The division of labor at RB

And when I read freak’s post I thought that sounds familiar so I went searching google

 

Dowdle carried the ball 25 times more than Warren last season, not 60. He had the higher average per carry, 4.6 yards to 4.5. I seem to remember you thinking a higher average per carry was important. The gap in average per carry was even larger the previous season, 4.6 to 4.3. He has been the better back for two years, so this implication that he would only start over Warren because he's McCarthy's guy is a load of crap. I assume they are going to split the workload among them fairly evenly, but play each to their strengths. Warren is better in passing situations. Dowdle is better at running the ball.

 

Is anyone concerned that our RB coach has never coached a position where players actually "Touched" the football before. Lifetime: Zero experience in coaching players how to run with the football or catch the football. 4 years in the NFL and he spent all that time on 2 different teams as the O-Line coach. Before that he was a Highschool O-Line coach. This Complete lack of experience may show its ugly head with the Steelers running back room in 2026.


Ramon Chinyoung Sr.
Dallas Cowboys (2023–2026): assistant offensive line coach
Denver Broncos (2022): Served as offensive quality control coach.
High School Assistant offensive line coach (2012–2021) at Westfield High School; head coach at Fort Bend Willowridge High School (2020–2021).


Everyone was impressed last year with the production of the Steelers RBs, but that was with coach Eddie Faulkner who had been coaching RBs since 2002 in college and the pros. I still have no idea why McCarthy did not bring back Eddie Faulkner.

Eddie Faulkner.

• Anderson (IN) (2002)
  Running backs coach
• • Ball State (2003–2010)
  • • Graduate assistant (2003–2004)
  • • Running backs coach & special teams coordinator (2005–2008)
  • • Offensive coordinator & running backs coach (2009–2010)
• Northern Illinois (2011)
  Running backs coach & special teams coordinator
• Pittsburgh (2012)
  Running backs coach
• Wisconsin (2012)
  Tight ends coach
• NC State (2013–2018)
  Tight ends coach, fullbacks coach & special teams coordinator
• • Pittsburgh Steelers (2019–2025)
  • • Running backs coach (2019–2025)
  • • Interim offensive coordinator & running backs coach (2023)
• Baltimore Ravens (2026–present)
  Running backs coach

 

I personally like Jaylen Warren better, though that could just be because I’m more familiar with him. In my opinion, he’s the stronger third-down back — he’s a better pass blocker and a little quicker. IMO, Tomlin underused Warren. He is better than N. Harris was for sure.

That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dowdle enters camp as the No. 1 RB . McCarty knows him well and Dowdle is further ahead on the McCarthy's playbook right now. Plus, Dowdle is more durable. So it’s not a load of crap to assume one of them is the preferred guy for the time being.

 

What a great problem to have. Two very good RBs with one unproven. Will be a very interesting season to watch.

 

I don't think he underused Warren. I think he saw that Warren is best suited to get 50 percent of the snaps or less. My issue was with this idea that if Dowdle ends up starting and getting the ball more, it is because he is McCarthy's guy. I think McCarthy is smart enough to use them in the manner that helps the team the most.

 

I've never seen a coach come into any team that was a coach elsewhere that when they brought some of his players he didn't favor them, at least for a while.

 

I'm concerned as You, but they have to start somewhere. Let's hope he gets good at it.

 

Is that according to the super secret click bait depth chart one poster is using

 

I like the vision jeh. I see him stumbling down the field shaking tackles grabbing a safety and using him as a battering ram lol

 

When Rodgers came on board it was the first time in a number of years that the Steelers passed more on early downs than they ran. Will this really change with MM as HC?

 

I think this is critical! Along with using the personnel you have on third down. Get the ball in DW's hands on 3rd and short. He falls for 5 yards but didn't use him for this at all last year!

 

Kaleb Johnson was the motor of that #1 ground attack from Iowa.
He did have some great blocking opening those lanes.
There is a difference in the NFL for rookies, those defenders are bigger, faster, stronger.

Johnson got on the bad list with the stupid mistake on the kickoff return.
I fault so much on coaching - ya gotta have these guys ready for anything.
and so much on Kaleb, that was just plain dumb.

Currently Kaleb is #3.
McCarthy had Ryan Grant, Eddie Lacey and Aaron Jones. Kaleb could be seen to fill those kind of roles.
McCarthy will want his guys, but I think he's not so vain as to use only his guys.

Warren is listed as #1 with Dowdle at #2 - That's a good duo.
I think of Warren as a "Hybrid RB" not to be confused with a 3rd down RB.
I think of Dowdle as the thunder RB and he is averaging 4.6yds/carry. I think Kaleb's role is to back him.
Eli Heidenreich is definitely a pass catching 3rd down kind of RB. He's not going to be in the game to block. I like his game speed a lot.
But the competition level raises a lot for a guy from Navy.

In single back, I would more expect to see Dowdle and see Warren not as much.
If they use 2 back, I could see Warren and Dowdle with Eli mixing in on the occasion... maybe even as a slot guy.,
On those long downs, Warren and Eli could be in the mix.. Warren can definitely break those long run or make catches and Eli looks also to be a good route runner.
Kaleb is the odd man out unless the injury bug hits us and specifically Dowdle.

12 days and we'll start seeing something taking shape.

 

“The more film I watch, the more convinced I am of the importance of winning 1st down.”

This single sentence tells me whoever Kevin Smith is he is an idiot that knows little about football if he just figured this out.

 

RB1?
OH BS
new year
new coaches
new teammates
new competition

 

You seem quite happy in that picture

 

You said that nicer than I was going to. LoL. I wonder if he has worked out yet a TD is what a team likes to get when playing football on the offense??

 

This RB room is something. Competition will be fierce, and that should push the production. Also I keep forgetting about Johnson, but you are right, he is very talented.

That said I'm not a big fan of backs with that tall rangy build, and he always looked long legged to me when I watched him in college. Like he's one of those guys who takes an extra beat to get rolling. But there's no doubt he's going to be in the mix with a new staff. They're going to give him a fair shake and we'll see what he can do.

What is nice is there's enough depth to where I am confident things will sort out for the staff, to where they find good pieces for the different roles. Camp and preseason are going to be exciting this year on offense.

 

He was stuck CHASING AMY , not learning football


also
TD?

It's Yards man. Yards.