Steelers Draft Running back --> Le'Veon Bell

[katmandu]

http://www.theonlycolors.com/2013/4/24/4263172/michigan-state-football-2013-nfl-draft-profile-leveon-bell


Running back Le'Veon Bell (http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113936/le-veon-bell)
6-foot-1 3/8, 230 pounds
No. 151 in SB Nation Top 200 (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/12/4217832/2013-nfl-draft-big-board-top-200-100)
Projection: Round 2-3
Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Bell is an early entrant to the NFL Draft, leaving after his true junior season.
He seemingly came out of nowhere, but quickly became a fan favorite, and when the backfield was all his, he didn't let down.

Bell came to MSU as a two-star recruit who didn't get much BCS interest and was possibly looking at a position change. But he enrolled early in 2010 and the coaches began to rave about how he looked. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman and established himself as the No. 2 back early in a crowded depth chart, rushing for 605 yards and eight touchdowns with a ypc of 5.7 on the year. But he hit a freshman wall, not rushing for more than 13 yards in any of the final seven games. Still, he helped the Spartans win 11 games and earn their first Big Ten title in two decades.
In his sophomore season of 2011, he was again the No. 2 back.

Through the first six games, he had 287 yards on just 59 carries (4.8 ypc). But opposite of the previous year, he got stronger as the year went on. In the final eight games, Bell rushed for 661 yards on 123 carries (5.4 ypc) and seven touchdowns. The Spartans went 10-2 in the regular season, winning the Big Ten Legends division. They lost to Wisconsin in the conference title game (Bell rushed for 106 yards), but finished with a win over Georgia in the Outback Bowl. It was clear by the end of the year Bell was the No. 1 back, and that was part of the reason Edwin Baker (http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77182/edwin-baker) declared early for last year's draft (he was drafted in the seventh round).

So Bell went into his junior season of 2012 as the clear No. 1 guy, and that was evident from the beginning. Bell rushed for 210 yards on 44 carries in the opener against Boise State and also had six catches for 55 yards. He would break the 30-carry mark seven times in 13 games, including the final four. He finished with a nation-best 382 carries. He rushed for 1,793 yards (4.69 ypc) and 12 touchdowns. The Spartans were one of the worst offenses in the nation, and with Bell as the only offensive weapon for defenses to key on, and he still was very effective. With the Spartans needing to win the regular season finale against Minnesota to reach a bowl, Bell ran for 266 yards on 35 carries. In the bowl game against a stout TCU defense, Bell ran for 145 yards on 32 carries.
--
It wasn't a surprise that Bell left. He was going to take another season of pounding, and with running backs having such short NFL careers, he needed to strike while the iron was hot and he was still in one piece.

As for his game, it's a rare mix of power and quickness. He doesn't have breakaway speed, rarely blowing past a secondary, but he can hit holes and has an arsenal of moves. His spin move was one of the best going into 2012, and he added a hurdle his junior year.


The secret for Bell is that he rarely takes the brunt of a hit. He's so balanced and shifty that opponents never get a straight-on shot. As a result, he almost always falls forward. He has the ability to bowl over opponents, and they often expect that because of his size, but he usually jukes or spins. He has incredible vision and knows how to follow his blocks, as infrequent as they were at MSU.

He's also an underrated pass-catcher, recording 78 grabs over three seasons.
He has the strength and endurance to be an every-down back, as rare as they are in the NFL these days. I don't know if his lack of breakaway speed will allow him to be an every-down back, but he's far more than a just goal-line back. He won't be able to overpower NFL defensive players, but that's what makes his agility and shiftiness so valuable. If he plays for a team that can run-block, look out.

He has a unique, old-school style, and it will be very interesting to see what kind of career he has in the NFL.

[st33lersguy]

Eddie Lacy was a significantly better prospect. He paired with Jarvis Jones would have been the perfect 2 first rounds. They could have drafted a guy like Keenan Allen or Arthur Brown at superb value and drafted Bell in the later rounds

[katmandu]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1617915-leveon-bell-how-will-pittsburghs-newest-rb-fare-in-the-pros


The Pittsburgh Steelers (http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-steelers) drafted Le'Veon Bell with the 48th overall pick of the 2013 NFL (http://bleacherreport.com/nfl) draft. Bell was the second running back selected in the second round, after Giovani Bernard was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals (http://bleacherreport.com/cincinnati-bengals) with the 37th overall pick.
Let's take a look at how Bell will fare in the NFL.

