Tim Benz: So, about that Chase Claypool vs. J.K. Dobbins debate …
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“How do you like Chase Claypool now???!!!”
Um, I like him. A lot.
How could anyone have a different reaction after Claypool put up four touchdowns in one game against the Philadelphia Eagles?
Just the beginning ?
? FOX ?https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/fEzTUM6BvN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 11, 2020
But, in typical Twitter fashion, it can’t be enough to praise Claypool or the Steelers for drafting him. We have to dump on the other guy many people wanted to see selected in his place.
For most people — myself included — that was Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens six picks later.
Four or five games of an NFL career is obviously a large enough sample size to make a judgment on the careers of both men, right?
So Steelers fans and media alike are either scoffing directly at Dobbins or the notion that anyone was nutty enough to have suggested the Steelers should’ve taken him.
Either by way of mea culpas, scorn or sarcasm.
Remember when I said I wanted the Steelers to draft JK Dobbins over Chase Claypool… I take that back!!! @KDKA
— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) October 11, 2020
Man the Steelers could really use JK Dobbins right now ugh why’d we draft this Claypool guy?!?
— Helmsman Packer (@BanksBahen) October 11, 2020
Remember when people said we should've drafted Dobbins? Sometimes I wonder what goes through peoples heads…
— Lance (@Lance_Inc) October 12, 2020
Remember when #steelers fans wanted JK Dobbins???????????
— Kai B (@SteelersExotic) October 11, 2020
And to think I wanted them to draft Dobbins instead of Claypool.
— ?Manic Minkah? (@DominicFitz39) October 12, 2020
What’s especially funny is that on Sunday, as those tweets were piling up, at the same time, Dobbins was doing this to the Cincinnati Bengals.
JK ??
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/sSONQgBsXR
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 11, 2020
That went for 34 yards. On his only carry of the game.
In Baltimore, Dobbins is averaging 7.9 years per carry and 8.1 yards per reception. He’s only received 25 touches over five games. In part, that’s because he’s playing behind two guys who average between 4.6 (Mark Ingram) and 5.6 (Gus Edwards) yards per carry.
Not to mention quarterback Lamar Jackson already has 41 rushes as well.
This is typical “pump up the hometown guy” propaganda by way of dismissing someone else. It’s like starting an Alexander Ovechkin versus Sidney Crosby argument by saying, “Pfft! Ovechkin stinks!”
No. No, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t.
Claypool has been so good so far, no one needs to cut the legs of any other rookie to make Claypool look taller.
I’m mean, he’s 6-foot-4, for crying out loud! He’s plenty tall on his own.
Ripping on Dobbins by way promoting Claypool at this stage is preemptive and knee jerk. Especially since the Steelers will be facing Dobbins twice a year for the rest of his career. Simmer down. Don’t make Ravens fans get @OldTakesExposed involved.
It’s the classic 1983 draft argument. Dan Marino went 23rd. Should the Rams, Bears and Oilers have drafted him? Sure.
Were they idiots for taking Eric Dickerson, Jimbo Covert and Bruce Matthews, respectively? In each case, the Pro Football Hall of Fame say, “No.”
Claypool appears to be better and faster than even the most optimistic Steelers fans had a right to believe upon his arrival. With more production already than I expected for this whole year. He’s had a chance to show his talents, in part, because Diontae Johnson has had to leave games early with various injuries. No doubt that has helped elevate his snap count and his targets.
Dobbins has yet to be afforded that opportunity in Baltimore.
There was plenty of room for two good players in the second round of this year’s draft. And there is plenty of room for two more good players in this rivalry.
I’ll bet both Claypool and Dobbins will live up to their ends of the bargain.