Replace Kaleb Johnson this season

[eyesofhawk]

I don't know, he had a solid freshman season with almost 6 ypc and almost 800 yards with almost 100 less carries than last year. Sophomore season was rough but he also didn't get as many carries either.

Well, if you can't see the difference in running room created by the line last season vs '22/'23, I don't know what to tell you.

K2 had some massive holes last season. And more importantly, the line was able to get a consistent push forward.

Close to 7 yards per rush vs Mizzou, without K2. Expect the line to bludgeon people in the run game this season

 

[Buffalo43]

Run the ball

Ha!

 

[TrojanHawkeye]

 

[Tom Paris]

"Different" doesn't necessarily mean "modern".

The main reason KF was interested in TL was the fact that his system was very compatible to what Iowa had done for decades.

Many of the West Coast concepts Iowa uses are over 50 years old.

The Shanahan stuff is newer. But what's to make it "modern", rather than just "different"?

Ben Johnson runs his stuff a little differently. Andy Reid runs his West Coast differently than Shanahan. None of their offenses are any more "modern" than the others.

"Modernization" is a fan narrative.

Iowa has run NFL scheme on offense for the entirety of KF's tenure.

And since you brought it up, Brian's offense was heavy in Patriots' concepts. But based on your posting history, you probably only characterize BF by '22 and '23, which is so thoroughly laughable.

Yes, circumstances in '22 and '23 caused the playbook to be pared down. (And Iowa is still reaping the benefits of that adjustment, to this day).

But the playbook was never the problem

Holy. Hell.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Remember back when we had to get through a season or two with like the 8th string guy running the ball?

 

[QChawks]

it's a case of "of what could have been" if KJ had stayed another year at Iowa

his first year in the NFL was quite forgetful

28 carries for 69 yards (2.5 y/a)
1 catches for 9 yards
8 KO returns for 190 yards

lost KO return job after week 2 fumble
played a total of 51 snaps in 10 games

 

[squeezebox_1]

it's a case of "of what could have been" if KJ had stayed another year at Iowa

his first year in the NFL was quite forgetful

28 carries for 69 yards (2.5 y/a)
1 catches for 9 yards
8 KO returns for 190 yards

lost KO return job after week 2 fumble
played a total of 51 snaps in 10 games

It's always a risk, but it is a weak class for RBs in the draft, his numbers would be extremely comparable to Jeremiyah Love's this year. Might have gotten a 1st round contract.

 

[DuddyB]

it's a case of "of what could have been" if KJ had stayed another year at Iowa

his first year in the NFL was quite forgetful

28 carries for 69 yards (2.5 y/a)
1 catches for 9 yards
8 KO returns for 190 yards

lost KO return job after week 2 fumble
played a total of 51 snaps in 10 games

Signing bonus was $1.3M and that’s all he was guaranteed. Bet Iowa could have came close to that but I’m not sure if his stock would have gone up significantly or not.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

it's a case of "of what could have been" if KJ had stayed another year at Iowa

his first year in the NFL was quite forgetful

28 carries for 69 yards (2.5 y/a)
1 catches for 9 yards
8 KO returns for 190 yards

lost KO return job after week 2 fumble
played a total of 51 snaps in 10 games

Yeah, real bummer for him. If he keeps his head up maybe he'll bounce to another team with an OL that can open up big running lanes. The Steeler OL wasn't good enough, requiring the RBs to be very quick-footed and shifty which is not KJ's strength.

Our RBs and WRs just don't stick. Did Smith-Marsette get on the field this season?

 

[uihawk82]

Signing bonus was $1.3M and that’s all he was guaranteed. Bet Iowa could have came close to that but I’m not sure if his stock would have gone up significantly or not.

And if he makes just the rookie minimum then he earned $840,000. So he has already earned nearly $2.2 million which most people dont make in their lifetimes.

I am sure he wants to get a lot more playing time and we shall see, he may need to adapt to a more shorter choppier steps when he first takes off.

 

[uihawk82]

Yeah, real bummer for him. If he keeps his head up maybe he'll bounce to another team with an OL that can open up big running lanes. The Steeler OL wasn't good enough, requiring the RBs to be very quick-footed and shifty which is not KJ's strength.