Pro Outlook
Bell is your natural big-body running back at 6'1" and 230 pounds. However, Bell has surprisingly quick and nimble feet for a player his size.
He isn't going to outrun defenders on a consistent basis, but his pure power allows him to pick up extra yards after contact. Bell is also a decent receiver out of the backfield.
The only problem with Bell is that he struggles in pass protection. Until he gets better with his blocking technique, Bell will only be a situational back for the Steelers.

Fantasy Outlook
With Rashard Mendenhall moving on and Jonathan Dwyer struggling last season, Bell should get plenty of touches as a rookie. What makes him an intriguing fantasy football prospect is the fact that he could get a number of goal-line carries resulting in touchdowns.


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Eddie Lacy was a significantly better prospect. He paired with Jarvis Jones would have been the perfect 2 first rounds. They could have drafted a guy like Keenan Allen or Arthur Brown at superb value and drafted Bell in the later rounds Why would they pass up on Eddie Lacy ???

[Pristas]

He has an apostrophe in his name. I am worried.

[Count Steeler]

Why would they pass up on Eddie Lacy ???

Injury concerns? Maybe Bell has better hands.

[Spike]

hahahahahahaha, great pick!


Originally Posted by Spike
1 Jarvis Jones
2. Le'Veon Bell RB



just like I perdicted

[katmandu]

Injury concerns? Maybe Bell has better hands.IIRC, Bell is also (3) years younger than Lacy. Bell is ONLY (20) years old !

He probably has a lot less miles on him as well than Lacy.

[Mistah Q]

I love Bell and would rather have Bell than Lacy. He just better work out because he would have probably been there when we drafted in the third. In hindsight a productive "reach" is better than a great value "bust" but time will tell that tale.

The bright side is that I'm now quite pleased with our RP corps.

[GBMelBlount]

He has an apostrophe in his name. I am worried.

Apostrophe sounds a lot like catastrophe.

Just sayin.

[Stlrs4Life]

Maybe they looked into Laceys injury?

[Steeltreal]

I wouldnt call it a reach if its how their board was stacked. I just wonder if it would have have been Gio Bernard who would have brought a different style
Bell is a feature guy for sure.

[Iron Steeler]

Maybe lacy is a product of an amazing offensive line, every team seems to be passing on him.

[stillers4me]

Dale Lolley‏@dlolleyor16s (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/dlolleyor/status/327940480551772160)
Eddie Lacy has a toe problem. Reason for the fall.

[Shoes]

I like everything so far!

[ALLD]

In the second round, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Limas Sweed WR from Texas!

[43Hitman]

Dale Lolley‏@dlolleyor16s (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/dlolleyor/status/327940480551772160)
Eddie Lacy has a toe problem. Reason for the fall.

Ya, definitely not worth taking a chance on a rb with a toe problem this early.

Sent from my ADR6325 using Tapatalk 2

[stillers4me]

But can he dance?

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Pittsburgh Steelers‏@steelers1m (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/steelers/status/327945618075054080)
"My heart dropped when I got the call...this is the happiest day of my life." - @L_Bell24 (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/L_Bell24) on becoming a @steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/steelers)

[Mistah Q]

When Bell hoists the Lombardi and retires after Super Bowl LXI as the 7th most yards RB and the number 1 "big back" of all time, we can all have a chuckle about how his pick was called a reach.

[stillers4me]

To quote Elton John: 'He shall be Le'Veon'

[SteelerFanInStl]

I would have liked this pick better in the third. I'm also not really sold on Bell. Hopefully he'll prove me wrong.

[Mistah Q]

I'm sold on Bell. I wanted him. But I was certain he'd be there when we picked in the 3rd. I feel a little gypped, but it's hard to be mad. Things that make you go hmm.....

[stillers4me]

I'm sold on Bell. I wanted him. But I was certain he'd be there when we picked in the 3rd. I feel a little gypped, but it's hard to be mad. Things that make you go hmm.....

I guess they didn't think he would be there for us.

[Animal Mother]

Bullshit on this. Lacy was there! Oh man I'm so bummed. I would have giggled like a school girl if we got Lacy. Toe or not, that guy is a BEAST. We will regret this one.

