[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I understand that you're not trying to compare the players in quality or total value, but I think this argument would be better invoked on a guy like Adrian Peterson. AD is a major limiting factor on the quality of his team's passing game, but despite that, OH MY GOD LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE GETS THE BALL.

It's because Mason isn't going to start for us (unless you think of him as a future starter) that he has to do the small things well to have value. If he's being kept as the 3rd RB, he's probably only going to find his way into the game situationally, in which case, he's a liability if he can't do simple blitz pickups.

So while it's true that a running back's primary job is to carry the football, the only time Mason is a primary running back is during the preseason. You know, before the cuts.

Now, if you want to keep him on the roster and invest in him for future value and try to improve his pass blocking over time, that's a completely different perspective. Players like Mason take a lot of coach hours to turn into that kind of player, but I think the guy has the potential to be an elite runner. He's no older now than Willie Parker was in 2005, so that's probably his upside.

Of course, Willie Parker is one of the weakest players who is still a Steelers regular, so you have to keep everything in perspective. If the fruits of your labor is to develop Mason into the starting RB in 2011, and by 2013, he's a liability that we need to spend a draft pick on to replace (either partially or completely) is it really worth it?

..............................................Yes.

Well GTripp, here's the deal. When Mason wakes up in the moring he pisses excellense, he's just a big harry winning machine. You know....if you aint first your last.