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Stefan Logan vs Redskins: simply a product of great blocking?
By Dagger | August 24, 2009
What he showed us on Saturday night was simply a product of great blocking? Not a chance. The blocking from the return units this past weekend was solid, don’t get me wrong, but Stefan Logan looks like the real deal. Is that enough to make the team? Maybe. Maybe not. Any guy with decent speed can run through an open lane and pick up 15 yards. The “special” returners in this league are the guys that are capable of making tacklers miss and have the innate ability to read and react to the fast paced action unfolding in front of them. Logan has this special skill and uses it to pick up big chunks of yardage….regardless of the blocking in front of him.
Over the past 2 years the only time we have ever given you video or screenshots of the Steelers return game was to show you one of two things: (1) how bad the punt and kick return teams were at blocking and creating lanes and (2) how slow and indecisive our returners were when they actually had room to run. I guess that’s what you get though when your return men are Fullbacks and Power RBs (Davenport, Davis, etc).
We are extremely happy that we can finally show you something a bit different. Here is a video clip of Stefan Logan:
1. Showing speed and decisiveness when hitting holes and picking running lanes. No dancing here and no wasted movement from sideline to sideline.
2. Following blockers and showing patience when necessary. Also displays some great awareness.
3. Holding onto the football.
4. Making one or two tacklers miss when somebody comes free. The Steelers haven’t had a returner capable of “making the first guy miss” since Randle El.
The Steelers return units created a lot of running room for Logan this past weekend but there were a number of times where Redskin players broke free and were 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 with Logan. His ability to make the first tackler miss is a huge asset. A guy like this gives your return units some margin for error. With Logan returning kicks, if you miss a block or two, he can still juke a few guys and make a big return. If you somehow manage to seal off a side or block exceptionally well down field, you might have yourself a Punt or Kick return for a TD.
If you want to play a little game of “Where’s Waldo” go ahead and try to find Ziggy Hood (#96) and David Johnson (#85) in many of these clips. They both looked real good blocking for Logan. The entire video is in slow motion which allows you to track individual blockers, watch cutbacks unfold, and see how the return develops. Keep in mind the field was slippery after being rained on for 7 hours and Logan lost his footing a few times. On a dry field I think he cuts a bit cleaner and has 1 or 2 more runs that go at least an additional 20 yards further…maybe he even springs them for TDs…we’ll never know.
Topics: NFL, Redskins, Steelers | 22 Comments »
August 25th, 2009 at 6:39 am
The last one is great to see. He makes about four guys miss then engages the tacklers at the end.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:38 am
i wouldn't mind cutting Vincent and giving Logan his carries. Let's see what this guy can do at RB. he tore up the CFL at running back so what could it hurt? maybe he really is the next Sproles and even at his size he can challenge Mendenhall for the #2 spot at some point.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I hope we don't go all conservative and get rid off all these promising rookie players in order to keep some of the older guys. Logan, Johnson, Redman, Harris… these guys have a place on this team.
PS, Is it me or has Keenan Lewis been our invisible man this season? The guy hasn't done anything. Ditto for Mundy
August 25th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
You also see a lot of 55 Patrick Bailey, last year's surprise ST stud. Its going to be really interesting to see how many LBs they carry, because its getting awfully crowded, right now I can see them carrying 9: Farrior,Timmons, Silverback, LaWood, Fox, Harrison, Bailey,Frazier, Davis. But that leaves off Woods who had a good season last year.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Vincent does a decent job blocking for him as well, though it often appears that Vincent thinks he is running the ball back and not Logan.
You guys are doing a fantastic job this pre-season, by the way.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Robert: Logan is 28 years old, by the way.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Logan looks very natural and fluid returning kicks. He is a potential weapon back there that we haven't had in lately. They obviously are giving him strong consideration since he handled all t he return duties the other night.
Count me as a guy that doesn't like Vincent at all. He's just a body. Would really like to see him get cut and give Redman and Logan his share of the carries.