[vtw8lftr]

Bullshit on this. Lacy was there! Oh man I'm so bummed. I would have giggled like a school girl if we got Lacy. Toe or not, that guy is a BEAST. We will regret this one.

Nope... Lacy was a famous name pick... teams are not drafting him for a reason, injuries... love the pick had him in the third and thought Brown was our pick in the 2nd... Oh well

They must have known someone else was interested before their pick in the 3rd round...

[Mistah Q]

Nope... Lacy was a famous name pick... teams are not drafting him for a reason, injuries... love the pick had him in the third and thought Brown was our pick in the 2nd... Oh well

They must have known someone else was interested before their pick in the 3rd round...Or maybe they tried to trade down without any bites.

[GBMelBlount]

To quote Elton John: 'He shall be Le'Veon'

LOL. On the first album I ever owned.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d4/Elton_John_-_Madman_Across_the_Water.jpg

[Pristas]

I like the pick too. He's young, not damaged goods. He's very talented. And there was no way he would have been available in rd 3. There was a run on RBs in round 2. Five taken. He would have been one of them and we would be sitting there with our thumbs up our asses in rd 3.

[katmandu]

Toe or not, that guy is a BEAST. Remember a BEAST that wore #58 back in the 70s ???

Turf toe took him to the mat and he soon retired. I was surprised that he didn't decide to amputate it and keep on playing!

.

[st33lersguy]

Well, like him or not, Bell needs to establish himself as the new no. 1 guy, RB by-committee didn't work and Dwyer and Redman only work in small doses. Hope Bell does well

[salamander]

I like the pick. Wasn't expecting us to get Bell in the 2nd round but I'll take it.

[crcsnail]

now downloading the bowl game he ran for 145 yards in. so i can get a look at him . haley seemed pleased to get him .

[Spike]

I like the pick. Wasn't expecting us to get Bell in the 2nd round but I'll take it.



ditto

I do like Bell, he's the anti-fatback, he got jump!

http://cbspittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bell.jpg?w=300

[43Hitman]

I like the pick too. He's young, not damaged goods. He's very talented. And there was no way he would have been available in rd 3. There was a run on RBs in round 2. Five taken. He would have been one of them and we would be sitting there with our thumbs up our asses in rd 3.

lol, you're exactly right.

[stillers4me]

https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/3184768350/cf14249500c7a701f8476718ca9cdde9_normal.jpegLeVeon Bell‏@L_Bell24 (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/L_Bell24)1m (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/L_Bell24/status/328121142239965185)
Woke up this morning and I wasn't dreaming...so proud to be part of Steeler Nation! #DreamsToReality (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/search?q=%23DreamsToReality&src=hash)

[stillers4me]

Bucky Brooks‏@BuckyBrooks13h (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/BuckyBrooks/status/327931114138238976)
The @steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/steelers) might have landed the biggest steal of the draft with LeVeon Bell. I love his game and how he fits in. http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-pro-comparison/0ap2000000154756/Le-Veon-Bell-pro-comparison … (http://t.co/coHuWtraqH)
Retweeted by LeVeon Bell (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/L_Bell24)

[43Hitman]

Bucky Brooks‏@BuckyBrooks13h (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/BuckyBrooks/status/327931114138238976)
The @steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/steelers) might have landed the biggest steal of the draft with LeVeon Bell. I love his game and how he fits in. http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-pro-comparison/0ap2000000154756/Le-Veon-Bell-pro-comparison … (http://t.co/coHuWtraqH)
Retweeted by LeVeon Bell (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/L_Bell24)

If he produces anything like Steven Jackson I will be beside myself with joy.

[stillers4me]

LeVeon Bell‏@L_Bell2449s (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/L_Bell24/status/328133349828874240)
never would've guessed that @SacManJones_29 (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/SacManJones_29) would end upp bein my teammate after all that trash tlkin during our bowl game two yrs ago! lol

[Count Steeler]

Jarvis Jones @SacManJones_29

@L_Bell24 lol it's all love bra.. I'm here already waiting on u

[fansince'76]

In the second round, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Limas Sweed WR from Texas!

That pick was considered a steal at the time as I recall. That's what makes the draft a crapshoot. It's also why I get annoyed with people who play "20/20 hindsight GM."

[Count Steeler]

Daniel Jeremiah @MoveTheSticks

I'm told the Steelers are trying to trade one of their RB's…Jonathan Dwyer is the name I've heard. #Steelers

Wouldn't mind that move.

