Captcoolhand
09-24-2009, 04:53 PM
The Steelers haven’t had a true blocking fullback since Dan Krieder last played for the team in 2007. After the first two games of the season, it seems as if they still don’t as rookie Frank Summers has been less than impressive as a lead blocker for Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall.
Summers, a fifth-round draft pick out of UNLV, has visibly missed blocks and assignments and is one of the many reasons the Steelers running game continues to struggle.
“Frank Summers is not impressing me at all,” said former Steelers safety and current ESPN Radio 1250 analyst Mike Logan earlier this week on 'The Drive.'
“He keeps whiffing on his blocks.”
He's also not contributing on short-yardage plays as he has yet to register a carry this season.
Marie Rancher, who covers UNLV for Examiner.com, believes Summers may be having trouble adjusting to the Steelers style of play because it’s a much different offense than the Rebels employ.
“UNLV’s offense does not feature the running game and the backs do not get too many carries since the quarterbacks are usually in shotgun and they can run,” Racher said.
“I think that is why Summers is having a hard time adjusting to the Steelers scheme.”
That may be true, and considering the fact that he’s just a rookie it’s understandable that he is going through a learning curve as all first-year players do. But to visibly flat out miss blocks on a consistent basis is inexcusable.
If Summers does not progress and play better, the team may look to seventh-round draft choice David Johnson.
Johnson, a tight end, has been inactive for the first two games of the season but caught the attention of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians early in training camp.
"He's just so powerful when we put him up against linebackers. And against our defensive ends, he really stood out. You talk to those guys, they say, 'Man, this kid's got some punch.' And he can run and catch”, Arian’s told the Post-Gazette in August.
"If he continues to come around, we might have found a jewel because that's the guy who can also play fullback.”
Johnson may have to, if the “tank” keeps whiffing.I hope he can soon come around but it's not like we've been using a FB alot every since that D*ckhead Arians took over. :stirpot:
Summers, a fifth-round draft pick out of UNLV, has visibly missed blocks and assignments and is one of the many reasons the Steelers running game continues to struggle.
“Frank Summers is not impressing me at all,” said former Steelers safety and current ESPN Radio 1250 analyst Mike Logan earlier this week on 'The Drive.'
“He keeps whiffing on his blocks.”
He's also not contributing on short-yardage plays as he has yet to register a carry this season.
Marie Rancher, who covers UNLV for Examiner.com, believes Summers may be having trouble adjusting to the Steelers style of play because it’s a much different offense than the Rebels employ.
“UNLV’s offense does not feature the running game and the backs do not get too many carries since the quarterbacks are usually in shotgun and they can run,” Racher said.
“I think that is why Summers is having a hard time adjusting to the Steelers scheme.”
That may be true, and considering the fact that he’s just a rookie it’s understandable that he is going through a learning curve as all first-year players do. But to visibly flat out miss blocks on a consistent basis is inexcusable.
If Summers does not progress and play better, the team may look to seventh-round draft choice David Johnson.
Johnson, a tight end, has been inactive for the first two games of the season but caught the attention of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians early in training camp.
"He's just so powerful when we put him up against linebackers. And against our defensive ends, he really stood out. You talk to those guys, they say, 'Man, this kid's got some punch.' And he can run and catch”, Arian’s told the Post-Gazette in August.
"If he continues to come around, we might have found a jewel because that's the guy who can also play fullback.”
Johnson may have to, if the “tank” keeps whiffing.I hope he can soon come around but it's not like we've been using a FB alot every since that D*ckhead Arians took over. :stirpot: