FA RB James Conner (Steelers) - Signed to Contract 04/13/21

[AZCardsWin]

Reported on the Doug and Wolf show. 25 years old, 6'1" 233, tough runner with good hands. Has had injury issues but if he's the #2 RB in AZ, could be a nice fit with Chase Edmonds.

Tim in NJ

 

[Stout]

And to the idea that we need a NUMBER TWO to Chase Edmonds as a STARTER.

RB continues to be a problem heading into the draft, and I sorely hope this isn't our "answer."

 

[Proximo]

Ugh.

I suppose we need an experienced backup. But I don't want him seeing playing time, I just don't think he's very good.

 

[Solar7]

I really don't have any interest, which these days means we'll sign him and end up with him as a key component of our backfield.

 

[az jam]

John Gambadoro
@Gambo987

Only name I can see left at Running Back that would fit the Cardinals needs in free agency is James Conner.

 

[Proximo]

His stats are better than I thought. Just know when I've watched him play the last 2 seasons I was unimpressed.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Stats wise, Connor is close to a wash with Drake:

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Cardsfan77]

If he’s signed on I imagine it would be more of an RBBC than primary/backup. He was solid in Pittsburgh when healthy, but not flashy. Why all the hate, injury history?

 

[Shane]

Anybody averaging 4.3 yards per attempt with the amount of carries he’s got obviously has some talent… I don’t get the hand wringing especially if he’s cheap… I understand from the standpoint that we might not draft a dynamic running back if we sign him... But you’ll never convince me we were going to do that anyway… He is not the garbage everyone here makes him out to be including stout LOL… We need depth at running back and he fits the bill 100%

 

[Ronin]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Totally_Red]

The current RB coach worked with him in Pittsburgh. Very injury prone. Hopefully vet minimum if he's signed.

 

[mjb21aztd]

1 yr prove it deal if signed isn't he just kind of a slow back

 

[Zeem_Freeze]

we were 7th in total rushing yards and 8th in YPC during 2020. Could slide into top 5 with this improved o-line even if we sign someone who would wash with Drake.

I'm not worried about our rushing game. K1 and zone reads take care of that. Primarily concerned about AJ Green and his effectiveness. If he rebounds, LOOK OUT LEAGUE

 

[Proximo]

Anybody averaging 4.3 yards per attempt with the amount of carries he’s got obviously has some talent… I don’t get the hand wringing especially if he’s cheap… I understand from the standpoint that we might not draft a dynamic running back if we sign him... But you’ll never convince me we were going to do that anyway… He is not the garbage everyone here makes him out to be including stout LOL… We need depth at running back and he fits the bill 100%

He's fine as a backup. I want a RB that is actually getting snaps to be better than him. That's my only issue.

Hopefully his signing would not stop the team from selecting a RB in the draft.

 

[Zeem_Freeze]

1 yr prove it deal if signed isn't he just kind of a slow back

yes he pairs better with Edmonds than Drake did. I would be very comfortable with this signing.

 

[PACardsFan]

Anybody averaging 4.3 yards per attempt with the amount of carries he’s got obviously has some talent… I don’t get the hand wringing especially if he’s cheap… I understand from the standpoint that we might not draft a dynamic running back if we sign him... But you’ll never convince me we were going to do that anyway… He is not the garbage everyone here makes him out to be including stout LOL… We need depth at running back and he fits the bill 100%

I agree with this post. The Steeler OL was absolute trash last season. Probably the worst in the NFL. Their lack of a running game had everything to do with the line. Conners is a far more physical back than Drake was, and that’s what this team needs right now.

 

[Stout]

Anybody averaging 4.3 yards per attempt with the amount of carries he’s got obviously has some talent… I don’t get the hand wringing especially if he’s cheap… I understand from the standpoint that we might not draft a dynamic running back if we sign him... But you’ll never convince me we were going to do that anyway… He is not the garbage everyone here makes him out to be including stout LOL… We need depth at running back and he fits the bill 100%

You're "I understand from the standpoint" statement is a big part of it; I feel the FO might think by signing him the RB position is "fixed" when it is decidedly underwhelming and below average even with his addition. I mean, I want this big roster hole filled so we don't HAVE to draft that dynamic back, but I don't just want us to toss a warm body in there. Were he not injury prone, I'd be able to overlook his (per Stiller outlets) reports of disappearing in big games, his big fumbles in big moments, etc. Problem is, he's HUGELY injury prone. Adding him to a RB room with Chase and nothing else does nothing to alleviate the RB need. We need a starter AND we need depth. As I said previously, if he's just a depth guy at league minimum or close to it, okay, fine. Counting on him to be a starter or platoon starter is -worthy.