[HollywoodSteel]

I'm sure they love that Bell can catch out of the backfield. Pretty sure that was a priority for Haley after the loss of Mendy. Also, he can block which we all know can equate to points when Big Ben gets a little time back there.

[crcsnail]

Watched the buffalo wings bowl game . He was very good in the second half . Nice gains after contact .even threw in a couple of spindenhalls . Plus he threw a pass completion . Not to much dancing in the backfield either .might see if i can download some more games .

[tube517]

LeVeon Bell‏@L_Bell2449s (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/L_Bell24/status/328133349828874240)
never would've guessed that @SacManJones_29 (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/SacManJones_29) would end upp bein my teammate after all that trash tlkin during our bowl game two yrs ago! lol


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BI4gYXPCIAAQNTa.png:large

[Steeldude]

Bell appears to be no different than the RBs(Dwyer, Redman) on the roster at the moment. IMO, too high of a pick on Bell. Here's to hoping he is the next Foster, but with a good head on his shoulders

[Animal Mother]

I watched some video of him and have altered my opinion slightly. I realize that Lacy does get banged around and has the injuries, but from what I've seen on the field, I think Lacy is going to be the better back. Bell does have some hops though. I don't know how well that's going to work in the NFL, he may get away with one or two, but guys are going to fake a dive at his legs to get him to jump and then.... WHAMMO.

[Shoes]

Bell appears to be no different than the RBs(Dwyer, Redman) on the roster at the moment. IMO, too high of a pick on Bell. Here's to hoping he is the next Foster, but with a good head on his shoulders

Two big differences imo....one, he's not fat :chuckle: ............and two, he was productive playing behind a dreadful O-line last year.

[Psycho Ward 86]

I watched some video of him and have altered my opinion slightly. I realize that Lacy does get banged around and has the injuries, but from what I've seen on the field, I think Lacy is going to be the better back. Bell does have some hops though. I don't know how well that's going to work in the NFL, he may get away with one or two, but guys are going to fake a dive at his legs to get him to jump and then.... WHAMMO.

you say it like runningbacks attempt multiple hurdles in the duration of a single game lol. not to mention lacy had arguably the best O-line in the country to run behind

[TomlinSteelTribe]

I think the fact that he's young can be either a positive or a negative. As I recall Mendy was pretty young entering the league. He looked hesitant/slightly scared his first preseason and then Ray Lewis rearranged his shoulder. After that he remained as the "prancing dancer" we all know. Perhaps that injury altered the course of his career some? A bit of a stretch maybe, but I do think you can throw a guy into the fire before he's ready (whether it be physically and/or mentally).

Bell does seem to have more of a competitor's mentality compared to his predecessor, so that's a plus.

[TheRuneMeister]

I was surprised that they didn't go with Lacy. Then I started looking at Bell, and something just clicked. He has something. He definately has something. I have a very good feeling about Bell at this point. He might need a year, but I think he is going to be a great Steeler.

[Texasteel]

After the first round I though Lacy might make it to us. I'm not really suprised that we took Bell anyway. I was thinking that we might try to trade down in the second but I really did think that we would take Bell in that round. Bell is a better rounded RB than given creadit. He does IMO have very good feild vision and often spots lanes that are opening where they weren't suppose to be. He has good hand, he can pass block, and even though he does not have the quickest of first steps, has good speed for a RB. He is one of those guys that looks better in pads than gym shorts. I'm happy with the pick.

[Spike]

I'm happy with the pick.

Me too! without him I wouldn't have won all these exotic prizes!

woo-hoo!

He's the anti-fatback!

http://db66abc2c256b763aaef-ce5d943d4869ae027976e5ad085dd9b0.r76.cf2.rackcdn.c om/2013/120/579/bell-leaps_original.jpg

Now clean out the rest of our stable of plodding plowhorses at RB and get another thoroughbred.

We tried to trade Dwyer at the draft but - shocker - no takers - so he'll be cut. Sign Bradshaw and Red man will be gone too.

[st33lersguy]

The more I think about the pick, the more I like it. 1700 yards behind a crap O-line, good blocker good catcher, wonder why he wasn't considered value in the 2nd round by draft pundits and scouts? He definitely seems like a starting caliber player

[VTsteel]

The more I think about the pick, the more I like it. 1700 yards behind a crap O-line, good blocker good catcher, wonder why he wasn't considered value in the 2nd round by draft pundits and scouts? He definitely seems like a starting caliber player

Well, it was said he lacked "break away" speed (despite running a 4.56 - 40) and has a little of the "me first" attitude.

