Convince me that McFarland isn't just a bigger Dri Archer

I know the kid has speed, and on paper, is slightly bigger than Archer. McFarland is 5'8 193. Archer was 5'8 173.

But so far they seem to have similar production and look like the same player on the field. Legs a blur, look like they are running fast, but seem to go down if a defender farts on them.

Convince me he's different than Lil' Dri?

 

Wheel routes...jet sweeps... that needs to be his bread and butter... get him the ball in space

HACK

 

Same exact thing was said for Dri

 

I can't.

The end.

 

so far, this is true. If MT / MC cannot figure out way to use him, he will be Dri#2.

and another wasted pick on a team that had many draft needs.

 

I think it was the Cowboy game he caught a swing pass with plenty of space to run for the first down and more. Instead for absolutely no reason he stopped and did a dance and didn't even make the first down.

 

It's been said too many times, and even he eluded to it, he tries to do too much. He did that as recently as the Detroit game. He's indecisive and looks for openings instead of putting his head down and taking what he's given. There is a time to bounce, there's a time to wiggle, but more often than not, it's just time to head north.

And I just don't think he's worth a roster spot if his role is just to get him in space.

 

he stinks. no way i keep him over the other RBs. mcfarland struggling to look good in the preseason. hell i like Jaylen and Ballage and even Snell a lot more than mcfarland. Mcfarland has JV level vision. he's not fast on the field

 

Just tell us how you really feel.

 

He has looked much better in pass protection this year. Something that Dri was not able to do.

If you can get him in that same spot on Najees big run he probably scores

He has a role this year ... but like I said. Get him the ball in space should be his bread and butter.... run him just enough to keep the defense honest.

HACK

 

not a chanced man. he doesn't have the route running, agility, hands, respect from the opponents to do what najee did. mcfarland would have dropped the pass or fell down after 4 yards. look at the video below. His vision reminds me of trent richardson. he STINKS and should be cut

 

That was the play that told me he was hopeless. Zero football instincts.

 

Cannot, at this point, disagree. I see no value in him. Not sure how fast he is but it doesn't matter since he never breaks away. Not sure if it's instinct or what but I would not be unhappy to see him gone. I agree with the poster that said he was Dri Archer 2. Cut him now and move on.

 

Thanks Benny, I was just about to draft him in the 1st round for my fantasy JV team..now I have second thoughts

 

I couldn't remember Dri name, but that is exactly who he reminds me of.
Track speed, but football slow with no vision.
But the coaches will keep telling us they see something out of him, that us mere fans can't see.
I hope he gets cut, or find a sucker trade partner.

 

After he laid himself down and didn't want any contact from a 2nd string 185 lb CB, i have no hope for him.
Just like Spillane got smashed by a RB, i hope the coaches see he just isn't pro material.

 

This is his first real camp, and he does look like there are some improvements in his game. Specifically in pass protection. However he does look like his feet are going faster than his brain still and he needs to get more comfortable out there. The reality is there is probably only about 4-5 touches per game at the RB position that aren't going to Harris. He has very little competition for his roster spot this year though. Ballage seems to be a solid back up runner and we know what Snell is (a good ST player who is only good for a few short yardage carries). Those are your rostered RB's. Jaylen Samuels is an absolute disaster out there and would be an utter waste of a roster spot at this point. He is the same guy as Snell and Ballage, just much worse. At least McFarland brings other things to the table. The guys behind Samuels have essentially no chance.

But as for Archer... no. Its not a real good comparison. They aren't similar players. Archer was a return specialist that was more in the mold of a Tavon Austin. RB/WR hybrid. He just couldn't play either position at an NFL level, and then his confidence got shot (resulting in him not even being a quality returner). McFarland is a real running back, but one in the mold of a CJ Spiller. Never going to be an every down guy, but if he can carve a role out as a higher end back up/return man, that's likely his niche. I certainly had hoped for a bit more from McFarland so far, but I don't think he is in any danger of being cut. Just needs to work on thinking a bit less, not trying so hard to pop every run, and learning more on situational awareness. The Steelers need to help him succeed by finding him a hole other than between the guards to run through too.

 

They aren't going to give up on him after just 2 years, I expect him to have a package of plays this season.

 

Better than Archer! He's got his old coach, who'll know how to use him. Just watch.
Archer wasn't utilized properly and probably could've been better for us.
Najee will definitely get the workload, with ballage doing some short yardage stuff and McFarland will be the mixer.

 

Though Najee made that space. MacFarlane would have dance a Moonwalk and gotten tackled

 

Look at me

 

With all due respect the OP has a legitimate concern about a player who underperforms and you throw a snide remark without adding a positive or negative to the thread. It really comes off as amateurish sometimes. I mean what does "Look at me" have anything to do with this topic? One that does have merit I will add.

Saying that is the most idiotic thing you have ever heard would have actually been more constructive. "Look at me" actually comes off as "I know you are but what am I". It's pretty much a 3rd grade mentality. JMHO.

 

Yeah, we talked about that play. It changed my whole perspective on him. If he had slipped or something...fine. But he didn't. Some things you can't un-see.

 

Feel better now?

 

Actually, Yes I do. Thanks for asking.