The combine wasn't an abberation, Dwyer still sucks (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

(The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette believes RB Jonathan Dwyer (shoulder) is now on the outside looking in for a roster spot.

Bouchette had Dwyer pegged as the No. 2 back after OTAs, but the rookie had a disastrous training camp. In addition to hamstring and shoulder injuries, Dwyer also incurred the wrath of his coaches and has yet to show that "football is important to him all of the time, not just once in a while." Isaac Redman may yet emerge as a "handcuff" to Rashard Mendenhall.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

[Bri]

what would steelers fans say if they cut him?

 

[sgtrobo]

good riddance

dude is a dud. Definitely worth taking a chance on him at #6, but he just doesn't give a darn about football. He's one of those guys who is talented and relied on it his entire life. Now that others are as talented as he is, he quits

he won't get cut, he'll get IR'ed and hopefully Tomlin can get his sorry, lazy ### in gear

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Now mendy is much more talented than dwyer, but there was many here calling mendy soft and not very good after his first training camp with the team. For what it is worth though, I am not a fan of dwyer and I don't know how the Steelers did not try to bring in Westy or another semi proven back as they need to rely heavy on the run especially to start the season without Ben playing.

 

[Bri]

Westbrook in SanFran

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Westbrook in SanFran

So that's why the Steelers didn't sign Westbrook all off season - because the 49ers signed him this week.

 

[loose circuits]

I think it's possible that Isaac Redman comes out of the scrap heap. Mendenhall seems to have raw talent, but he doesn't play with any type of football IQ nor does he have a lot of aggressiveness. Also keeping my eye on Justin Vincent. He's not bad either

 

[sgtrobo]

justin vincent is a camp body

i like Redman though.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

Westbrook in SanFran

So that's why the Steelers didn't sign Westbrook all off season - because the 49ers signed him this week.

The Steelers already have Westbrook: his name is Mewelde Moore.The only reason they drafted Dwyer was because of how poor their short yardage running game was last year. And the only reason they didn't keep Redman on the roster to fill that role last year was because they had too much $$$ tied up in Willie Parker.Now that Parker's gone, Redman's back, and he's tearing up short yardage just like he did last year in camp. Only difference is, this year there's room for him. Wasn't a bad thought to bring in a college stud with a big body to see how he'd fare. But he's not even on the same planet as Ike right now.Dwyer's not "in danger" of not being on the opening day roster -- he's a slam dunk not to be on it. They've got their starter, their change of pace/pass catching guy, and their short yardage horse.PIT's running game's in good hands. Dwyer's dead weight. Nice experiment, but it's pretty much over.

 

[loose circuits]

justin vincent is a camp bodyi like Redman though.

Vincent has been with the team for a while. He's not just a camp body. They may be keeping him around for a reason (see something they like)

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Many in the draft community had Dwyer as a top 100 talent and it was puzzling that he dropped to the 6th. His "football character" is obviously terrible and that was the missing piece from our scouting reports. He did have tremendous innate talent for running the ball, ah well.

 

[treat88]

Westbrook in SanFran

So that's why the Steelers didn't sign Westbrook all off season - because the 49ers signed him this week.

The Steelers already have Westbrook: his name is Mewelde Moore.

Not even close. Not even on his best day when he still had talent 2 years ago.Moore is awful. He runs poorly, he blocks poorly, and he even catches poorly these days.

 

[sgtrobo]

Vincent has been with the team for a while. He's not just a camp body. They may be keeping him around for a reason (see something they like)

we'll agree to disagree. how many snaps during the regular season has Vincent seen?exactly.camp body. Good attitude, good guy, someone they'll keep around, but he won't sniff the roster unless there are quite a few injuriesand whomever said Mewelde Moore is Brian Westbrook, please, splash some cold water on your face, you're obviously suffering from heat exhaustion!

