Tag: Roosevelt Nix

Frank Reich explains release of FB Roosevelt Nix

Frank Reich explains the release of Roosevelt Nix.

The Indianapolis Colts made a somewhat surprising move by releasing veteran fullback Roosevelt Nix on Tuesday after signing him to a one-year deal in free agency.

Head coach Frank Reich told reporters on Wednesday that the Colts tried to develop a package for the veteran but with the limited offseason, they couldn’t find a way to do it.

Nix wasn’t being used much throughout training camp and his skill set would have him playing limited snaps anyway as a blocker. He likely would have aided the run game when on the field but given the unique season ahead, the Colts may need that spot for another player on the roster.

The Colts already have their backfield set for the 2020 season with the unit most likely working in a committee. It would have been tough to justify keeping Nix when the Colts typically run a one-back system.

Maybe the Colts look to explore this in the future, but it appears they won’t be running with a fullback in 2020.

Colts release FB Roosevelt Nix

Colts part ways with Roosevelt Nix.

The Indianapolis Colts released fullback Roosevelt Nix, the team announced Monday.

After signing Nix to a one-year deal in free agency, the Colts had said they had big plans to incorporate his talents into the run game, but it appears those plans have changed.

This is somewhat of a shocking move because of how much the Colts talked up Nix. However, he wasn’t getting many reps in training camp which ultimately led to his release.

The Colts have a pretty deep running back room with Marlon Mack, Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins. The move all but secures the roster spot of the latter.

The Colts have to reduce their roster from 80 to 53 players by Saturday, Sept. 5, so this is likely one of many moves to come.

What will Roosevelt Nix’s role be in Colts offense?

The fullback position is making a comeback in Indy.

Despite the league moving further away from the usage of the fullback position, the Indianapolis Colts brought in veteran Roosevelt Nix to help out on the front lines and in the run game.

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With Marlon Mack and second-round pick Jonathan Taylor leading the way in the backfield, the Colts have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. However, the Colts are also looking to get Nix some work in two-back sets throughout the games.

In a conference call with reporters on Monday, Reich explained a bit of what we can expect from the veteran Nix in the Colts offense.

“We are primarily a one-back offense. We won’t change form that, but when you go back to ’18 and we had (Ryan) Hewitt and we could do a little bit of that,” Reich said. “We just think Rosie (Roosevelt Nix) fits that mold. Obviously, he is a great special teams player, but can also help in the two-back offense stuff.”

Reich is referring to Hewitt’s role in 2018, which was primarily blocking in the backfield, typically being used as an H-back. This role doesn’t see any passing work outside of the occasional surprise leak at the goal line.

Nix won’t have a huge role in terms of snap counts. The Colts aren’t primarily a power team in terms of blocking scheme so having the fullback isn’t all that necessary—even though the position can be used in zone schemes as well.

So while Nix will have an impact on the roster, it won’t be to a major extent on game days.

“I can envision it being 10 to 20 percent of the offense, let’s just say. That would be the goal that it is somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of the offense,” Reich said. “There are things that you can do in a two-back offense run and pass game that are unique. It is a way to be more multiple in the run game.”

The fullback isn’t being used like it was a decade ago, but the Colts have plans to use Nix in the backfield to keep the defense on its toes. His role won’t be huge, but he should have some impact in the run game helping pave the way for the Colts’ new 1-2 punch.

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4 things to know about Colts new FB Roosevelt Nix

Some things to know about Roosevelt Nix.

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to sign veteran fullback Roosevelt Nix, adding some beef to the backfield and some help on special teams.

What role Nix will have in the offense isn’t totally clear at this point, but the Colts have used an H-back role under Frank Reich during the 2018 season. It’s just a one-year deal for Nix, who enters his sixth season in the NFL.

Here are four things to know about Nix:

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Five seasons with Steelers

After going undrafted in 2014, Nix signed with the Atlanta Falcons and spent the offseason working with the team. He was cut before the season and wound up playing with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.

However, he would sign a one-year deal with the Steelers during the 2015 offseason and has been there ever since. Over the last five seasons, Nix has playing in 60 games holding a limited role in the offense as a blocker.

A captain with the Steelers in 2019, he only appeared in three games and was released on March 18.

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Report: Former Steelers FB Roosevelt Nix to sign with Colts

Former Steeler fullback expected to sign with Indianapolis.

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According to ESPN analyst Jordan Schultz, former Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix has a new team, Schultz is reporting Nix will sign a one-year deal on Saturday to play for the Indianapolis Colts.

Nix spent the last five seasons with the Steelers. He came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and made the switch from defensive line to fullback. He carved out a nice niche’ for himself with Pittsburgh not only as a punishing lead blocker but also on special teams.

The writing was on the wall for Nix when the Steelers chose to sign free-agent fullback Derek Watt at the beginning of free agency. With true fullbacks something of a throwback in today’s NFL it’s great to see Nix land with another team.

