Game Thread: WEEK 4… @IND

[All-Star Benchwarmer]

Thank you for the time left on the clock Indy.

 

[All-Star Benchwarmer]

What the f.......

 

[All-Star Benchwarmer]

Harris....

 

[thedddd]

Harris....

Should have called the time out to get the composure back.

Anyway the mistakes early in the game cost them later.

A ton of injuries on offense and I cringe at the fact if Pickens got hurt they’d be in trouble.

 

[Superbelt]

Harris has intangibles, like team leadership, but lacks the actual on-field production. He kills this team. He's just not a bell cow. They would be best to let him walk this offseason, not even attempt to sign him.

Not picking up his 5th year was the right move.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Harris has intangibles, like team leadership, but lacks the actual on-field production. He kills this team. He's just not a bell cow. They would be best to let him walk this offseason, not even attempt to sign him.

Not picking up his 5th year was the right move.

I just don't understand why they keep trying to run tosses or sprint-outs with him when he is much better running downhill.

Although I say this knowing full well even running downhill he tends to dance too much lol

 

[Superbelt]

I just don't understand why they keep trying to run tosses or sprint-outs with him when he is much better running downhill.

Although I say this knowing full well even running downhill he tends to dance too much lol

Yeah, a lot of ballerina spinning in him, like Mendenhall.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Yeah, a lot of ballerina spinning in him, like Mendenhall.

Very much like Mendenhall. Dude has 30-40 lbs on some of these DBs and he's out there trying to juke them majority of the time. When he decides to run them over he winds up on highlight reels or Angry Runs. But why he doesn't do that every time is baffling.

 

[Superbelt]

Very much like Mendenhall. Dude has 30-40 lbs on some of these DBs and he's out there trying to juke them majority of the time. When he decides to run them over he winds up on highlight reels or Angry Runs. But why he doesn't do that every time is baffling.

We need Warren back, and need Patterson healthy. Both are much more helpful to Fields.

 

[thedddd]

The other thing with Harris is he never seems to find the hole and wants that contact at the line of scrimmage. You saw what this o-line was capable of opening up when Patterson was running before he got hurt.

I think @SteelersPride - > you mentioned how Harris is hurting this team vs helping last week. This game was very evident of that.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[Bridgeburner]

It’s absurd.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

It’s absurd.

TJ getting the Ben Roethlisberger treatment from the refs...

 

[SteelersPride]

Harris has intangibles, like team leadership, but lacks the actual on-field production. He kills this team. He's just not a bell cow. They would be best to let him walk this offseason, not even attempt to sign him.

Not picking up his 5th year was the right move.

Thank you! I truly dont care if hes “ running hard” or “hes really trying”

Hes just not good enough. Almost anyone else back there performa better with their opportunities.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Thank you! I truly dont care if hes “ running hard” or “hes really trying”

Hes just not good enough. Almost anyone else back there performa better with their opportunities.

There's more to it with Najee... Not making excuses, but this is a good read here


TLDR

Main issue... Zone runs. When others are deployed (Warren/Patterson, etc) they run gap runs. Essentially they are trying to make him Le'Veon Bell with letting him choose his gaps instead of forcing him to run downhill. Najee just doesn't have the same lateral quickness to maximize this scheme. Gap runs are downhill bursts so thats why Patterson & Warren look so much more effective.

Secondary issues...

• Predictable playcalling. Teams are dropping DBs down into the box mid-play when they suspect a run. Essentially they are constantly running against stacked boxes.
• Run blocking has been inconsistent. Especially on early downs. Harris is getting hit in the backfield nearly every time.
• Poor blocking on the perimeter (slot WRs). Arthur Smith's scheme relies heavily on WRs to block key assignments and they just aren't getting it done. It's embarrassingly bad to watch these block attempts on the all-22 film.

 

[SteelersPride]

There's more to it with Najee... Not making excuses, but this is a good read here


TLDR

Main issue... Zone runs. When others are deployed (Warren/Patterson, etc) they run gap runs. Essentially they are trying to make him Le'Veon Bell with letting him choose his gaps instead of forcing him to run downhill. Najee just doesn't have the same lateral quickness to maximize this scheme. Gap runs are downhill bursts so thats why Patterson & Warren look so much more effective.

Secondary issues...

• Predictable playcalling. Teams are dropping DBs down into the box mid-play when they suspect a run. Essentially they are constantly running against stacked boxes.
• Run blocking has been inconsistent. Especially on early downs. Harris is getting hit in the backfield nearly every time.
• Poor blocking on the perimeter (slot WRs). Arthur Smith's scheme relies heavily on WRs to block key assignments and they just aren't getting it done. It's embarrassingly bad to watch these block attempts on the all-22 film.

Not disputing any of this. However, what about all the prior years? This has always been najee. Cpat comes in and pops, warren has popped. Najee has always just been a volume accumulator.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Not disputing any of this. However, what about all the prior years? This has always been najee. Cpat comes in and pops, warren has popped. Najee has always just been a volume accumulator.

Predictability & poor OL has been the issue for 5+ years. For as long as Najee has been here.

 

[SteelersPride]

Predictability & poor OL has been the issue for 5+ years. For as long as Najee has been here.

I dont disagree. It certainly has been. However, why can others find success with their opportunities? Granted, limited sample sizes.

On the flip side. I feel like there is constantly excuses made for him. Some of them are valid, for sure. But why wasnt Kenny Pickett granted that same grace? I can list a myriad of factors contributing to him sucking. Or really any other player. I just dont see why theres always a pass for him.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I dont disagree. It certainly has been. However, why can others find success with their opportunities? Granted, limited sample sizes.

On the flip side. I feel like there is constantly excuses made for him. Some of them are valid, for sure. But why wasnt Kenny Pickett granted that same grace? I can list a myriad of factors contributing to him sucking. Or really any other player. I just dont see why theres always a pass for him.

There is plenty of merit to both sides of the conversation.

I tend to focus more on playcalling/coaching than the player. But really, the poor OL & offensive schemes have been the bigger hinderance. Najee isn't a good fit for zone but they keep forcing him into it. I've been wanting them to find a OC that can tailor their offense to their personnel, which the jury is still out on Arthur Smith. He's good at scheming route concepts for his receiving personnel, but his run schemes leave a lot to be desired. Najee has been in the league going on 3.5 seasons so everyone knows his film & how he runs. You'll constantly see DBs creep down towards the box, if not late blitz the box altogether when Najee is in the game. Forcing him to run laterally, much like how you defend Derrick Henry, is the best way to defend him.

 

[SteelersPride]

There is plenty of merit to both sides of the conversation.

I tend to focus more on playcalling/coaching than the player. But really, the poor OL & offensive schemes have been the bigger hinderance. Najee isn't a good fit for zone but they keep forcing him into it. I've been wanting them to find a OC that can tailor their offense to their personnel, which the jury is still out on Arthur Smith. He's good at scheming route concepts for his receiving personnel, but his run schemes leave a lot to be desired. Najee has been in the league going on 3.5 seasons so everyone knows his film & how he runs. You'll constantly see DBs creep down towards the box, if not late blitz the box altogether when Najee is in the game. Forcing him to run laterally, much like how you defend Derrick Henry, is the best way to defend him.

Fwiw. Smith has been bad …but if they ever unleash field….smith system is a perfect fit