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RB Antonio Pittman (Official Thread)

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This is just pathetic. Pete Fiutak doesn't even know Pittman isn't with the Saints anymore.

Scout.com: What Happened To The 2007 Early Entries?

Antonio Pittman, RB Ohio State
Originally Projected in January: 3rd round
Did it seem like a good move in January? Running backs are a dime-a-dozen in the NFL. Does Pittman do anything special enough to warrant an early round pick? He has a nice blend of talents who could turn into a good starter in the right system.
What happened? 4th round, New Orleans
How'd it all turn out? Even with Deuce McAllister hurt and Reggie Bush ineffective then hurt, Pittman barely got work. Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas took over the rushing attack late in the year.
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OregonBuckeye;1065254; said:
This is just pathetic. Pete Fiutak doesn't even know Pittman isn't with the Saints anymore.
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Looks like someone clued him in...

How'd it all turn out? After starting out at New Orleans he ended up at St. Louis where he ran for 139 yards in a backup role. However, he didn't see much work considering Steven Jackson was banged up.
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06.07.2008
Klopfenstein, Pittman earn kudos
By Bill Coats
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The most improved players this spring on offense, in coach Scott Linehan?s estimation, might come as a surprise to some: tight end Joe Klopfenstein and running back Antonio Pittman.

?Both had to adjust to really tough roles last year,? Linehan said. ?Antonio coming off being released by the team that drafted him and then coming in here and not knowing the offense.
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Around the Horns ? Blog Archive ? Klopfenstein, Pittman earn kudos
 
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CHANCE FOR PITTMAN

With Jackson AWOL, second-year player Antonio Pittman is getting plenty of work with the first team as he tries to establish himself as a viable No. 2 running back.

"We have a pretty good idea of what Steven is capable of doing, but there's quite a bit unknown about our younger backs," Linehan said. "I think it's a great opportunity for (Pittman) and the other guys to move up the ladder and get reps with the other groups."

Pittman played in 11 games last year, rushing for 139 yards on 38 carries. He also caught three passes for 15 yards.
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STLtoday - Brown sidelined 2 to 3 weeks
 
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In the meantime, Pittman and Brian Leonard, a second-round pick last year who started seven games at tailback and fullback, are getting long looks. Pittman had 139 yards last season while Leonard had 303 yards. Both averaged less than 4 yards a carry.

Pittman was a fourth-round pick of the Saints last year after leaving Ohio State as a junior and was among that team?s final preseason cuts before resurfacing with the Rams. He?s one of only five Ohio State backs with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

?We made an investment in our future picking him up last year, knowing he wouldn?t be ready and wouldn?t know our system,? Linehan said. ?By the middle of the year we were able to use him, he was able to get a lot of great reps in the offseason, and now he?s working with the (first team), so it?s night and day for him.?
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Rams Jackson IN Touch With Team Through Texts / Sports section front
 
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I go back and forth on Pitt staying for another year. It would have cut down on his carries and yards per game, but it would have benefited his experience as well as our team having both him and Beanie in the backfield.


Looks like Pittman is establishing himself well and scooping up all the opportunities he can. He's been with two teams now that have star running backs, it can't be easy but his 'never say die' attitude is helping him shine.
 
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SEREbuckeye;1217059; said:
I go back and forth on Pitt staying for another year. It would have cut down on his carries and yards per game, but it would have benefited his experience as well as our team having both him and Beanie in the backfield.


Looks like Pittman is establishing himself well and scoping up all the opportunities he can. He's been with two teams now that have star running backs, it can't be easy but his 'never say die' attitude is helping him shine.
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He definitely would have benefited if the F'n Saints didn't draft him when they were already full at TB. I never will understand the reason behind that. I'm just happy he has an opportunity to catch on with another team and prove himself. Not many people expected big things from him after his freshman year in Columbus, but he was a huge part of our success in 05-06. I hope he continues to exceed expectations, and has a solid NFL career.
 
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While he is out ...
By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/29/2008

MEQUON, Wis. ? One man's holdout is another man's opportunity. Make that two men, in the case of the Rams' running backs.

While Steven Jackson stays away from training camp seeking a contract extension, second-year players Brian Leonard and Antonio Pittman are sponging up his carries. "It's great for them to get reps with the next group," coach Scott Linehan said. "I thought (Monday) was their best day. That was good to see."

Both backs realize it's a temporary promotion, but they aren't turning down any snaps with the first-team offense.

"It's good just to get a feel of the situation and let (the coaches) get a feel for me," Pittman said. "And let them know that they can trust me back there, too."
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Where Pittman fits into the picture is a fuzzier issue. If Pittman emerges as Jackson's primary backup, Saunders, the team's new offensive coordinator, will have more options than if Leonard wins the scuffle for No. 2.

"Pittman's really impressed me," Linehan said. "We made an investment in our future, picking him up last year knowing he wouldn't be ready and wouldn't know our system. But by the middle of the year, we were able to use him. Now he's working with the ones. So, it's night and day with him."

Valero noted that Pittman moved to St. Louis and was a regular at Rams Park in the offseason. "He was in the building every day, working out," Valero said. "I'm proud of the way he's gone about his business."

An All-Big Ten Conference performer, Pittman stands eighth on the Buckeyes' career rushing list with 2,945 yards. His 14 100-yard-plus games rank him No. 4 in Ohio State annals.

Pittman was stunned when the draft came and went without his name being called. And he was flabbergasted when the Saints let him go during their final round of cuts.

Dwelling on his misfortune, Pittman decided, would be counterproductive. "I think everything happens for a reason," he said. "Here, I think I fit in real well as a change-of-pace back to Steven and Brian."

Especially in Saunders' wide-open system. "It's more of what I ran in college: one-cut reads and a get-up-the-field type of offense," Pittman said.

Asked to evaluate his progress, Pittman demurred. "We've just got to see how it pans out," he said. "But it starts here, in training camp."
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STLtoday - While he is out ...
 
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