Looking at a Pittsburgh RB?

[cincyhokie]

Here's the link:

http://diehardsteel.com/\

August 14th, 2007 by Neal Coolong

You might remember him. A WR from UCLA named Danny Farmer. I doubt it, but you might. He was a fourth-round pick of the Steelers in 2000, and was a tough cut at the end of training camp. The Steelers hoped to get him on the practice squad, but he didn’t make it. He was picked up by Cincinnati.

Farmer’s career has been less than spectacular.

Another WR that comes to mind on this topic is Fred Gibson. Also a fourth-round pick, Gibson came from Georgia, but did not make the team. They hoped to get him on the practice squad too, but he was nabbed by Miami, then Atlanta, and is now with the Rams.

Neither were great losses, but neither had spectacular camps, either. RB Gary Russell sure has. If drafted no-men like Farmer and Gibson are given second-chances, why wouldn’t Russell?

And which team in the AFC North is currently in need of a running back? The Cincinnati Bengals.

With second-round pick Kenny Irons out for the year with a knee injury, the Bengals are suddenly in need of a complement to the aging but fantastic Rudi Johnson. The Steelers will face a difficult time keeping the undrafted Minnesota product Russell, considering veteran Verron Haynes’ blocking ability and experience as the team’s third-down back when healthy.

Former Bengals locker room cancer Corey Dillon was brought up. The Bengals team page quotes coach Marvin Lewis as saying “It’s not anything I’ve really thought about,” in reference to re-signing Bengals career rushing leader. But they clearly wanted a change-of-pace back to compliment Johnson. And if Russell is available on the cheap (probably 1/10th of the price of Dillon, and with no guaranteed money, can easily be cut next year if necessary), don’t think they won’t come looking for him.

What’s more, Russell would come equipped with the working knowledge of the Steelers offense, making him an even better compliment to the sagging Bengals run defense than the offense.

Duus,

You know anything about this guy?

I would like to see them pick up another RB with a speed threat to spread the defenses out a bit more. Hopefully, something will come in the next few weeks in the waiver wire.

[kentjett]

This guy is a really good RB. He split time w/ Maroney for 1 year and he was injured for a full year at Minnesota causing him to be overlooked by a lot of teams. Looking at the Steelers roster, I believe he'll be a practice squad player. Cincy's extra recievers are looking pretty lousy, making the idea of picking Russell up a little more interesting. I'm all for it, he is definately a diamond in the rough.

[duus]

Duus,

You know anything about this guy?

I would like to see them pick up another RB with a speed threat to spread the defenses out a bit more. Hopefully, something will come in the next few weeks in the waiver wire.

Yes, but speculation on local sports tv/radio shows is that, given his recent performances, he will likely not be the odd man out when the rosters are cut to 53. Some speculate that they will keep 6 runningbacks, but I very much doubt that would happen. Instead, they will likely keep 5. Regardless, it is strongly believed that Russell will make the top 5:

Parker (lock)

Davenport (lock)

Kreider (lock)

That leaves at least 2 spots to be filled among the following:

Davis (fb ... will be cut)

Kuhn (will be cut or signed to PS)

Croom (will be cut or signed to PS)

Barlow

Haynes

Russell

As you can see, they will keep Barlow, Haynes, and Russell if they decide to have 6 RBs. Even with 5, it's everyone's thinking that they will cut either Haynes or Barlow. Neither of those guys has been anything spectacular this summer. My bet is that Barlow will go, unless Haynes' leg injury resurfaces.

[kentjett]

It is extremely rare for a team to keep 5 let alone 6. They need Barlow and Davenport for goal line carries and haynes for a third down back that knows the system inside out and he is a good blocker. That will leave Russell as the odd man out. I think your mixing Davis and Russell up. I'm not familiar w/ any Davis on their team. I'm pretty sure Cincy is going to keep a pretty good eye on what Pitt does.

[cincyhokie]

It is extremely rare for a team to keep 5 let alone 6. They need Barlow and Davenport for goal line carries and haynes for a third down back that knows the system inside out and he is a good blocker. That will leave Russell as the odd man out. I think your mixing Davis and Russell up. I'm not familiar w/ any Davis on their team. I'm pretty sure Cincy is going to keep a pretty good eye on what Pitt does.

From the talk on the Pittsburgh board it looks as if they are leaning on keeping 5-6 RBs. Kevin Barlow is the consensus for the odd man out.

Parker

Haynes

Davenport

Krieder

Russell

Davis

I don't know anything about Russell and Davis, but they look to be having good camps so far. Krieder, Parker, and Davenport are the locks. Haynes has the experience and is their 3rd down back. But yeah...I mean who keeps 6, let alone 5 RBs????

Interesting situation because of the Steelers success in drafting and signing FA RBs......hard to think that anyone that gets cut, maybe minus Kevin Barlow, wouldn't be worth a look at.

[cincyhokie]

You know speaking of former Steeler pick ups.....Andre Frazier is looking to be a solid pickup replacing the loss of Wilkins on ST. Dude has a motor.

[duus]

It is extremely rare for a team to keep 5 let alone 6. They need Barlow and Davenport for goal line carries and haynes for a third down back that knows the system inside out and he is a good blocker. That will leave Russell as the odd man out. I think your mixing Davis and Russell up. I'm not familiar w/ any Davis on their team. I'm pretty sure Cincy is going to keep a pretty good eye on what Pitt does.

Yes, sorry ... I corrected my post. Davis is a nobody fullback they have ... he will surely be cut. I meant Russell, of course. Anyway, I really do believe they will be carrying 5 RBs this time around ... as strange as that may seem.

[duus]

Yes, but speculation on local sports tv/radio shows is that, given his recent performances, he will likely not be the odd man out when the rosters are cut to 53. Some speculate that they will keep 6 runningbacks, but I very much doubt that would happen. Instead, they will likely keep 5. Regardless, it is strongly believed that Russell will make the top 5:

Parker (lock)

Davenport (lock)

Kreider (lock)

That leaves at least 2 spots to be filled among the following:

Davis (fb ... will be cut)

Kuhn (will be cut or signed to PS)

Croom (will be cut or signed to PS)

Barlow

Haynes

Russell

As you can see, they will keep Barlow, Haynes, and Russell if they decide to have 6 RBs. Even with 5, it's everyone's thinking that they will cut either Haynes or Barlow. Neither of those guys has been anything spectacular this summer. My bet is that Barlow will go, unless Haynes' leg injury resurfaces.

Well, Barlow and Croom were cut. That leaves Parker, Davenport, Kreider, Davis, Kuhn, Haynes, and Russell. Just heard on local sportstalk radio that there is no way they keep more than 5 runningbacks. Parker, Davenport, Kreider are sure to stay. Davis is a nobody and will be cut / signed to PS. Two spots for Kuhn, Haynes, and Russell. Consensus on the radio is that Russell will be let go. I am not sure of that, and think that Kuhn will be the odd man out. In any case, for what it is worth, they went as far as to be very concerned that he would not make it to the Practice Squad ... why? ... because "the Bengals will grab him. They are hurting and will get him."

Thought you might find that interesting.

[cincyhokie]

Yeah, the feeling I'm getting from the fans, media, etc is that Russell will make the team. I think the Bengals will pick him up if the slim chance opens up that he is cut. I doubt it. There's a better chance of the Bengals picking up one of the Saints RBs or Chris Perry being healthy enough to be back in the first few weeks of the season.