What is the deal with Jonathan Dwyer

[Jetstream Green]

Looking back on him and he was highly recruited out of high school. He was a Doak Walker candidate while at Georgia Tech. When he entered the draft he was considered one of the top backs and then it all seemed to fall off the tracks. People started to question his conditioning and weight, the fact he ran out of a three back spread in college as a fullback and not a pro offense, and then lastly Dwyer tested positive for amphetamines at the combine, but it was later ruled exempt by the NFL after it was found out that the positive test derived from his attention deficit disorder (ADD) medicine.
What I am saying is that he might not be a pro bowler but he sure the hell has the potential to be more of a pickup to help this team than we think. Former Georgia Tech back Tashard Choice thought he would lead the nation in rushing but Dwyer chose to enter the draft and we know of recent Mendy talked very highly of him. It is not like these guys said he was good, it was more like they think he's exceptional. Of course they are all former teammates but you do not talk that highly without there being some truth to a player's ability. Those are just my impressions, that he could be a surprise

 

[Mainstreet]

I couldn't help but wonder why the Cardinals did not sign him to a two year contract in case he works out.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I know this, I have more faith in him working out than the greater enigma which is Ryan Williams

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I'll even take it a step further. I like What Dwyer has done in the NFL too. Steelers are no longer a good run blocking team and have a bad online last 2 years but liked his running style and vision. I was shocked when he was cut and resigned before last year. There must be something extra curricular there we are not seeing.

I wouldn't be shocked if he becomes a good pairing with Dre or is cut after TC. We'll see.

 

[WildBB]

This training camp should be a big one for him. He's got an opportunity here.

The starter is definately not set in stone.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

It would be great if he could come in and take the 2nd RB job. He has a great opportunity here and if he can get focused and put in the work it might just work.

 

[ajcardfan]

This training camp should be a big one for him. He's got an opportunity here.

The starter is definately not set in stone.

It's really hard for a player to make it big in the NFL. Not only do you have to have talent, you also have to be picked by the right team, at the right time, with the right teammates and the right coaching staff.

Personally, I think Dwyer wound up with bad luck being picked by the Steelers. I think he has a huge opportunity to break out of the backup role with us and he is going to play his ass off trying to take advantage of the shot we are giving him.

 

[football karma]

The cards do have a spot for a bigger back that can get tough yards in short yardage

He is listed at 215-220 or so-- does he play that big?

 

[THESMEL]

More RB's is better I want Carlos Hyde also - Where as some think a workhorse back is not important in the "NEW NFL" I still think they are even more important than ever! They are still the engine of an Offense and as evidenced by the Whizencards - they take the pressure off the passing game offense!

link
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664229/carlos-hyde

 

[Jetstream Green]

The cards do have a spot for a bigger back that can get tough yards in short yardage

He is listed at 215-220 or so-- does he play that big?

He sure did in college, but I had not watched enough of any Steeler games to have seen him play when he was given limited chances. I'm praying to the football gods that for once, for a change, a back leaves another team (other than the Jones and Hearsts leaving us) and becomes a stud for the Cardinals lol

 

[az jam]

Dwyer has had problems keeping his weight down and being in shape. He also has had fumbling issues.


This is from 2012:

Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer isn’t fat anymore, and that could be big news for the backfield in Pittsburgh.

Weight problems have plagued Dwyer since before he was in the NFL: He showed up out of shape at the 2010 Scouting Combine and slipped to the sixth round of the draft, and he showed up overweight at training camp last year and failed the team’s conditioning test.

This is from Sept 2013:

One week ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted nothing more to do with Jonathan Dwyer, but Sunday's events changed all that.

NFL Media's Steve Wyche reported Monday that the running back is expected to re-sign with the Steelers, according to a source with knowledge of the developments, after the team lost LaRod Stephens-Howling for the season with a torn ACL.


Dwyer is a known commodity, something the Steelers value. What they reportedly weren't excited about was his work ethic, but in a time of need, he'll be given another chance. At least until Bell is ready to make his debut.

 

[Shaggy]

Has he had any major injuries? I like the idea of Dwyer trying to make a name for himself here. Hope it all works out!

 

[football karma]

Dwyer has had problems keeping his weight down and being in shape. He also has had fumbling issues
.[/I]

Is two fumbles in his career "issues"? Doesn't seem like the sample size is big enough.