Honestly, I think he will be the steal of the draft.

[Psycho Ward 86]

The more I think about the pick, the more I like it. 1700 yards behind a crap O-line, good blocker good catcher, wonder why he wasn't considered value in the 2nd round by draft pundits and scouts? He definitely seems like a starting caliber player

because he's tall for a (6'1'') runningback, and runs even taller than that (poor pad level is a big deal). He also shared carries the previous 2 seasons before his big breakout season. for such a big back, he isnt much of a bludgeoner and behaves like he's 40 pounds lighter, and he just cant do that because he isnt very fast. We can talk all day about how "fast he is for his size" but even leveon bell said so himself that he played north of 240lb during his final season at michigan (he was listed at 245lb by michigan so that sounds accurate). he only weighed 230lb at the combine and ran a 4.56. Still pretty good for a back that size, but even when he was playing at 240lb+, he was very underwhelming imo at getting tough yards. So one would expect that he would be even worse at rumbling through contact at such a lighter weight.

this is an upside pick. if he doesnt dramatically improve in the pro's his cute scatback impression isnt going to work.

[Seven]

Maybe we should let the kid play in a preseason game or two before we start pointing out how ineffective he's going to be.

[LLT]

Me too! without him I wouldn't have won all these exotic prizes!

woo-hoo!

He's the anti-fatback!

Now clean out the rest of our stable of plodding plowhorses at RB and get another thoroughbred.

We tried to trade Dwyer at the draft but - shocker - no takers - so he'll be cut. Sign Bradshaw and Red man will be gone too.

With Bell being a three down back, with good hands and the ability to block....I think we may see the end of Baron Batch. Bell and Dwyer will trade off at feature back, with Redman as insurance, and Bradshaw will be the change of pace back.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Maybe we should let the kid play in a preseason game or two before we start pointing out how ineffective he's going to be.

or we should let him play a preseason game or two before pointing out how effective he's going to be. I did put an "if" clause in there for a reason.

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With Bell being a three down back, with good hands and the ability to block....I think we may see the end of Baron Batch. Bell and Dwyer will trade off at feature back, with Redman as insurance, and Bradshaw will be the change of pace back.

thank the lord

[LLT]

or we should let him play a preseason game or two before pointing out how effective he's going to be. I did put an "if" clause in there for a reason.

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thank the lord

When not injured...he was the only back that could block...so I'm not sure what you mean by that.

[Psycho Ward 86]

When not injured...he was the only back that could block...so I'm not sure what you mean by that.

WHEN not injured. even when he's not, no running back is worth a roster spot if all they can do is block. i dont think anybody would really be thinking twice about Batch if it wasnt for him being such a great guy (or seemingly) off the field. i commend him for that, but i dont care how nice he is if he cant produce.

[LLT]

WHEN not injured. even when he's not, no running back is worth a roster spot if all they can do is block. i dont think anybody would really be thinking twice about Batch if it wasnt for him being such a great guy (or seemingly) off the field. i commend him for that, but i dont care how nice he is if he cant produce.

When you dont have anyone else on the roster that can block (and we didnt)....having one that can is invaluable, especially with the new offense we are running. Baron served a purpose last year, that didnt translate into ypc, but kept Ben safe.

But, as I said....the drafting of Bell makes Batch expendable.

[Seven]

With Bell being a three down back, with good hands and the ability to block....I think we may see the end of Baron Batch. Bell and Dwyer will trade off at feature back, with Redman as insurance, and Bradshaw will be the change of pace back.

I'm thinking you meant Stephens-Howling here, LLT?

[LLT]

I'm thinking you meant Stephens-Howling here, LLT?

I did...thank you.

[Seven]

I did...thank you.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on any inside information or anything :chuckle:

[LLT]

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on any inside information or anything :chuckle:

LOL...nope...just sleep deprivation.

[Carolina Steelers]

Well, like him or not, Bell needs to establish himself as the new no. 1 guy, RB by-committee didn't work and Dwyer and Redman only work in small doses. Hope Bell does well

I agree these guys had their chance to grab #1 spot but neither could rb by committe means u have no #1rb I think bell will pan out also didnt know only 20 yrs of age.