C.J. Anderson

It takes time for a RB to get a feel for the calls of when and who to block.

That's why Conner was not going to sub in for Bell last year as much. If Ben is not comfortable with the RB in blocking, he's not going to be effective.

It really is that simple. If any RB can step into any system and just have to learn the playbook to be good, then we wouldn't have anything to worry about. It takes practice reps and game situation reps.

Just look at the Baltimore playoff game they lost. Ben was not in sync with the RB, he missed the chip and his timing was off and Ben threw a bad ball that was picked off by Suggs.

If he has confidence in that guy picking up the blitzer, he stands in there and takes the shot to Bryant, who had gotten by his defender and would have been a long score.

 

That's why you sign him now so he has time to work with Ben if and when we need him. I don't want the Steelers to sign him to play I want him as a back up if something happens to Conner. If you sign him now he has time to learn and work with Ben, unlike what happened a few years back with Ben Tate. This is a move to protect the RB position not bolster it. jmo

 

No

 

I don't see it like that, I think this is the right time. Why wait until we need him and he don't know the system. As much as I don't want to talk about him Bell was the guy they Steelers were counting on to help at the back part of the season. Now with no Bell we need to add protection and just like you said CJ is an upgrade over Ridley why wait?

 

I just don’t see the Steelers cutting Ridley to make room for a new RB.
They’re not going to carry 4 RB’s either.
If there’s an injury they probably make a move, but based on how the Steelers typically operate it doesn’t seem likely we are signing anyone.

 

I get what your saying but I am not saying we would cut Ridley and I am not saying we would carry 4 RB's. We can cut someone on the 53 to make room then deactivate CJ on game day. Let's face it without a good RB we are screwed and while Conner is awesome we need to protect our self just in case...jmo.

A couple things to consider and ask your self. Did we learn anything a few years back when Bell and Dwill went down and we brought in Tate who wasn't in game shape? Also are you comfortable with Jaylen and Ridley if something happened to Conner? I am not and I am a Jaylen fan just don't see him as a full time guy...of course as you know I felt the same about Conner in the off season.

 

@Blast Furnace Found it

 

So I just read this thread again and it was pretty cool to look back and see people's opinions. I for one didn't think Samules could carry the load and he showed he could. There are some real cool points here is anyone has the time/interest to go back. It's not like we have anything else worthy to talk about.......