View topic - Frank summers

[CanadianSteel Profile]

I was very excited when we got him, been a big fan of his leading up to the draft this year. Just wondering what you guys see as his role this year. As long as he can learn the playbook ect i'm assuming he makes the team. dose he replace Davis? will he be our short yardage back? Or will he be another Fuamatu-ma'afala? Here is hoping The tank can get us the tough ones on 3rd and 1

[stillgrill Profile]

These type of bull-type rushers tend to grind down in the NFL. Bus was the only guy who seemed to avoid serious dings plus he probly played hard even when he was banged up. Too many people forget Bus was a HOF player - if the Tank can merely resemble Fu (but stay healthier than Fu did), he'll be useful. Guys like the Bus & Earl Campbell feel like they're 60 yrs old when they turn 40.

[LambertoCincoOcho Profile]

Earl was run into the ground. Summers will NEVER have 30 carries a game like Campbell had on a weekly basis. Summers may never see more than 10 carries a game. The unique thing about Tank is his soft hands. He makes the team easily by the way.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Nice stuff on Frank
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+North/Pittsburgh/WWHI/2009/wwhi051409.htm

[IronCity__Man Profile]

Summer reminds me a little of McClain in Baltimore. Tough runners who can also be called upon to take a screen pass. The only difference is McClain is sometimes a feature back in their rotation and Summers will be lucky to get 15 carries all season. Who knows, maybe we have something special here.

[CanadianSteel Profile]

Summer reminds me a little of McClain in Baltimore. Tough runners who can also be called upon to take a screen pass. The only difference is McClain is sometimes a feature back in their rotation and Summers will be lucky to get 15 carries all season. Who knows, maybe we have something special here.

Personaly i hope the guy gets more that 15 carries this year, but i agree that he could be a real weapon when taking a screen pass. I also think (and hope) this is the beginning of the end for Davis. nothing against the guy but i just didn't see him adding anything to the offensive last year. Not a great blocker, not a great runner. Came up short numbers times on 3rd/4th and 1. The image is burnt in my mind lol

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

I see him being worked in slowly as the Steelers do with all rookies.

However, if he shows he can handle the load and block he could turn into a great value. Third down pass catching threat, short yardage back, and full back. Those three traits if he develops can keep him with the Steelers for years.

Plus he could save a roster spot. Meaning he can do what both Carey Davis and Gary Russell were doing last year (pray no kick offs). Plus we have flexibility with Mchugh at FB/TE as well. This is a great fit for us and for Frank to get to a team that can use his talents.

Now if Arians will only use them.

My guess for this year:
25-35 carries
15 receptions
5 TD's

[CanadianSteel Profile]

I'll take the 5 TDs

[finesward Profile]

don't forget this guy is a beast on special teams. i predict at least 3 de-cleats this year that make the highlight reel. i think he takes harrison's spot on special teams now that silverback is gettin' paid.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

Love the Tank! Love the Wallace pick. Fear that Bruce "Neanderthal" Arians will forget they are there.
Imagine both TE's, Ward and Tone with Tank in backfield. Throw in Dixon as QB and you have options, Baby. Oops, my bad, we have Arians. I would bet Ward can still pass (former QB at GA.). Can you see a pitch to Tank, lateral to Ward then pass to Dixon who can run? Have to respect Tank with LB's, safeties, Ward with a LB/CB which leaves Dixon out in the wild green yonder! Yeah, right,... we got Arians.

[finesward Profile]

i don't want to see any play that involves so much shuffling of the ball. i would rather see an aggressive spread offense to start the game, be up by 2 scores by the second Q and then go i formation the rest of the game using our strength, which is fantastic depth at RB (minus davis) Best way to keep ben alive this year is to go back to the run and dominate.

unless charlie gets pummled in preseason, which is likely...dixon will never see the field. it's a shame too cause he showed in preaseason last year he has the ability to scramble and take it to the house. i wouldn't mind if the steelers went to a 2 qb rotation, much like arizona did with warner before he became full time starter. It used to be that you have a workhorse stud RB that got all the carries, why not QB? spread the sacks out at least. have the defense prepare for a different look with dixon.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

Good point with too much ball handling but remember the Mularkey days of some originality/creativity in play calling. For the life of me, I cannot understand FWP on 3rd &3 with handoffs. One of best possession TE's in NFL in Miller, Ward gets open anywhere, Spaeth at 6'7' and we dive off tackle.
We should hit 40% of 3rd down conversions but we win in spite of Arians. Everybody packs the box, yet never do we try the 5yd dink pass to TE to get a defense off the line and out of the box. 3rd & 3 we run FWP. I just don't get it. Hope to see Tomlin step in and voice some opinion - let's be different.

[finesward Profile]

we tried plenty of short quick passes this year, maybe not on 3rd downs but we experimented with it. i remember plenty of instances where ben hit the quick pass just a tad bit early, like he would get flustered. a perfect example would be the screen pass. anyone who has watched us the past 2 years knows we can't use them to save our lives. absolutely suck at em, and it used to be one of our strengths with bettis. arians built this offense around ben, so the playcalling reflects ben's preferences and strengths, remember when arians was promoted they broke down the old playbook to make it simple for ben, well the short pass to heath over the middle must not be automatic at this point cause arians usually goes with a formation with ben 10 yards behind the ball so that a 3rd and short becomes 3rd and 15.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

You are right there, Finesward. Live in SC (NH before that) and don't get to see all Steeler games. JustenTV changes that! We do suck at the screen pass. Used to be automatic, unstoppable. Hopefully Tank brings it back, with options. Gosh, I just see us with ssssooooo many weapons but no creativity.
Like old Big Ten teams. Off to the right, around to the left, pass (only if middle is clogged) & punt.

To me, the best games in years were the playoff games for '05 Super Bowl when we p[assed to score, ran in 2nd half to drain the clock. Those pass offense game plans were a sight to watch. Do we (Arians) ever learn from that stuff?

[Snockered Pedestrian Profile]

Give the Tank a chance. A whole slough of short-yardage opportunities blown by Arians that can win some games when needed.

[finesward Profile]

If your near myrtle beach there is a killer steelers bar you should go to called Oscar's. I didn't miss a snap last season as I'm fortunate to have a pizzeria down the block that has the NFL sunday ticket. They are big steeler fans and always have it on gameday. If you ever come up to NC during football season come by and have a pizza and watch the game with us.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

Down here in Lowcountry-Sun City. Plenty of good places to go though. Hilton Hd big-time Steeler Country. Thanks for the Myrtl tip though. A lot, and I mean A LOT, of Steeler Nation down here.