Jonathan Dwyer has EARNED the starting job!

Jonathan Dwyer should be running out with the starters on opening day, regardless of whether or not Isaac Redman is ready to go. I like Redman and I understand he's had the nagging groin injury throughout training camp, but Dwyer has been phenomenal every time he's gotten an opportunity. This guy averaged over 6.2 ypc at Georgia Tech on over 500 carries and he's averaged over 6.0 ypc in limited action with the Steelers. In the pre-season, he's averaging 5.6 ypc when virtually every other running back we have, including Redman, is averaging about half that. He's also doing a great job in pass protection and in catching the ball out of the backfield. Is there any question at this point who should be starting? I predict he'll have a breakout year and Mendy will be going bye bye after this season, even if he does get back to where he was before the injury. Thoughts?

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/248 ... z24xj7vXy4

 

I also like dwyer a lot, hopefully Mendy's replacement next year.

 

Don't worry Dwyer will get his carries and if Redman doesn't shake his injury bug, Dwyer's going to get even more carries. Then it's up to him to make the most of his chance at the starting job.

 

He's definitely more explosive than Redman. And he has played great every chance he's ever gotten, even in previous years when he was "fat and out of shape." You could make the argument he'd have outperformed Redman if given the opportunity. I'd like to see their carries split equally while Mendenhall is out. After that, it will depend how good Mendy looks and we'll need to re-evaluate.

 

I have to say I agree. He's at least learned the right to a 50-50 time share with Redman, with Redman being our goal line and short yardage back.

 

I completely agree he should, I just meant if he doesn't until next year he should be replacing Mendy.

 

I have to agree! Worst case scenario is a 50-50 split with Red. Dwyer has definitely looked good though!

 

I too have been awaiting this guy since we got him after checking out all his draft day history. But my excitement has been burned on a number of players so I have been holding my tongue about my hopes for this kid. I had heard people say he was a system player and all that stuff so I have been hoping he'd get a chance.

Here's to hoping he gets more and is the next Ray Rice...

Redman is doing a number on Louisiana, maybe he can open the flood gates in Denver and we have a decent two headed monster.

 

Dwyer,Redman and Rainey should be our RBs in that order.

Cajun-

 

Is this your way of saying Mendenhall should be off the team? Or were you just not counting him because he's not back yet?

 

I'm a huge Dwyer fan but I'm not ready to kick anyone to the curb just yet. Let's see what they do against this schedule.

 

Dwyer has played great,but he has not surpassed Redman....I am proud of Dwyer and his effort so far this season,but Redman has been putting in the effort since his first camp....Redman has been hurt and I expect him to look a lot better in Denver...Dwyer should get lots of work as well,if Redman struggles and Dwyer is getting it done in the real game I would have no problem with going with the hot RB...

I still think Haley has a lot of Bread and butter run plays he has not called yet...If Haley approaches games the way I think he is using the scrimmages to work on running plays that we are not so good at ,I have not seen a lot of inside Power stuff mainly been running to the 4 hole and out on the right side and from the 5 hole out on the left......These spots fit Dwyer,Mendenhall,and Batch type runners better....

We have benn running Batch a lot inside,I think he is trying to make him the back up for the inside power game behind Redman...It makes sense to keep Redman out of the middle in scrimmages when he is banged up...

 

I think you aren't seeing power running plays because we still have a weak line.

 

I hear you loud and clear on that point. But let's just suppose for a moment that Dwyer becomes the feature back for the Steelers and that Antonio Brown continues to be the Steelers best receiver. Both of these players are 6th round draft picks who had limited expectations. They've both excelled even though Dwyer still needs to prove it over a complete season. To me, that's quite a story. Your two best skill players on offense are 6th round draft picks. Who says you need to draft your skill guys in the first couple of rounds??

 

both those guys were highly successful college players despite their draft position,but there were a few question marks on them. brown was from a smaller school and his 40 time was not over the top,and he's not very big. dwyer had weight issues and played college ball in a system that was an option attack. this is why they both dropped.

we saw that come to fruition with dwyer. he was overweight and not ready for two years, until he saw the light this year in his contract year. brown was the opposite and worked hard to get to where he is today. he always was a productive receiver in the MAC but he kept working too. the steelers usually don't just draft a guy in any round to just make a pick. they expect them to contribute and get better and finally start or be able to start if needed. (next man up) they of any team work hard to improve all their picks not just the top ones. i believe that's why we seem to have a larger amount of keepers compared to alot of teams.

 

I would have no problems with Dwyer starting. I would also have no problems with him and Redman splitting carries...which i suspect will be the case until Mendy comes back.

 

I think Haley has pretty much been a 3 headed monster type coach. He likes to use multiple RBs based on situation, scheme, and player strengths. I think that it what we will see here as well.

 

Isnt it awesome that we are actually discussing offensive philosophy and game planning!!!! In the past under the other guy, we would talk about it but it never happened. With Haley, I think we know we are getting an offensive coordinator who actually enjoys schemes and planning around not only his teams strenghts but also exploiting the other teams weaknesses. Needless to say I am pumped to see what kind of offense we will actually have this year.

 

Good to have you aboard (the great one) Roberto C#21 and a very good observation.
Are you old enough to have seen the great one play? HOW MUCH WOULD HE BE WORTH
ON THE OPEN MARKET TODAY? YOY and DOUBLE YOY.

 

HHHmmm, after looking back at this it does seem......... a little thin at the RB position.

Seriously, Mendy is a no-brainer, when he is healthy he is #1 until he loses the job.

We'll probably now keep 6 RBs on the roster. Mendy,Dwyer,Rainey,Johnson, Redman, Batch. Batch makes it by default for his ST play since we lost Spence.

Cajun-

 

Isn't it amazing what hard work and dedication can accomplish? He has earned
a share of carries designated for our running game. I have always liked our RB depth
and the players that are on the squad, now we get Mendy back and rolling we have just as formidible
running attack as anyone in the league.