 

[treat88]

Vincent has been with the team for a while. He's not just a camp body. They may be keeping him around for a reason (see something they like)

we'll agree to disagree. how many snaps during the regular season has Vincent seen?exactly.camp body. Good attitude, good guy, someone they'll keep around, but he won't sniff the roster unless there are quite a few injuriesand whomever said Mewelde Moore is Brian Westbrook, please, splash some cold water on your face, you're obviously suffering from heat exhaustion!

I'd give Wright a look before Vincent.Vincent is the definition of a camp body.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

Westbrook in SanFran

So that's why the Steelers didn't sign Westbrook all off season - because the 49ers signed him this week.

The Steelers already have Westbrook: his name is Mewelde Moore.

Not even close. Not even on his best day when he still had talent 2 years ago.Moore is awful. He runs poorly, he blocks poorly, and he even catches poorly these days.

Moore's fine. He runs a little soft, and has never been starter material...which is why he's not. He catches fine, and seems to get asked to when the Steelers need that.Is he better than Westbrook was when Westbrook was a star? No. But Westbrook is over. All he brings to the table is soft running and an ability to go into a pattern. In other words, they're the same guy, except Moore already knows the playbook and the nuances of his teammates inside and out. Westbrook would be a waste. Moore remains a minor asset.Not sure what you're watching, mate.

 

[treat88]

Westbrook in SanFran

So that's why the Steelers didn't sign Westbrook all off season - because the 49ers signed him this week.

The Steelers already have Westbrook: his name is Mewelde Moore.

Not even close. Not even on his best day when he still had talent 2 years ago.Moore is awful. He runs poorly, he blocks poorly, and he even catches poorly these days.

Moore's fine. He runs a little soft, and has never been starter material...which is why he's not. He catches fine, and seems to get asked to when the Steelers need that.Is he better than Westbrook was when Westbrook was a star? No. But Westbrook is over. All he brings to the table is soft running and an ability to go into a pattern. In other words, they're the same guy, except Moore already knows the playbook and the nuances of his teammates inside and out. Westbrook would be a waste. Moore remains a minor asset.Not sure what you're watching, mate.

I'm watching a guy who routinely gets rag dolled in blitz pick-up. Goes down on first contact. Gets covered by linebackers. Who's only value to the team is fair catching a punt inside the 10, which job he has now lost.Redman is better in every aspect of the game than Moore. Vincent and Wright are both better with the ball in their hands. The only reason Moore makes this roster is vet experience.As valuable as he was in 2008, he was simply a liability every time he was on the field in 2009. He has declined since 2009.

 

[JetMaxx]

Many in the draft community had Dwyer as a top 100 talent and it was puzzling that he dropped to the 6th. His "football character" is obviously terrible and that was the missing piece from our scouting reports. He did have tremendous innate talent for running the ball, ah well.

The Combine results concurred with his innability to run the ball at the Pro level.

 

[Nero]

Not even close. Not even on his best day when he still had talent 2 years ago.Moore is awful. He runs poorly, he blocks poorly, and he even catches poorly these days.

I don't know what Moore you watching either. Every time Mwelde Moore has been pressed into action he has been productive.

 

[dmac37]

Not even close. Not even on his best day when he still had talent 2 years ago.Moore is awful. He runs poorly, he blocks poorly, and he even catches poorly these days.

I don't know what Moore you watching either. Every time Mwelde Moore has been pressed into action he has been productive.

Not a superstar but very productive when called upon.

 

[timschochet]

You know how so many of these QBs who put up great numbers in college disappear in the pros because they were "system" QBs? All the Texas Tech guys, for instance. Dwyer is an example of a "system" running back, which is really quite unusual. But Georgia Tech is probably the most successful running team in recent years because of the offense they run. This year they will put another guy in Dwyer's slot, Anthony Allen, and he's going to put up equivalent numbers to Dwyer (at least I hope so, because I drafted him in the college FF draft in the FFA). But it's all because of the system.

 

[Kleck]

Good thread. Too bad we're still waiting on one of our rookie drafts. I was looking forward to someone wasting a late 1st to early/mid 2nd on him.