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Colts expected to sign FB Roosevelt Nix

Colts are adding a FB to the offense.

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to sign veteran fullback Roosevelt Nix to a one-year deal, per Jordan Shultz of ESPN.

The Colts haven’t had a major need for the fullback position in Frank Reich’s offense, but it seems they are looking to add more beef to the backfield in 2020.

Nix entered the league in 2014 as an undrafted free agent signing with the Atlanta Falcons. He was cut before the season started and spent that year playing in the Arena Football League.

He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 and wound up playing 60 career games for them over the span of five seasons. He has been used solely for blocking purposes, evident by his 12 career receptions and four career carries.

The Colts used tight end Ryan Hewitt in an H-back role during the 2018 season and that could be the plan here with Nix. Looking to get some more help on the line for the running backs while also serving as a pass protector for Philip Rivers.

Nix appeared in three games for the Steelers in 2019, playing just 34 snaps on offense and 42 on defense.

Steelers FB Derek Watt on why Pittsburgh is the right fit

Pittsburgh Steelers fullback, Derek Watt, knows the team’s culture and thinks he’ll fit right in.

The Steelers made their first big move of the offseason when they signed fullback Derek Watt on March 25.

Watt drew comparisons to his upbringing when explaining why Pittsburgh is the right fit for him.

“I think what made Pittsburgh a great fit for me was the culture that they have there, the tradition that they have built,” Watt said. “They are a hard-working, blue-collar, tough-nosed organization. I just feel like it kind of fits the way I was raised and the way I try to play the game.”

Watt was born and raised in Waukesha, Wis., the son of a firefighter and a dispatcher of a building inspection company. His father, John, worked 24-hour shifts while his mother, Connie, worked her way up at the inspection company.

Watt knows the value of hard work and what an organization like Pittsburgh expects of him.

Just what should fans expect?

Given that the Steelers had a ton of needs and FB wasn’t really one of them, this was a surprise signing. Pittsburgh made him the second-highest-paid FB (behind San Fransisco’s Kyle Juszczyk) and released Roosevelt Nix.

In 2019, Watt played in 325 special teams snaps with a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.5. On offense, he logged 72 run-blocking snaps (58 grade)  to just four pass-blocking snaps (34 grade).

While he did score a touchdown, Watt only had eight rushing attempts for 10 yards.

Don’t expect the second coming of FB Dan Kreider, but he will be a vital part of this team. My thought is that he’ll have a more prominent role on both ST and offense than Nix did with better results. Watt is a tenacious run-blocker which should help running back James Conner tremendously.

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Steelers terminate contract of FB Roosevelt Nix

Steelers release veteran fullback Roosevelt Nix

As anticipated, with the signing of FB Derek Watt, the Steelers released FB Roosevelt Nix on Wednesday. Nix had been under contract through 2021 and was slated to earn a $1.45 million base salary in 2020. He will still count $875,000 against the cap in 2020.

Injures in 2019 limited Nix to just 34 snaps. In his five-year career in Pittsburgh, the FB played in 60 games. He had one receiving touchdown on 69 yards receiving and four yards rushing with a TD.

The Steelers rarely utilized the FB position and Nix was primarily used on special teams. For that unit, he had two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 34 combined tackles.

In 2018, Nix was named to his first Pro Bowl when he replaced New England Patriots FB James Develin.

 

Steelers designate 2 players to return from IR

The Steelers could have two players back in the playoffs.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers should find a way to get into the playoffs, they could have two players back. The team announced on Thursday that fullback Roosevelt Nix and wide receiver Ryan Switzer, who are both on IR, are designated to return and with that could be back if the Steelers advance in the playoffs.

Of the two, Nix is the guy who could have the biggest impact on the team. Unfortunately for Switzer, 2019 hasn’t been much of a year for him. After doing a little of everything for the offense last season, Switzer was phased out almost completely this year and even his return game was struggling.

But Nix is a different story. The run game has been stagnant most of the season because of a multitude of factors. There aren’t many teams who use much of the pure fullback but if having a blocker like Nix in the game can help, I’m all for it.

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Steelers send 2 to Injured/Reserve, sign replacements

Pittsburgh loses their starting fullback and primary kick returner.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Thursday, just hours before they take on the Cleveland Browns that they were sending two players from the 53-man roster to the injured/reserve list. One is starting fullback Roosevelt Nix and the other is reserve wide receiver and kick returner Ryan Switzer.

To replace Nix and Switzer, the Steelers have signed wide receiver Tevin Jones and linebacker Jayrone Elliott to replace them. With Nix on IR the Steelers will no longer utilize a true fullback in the run game. Look for Pittsburgh to motion tight end into the backfield at times to allow for a lead blocker but know it won’t be the same.

With Switzer done for the year, the Steelers will have to find someone else to return punts and kicks. It will most likely be wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Switzer was rarely utilized in the passing game this season.