August 25th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Vincent is definitely just a body. He looked good against scrubs in one pre-season game last year, and that's about it. Logan looks good this week, but he isn't a "rookie" or "young". Nor is he "old" or a "seasoned veteran".
August 25th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Whatever his age he certaintly still has his speed. If we got one good season out of him that would be worth it.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Keenan Lewis played great in the 2nd half of the game. He is #20. He is really physical and was great in run support
I agree about Mundy. He has not impressed and shouldn't make the team
August 26th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Is there a material difference between Frazier and Harrison (the lesser)? If Davis can play, does it mean that either Frazier or Harrison will go
August 26th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I think many other Steeler fans are in the same boat as I am when it comes to these two guys. Frazier and Harrison are the 2 Steelers I know the LEAST about on the entire roster. They've been around a while, they've showed up here and there on special teams but beyond that they really haven't grabbed my attention. Frazier is apparently the #1 backup at OLB somehow. He must be pretty decent but I haven't seen anything from him to form an opinion one way or the other.
Those 3 guys are all question marks in my book.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:20 am
There is absolutely no way Woods gets cut. He's probably the 6th best LB overall and he's the 2nd backup at ILB. He also beat Bailey and Davis for a slot last year , was the best ST player in last year's camp, and has played well this preseason.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Scott Paxson also looked good on STs in this game, both covering kicks and blocking for Logan.
August 27th, 2009 at 4:04 am
There was a time last year, where AHarrison was inline to be the primary OLB backup and could play ILB in a pinch. But he broke his leg and it opened a door for Fraizer, who until last year, I thought would be the worst LB on the squad. However he ended up making some crucial plays for the Defense. If there is one thing LeBeau loves, its experience. It will be really interesting to see if he cuts someone with 3+ years of experience with the playbook for a younger bigger upside potential player.
August 27th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Nice to see some good returns. It will be hard for him to find a roster spot. He won’t beat out Wallace or McDonald for the 5th WR spot. The RBs look packed with Parker, Mendy, Mewelde and Davis(?!). Maybe Redman is in there – doubt it tho. Of course, the Steelers will keep 3 TEs on the roster – Miller, McHugh and Johnson (Spaeth is gone). Maybe they cut Davis and use McHugh at FB to make space for Logan? Who knows? Hard decision tho.
August 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I never liked Andre Frazier much, probably because he is not physical, he is not a bad ass LB as we all want him to be and the best thing he ever did was blocking a punt last season, something Bruce Davis and his huge first step could do sometime too. I would release Andre to make room for either Davis or Bailey (simply because we know what Frazier can do but we still hope Davis or BAiley can d better some time). Arnold Harrison would be my primary OLB backup and Donovan Woods is a LOCK of course!! (I love LB discussions!)
August 27th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Guys, dont forget that if Silverback or Woodley gets hurt, they can slide Timmons and bring Fox to the mix! Awesome!
August 27th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I agree about Spaeth, in my 53, Spaeth is gone too, he is a good reciever and could be better exploited, but Arians is DUMB so, since we dont pass more then 5-10 times a year to the second TE, why do we need him for? I like McHugh, he is big and tough,let him be the second man and D.Johnson the third TE.
PS.: And Spaeth shall not feel bad, 'cause Im sure some team with a smarter OC is going to pick him up and use him as they should..
August 28th, 2009 at 1:32 am
Steeler fans, take it from someone who has seen Logan play….this guy is a stud. I am a huge Steeler fan in Canada and he has been ripping it up in the CFL. Ya, I know, it's the CFL, but sometimes there are diamonds in the rough. Check…Warren Moon!
September 4th, 2009 at 4:28 am
Thank eh!
September 9th, 2009 at 5:27 am
Dave's right on the money about Logan. He's got blazing speed, explodes out of cuts, picks up his blockers well, has great vision, holds the ball like its made of Stick'um, can take a punishing, and never, ever gives up on a play. Getting regular return duty, I'd say you'll see Logan take it to the house at least 3 times this season. TDs aside, he'll chalk up enough yardage each game to win the field position battle for the Steelers just about all season long.