Our RBs and WRs just don't stick. Did Smith-Marsette get on the field this season?

Yep, Tyler Goodson was on the Colts during this year so that is about 4 years for him. Mikhi Sargent had one year so Goodson has a long career compared to most hawk RBs in the pros

 

[WeBeHerkin]

it's a case of "of what could have been" if KJ had stayed another year at Iowa

his first year in the NFL was quite forgetful

28 carries for 69 yards (2.5 y/a)
1 catches for 9 yards
8 KO returns for 190 yards

lost KO return job after week 2 fumble
played a total of 51 snaps in 10 games

We certainly beat Iowa State and USC with him here.

 

[QChawks]

Did Smith-Marsette get on the field this season?

No, last played in 2024 week 17 for the Giants. He was released as part of the final roster cuts in August.

 

[DuddyB]

And if he makes just the rookie minimum then he earned $840,000. So he has already earned nearly $2.2 million which most people dont make in their lifetimes.

I am sure he wants to get a lot more playing time and we shall see, he may need to adapt to a more shorter choppier steps when he first takes off.

I think the guaranteed 1.3 included his salary. It says that’s what he made this year total on sportstrac at least.

 

[WestCoastHawkI]

Signing bonus was $1.3M and that’s all he was guaranteed. Bet Iowa could have came close to that but I’m not sure if his stock would have gone up significantly or not.

probably would have won another game or two with him and made the playoffs. I bet his stock would have gone up. He seemed ready to get out of here.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

RB shelf life in pros is shorter than most. Rare to play into their 30s. I don’t blame him one bit just like shonn Greene when he left. Goal is to get that 2nd contract.

Im not sure what reason why he wasn’t a good fit for Steelers offense if it was scheme or just stuck behind top 2 RBs in front of him who missed 1 game combined. Where you go matters and see guys picked after him like marks for Texans, skattebo pre injury for the giants and monangai with bears all have productive rookie seasons.

 

[DShawkeye]

RB shelf life in pros is shorter than most. Rare to play into their 30s. I don’t blame him one bit just like shonn Greene when he left. Goal is to get that 2nd contract.

Im not sure what reason why he wasn’t a good fit for Steelers offense if it was scheme or just stuck behind top 2 RBs in front of him who missed 1 game combined. Where you go matters and see guys picked after him like marks for Texans, skattebo pre injury for the giants and monangai with bears all have productive rookie seasons.

Bad fit with a past his prime Aaron Rodgers, who I think prefers RBs with strong pass catching skills...which isn't exactly a strength of KJ

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

RB shelf life in pros is shorter than most. Rare to play into their 30s. I don’t blame him one bit just like shonn Greene when he left. Goal is to get that 2nd contract.

Im not sure what reason why he wasn’t a good fit for Steelers offense if it was scheme or just stuck behind top 2 RBs in front of him who missed 1 game combined. Where you go matters and see guys picked after him like marks for Texans, skattebo pre injury for the giants and monangai with bears all have productive rookie seasons.

Maybe KJ hung his head after being benched following the special teams mistake. Maybe not, I don't know.

But, the Steelers org. knew his physical measurements / running style yet drafted him quite high, so, his lack of playing time may fall squarely on him rather than it not being a "good fit for the Steeler offense."

Hope to hear his name on T.V. in the future though. Bounce back.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Yep, Tyler Goodson was on the Colts during this year so that is about 4 years for him. Mikhi Sargent had one year so Goodson has a long career compared to most hawk RBs in the pros

Tyler persisted through multiple teams and likely some mentally tough times. Good on him for sticking for a bit.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

We certainly beat Iowa State and USC with him here.

Or anything resembling a passing game. Maybe? Yeah.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

probably would have won another game or two with him and made the playoffs. I bet his stock would have gone up. He seemed ready to get out of here.

Stick around college if you've got something to prove.

KJ had nothing more to prove.

 

[QChawks]

Steelers signed Rico Dowdle

certainly seems they’re not extremely high on KJ

I have a feeling if he wasn’t still on a rookie contract, he would be cut