 

[Rick James]

You know how so many of these QBs who put up great numbers in college disappear in the pros because they were "system" QBs? All the Texas Tech guys, for instance. Dwyer is an example of a "system" running back, which is really quite unusual. But Georgia Tech is probably the most successful running team in recent years because of the offense they run. This year they will put another guy in Dwyer's slot, Anthony Allen, and he's going to put up equivalent numbers to Dwyer (at least I hope so, because I drafted him in the college FF draft in the FFA). But it's all because of the system.

That's not entirely true. Dwyer's freshman year, he backed up Tashard Choice in Chan Gailey's pro-set offense, and had a very productive year for a freshman. 80 carries, 400 yards and 9 TDs. Dwyer's always been explosive for his size.As a Tech fan, it really blows my mind that he's done this to himself. After 2008, everyone was saying he would be a 1st round pick this year, that San Diego would probably take him to replace LT. Then he shows up to the combine in awful shape, and the rest is history.

 

[treat88]

Not even close. Not even on his best day when he still had talent 2 years ago.Moore is awful. He runs poorly, he blocks poorly, and he even catches poorly these days.

I don't know what Moore you watching either. Every time Mwelde Moore has been pressed into action he has been productive.

Not a superstar but very productive when called upon.

This was true in 2008, and like many I thought he was a very capable back coming into the 2009 season.Unfortunately he was a different, far less talented player in 2009 and hasn't flashed those previous skills again.I appreciate those whose opinion differs, but it's an opinion based on a player that no longer exists.

 

[Clifford]

Many in the draft community had Dwyer as a top 100 talent and it was puzzling that he dropped to the 6th. His "football character" is obviously terrible and that was the missing piece from our scouting reports. He did have tremendous innate talent for running the ball, ah well.

Officially safe to drop in dynasty? I need a kicker...

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Many in the draft community had Dwyer as a top 100 talent and it was puzzling that he dropped to the 6th. His "football character" is obviously terrible and that was the missing piece from our scouting reports. He did have tremendous innate talent for running the ball, ah well.

Officially safe to drop in dynasty? I need a kicker...

depends on where he gets added after he gets cut. if you dont see him get added right away and the Steelers dont stash him on the PS, probably dropable, but dont forget him once he does get re-signed

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Many in the draft community had Dwyer as a top 100 talent and it was puzzling that he dropped to the 6th. His "football character" is obviously terrible and that was the missing piece from our scouting reports. He did have tremendous innate talent for running the ball, ah well.

The Combine results concurred with his innability to run the ball at the Pro level.

The Steelers RB coach disagrees with you:

But Wilson says that Dwyer is coming on, that he’s realizing he cannot be a one-trick pony the way he was at Georgia Tech. “We know he can run,’’ Wilson said.

But can he pick up the blitz? Can he catch? Wilson said he has shown a good ability to catch. He also said that he’s learning that he has to concentrate on football all the time, not just when he wants to. That’s another adjustment that he is making.

 

[JohnnyU]

Many in the draft community had Dwyer as a top 100 talent and it was puzzling that he dropped to the 6th. His "football character" is obviously terrible and that was the missing piece from our scouting reports. He did have tremendous innate talent for running the ball, ah well.

Officially safe to drop in dynasty? I need a kicker...

depends on where he gets added after he gets cut. if you dont see him get added right away and the Steelers dont stash him on the PS, probably dropable, but dont forget him once he does get re-signed

Given Dwyer's makup and Pittsburgh love of the power running game, how could he possibly find a better situation than Pittsburgh? In other words, if he can't make it in Pittsburgh, he probably can't make it anywhere.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Many in the draft community had Dwyer as a top 100 talent and it was puzzling that he dropped to the 6th. His "football character" is obviously terrible and that was the missing piece from our scouting reports. He did have tremendous innate talent for running the ball, ah well.

