Steelers success with heavy use of Bell at end of '16 won't necessarily be Tomlin's formula for '17

[polamalubeast]

New season, new workload for a refreshed and returning Le'Veon Bell.

Although the Steelers made Bell the focal point of their offense in the second half of the 2016 season, a strategy that carried them on a nine-game winning streak until the AFC championship game, the formula won't necessarily be duplicated when this season opens Sunday in Cleveland.

And not just because Bell finally ended his seven-month absence Monday — less than a week before the opener — when he signed his $12.12 million franchise-tag tender and reported to practice.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he has no “hard and fast plan” for the number of carries Bell will receive — not against the Browns or the 15 games that will follow. All Tomlin knows is he won't be using 2016 as a guideline for Bell's workload.

“We are singularly focused on '17,” Tomlin said at his weekly press conference. “We're trying to establish a baseline of what the workload is for '17, and we'll adjust accordingly based on roles and what we're capable of.

“I really don't think about '16 in terms of some of those things.”


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http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...ner-and-beyond

[ALLD]

Don't live in your fears and put a hat on a hat.

[salamander]

Screw that, run him into the ground then ship him off.

[GBMelBlount]

I hope they use him thoughtfully and strategically for two reasons.

First, we need him healthy for the playoffs.

Second, if we lose him, there will be less of a void.