’s worried.

 

No Conner is not Bell, plays that Bell would have broke it, JC can not. JC could be a solid 2nd back, but he's not a difference maker like Bell.

 

Bell is far more concerned with his performance this season as it carries immense implications heading into 2019 as it is likely he will not be with the team.


In the vein of Bell's trainer stating that Bell is not worried about Conner, in the sense of what Bell needs to accomplish to prepare for Week 1, he is correct.

 

I don't think it'll be much of a problem, BUT Bell is going to have to come out ball for an incredible year. He's gone all in and has bet on himself. He's as motivated as they come. I'd run the wheels off him.

I don't think Bell is concerned about Conner.

 

I have mentioned this from the get go when we drafted JC. I am a Pitt die hard. He can play.

 

I think Tomlin is going to start JC week one. I really do. I can see Conner starting, and Tomlin working Bell in as the game progresses. It will probably only be a week one thing and Bell will start the following week. But I think Conner has earned the right to get more carries per game than he got last year.

 

JC and other backs should get more work this year, since it is highly unlikely
we are going to agree with LB contract demands

 

(option 5) - Bell is thinking....."thanks for keeping the seat warm but move it on over" If Bell's contract demands are an indication of his ego, he could care less what Conner has done to date. I don't think there's a rift because Bell knows he's 100xs better (in his mind). I think there is a mutual fandom between the two and there is no animosity but I don't think Bell has given it a second thought.

For me personally, I think Conner is great and embodies what the pro athlete should strive for these days. So I'm a fan.

I even rapped about it. You can find it on Turtles of Anarchy records. I dropped some mad beats....
found locally in any walmart next to the dog whistles and LB26 albums

 

there really doesn't need to be any agreements other than Bell putting his signature on the franchise tag. After that, the nfl rules take over and he's a Steeler for this year for 14.5mil or whatever it is. LB26 just has to sign but he's going to wait until probably next week. the same MO he did last year. After 2018 concludes, its bon voyage

 

I misspoke I should have stated LB's future contract demands.

 

Agree with you sir, this team isn't meeting those demands and I'm glad JC is on the team. Can he be a full time starter? I don't know but I believe he can

 

I would say "Doesn`t Care" because he knows he has to play his best and will be playing for whoever is the highest bidder next year.

 

Bell could care less how Conner or any other back performs. It's all about LB26 and it always has been. I don't care what motivates him as long as that motivation translates into results that help this football team win games this year. As to where he is next season and how much he gets paid, I could care less.

 

Can't figure out the poll answers, so just state it. Bell's in a whole different category and not worried at all. He'll be hard to replace

unfortunately

 

My guess is guys like Pouncey are going to be giving off vibes that will make Bell VERY uncomfortable this season...