David Johnson is your new Steelers full time Fullback

[Hawaii 5-0]

David Johnson is your new Steelers full time Fullback

May 23,2012

So it appears that new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley is putting at least some type of emphasis on the fullback position after all. Many fans were wondering if the team would draft a FB late in the draft last month, or perhaps pick up an undrafted free agent to fill that role. Things became a bit more clear, or perhaps even more clouded depending on how you look at it, according to Ed Bouchette via his blog:

Excerpt below (the full story can be read for subscribers). Either way there definitely appears to be a change of emphasis on the style of running that the Steelers will do.

"Steelers just finished their second spring practice and halfback Isaac Redman dropped some news – tight end David Johnson has been moved to fullback on a fulltime basis. He no longer attends meetings with the tight ends and will be part of the running backs meetings. Redman also said there will be more emphasis put on the running game this season."

to read the rest of the story click on the link below:

http://www.steeleraddicts.com/2012/05...

[Fire Arians]

well, i hate DJ but I'm willing to give him a fair chance in this new offense. maybe he wont whiff his blocks if he's playing the position full-time instead of an afterthought. when he does land his blocks, he is a violent hitter.

[Bayz101]

Originally Posted by Fire Arians

well, i hate DJ but I'm willing to give him a fair chance in this new offense. maybe he wont whiff his blocks if he's playing the position full-time instead of an afterthought. when he does land his blocks, he is a violent hitter.

If a player makes a mistake in a big game, fans can be hostile. Johnson deserves a chance in this new offense, and I can't believe i'm saying this, but so does Jonathan Scott. I recall him blocking well towards the end of the season, maybe he's just had some bad games?

[Hawaii 5-0]

seriously, DJ is the best option we could come up with to play fullback?

[casteeler]

I love this move! The NFL is obsessed with the "Passing Offense" and that is great but the fact remains that this Steeler team routinely passed on 3rd and very short and it resulted in 4th downs. The restructure of the Offensive line, addition of a REAL fullback and Redman(hopefully) will make 2nd,3rd or even 4th down & short situations more manageable and bring back the Run game to the Steelers. The power run game is becoming a lost art in football but maybe it can be a staple in this offense in 2012-2013

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

Originally Posted by Bayz101

If a player makes a mistake in a big game, fans can be hostile. Johnson deserves a chance in this new offense, and I can't believe i'm saying this, but so does Jonathan Scott. I recall him blocking well towards the end of the season, maybe he's just had some bad games?

David Johnson, yes. He whiffed on a couple of blocks last year, and the fans have never forgiven him since. When he does connect, he brings the pain. He needs this offseason to clean up his game, but I think will be a mauler by the time the season starts

Jonathan Scott, hell no. I have had to watch him getting spun around and lose his blocking assignments for two seasons now, and have had quite enough. I praise all these guys-- they are much better than I could ever be, but, I can't get over the way Suggs spun him around like a top and threw him at Ben in that first game last year. No more.

[Dodens Grav]

David Johnson will have to compete with Will Johnson for the FB spot. May the best man win. DJ should only improve this year if he makes it by being able to focus on a central position and not be moved back and forth between the backfield and the LOS. I imagine Haley may have had this in mind when he (presumably) recommended the Steelers sign Leonard Pope.

[Black N' Yellow]

Sounds good to me. He's not Dan Krieder but then again, not many fullbacks in the NFL are but I'm glad to hear this. He can only get better at blocking from here on out now that he isn't a TE lined up as a fullback.

[finesward]

Originally Posted by Hawaii 5-0

seriously, DJ is the best option we could come up with to play fullback?

Bring back Carey Davis and Sean McHugh...

Too bad we lost The Tank Summers to the Chargers!

[FrancoLambert]

Originally Posted by Fire Arians

well, i hate DJ but I'm willing to give him a fair chance in this new offense. maybe he wont whiff his blocks if he's playing the position full-time instead of an afterthought. when he does land his blocks, he is a violent hitter.

I hate him too. Seems like there's some mild amnesia making the rounds.
Seriously, think of his positive plays. Compare that wilth his negative plays.
Yes he is a load and maybe concentrating solely on blocking as a FB will enable him to contribute. But I don't see it in this guy. Not just physically, mentally too.
If Haley can turn him into a productive FB he will be a miracle worker.

As for Jonathan Scott......PLEASE!!