Officially safe to drop in dynasty? I need a kicker...

depends on where he gets added after he gets cut. if you dont see him get added right away and the Steelers dont stash him on the PS, probably dropable, but dont forget him once he does get re-signed

Given Dwyer's makup and Pittsburgh love of the power running game, how could he possibly find a better situation than Pittsburgh? In other words, if he can't make it in Pittsburgh, he probably can't make it anywhere.

not true, the Steelers are a team that puts a real emphasis on culture/character (look at how they handled Holmes). There are other organizations that are more willing to give guys second (and third and fourth) chances...

 

[bigern1000]

Good thread. Too bad we're still waiting on one of our rookie drafts. I was looking forward to someone wasting a late 1st to early/mid 2nd on him.

He just got taken at 2.09 in my rookie draft today. And the freefall continues...

 

[Clifford]

Looks like Dwyer could have played his way onto the roster last night. 89 yards and a score on 13 carries. Not bad.

 

[trader jake]

Looks like Dwyer could have played his way onto the roster last night. 89 yards and a score on 13 carries. Not bad.

As an owner that rolled the dice on a RB (knowing that the pick could be worthless) I'm interested to know how he looked. The stat sheet looks great but did the light bulb go on or did he just benefit from huge holes, third string competition, etc.??

 

[jude]

Looks like Dwyer could have played his way onto the roster last night. 89 yards and a score on 13 carries. Not bad.

As an owner that rolled the dice on a RB (knowing that the pick could be worthless) I'm interested to know how he looked. The stat sheet looks great but did the light bulb go on or did he just benefit from huge holes, third string competition, etc.??

he looked awesome. tough and fast. if he is cut, he DEFINITELY will not make it through waivers. broke tackles like a beast too.

 

[Steeler]

Looks like Dwyer could have played his way onto the roster last night. 89 yards and a score on 13 carries. Not bad.

As an owner that rolled the dice on a RB (knowing that the pick could be worthless) I'm interested to know how he looked. The stat sheet looks great but did the light bulb go on or did he just benefit from huge holes, third string competition, etc.??

he looked awesome. tough and fast. if he is cut, he DEFINITELY will not make it through waivers. broke tackles like a beast too.

He looked good on a couple of runs, but it was against 2nd and 3rd teamers. Also, it seems he needs alot of work on pass protection... he seemed to wiff a couple times. So he might make the final 53, but he has a long way to go IMO.

 

[Alluro]

Looks like Dwyer could have played his way onto the roster last night. 89 yards and a score on 13 carries. Not bad.

As an owner that rolled the dice on a RB (knowing that the pick could be worthless) I'm interested to know how he looked. The stat sheet looks great but did the light bulb go on or did he just benefit from huge holes, third string competition, etc.??

he looked awesome. tough and fast. if he is cut, he DEFINITELY will not make it through waivers. broke tackles like a beast too.

Agreed. Troy Aikman commented that he looked like Mark Bavaro as he was carrying 2 and 3 defenders on his back during one 17 yd scamper. Then he looked explosive on a 40 yd run on the next play. He even showed good vision on his TD run as he made a quick cut in the backfield and then took it outside for the score. Ignore him at your own risk, it was evident last night that Dwyer has the goods

 

[offdee]

Looks like Dwyer could have played his way onto the roster last night. 89 yards and a score on 13 carries. Not bad.

As an owner that rolled the dice on a RB (knowing that the pick could be worthless) I'm interested to know how he looked. The stat sheet looks great but did the light bulb go on or did he just benefit from huge holes, third string competition, etc.??

A little of both.At the beginning he looked lost. Missed a crucial blitz block that forced Leftwich to throw it away and draw a grounding penalty and also went the wrong way on a called running play. But he seemed to gain some confidence as it went on. His TD wasn't anything spectacular but showed enough speed to get the edge and a free walk into the corner of the endzone. But his 2 big runs showed some great athleticism and you could tell he was starting to feel it. A 17 yard bulldozing run that carried half the defense on his back for about 10 yards, and then his long 40 yard run showed an athletic jump over a pile and then an instinctive cutback to help gain an extra 20 yards.I really think he's one of these guys that plays slower when he's not completely sure of what he's doing, but once comfortable in the offense his natural running instincts should take over.I'm still skeptical he amounts to much of anything, but finally had a SMALL glimmer of hope last night.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

It was great fun listening to this on the radio after I quit watching in the 2nd half. The local announcers were flabbergasted. "Who the hell is this guy, and what has he done with Jonathan Dwyer?"

