Anyone hearing any talk about J.K. Dobbins around town this week?
No?
I didn't think so.
We heard plenty about Dobbins before and after the NFL draft in April. A lot of smart football people thought he would be the perfect selection for the Steelers with their first pick, No. 49 overall in the second round. But the Steelers drafted wide receiver Chase Claypool out of Notre Dame instead of Dobbins, a talented running back from Ohio State. Dobbins ended up going to the Baltimore Ravens with the 55th overall pick.
Anyone hearing any talk about Claypool around town this week?
Yes?
I thought so.
I remember the narrative after the draft. Many questioned why the Steelers took Claypool after 10 other receivers were selected. What was wrong with him and why did he last that long? Many others criticized the Steelers for not taking Dobbins. Did they have that much trust that James Conner wouldn't be injured again? Didn't they want a replacement for Conner if he leaves as a free agent after the season?
Just about all of us said we'd be following and comparing the careers of Claypool and Dobbins for the next decade or so in the bitter Steelers-Ravens rivalry.
Well, the early advantage goes to Claypool.
Claypool made big plays in each of the unbeaten Steelers' four wins. A spectacular sideline toe-tap catch of 28 yards against the New York Giants. An 84-yard touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos. A 24-yard catch on third-and-9 late against the Houston Texans to set up the victory formation. And, of course, a franchise record-setting four-touchdown Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dobbins has been more of a spare part for the 4-1 Ravens. He had just one carry against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, although it did go for 34 yards. He is averaging 7.9 yards per carry on 16 rushes and has scored two touchdowns. He also has nine catches for 73 yards.
Clearly, the early advantage goes to Claypool.
Bottom line for me?
Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin are pretty good at their jobs.
I've known that for years.
That's why the Steelers have never had a losing season since Tomlin took over as coach in 2007 and why they are a playoff contender every season.
Colbert and Tomlin know how to build a team.
Their offseason work has been a big part of the 4-0 start. It hasn't just been Claypool. Third-rounder Alex Highsmith has done a nice job giving T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree a brief rest, has played well on special teams and is in line to replace Dupree, who could leave as a free agent after the season.
Fourth-rounder Anthony McFarland Jr. showed he is a nice change-of-pace back the past two games and gained 42 yards on six carries against the Texans.
Fourth-rounder Kevin Dotson received favorable reviews from Steelers coaches after replacing injured David DeCastro against the Broncos and for most of the game against the Eagles, although he did have ineligible-man-downfield and holding penalties Sunday. He will have to be huge for the team if DeCastro's abdominal injury is serious.
Free agent tight end Eric Ebron has become a big part of the passing game and had an impressive 10-yard touchdown catch against the Texans, although he did fumble one ball and let another slip through his hands against the Eagles.
Free agent receiver Ray-Ray McCloud has shown he could be the kick returner the team has needed for years and had a 58-yard run on a reverse against the Eagles.
All of the contributions have been especially noteworthy because there was no offseason work and no exhibition games because of COVID-19.
"It's a group effort," Ben Roethlisberger said after the win Sunday. "We've got a lot of guys who are just believing in each other, and when someone stumbles, someone picks them up."
Four games don't make a season, but Colbert and Tomlin deserve high praise.
It's been a really good thing for the Steelers that Colbert, who had been considering retirement, came back for this season.
Colbert and Tomlin aren't perfect. They missed badly on first-round picks Artie Burns and Jarvis Jones. The Steelers missed the playoffs the past two seasons. They have won just three postseason games since their most recent Super Bowl after the 2010 season.
But Colbert and Tomlin have been right far more often than they've been wrong. Trading a No. 1 pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick last season still seems right, even though Fitzpatrick isn't making the splash plays that he did last season. Trading up to draft Devin Bush last season looks to be a winning decision. How about getting Watt at No. 30 overall and JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round of the 2017 draft? DeCastro at No. 24 in 2012? Cam Heyward at No. 31 in 2011? Maurkice Pouncey at No. 18 in 2010? And how about Vince Williams and Antonio Brown in the sixth round?
Just about every other team in the league would be happy to have Colbert and Tomlin.
The Steelers are lucky to have them.
