Better Play design probably helping Mcfarland

I shudder ever time Austin has the ball fearing someone is going to snap him like a green bean

 

Warren is signed through 2024 so perhaps talks will start after this year

 

McKinnon is a much better player than McFarland.

 

To this point in their careers, McKinnon has been a much better player than McFarland. That isn't speculation. That is irrefutable analysis based in fact. He has rushed for over 500 yards in an NFL season three times and he was near 1,000 total yards with the Vikings in 2017. Injuries robbed him of the better part of four seasons and he bounced back to be a solid contributor for the Chiefs last season.

McFarland, on the other hand, has spent a good amount of his three years in the league on the practice squad. He has 146 yards rushing, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry, and 76 yards receiving. He played in one game last season. He has maybe two impressive runs in three years. Yes, that was in limited opportunities. Those opportunities were limited because he was not good. He had an opportunity to compete for the No. 2 job and lost to an undrafted free agent. The only role he should have on that team is to wait on the sidelines in case Harris or Warren tweak something and the other guy needs a break. Oh, he has also been lousy on kickoff returns, making poor decisions and doing nothing impressive.

 

If my research is correct Anthony has only had 4 years of experience in HS and College so basically when drafted he was at a Freshmen in College as Football knowledge went ..Every year until this year in the preseason he showed talent but lacked vision and patience ..IMO he spent last season getting bigger, stronger and faster .. I also think he watched a lot of tape and learned how to read his blocks how to set those blocks up he has pressed the hole and then bounced outside on numerous runs this year ..

He has ran those stretch plays to near perfection as I showed in that 1 short TD run...He pressed the edge as long as he could waited for the crease found it made a great cutback to get in the lane and then showed great power and excellent pad level..

His Team Mates and Coaches have talked about his ability in the passing game statements like he is always open adding proof he has worked on his route running as well..

IMO the Coach gave him a list of things he would need to do and improve on to get playing time , my take is he took it to task and is primed for a solid role on this Team..

We will see if I am correct if he gets a hat and if he gets snaps in game 1 .. My number is still around 15 snaps and if he can produce 1 or 2 splash plays out of those then that number may go up the next game ..

 

You and he have something in common. You both have made the same number of splash plays in NFL games over the last three years.

You do love making excuses for the guy. Now he just didn't have enough experience coming out of Maryland? It is arguably the position that requires the least experience coming out of college. Most pro running backs show something within a year or two if they are going to be good.

The only evidence I've seen or heard that he can do more is Pickett going out of his way to talk McFarland up after the Atlanta preseason game. You can always find quotes from a coach or teammate praising a guy, but it means more that Pickett went out of his way to talk about McFarland. That still isn't much.

I don't doubt that they might give him a few snaps. Tomlin and Canada both seem to have that shiny toy thing going when they look at McFarland. I just think it is a poor idea to take snaps away from better players to give them to him. The list of skill position players on the Steelers who are better than McFarland includes Harris, Warren, Pickens, Johnson, Robinson, Austin, Freiermuth, and Heyward. They all need touches. They have all done more to earn them.

 

McFarland's inability to earn playing time the last three seasons is data.

 

His lack of carries over the last few years certainly tells that story but the fact that he has held his spot on this team tells another story from the coaching staff.
All the other guys they have brought in still couldn't take his spot and until he is released for good, that will remain true. We can go back and forth all we want as fans but clearly the coaching staff has a plan for him or sees something we do not.
While I agree that I don't want to see him taking snaps from Warren or Harris, for me it's not necessarily the number of touches he gets but the quality of them. If he is being productive with the small number of opportunities he will likely get, I don't know why anybody would see that as a bad thing.

 

Now that’s funny

Apparently you have a sense of humor deep down inside

 

Maybe I am him so when I make a splash play I will be doubling down ..1 for the stats and 1 for the board..lol

 

To me, the bad thing would be him taking touches away from better players just because he's fast. That kind of thinking led to a wasted third-round draft pick and wasted plays during games for Dri Archer.

Also, he didn't hold his roster spot all that time. He has been on the practice squad, where anybody could grab him, so they couldn't have been that worried about McFarland getting away.

 

I don't remember that much of it being injuries. I do remember they have cut him and signed him to the practice squad.

 

I get that but I don't think anyone is suggesting he get a ton of snaps. Plus, we're not talking apples to apples here. I don't care to see McFarland run between the tackles. Clearly, there are two better backs for that. The two plays that come to mind would be maybe a wheel route or screen. Something that gets him on the edge. Clearly they can use Austin for those plays as well but even if he runs one or two successful plays, it gives the defense that much more to think about. You can never have too many weapons.
Right now you're pointing out what he can't do and I'm not arguing the contrary. I'm simply pointing out that maybe they can use him. Maybe they can't but I think one thing is for certain, there should be no fear from anyone that he's taking too many snaps from other weapons. I just don't see that becoming a problem.

 

What You just suggested is what @Formerscribe is getting at....You will be tipping Your hand.

 

Tipping your hand for what?

 

At what You are doing, or can do. Go back, and read what You wrote that I commented on, and I bet You will see what I mean.

 

How is using McFarland in any capacity tipping their hand any more than using Austin on gadget plays? Or any other player for that matter? I'm not picking up what you're laying down

 

It wasn't all injuries. Warren and Snell simply beat him out last season.

 

Are you implying that by using McFarland on any given play, they would be wasting it and ruining it for the next time?

 

It is a bigger tell to have a running back out there who can't block than it is to have an undersized receiver in the slot.

 

Now that logic I can buy.