When it comes to running the football, the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin operate when it comes to running the football. He reminded us all of this when he spoke to the media on Wednesday. This was Tomlin’s first pre-game press conference of the year and he once again stated his philosophy when it comes to running back James Conner.
We have players with unique and different talents, particularly at that position. We are not opposed to utilizing all of those talents. There is no question about who our bell cow is. Our bell cow is James Conner and he is our primary ball totter.
Conner has been the Steelers starting running back for the past two seasons. And in both seasons, Conner had to miss time with injuries. This has forced backups into starting roles with very little work prior to the injuries.
Logic dictates if Tomlin were to work the other talented backs into the rotation from the beginning it could serve two positive purposes. First, it would allow Conner to take fewer hits and actually have him healthy at the end of the season.
Second, if would give guys like Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. game reps and allow them to be more ready to contribute should Conner get hurt again.
But instead, we will watch Conner get the wheels run off of him and pray he can make it 16 games.
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