 

[PJ1]

I was less than excited about this signing. Was hoping we would do better.

Will hope for the best. Hope we draft a back in the middle rounds.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I would like the team to acquire Alfred Blue out of LSU as a late round pick or undrafted free agent
http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=204879583

 

[az jam]

Is two fumbles in his career "issues"? Doesn't seem like the sample size is big enough.

Got that from ESPN article when he was cut prior to the 2013 season

By Scott Brown | ESPN.com
Jonathan Dwyer's issues with weight and fumbles ultimately damaged the Steelers' trust in him, Scott Brown writes.

Dwyer led the Steelers with 623 yards rushing last season and went over 100 yards in back-to-back games against the Bengals and Redskins. Dwyer, who led the Steelers in rushing in four preseason games with 131 yards on 34 carries, struggled to keep his weight down in three seasons with the Steelers. The former sixth-round pick also had some fumbling issues.

 

[Chopper0080]

Let's all be real about what Dwyer is. At 800k, he is a player who can bring some of the same skills as Mendenhall, fills out some RB depth, but is totally upgradable. There is still a high likelyhood that the Cardinals draft a RB though now they do not have to. IMO, the Cardinals have 1 legitimate RB on the roster and 3 question marks. I have hope Taylor can show a bit more that what he showed last year, but Dwyer and Williams are both very expendable. Terrance West, Dri Archer, and De'Anthony Thomas are all still on the draft radar, especially if we trade back and acquire more picks.

We carried Mendenhall, Ellington, Taylor, Smith and Williams on the roster all last year, but I will be shocked if we carry 5 RBs again in 2014, unless we draft another fringe RB/WR prospect which allows us to save a WR roster spot.

 

[Totally_Red]

J.D. is familiar with B.A.'s offense, good in pass protection and can contribute on special teams. With a minimal signing bonus, he is a no-brainer signing.

Let's face it, it's tough to make 730 grand in the real world and he only counts 635-thousand against the salary cap.

If he saves Carson Palmer from two sacks by picking up blitzes and makes 2 or 3 special teams tackles, he is a bargain IMO.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I really like Dwyer coming out of college, and feel like Chopper pointed out, that he could fill the Rashard Mendenhall role. He actually could be a bit better than Mendenhall was last year from a YPG perspective.

Good veteran player, but an expendable one.

 

[kerouac9]

Let's all be real about what Dwyer is. At 800k, he is a player who can bring some of the same skills as Mendenhall, fills out some RB depth, but is totally upgradable. There is still a high likelyhood that the Cardinals draft a RB though now they do not have to. IMO, the Cardinals have 1 legitimate RB on the roster and 3 question marks. I have hope Taylor can show a bit more that what he showed last year, but Dwyer and Williams are both very expendable. Terrance West, Dri Archer, and De'Anthony Thomas are all still on the draft radar, especially if we trade back and acquire more picks.

We carried Mendenhall, Ellington, Taylor, Smith and Williams on the roster all last year, but I will be shocked if we carry 5 RBs again in 2014, unless we draft another fringe RB/WR prospect which allows us to save a WR roster spot.

I still haven't totally forgiven you for convincing me of Kulabafi's talents that I spent a second-round pick on him in my Dynasty League draft.

 

[Chopper0080]

I still haven't totally forgiven you for convincing me of Kulabafi's talents that I spent a second-round pick on him in my Dynasty League draft.

You aren't the only one. The convo went like this...

League commish - "Hey man, we will just give you Ellington here with your rookie pick."

Me - "Ellington? Nah man, give me Stepfan Taylor."

I still won the league, but I would have been set up if I had taken Ellington instead.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I'm not completely down on him like I was Mendenhall last year so he has that going for him/

 

[cardpa]

I think he has the potential to surprise this year. The whole RB thing was a mess in Pittsburgh and they couldn't seem to decide who they wanted starting. When he did play he did a good job. I see him at somewhat of an upgrade to Mendenhall. I could see him averaging better than 4YPC.

 

[BigRedRage]

he has 2 inches and 35 lbs on ellington so he should be a good change of pace

 

[MadCardDisease]

I think there are two major reasons Dwyer is on the Cardinals:

1. In Dwyers first two years he played for Arians, so he is familar with Bruce's offense and can be pluged right in.
2. Dwyer is a beast in pass protection. He'll help to keep Palmer upright when the Cardinals take shots deep down field.