Frank Summers just had an awfully sleepless night.

 

[jude]

Looks like Dwyer could have played his way onto the roster last night. 89 yards and a score on 13 carries. Not bad.

As an owner that rolled the dice on a RB (knowing that the pick could be worthless) I'm interested to know how he looked. The stat sheet looks great but did the light bulb go on or did he just benefit from huge holes, third string competition, etc.??

he looked awesome. tough and fast. if he is cut, he DEFINITELY will not make it through waivers. broke tackles like a beast too.

He looked good on a couple of runs, but it was against 2nd and 3rd teamers. Also, it seems he needs alot of work on pass protection... he seemed to wiff a couple times. So he might make the final 53, but he has a long way to go IMO.

i agree, but there is far less seperating this guy and Beanie then most would admit. Both are strong and fast and both are a little lazy sometimes and miss assignments.

 

[Steed]

Yeah he busted off a couple nice runs, but he looks like Lendale running the ball. I wouldn't be too excited.

 

[Alluro]

Yeah he busted off a couple nice runs, but he looks like Lendale running the ball. I wouldn't be too excited.

Fatdale, in his entire career, has never had two runs as impressive as Dwyer's two big runs yesterday. As a titans fan I feel I can safely say that.

 

[Casting Couch]

i agree, but there is far less seperating this guy and Beanie then most would admit. Both are strong and fast and both are a little lazy sometimes and miss assignments.

huh ?

 

[Don Quixote]

You know how so many of these QBs who put up great numbers in college disappear in the pros because they were "system" QBs? All the Texas Tech guys, for instance. Dwyer is an example of a "system" running back, which is really quite unusual. But Georgia Tech is probably the most successful running team in recent years because of the offense they run. This year they will put another guy in Dwyer's slot, Anthony Allen, and he's going to put up equivalent numbers to Dwyer (at least I hope so, because I drafted him in the college FF draft in the FFA). But it's all because of the system.

Dwyer always struck me as a guy who put up good numbers despite the offense, rather than because of it. I think Dwyer would have put up Heisman-type numbers if Gailey had stuck around.Allen will put up good numbers this year, but I see him as more of a system guy than Dwyer was.

 

[Instinctive]

Yeah he busted off a couple nice runs, but he looks like Lendale running the ball. I wouldn't be too excited.

Fatdale, in his entire career, has never had two runs as impressive as Dwyer's two big runs yesterday. As a titans fan I feel I can safely say that.

Chiefs game CJ4.24's rookie year? I feel like LenWhale had two great runs or more that game...

 

[Godsbrother]

FWIW: Tomlin praised Dwyer just a minute or two ago in his weekly press conference.

 

[jude]

i agree, but there is far less seperating this guy and Beanie then most would admit. Both are strong and fast and both are a little lazy sometimes and miss assignments.

huh ?

yeah sorry. wasnt really trying to compare each;s game to another. i meant, both were great in college, one slipped very far and one still made it in the first round. as far as talent goes, i think dwyer is good enough to be a starter in this league, just like beanie.

 

[Clifford]

Looks like Dwyer could have played his way onto the roster last night. 89 yards and a score on 13 carries. Not bad.

As an owner that rolled the dice on a RB (knowing that the pick could be worthless) I'm interested to know how he looked. The stat sheet looks great but did the light bulb go on or did he just benefit from huge holes, third string competition, etc.??

A little of both.At the beginning he looked lost. Missed a crucial blitz block that forced Leftwich to throw it away and draw a grounding penalty and also went the wrong way on a called running play.

