Returner / Receiver competition

at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

@43: I believe it was Ed Bouchette who reported that Chris Rainey has been one of the most impressive players in OTA's so far. Btw, you said Batch played well in the preseason. Didn't he get hurt before any of the preseason games started??

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 40043 Location: East of Sixburgh

Ward4HOF · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 2586

IMO, I think it comes down to which one shows better ability in the return game. They both can return punts and kicks; they both can line up in the slot; they are both about the same size and build (Maze is a bit more "solid"). Rainey has the advantage of having experience at running back and is faster, but that doesn't mean Maze couldn't be used in the backfield in some packages.

So basically, I think it comes down to who is the better returner. i doubt we keep both on the active roster, but doesn't mean we won't. I really liked Rainey a lot more than Pead and L. James, who went much earlier based on character concerns, and maybe perceived "durability", but honestly, Rainey actually impressed me with his ability to actually not go down at the first contact like I saw both Pead and James do more often in the "highlights" I've seen, as well as seeing Pead at the Senior Bowl. Anyway, not to get too far off-topic, but my point is I think he actually should be given more credit for actually being able to play the RB position than he does. Everyone assumes he will be too fragile to play the position, and of course being hit by college level players is much different than in the NFL, so that reamins to be seen. Maze may have a leg up on Rainey in that department dues to his "bulk" for his height. That said, Maze is not nearly as explosive as Rainey, IMO.

Anyway, it's a good debate, but both were brought in, to some extent, to field punts and kickoffs, so I suspect that whoever proves their worth in those roles will win the roster spot. I think either could be used almost interchangibly for any "special" packages that Haley may be able to cook up, but that's just my opinion, of course. Yes, technically, Rainey is a RB and Maze is a WR, but Rainey has good hands, so he could defintely line up in the slot on some plays. I will agree w/ 43M to some extent because the depth at the WR position is "more open" than that at RB, especially when Mendy comes back.
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at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

Steelrain43 · Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Posts: 53 Location: Tennessee

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 40043 Location: East of Sixburgh

at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 40043 Location: East of Sixburgh

at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

@43: I would totally agree with you, except I think there will be 5 WR's ahead of Maize, whereas I think they can create packages for Rainey to be on the field in specific situations. Like you said though, it's still early.

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 40043 Location: East of Sixburgh

Gatoradus · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 4:05 pm Post subject:

Actually for Rainey to making it out as NFL RB is about much as chance as Maze has at WR. Rainey is a versatile, probably a life-time NFL special team player but that doesn't take away from what he has to offer. He can play situational WR if proven compared to Maze who is only WR.

I love Baron Batch's work ethnics but like Daniel Sequlveda, if he can't stay healthy why have him coming back every year? Batch's first focus should be not aggarvating his injury and prove that he's able to contribute that at NFL level. Believe it or not, for many players that's actually harder than it seem because to do that, you might have to not only change your game, but style of running, how you become offensive weapon to prevent the injury. That's why I'd love to see what Batch can do about that.

I think it's kind of funny that many of us including me are excited about Rainey EVEN his ceiling isn't that high and he's probably will be a special team player for many years. I think it's the fact that we have the speed at RB and WR (he's faster than Willie Parker) and I think some of us would love to have a Sproles-version RB. Time will tell.

Dcash4 · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 979

turtle28 · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 6:19 pm Post subject:

I think both Maize and Rainey make the roster. I think Maize is the #5 WR and Rainey is the #3 rb, Rainey the kick returner, Maize the punt returner. Antonio Brown will be a situational punt returner, if they are are down and they need a big time return, they will use Brown.
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Steelrain43 · Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Posts: 53 Location: Tennessee

interesting things to read here, but if you consider the positional depth chart--I do see a better chance for rainey based on positional depth due to the mendenhall injury, and the fact that no RB on the roster has been a feature back that will be playing...

however the wr position down to 4th is pretty much locked, and no--wallace will play...he will not miss out on over 2 million dollars this year, and lower his value for the next year in FA by not playing at all..

so all things being equal talent wise, which they aren't of course, i don't think it is too far of a reach to take the rainey side over the wrs just due to positional depth and the situation...

also have to add--melwelde moore who is no longer there--his spot and role is open, and somebody has to fill it...who has the best skill levels to do that from what they will have available???

also--change on offense gameplanning.....this can also be an unknown, and change things from what we are used to seeing year to year from the steelers...

persoanlly--I see rainey making it..and having a few plays per game as a gimmick type player....like a darren sproles type RB...probably not as good, but in that role..

sure it is early, but--we have to make some calls, and what better reasons do we have other than positional depth needs at wr or RB with talent on roster to make that call?...

that's why i say rainey makes it.

FourThreeMafia · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 40043 Location: East of Sixburgh

Im not saying Rainey wont make it and Im not saying Maze WILL show more than him.

What I AM saying is a) if Maze proves to be more of an all around player, they will keep him over Rainey regardless of where either was taken in the draft, and b) NEITHER player is proven so NO ONE has an advantage right now.

If you think Rainey will show better and make the team....thats one thing and I respect that....but its another to say he has an advantage when he is no more proven than Maze. And being a late 5th round pick doesnt give any real advantage, as late round picks like that are just looked at as special team supplementation first and foremost.

Time will tell. I dont care who makes it at this point. Just saying that Maze has just as much of a shot if he shows well too.
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