Conner steps up to replace Bell at OTAs
PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger returned to voluntary OTAs Wednesday, but when he got to the line of scrimmage and looked right, and then left, he calculated he was missing five weapons that comprised 85 percent of the team’s receiving yardage last season.
So, he checked down to James Conner.
Yep, the guy who was thrown to one time as a rookie last season, a running back who didn’t make one catch, but who has since lost weight and gained moves, has stepped up to replace Le’Veon Bell in a way only a quarterback missing his old running buddies could appreciate.
“I think he’s looking really good right now. I like what he’s doing,” Roethlisberger said of Conner. “He took those rookie hiccups last year and has really gotten a lot better. Of course, we’re in shorts and shortsleeves; no pads right now. But I’m excited to get to camp with him. He’s one that I’m excited about.”
Conner, of course, was a third-round draft pick last year after achieving local celebrity status throughout his college career at Pitt. Conner overcame an MCL injury in his junior season, Hodgkin’s lymphoma prior to his senior season, and another MCL injury late last year to end his rookie season with the Steelers.
Conner’s back and looking ever so sleek, but he didn’t go into much detail, probably out of fear he might summon up the bad karma that’s set him back each of the last three years.
A sampling:
n What’s your weight?
“Man, I still have a long way to go. That little offseason we had before the OTAs I was just trying to stay ready, rehab hard and condition. But the weight’s where I want it to be, and, yeah, I’ve still got a long way to go.”
n Do you want to lose much more?
“Nah, just really kind of going off how I feel on the field, how I feel in my legs, if my legs feel heavy or not. No set number just doing what feels best when I’m running around.”
n Are you on pace to be in the best shape of your life?
“I hope so.”
n How are they deploying you? Anything different?
“Nah. Same system. I’m just running the ball. I’m running a couple routes, catching, just doing what we do in our offense.”
n You’re making purposeful steps. Are you feeling as confident as you look?
“Yeah, I definitely feel more confident. It’s my second year so it’s time to level up and play faster, get familiar with the calls. There’s no reason for me not to know what’s going on. I’ve been studying a lot and that allows me to play faster.”
n Are you purposefully keeping your humility heading into the season?
“Yeah, you know I haven’t done nothing yet. I haven’t earned anything. I haven’t done much. I have a long way to go.”
Others chose not to soft-pedal Conner’s improvement. Former college adversary Marcus Allen said Conner “Looks like a machine. That boy can tote the rock.”
“He’s running hard, running good,” said linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who added of Conner’s receiving skills: “It looks like he’s gotten a lot better in the offseason.”
Slot corner Mike Hilton said, “He looks like he’s back to 100 percent.” And, Hilton confirmed that Conner is picking up blitzes better.
“A LOT better,” Hilton emphasized. “Last year I think he would’ve missed some of the ones I came on, but he’s picking those up now.”
Conner has lost weight and is clearly running hard. He’s also been studying hard and improving upon what had been weaknesses.
“He’s moving well,” Hilton said. “He’s ready to go.”
NOTES: Bell, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Antonio Brown and Artie Burns missed the workout, the ninth of 10 OTAs. Mandatory minicamp will be held next week.