Conner, Samuels pass skill tests
yards in the first two preseason games. “It’s not really something I’m focused on, I’m just focused on no mental errors really. It was just the flow of the game, when the passes came to me, I caught them.”
Conner also delivered a brutal pass protection block on the third play of the game against linebacker Jayon Brown that should ease any leftover questions from his rookie season about whether he can do that kind of work, too.
On the other hand, Samuels has received high praise from Steelers coaches for his receiving ability. He excelled doing that at N.C. State, where he caught 201 passes for 1,851 yards and 19 touchdowns over four seasons.
Samuels did not run as often in college, just 182 times over four years. But when he did, he did it well with a career average of 6.1 yards per carry and 28 touchdowns.
Through his first two pro games, he carried 15 times for 46 yards.
While his average per carry against the Titans was not impressive, some of his runs were.
His best was his first, the Steelers’ opening offensive play of the second half when he ran through the left side, then cut outside for an 18- yard pickup.
It appeared he had ended that same drive with a touchdown when, from the Titans 17, he caught a short pass from Mason Rudolph over the middle, faked a defender, cut left and dived into the end zone near the pylon.
However, a hold at the 3yard-line by Marcus Tucker nullified it.
“He’s growing like a lot of young guys should,’’ Tomlin said. “He’s probably one of the ones that I am talking about when I am encouraging guys to lean in. It’s been a hard fight. It’s been a tiresome fight at times for young players, but I don’t want to see anybody let up as the road gets narrow. We need to have the type of guys that display the grit, that can lean in and fight to the finish. He’ll be given an opportunity to do that.”
Samuels and Conner were the only two halfbacks to touch the ball Saturday.
Le’Veon Bell will soon join his teammates and take over most of the workload, but the coaches will have more faith in Conner to spell Bell or even use him in certain spots.
Samuels, a fifth-round draft choice, is making his case for a spot on the 53-man roster, perhaps over one or two other veterans, Fitz Tussaint and Stevan Ridley.
He took steps toward doing just that Saturday.