But he seemed to gain some confidence as it went on. His TD wasn't anything spectacular but showed enough speed to get the edge and a free walk into the corner of the endzone.

But his 2 big runs showed some great athleticism and you could tell he was starting to feel it. A 17 yard bulldozing run that carried half the defense on his back for about 10 yards, and then his long 40 yard run showed an athletic jump over a pile and then an instinctive cutback to help gain an extra 20 yards.

I really think he's one of these guys that plays slower when he's not completely sure of what he's doing, but once comfortable in the offense his natural running instincts should take over.

I'm still skeptical he amounts to much of anything, but finally had a SMALL glimmer of hope last night.

All I (and likely the Steelers) were looking for from him was a dang good reason not to cut him. Had it been an average performance or just getting lucky against inferior competition I don't think it would have been enough. But 2nd string or no, you don't cut a guy that can do those things and has done it consistently against a decent level of college competition. After reading this (and that Tomlin complimented his effort in the PC) I can't see him being cut so they can keep Redman and Moore.Did he have any plays on Special Teams? That could help his cause if so.

 

[Godsbrother]

All I (and likely the Steelers) were looking for from him was a dang good reason not to cut him. Had it been an average performance or just getting lucky against inferior competition I don't think it would have been enough. But 2nd string or no, you don't cut a guy that can do those things and has done it consistently against a decent level of college competition. After reading this (and that Tomlin complimented his effort in the PC) I can't see him being cut so they can keep Redman and Moore.

Did he have any plays on Special Teams? That could help his cause if so.

Nothing notable that I saw. Mendy, Redman and Moore are safe. The Steelers will go with 4 RBs and right now I think Dwyer has the edge.

 

[Steed]

Yeah he busted off a couple nice runs, but he looks like Lendale running the ball. I wouldn't be too excited.

Fatdale, in his entire career, has never had two runs as impressive as Dwyer's two big runs yesterday. As a titans fan I feel I can safely say that.

Chiefs game CJ4.24's rookie year? I feel like LenWhale had two great runs or more that game...

That's exactly what I was referring to Instinctive. Lendale broke an 80+ yarder that year on a perfectly called play, and Dwyer looked the same way LenDale did laboring down the field all those yards.

 

[Alluro]

Yeah he busted off a couple nice runs, but he looks like Lendale running the ball. I wouldn't be too excited.

Fatdale, in his entire career, has never had two runs as impressive as Dwyer's two big runs yesterday. As a titans fan I feel I can safely say that.

Chiefs game CJ4.24's rookie year? I feel like LenWhale had two great runs or more that game...

That's exactly what I was referring to Instinctive. Lendale broke an 80+ yarder that year on a perfectly called play, and Dwyer looked the same way LenDale did laboring down the field all those yards.

I have never seen Lendale carry a pile of guys on his back for ten yds, never seen him make a jump cut like Dwyer did on his 40 yd run. Sure, lendale has some long runs in his career, but nowhere near the same level of natural talent.

 

[Steelfan7]

All I (and likely the Steelers) were looking for from him was a dang good reason not to cut him. Had it been an average performance or just getting lucky against inferior competition I don't think it would have been enough. But 2nd string or no, you don't cut a guy that can do those things and has done it consistently against a decent level of college competition. After reading this (and that Tomlin complimented his effort in the PC) I can't see him being cut so they can keep Redman and Moore.

Did he have any plays on Special Teams? That could help his cause if so.

Nothing notable that I saw. Mendy, Redman and Moore are safe. The Steelers will go with 4 RBs and right now I think Dwyer has the edge.

IMO Summers or Wright will make the team over Dwyer. Dwyer had a couple of nice runs, but also botch a called run play and Leftwich had to throw the ball away. He's not NFL ready right now and cannot be trusted in real game situations. Perfect PS player this yr.

 

[DaWidowMaker]

The run where he ran with the defense on his back for 15 yards will be one of his career highlights...that was incredible and I think a testament to his desire to run the ball and run the ball hard. You could never question how hard he ran at Georgia Tech.