Week 1 injury concerns

He is by far the better blocker than James. The only other tight end we had that came close was Johnson and we cut him loose last year.

 

How do you define starter? I define starter as the player who starts the most games. James will undoubtedly start and finish the most games. At season's end James will have been the starter, not MacDonald.

 

I would say it’s the guy who gets more snaps per game. McDonald will be lucky to get through 2 plays without being injured so

 

Spit hairs all you want, but Vance McDonald is the #1 TE on the team and will be the starter if healthy.
James may end up starting more games this season, but didn’t change the fact that McDonald is the best TE on the team.

And I know “if healthy” is a big if.

 

Very very big if...........

 

So I would say now we could be without Burnett Hilton Vance and the elephant in the room........ Mr Selfish.

 

I define starter as the guy who will be in the starting lineup when he plays. If he is healthy, McDonald will start.

 

I am definitely concerned about them opening the season without Hilton and Burnett. This is a shaky defense to begin with and that makes things even worse.

 

I will guarantee you Jesse James starts more games this season. Guarantee it. Even when healthy, its a committee approach. There's things Jesse does better than Vance and vice versa. Calling Vance Mcdonald the starting tight end is like calling Duce Staley the Steelers starting running back while he was here. Congratulations on earning the title of starter as you stand on the sidelines in a gray sweatsuit.

 

That would be the start and finish part.

 

The only thing James does better than McDonald is stay healthy. McDonald is more athletic and a vastly superior blocker.

Staying healthy is certainly significant, but if they are both healthy, McDonald is the starter.

 

When healthy, Vance is a nice player. But let's not get carried away. For starters Jesse James has far superior hands than Vance does. Second, Jesse is a much better possession receiver then Vance is. As you said, James is a far more durable player. I would say Vance is better in just about every other category. The bottom line is this.

Opening day in Cleveland the Pittsburgh Steelers starting tight end will be who?

 

Looks like someone going to the IR today.

Vance? Hilton? Burnett?

 

Calling McDonald soft is premature. He unfortunately has a history of concussions. I feel he is a threat as well as James. Who cares who starts? As long as they are both contributing to the cause. And hopefully McDonald can stay healthy. If not I have complete confidence in JJ.

 

That’s a good question!

 

Seems like the Steelers medical staff is really dropping the ball with whatever physicals they are passing these FA signings with.

Laderious
Vance
And now maybe Burnett.

Big time screw up signings that have a trickle down effect on the roster and cap.

 

Here's the answer for you.

 

Maybe our medical staff is concussed themselves

 

Jesse put up better #s than Vance last year. McDonald needs to do more.

 

James really doesn't have far superior hands. He is a little more consistent with the easy catches, but McDonald is more likely to complete the athletic play. When it comes to hands and being a possession receiver, they are about equal. McDonald can run every route James can and he is far better in deep and intermediate throws.

The only thing James has on McDonald is one very important aspect of the game, the ability to stay healthy.

Regarding your question, it depends on health. If McDonald is practicing, he's probably starting. If he is limited, he probably plays a more limited role and James gets the start.

 

I am concerned not so much with injuries as not having played together in game action together.

We may take some lumps early.

 

AV better bring his A game or Mason could be starting next week.

 

Looks like only Ronald McDonald is out. And Leveon in the lab making beats on the 1s and 2s