He's fine as a backup. I want a RB that is actually getting snaps to be better than him. That's my only issue.

Hopefully his signing would not stop the team from selecting a RB in the draft.

Bingo. Great way to couch it, Proximo.

 

[QuebecCard]

You're "I understand from the standpoint" statement is a big part of it; I feel the FO might think by signing him the RB position is "fixed" when it is decidedly underwhelming and below average even with his addition. I mean, I want this big roster hole filled so we don't HAVE to draft that dynamic back, but I don't just want us to toss a warm body in there. Were he not injury prone, I'd be able to overlook his (per Stiller outlets) reports of disappearing in big games, his big fumbles in big moments, etc. Problem is, he's HUGELY injury prone. Adding him to a RB room with Chase and nothing else does nothing to alleviate the RB need. We need a starter AND we need depth. As I said previously, if he's just a depth guy at league minimum or close to it, okay, fine. Counting on him to be a starter or platoon starter is -worthy.




Bingo. Great way to couch it, Proximo.

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2021/04/10/steelers-2021-nfl-season-james-conner/

Quote: Conner topped 100 rushing yards three times in 2020 but never got more than 20 carries in a single game all season. In those three games, Conner averaged 5.8 yards per carry and chipped in 56 more receiving yards.

 

[Stout]

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2021/04/10/steelers-2021-nfl-season-james-conner/

Quote: Conner topped 100 rushing yards three times in 2020 but never got more than 20 carries in a single game all season. In those three games, Conner averaged 5.8 yards per carry and chipped in 56 more receiving yards.

Popejoy? Who? Come to me with an Ed Bouchette article, or any of a number of respected Pittsburgh sports writers and outlets, with something more than an "all the blame doesn't fall on him" article, and we'll talk.

Nobody's saying all the blame for the Stillers' lack of a running game are on him; they're on Ben for idiotically running a pass-happy offense, and the staff for allowing it. JC certainly isn't going to transcend a running game, though.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Fits in perfectly with what we're doing, big name with major injury concerns.

 

[AZCardsWin]

yes he pairs better with Edmonds than Drake did. I would be very comfortable with this signing.

He would immediately be the 4th &1 pounding type RB this team has desperately needed to move the chains/ win games over the past few years. Skill set similar to Drake, yet 2 years younger and may come a lot cheaper. Go Keim !!!

 

[Veer]

He would add much needed physicality. With Kyler threating the edges with his speed, we need someone who can punish a defense down their throats. Plus he can catch and block. Reminds me of Pierre Thomas. Can start in a pinch but gets injured. Put him in a specialist role with limited snaps, and he will do well. It goes without saying that any RB signing at this time of the years signs for peanuts. But at least it would allow us to be more patient in the draft and not burn one of the first two picks on a RB. If Najee is there and we like hin, no issue. But if we go another route Conner at least has shown he can play. Plus his path to the NFL is an incredible story!

 

[PACardsFan]

If the Cardinals sign Conners, then they can go any combination of CB/WR/TE with their 1st 2 picks. They can grab another RB a little later in the draft. Without Conners, then we have to grab a RB with one of those early picks.

 

[Stout]

He would add much needed physicality. With Kyler threating the edges with his speed, we need someone who can punish a defense down their throats. Plus he can catch and block. Reminds me of Pierre Thomas. Can start in a pinch but gets injured. Put him in a specialist role with limited snaps, and he will do well. It goes without saying that any RB signing at this time of the years signs for peanuts. But at least it would allow us to be more patient in the draft and not burn one of the first two picks on a RB. If Najee is there and we like hin, no issue. But if we go another route Conner at least has shown he can play. Plus his path to the NFL is an incredible story!

Good post. Hard to argue with a lot of it. Speaks to my reservations not being with the signing, but our neglect of the position. If a piece like this were all we needed, great! If a signing like this didn't make it a lot less likely we would address the real need, great! I could definitely roll with Chase, JC, and a solid RB prospect from the draft. Problem is, I don't see that happening.

 

[BigRedRage]

I think he is just a bigger edmonds and nothing is wrong with that. I would still consider big, powerful backs in the draft regardless.