Free Agents To Consider: Offense

[Tank 92]

It's curious that after 3 years Blount hasn't stuck anywhere. I don't know that much about him and wonder what the issue is(?).

[beanfigger]

It's curious that after 3 years Blount hasn't stuck anywhere. I don't know that much about him and wonder what the issue is(?).

The problem is he's a halfway decent RB. No one wants to pay someone like that at that position.

[ravensnick]

It's curious that after 3 years Blount hasn't stuck anywhere. I don't know that much about him and wonder what the issue is(?).

Well, he was drafted by Tampa and traded to NE. He only had one year left on his contract, so he set out in free agency. NE has Ridley and Vereen so they didn't need him. Pittsburgh then signed him. He had a 1000+ rookie season, but struggled before the end of last season. Blount also had some aggression issues, as he really got into with a Boise State fan after a game while he was at Oregon. It lead to some punches being thrown. His work ethic was reportedly bad in Tampa as well. So basically, your talented RB that gets in the way of his own success.

[Tank 92]

Well, he was drafted by Tampa and traded to NE. He only had one year left on his contract, so he set out in free agency. NE has Ridley and Vereen so they didn't need him. Pittsburgh then signed him. He had a 1000+ rookie season, but struggled before the end of last season. Blount also had some aggression issues, as he really got into with a Boise State fan after a game while he was at Oregon. It lead to some punches being thrown. His work ethic was reportedly bad in Tampa as well. So basically, your talented RB that gets in the way of his own success.

 

 

Yeah, I read some of this stuff on wiki. He actually went undrafted and agreed "in principle" to a contract with the niners, but ultimately signed with the Titans in 2010 and ended up being cut. TB picked him up off waivers then traded him to NE last year for a 7th round pick.  I was just wondering if he's not viewed as a possible everyday back for some reason or is it his attitude issues that have him moving around. 

[Tank 92]

The problem is he's a halfway decent RB. No one wants to pay someone like that at that position.

 

 

.....except the squealers.  Maybe he still has attitude issues?  I just hope he doesn't explode on us next season.

 

Seems like we still need some depth at RB(maybe more so now) and will probably address through the draft.

[bMore Heathen]

I'ma say it.

I'd take Sanchez as a backup

2 words...

Butt fumble

[ravensnick]

Yeah, I read some of this stuff on wiki. He actually went undrafted and agreed "in principle" to a contract with the niners, but ultimately signed with the Titans in 2010 and ended up being cut. TB picked him up off waivers then traded him to NE last year for a 7th round pick.  I was just wondering if he's not viewed as a possible everyday back for some reason or is it his attitude issues that have him moving around. 

He's not viewed as an every down starter. He a good committee back, but simply can't start. He just not that feature back type.

[ckgeisl]

Let's not turn Blount into Peterson, please. I would have liked for us to add him but he's not AP, the Steelers can't even run block. Without an elite O-Line he's not gonna look any better than in Tampa in his last few years were he was barely averaging 4 yards per carry. I don't even think he's an upgrade over Bell who's more shifty and just as tough running inside. Bell averaged an awful 3.5 yards per carry last season and he couldn't get anything going, so again calm down. I wouldn't worry about either of them, I'm more worried about shutting Big Ben down. The Steelers can't run the ball, no matter who they have back there. He'll have a subpar season because everybody expects him to put up the same numbers he put up in NE later in the season and that's not gonna happen in Pittsburgh. Good back, but useless if you can't runblock.

 

I have full faith in Ray & Pierce.

 

Let's not turn Blount into Peterson, please. I would have liked for us to add him but he's not AP, the Steelers can't even run block. Without an elite O-Line he's not gonna look any better than in Tampa in his last few years were he was barely averaging 4 yards per carry. I don't even think he's an upgrade over Bell who's more shifty and just as tough running inside. Bell averaged an awful 3.5 yards per carry last season and he couldn't get anything going, so again calm down. I wouldn't worry about either of them, I'm more worried about shutting Big Ben down. The Steelers can't run the ball, no matter who they have back there. He'll have a subpar season because everybody expects him to put up the same numbers he put up in NE later in the season and that's not gonna happen in Pittsburgh. Good back, but useless if you can't runblock.

 

I have full faith in Ray & Pierce.

MVP you bring up valid points if you go by last year results.   Unfortunately for your theory, its 2014.  Mike Pouncy (all pro Center) will be back, Mike Adams will be playing RT( where he was supposed to be playing) and Beechum will be play LT( he played ok the last 6-8 games).  Our running game averaged 4.4 yds per carry the last 8 games , in which the steelers went 6 and 2.  The first game, second series on offense Pouncy went down. Our OL went from playing ZONE BLOCKING ALL PRE SEASON TO HAVING TO GO BACK to regular blocking scheme in the second series of the season..  L Bell missed the first 5 games I think and our offensive line was in flux never playing the same 5 players in the same position once in the first 8 games.  We put Adams at LT and he was awful.......the last 8 games Big Ben was only sacked 6 times.   Keven Bechum Played RT LT Guard and center..........  NOW you add Mike Muncheck ( arguably the best OL Coach in the league ) and you have David DeCastro, Mike Adams , Bechum, Pouncy and Gilbreth you have a very young and strong OL. ( They will go to zone blocking again).  Ironically , our weakness last year ( multiple injuries resulting in multiple positions played by everyone will be our strengths this year and provide depth when injuries occur).    Then you add 2 bruising RB as a 1, 2 punch and watch out.  Then you add in a very efficient passing game and you have one hell of an offense to plan against.   BOTTOM LINE, I will bet the Steelers will have more rushing yards than Baltimore and it will not be close.    Rest assured, Steelers have always prided themselves as a physical running team and thought last year we would return but injuries have devastated us from the beginning.  We have heavily invested high draft picks over the last 4 years POUNCEY, ADAMS, DeCastro, Beachum and Gilbreath. and have probably one of the YOUNGEST lines in the league, not to mention very mobile and perfect for Zone blocking........Just WATCH......

