Steeler rookie back Jonathan Dwyer has been not so good in camp so far, and a recent blocking drill once again showed just how far the back has to go to make it with the club:
Dwyer went up against rookie linebacker Thaddeus Gibson in a renowned blocking drill called backs on ‘backers. Dwyer whiffed on his attempt to block Gibson. It was someone else’s turn to go next but coach Mike Tomlin called for Dwyer and Gibson to do it again. And then again. And then again. Of the other three times, two were draws and Dwyer neatly guided Gibson to the outside the final time.
Several minutes later, however, during a soft goal-line drill, running backs coach Kirby Wilson chewed out Dwyer for something else. When Dwyer came off the field after that, he slammed his helmet on the ground in disgust, a feeling likely matched by his coaches.
So it sounds like it’s been a slow start for Dwyer, but having a tough camp for a rookie is nothing new. Let’s hope the pick gets on track as I think he can be a surprise player during the season for the Steelers.
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Josh
August 9, 2010 at 8:34 am
All can be wiped away with a strong performance this week and weekend. Hopefully he can put it all together.
mark
August 9, 2010 at 9:37 am
No need to panic guys. Its early but I have a feeling that Dwyer is a RUNNER, pure and simple. No, I am not naive enough to think he doesnt need to know how to block, but I say let him run and see how explosive he can be for this team! I would rather he get carries than blocks anyway. Sure, that sounds dumb. But he was drafted to gain yards and I think he can do that. Especially with the new onus on line blocking and running the ball. Lets let the blocking portion of Dwyers assignments take care of itself in practice and let the kid RUN!
arrow61095
August 9, 2010 at 11:12 am
No worries. Maybe he is just one of those guys that needs a year on the practice squad or a year of not dressing. I think the Steelers will be fine at RB even if he doesn’t play a down this year.
1. Mendenhall
2. Moore
3. Redman
Personally, I thought Redman ran well enough last year to make the team, but his blocking and lack of special teams play put him on the practice squad. A year later, it looks like his blocking and vision (reading the defense) has improved a bunch and he has been running with the special teams units in practice.
jay
August 9, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Does that mean Redman is blocking better? If so, what about signing Westbrook as insurance…just saying.
arrow61095
August 9, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Redman has been blocking pretty good in camp. Back on Day 2 of Camp, he was the only player to successfully block Thaddeus Gibson when the Steelers did their “backs on backers” drill.
Gibson was matched against Rashard Mendenhall twice, David Johnson, Mewelde Moore, Frank Summers, Sean McHugh and Isaac Redman during the drill.
arrow61095
August 9, 2010 at 3:59 pm
I don’t think anyone will confuse Redman for an O-lineman, but on passing plays RBs usually need to help pick up extra blitzing LBs or Safeties and I think Redman will do fine at that.
Mike
August 9, 2010 at 4:26 pm
There is a reason Dwyer was picked in the 6th round….