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Kalen Ballage - RB

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by burghfan58, Feb 10, 2021.

  1. SteelersFanIrl

    SteelersFanIrl Well-Known Member

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    He has not done much in his career. He is apparently surprisingly effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield (29/36 for 166 yards in 2020) and he is a big strong man. If he can pass protect he may be worth keeping around but at Samuels expense rather than as a starter.
     
  2. Maddog78

    Maddog78 Well-Known Member

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    Were the Chargers the right system last year? Ekeler and Jackson averaged 4.6 YPC, Ballage 3.3.
     
  3. Steel Hog

    Steel Hog Well-Known Member

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    I am not convinced that getting other backs will make that big of a difference until we can hand the ball off without the defensive players already in our backfield.
     
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  4. PWP

    PWP Well-Known Member

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    Him Snell and Mcfarland they might not draft a RB now.. I see no need to carry 4 RB'S when we are going to be a pass happy Offense.. I really see no need for OL either as all the routes will be quick.. I guess WR,TE, then CB is probably the best way to go..Or maybe LB ?

    We could always move Edmunds to LB and draft a real Safety ?
     
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  5. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    If I was Samuels I'd start putting on some weight and muscle while working on drive blocking. His only path to a roster spot is to become a better cheaper version of Derek Watt.
     
  6. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    I wouldn’t read too much into this signing, they carried 4 last year. RB and OL will still be the focus of the draft.
     
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  7. PWP

    PWP Well-Known Member

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    Yep probably , but I don't think it should be .We are not going to run enough to carry 4 RB'S..Ben not being able to play under Center takes away a lot of running sets ..So if all in year with Ben get him another WR and a TE we could use a scat RB maybe Travis Etienne would fit good.
     
  8. Blitz

    Blitz Well-Known Member

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    I decided to not instant react and watch some film. I watched every play of Ballage's from last year.

    His numbers on paper are awful. His play on the field is NOT awful.
    • He has nice hands in catching the pass and screen.
    • Protects the ball.
    • Runs tough and usually throws a little extra on the defender when finishing the play. Looks like he can run block just fine.
    • Some time now removed from his Dolphins tenure he does not have a lot of tread. He basically spent last year just staying conditioned. So this could be both the freshest hes been going into camps as well as the best situation for him only if Colbert continues to attack the run game hard in the draft.
    He won't be the starter day 1, obviously. But I think I'm making a solid bet here that he will NOT just be on the PS, and will be the #2. Those of you on the forums praising this signing even those his numbers were awful, I think I'm sniffing what youre sniffing. Especially in the Canada offense.
     
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  9. Steel Hog

    Steel Hog Well-Known Member

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    Good analysis. This may be contrary to what another poster said about our scouting. I hear you about this Canada offense that I haven't seen yet and won't disagree with what you anticipate next season. But for me, this is still Ben's offense until its not.
     
  10. The Sodfather

    The Sodfather Well-Known Member

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    Ben not willing and or wanting to play under center takes away a lot of running sets. This coaching staff, hell the whole organization allowing Ben all of the leeway he gets on how the offense operates is one of the reasons I wasn't all giddy about his return. Even an average running game would make his life so much easier. Chucking the rock around out of the shotgun is how Ben wants to do things and it won't change until he's done, unfortunately.

    Having said that, not much risk signing Bellage. Give him a chance to earn a roster spot, if not a starting job. Like the man said, he might already be better than anyone they have on their current roster
     
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  11. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    I believe they will commit to the run this year and if they don’t, it’s still important to put the pieces in place for when Ben is gone after this year.

    We also don’t know if it’s Ben can’t play under center or doesn’t like it. I think it’s more he doesn’t like it which I’m sure was a topic of discussion for bringing him back.
     
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  12. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    I'm agreeing on that last Edmunds part.
     
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  13. Seven4Steel

    Seven4Steel Well-Known Member

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    Great call, Nostradamus.

    And even though this kid's numbers are crap, he looks like he has good vision and hands. He isn't afraid of contact and he has some wheels. And he's got some shiftiness to him. He's definitely worth a shot in camp.
     
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  14. Vox Ferrum

    Vox Ferrum Well-Known Member

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    Well if anything it shows either the Steelers brass actually read this board to make decisions, or they finally have listened to the calls to sign everybody.
     
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  15. Seven4Steel

    Seven4Steel Well-Known Member

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    ...I'll take the third option. It's the one where it seems they have a bunch of decisions on a dartboard, close their eyes, and the closest decision to where the dart hits is what they go with. ;)
     
  16. Jammasterc

    Jammasterc Well-Known Member

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    Watched the highlight video from earlier.
    I like how he pushes would be tacklers back 3-5 yards.
    Hits the hole, no dancing around.
    Haven't seen this type of running in years here.
     
  17. Seven4Steel

    Seven4Steel Well-Known Member

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    Yup. He showed a nice stutter step and change of direction and then hit top speed quick. Looked decisive and explosive. Granted that it was a highlight reel, so we were seeing the best runs. Still, looks like he can run the ball. And with good hands out of the backfield, very well could push Samuels out the door.
     
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  18. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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    Samuels should have a for sale sign at his home, if they draft a RB he's probably gone.
     
  19. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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    They will need 4 RBs the season is longer, and the roster is supposed to expand to 55 players.
     
  20. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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    Ballage on 3rd and 4th downs with 1 or 2 yards to go he converted on 18 of 24 attempts, that's fifth in the league since 2018, certainly better than what the Steelers did in 2020.
     
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  21. SC Gamecock

    SC Gamecock

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    This thread certainly aged well... :lolol:
     
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  22. Seven4Steel

    Seven4Steel Well-Known Member

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    It takes more than a running back to run the ball. It's NOT our RB's that are the problem. I don't understand what is so difficult to understand about this. Terrell Davis wasn't a great RB. He made it to the HoF because he ran behind some really good lines who zone blocked better than anyone in the league at that time. They also chop blocked and were a nasty bunch of mf'rs. But they got the job done.
     
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  23. Lambert

    Lambert Well-Known Member

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    Certainly doesn't help the YPC average either.
     
  24. PWP

    PWP Well-Known Member

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    That makes sense 4 is probably the right number..
     
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  25. fearthesteel

    fearthesteel Well-Known Member

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    i would rather have mark ingram or stick with conner instead of ballage. maybe even leveon bell.
     
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