[Lightlock]

Pipe dream or reasonable odds after he is released? Considering Rice will be in for a suspension and Pierce will be coming off surgery, plus knowing Ravens want to add 1 RB before all is said and done...thoughts?

[Bullrush]

Pipe dream? More like Pipe nightmare. CJbarely1K shows zero effort, throws his team maters under the bus and complains about not being the main guy in TEN despite performing poorly. Why would anybody want this headcase? He's cancer for any locker room.

[ravensfan2430]

Pipe dream? More like Pipe nightmare. CJbarely1K shows zero effort, throws his team maters under the bus and complains about not being the main guy in TEN despite performing poorly. Why would anybody want this headcase? He's cancer for any locker room.

I 2nd that. 

[rmw10]

CJ2YPC

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Thread closed/merged with Possible FA for offense.

[ravensdan]

MVP you bring up valid points if you go by last year results. Unfortunately for your theory, its 2014. Mike Pouncy (all pro Center) will be back, Mike Adams will be playing RT( where he was supposed to be playing) and Beechum will be play LT( he played ok the last 6-8 games). Our running game averaged 4.4 yds per carry the last 8 games , in which the steelers went 6 and 2. The first game, second series on offense Pouncy went down. Our OL went from playing ZONE BLOCKING ALL PRE SEASON TO HAVING TO GO BACK to regular blocking scheme in the second series of the season.. L Bell missed the first 5 games I think and our offensive line was in flux never playing the same 5 players in the same position once in the first 8 games. We put Adams at LT and he was awful.......the last 8 games Big Ben was only sacked 6 times. Keven Bechum Played RT LT Guard and center.......... NOW you add Mike Muncheck ( arguably the best OL Coach in the league ) and you have David DeCastro, Mike Adams , Bechum, Pouncy and Gilbreth you have a very young and strong OL. ( They will go to zone blocking again). Ironically , our weakness last year ( multiple injuries resulting in multiple positions played by everyone will be our strengths this year and provide depth when injuries occur). Then you add 2 bruising RB as a 1, 2 punch and watch out. Then you add in a very efficient passing game and you have one hell of an offense to plan against. BOTTOM LINE, I will bet the Steelers will have more rushing yards than Baltimore and it will not be close. Rest assured, Steelers have always prided themselves as a physical running team and thought last year we would return but injuries have devastated us from the beginning. We have heavily invested high draft picks over the last 4 years POUNCEY, ADAMS, DeCastro, Beachum and Gilbreath. and have probably one of the YOUNGEST lines in the league, not to mention very mobile and perfect for Zone blocking........Just WATCH......

Btw his name is Gilbert. I agree this could be a good O line. But this is several years in a row the unit has been diminished by injury. Most notably pouncey has yet to show the ability to stay on the field and will likely never fulfill his full potential because of it.

You should reserve judgement on the ravens line until it is a finished product. I expect both lines and teams to be improved with the bungles taking a step backwards.

[ckgeisl]

Btw his name is Gilbert. I agree this could be a good O line. But this is several years in a row the unit has been diminished by injury. Most notably pouncey has yet to show the ability to stay on the field and will likely never fulfill his full potential because of it.

You should reserve judgement on the ravens line until it is a finished product. I expect both lines and teams to be improved with the bungles taking a step backwards.

Points well taken.........understand that I think Mike Adams fell on DeCastro two years ago and then Decastro fell on Pouncey this year..Freak accidents but overall Pouncey has been hurt every year and the Steelers have been really focused on injury prevention relative to training.............for the previous 2 years with nominal results..  The past 2 years have been horrific .last year we were one play away from having to play a DL play on the OL...hard to believe but we were there last year.  BTW ..thanks for the heads up on Gilbert and Gilbreath  so your going to be picky over a 100 pounds  :>)  

 

I agree with you about the end result that steps on the field for the first game...Even then it changed for us on the second series of the first game and went down from there.    

[Vess42]

What about bringing Willie McGahee back for the big body in the backfield...he's already a proven runner and the whole playing time thing shouldn't matter being so late in his career and all.

[berad]

What about bringing Willie McGahee back for the big body in the backfield...he's already a proven runner and the whole playing time thing shouldn't matter being so late in his career and all.

 

"Willie" is old, slow, and done lol.

[MrDelDante]

I wouldn't say no to Andre Brown on a cap friendly deal.

[Vess42]

Why not bring back Le'Ron Mcclain? He was a big bruiser for us before and proven....

[Ravenslifer]

Why not bring back Le'Ron Mcclain? He was a big bruiser for us before and proven....

 

If you add his career rushing yards from every other year up, they equal about half of his 2008 total alone.  He's also only had 1 rushing TD since leaving us, and his YPC has been declining steadily.  At almost 30 years old IDK what he even has left.