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Bell's importance to Ben Roethlisberger

antdrewjosh

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The statistic which proves how important Le'Veon Bell is to Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense
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To say getting Le'Veon Bell back is good for this offense is an understatement. Just how valuable is Le'Veon Bell to this Steelers offense?

By Fear94 @themicknartin Sep 28, 2016, 6:00a


Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Le'Veon Bell is coming back this week after the Steelers got absolutely "clobbered", or "destroyed", maybe even "mutilated", what ever word describes it best, against the Eagles. It doesn't feel good but getting back arguably the best running back in the NFL right now certainly feels good, if not great, especially for Ben Roethlisberger.

DeAngelo Williams, I love him to death but he isn't Le'Veon Bell, and it became apparent to me last season just how much Bell meant to this Steelers team, specifically, their franchise QB.

The big thing which stood out to me was how different Roethlisberger was as a decision maker without him.

What do I mean?

I mean that Ben's decision making became a big problem after Bell was out of the lineup.


To prove my claim, I went back and charted all the games (including playoffs) since 2013 when Ben had Bell (for at least 2 QTRs in a game) and when he did not. I analysed the TD to INT ratio with and without Bell and the results are eye popping.

Ben Roethlisberger without Le'Veon Bell for 20 games: 33 TD's, 25 INT's

Ben Roethlisberger with Le'Veon Bell in 29 games: 56 TD's, 20 INT's

If you thought Bell wasn't as important to the Steelers offense than you believed originally, you better believe he is now after this noteworthy statistic.

Sure you can look at the 9 games and say that's why there is an increase in TD's but look at the reduction of interceptions with Bell?


To put that into perspective, that is 1.25 interceptions per game without and about 0.7 interceptions per game with Bell.

Maybe some of you don't know this, but I'm more of film guy than a statistics guy, because I'm huge believer that statistics don't tell the full story and that film doesn't lie. That isn't the case here, however, because there is no need to watch the film to back up my claim.

We already know how much better of a receiver Bell is compared to DeAngelo, or anyone else behind him, do I really need to analyse that? Bell is also a fantastic blocker out of the backfield (not that DeAngelo isn't a good blocker) but he know's just when to slip out for a pass.

Bell is the security blanket that Heath Miller was for Ben before the injury to Miller. Heath it seemed was always that guy Ben went to when his most notable WR's were covered.

That's what Bell is to Ben now, he's the "Heath Miller" of this offense when it comes to the passing game. He's the guy you go to when you need to either:

A: Get rid of the ball because no one's open down the field

or

B: Don't force the issue

Too many times I saw Ben these past 3 weeks constantly trying to force a pass that just wasn't there, and he should've gotten intercepted, and sometimes did. Sure, big plays are nice, but sometimes you just need to get rid of the ball.

That's not Ben, he doesn't throw away the ball very often because he wants to at least try to attempt to get some yards and points because that is his style. He's gotten better at getting the ball out quicker but when he had Bell, he had someone who could take a few yards and make it into a first down, rather than chucking the ball down field when it wasn't there (see what I mean by forcing the issue?).

The true takeaway from what I'm saying is Bell's presence is going be a huge factor going forward for the Steelers offense. The offense proved they could be productive without him, but not that's not what makes him important. Bell holds the key to not necessarily the offense being productive, but Ben Roelthlisberger's efficiency, which, in turn, helps the efficiency of the entire Steelers offense.

Less turnovers = more efficiency.

That's why Le'Veon Bell is that important to Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers Superbowl aspirations.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...ch-proves-how-important-leveon-bell-is-to-ben
 
Le'Veon Bell's career reboot: Hall of Fame or cautionary tale?

Le'Veon Bell is returning from a three-game suspension for missed drug tests.

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- Forget toting the rock. Brad Salem saw the NFL trajectory as soon as Le'Veon Bell gripped a marker.

On Fridays, the Michigan State assistant coach used to test his running backs on the status of the offense, where all 11 players should be on a given play. Not every running back cares all that much, Salem said, but a young Bell would perk up in those sessions. He'd illustrate every protection, every route, every audible, channeling his inner John Nash.

"He really has a rare football mind," said Salem, now Michigan State's quarterbacks coach. "You could see where his career was going really quickly. Just a joy to coach."

That was a simpler time for Bell, who for the second consecutive season faces a test on the status of his career. Back from a three-game suspension for missed drug tests, Bell recognizes he's making changes off the field, including taking care of his body and doing whatever possible to stay on the field.

Those who know Bell speak fondly of him, as if any red flag should be washed white. But explaining why the NFL's substance abuse policy keeps holding Bell back is a difficult proposition.

It won't be linebackers or safeties derailing Bell from a potential Hall of Fame path.

Only knee injuries or more poor decisions off the field can do that.

Bell has nearly 4,200 yards from scrimmage by age 24, he's in a contract year and his reconstructed knee is fully healthy.

Without sustained success, those previous headlines -- a possession DUI charge in 2014 and several missed drug tests this offseason -- are far too convenient for his detractors.

"I’m not a perfect person. I never will be," said Bell to reporters on Monday. "I’m not going to try to be. I understand three are some things I can get better at and I’m going to shoot to get better at them.

After getting to know Bell for three seasons in Pittsburgh, Will Johnson knows the running back has one defining character trait.

He loves to respond to challenges.

When the team wanted Bell to slim down from 235 pounds after his rookie season, Bell dropped 20 pounds and maintained lean muscle with no problems. When the Pittsburgh Steelers used to play pickup basketball, Bell would compare himself to LeBron James.

"He was trying to go for 50 every time," said Johnson, now an H-back for the New York Giants. "And he'd let you know about it."

Bell has attacked his knee rehab in the same way. He's fully recovered from torn medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments suffered from a Vontaze Burfict tackle in Week 8 of last year.

Bell's new challenge is proving he's worth a long-term investment from the franchise for his play on the field and his dependability off it.

Bell has a safe landing strip in the Steelers locker room, which offers a jersey, a helmet and an opportunity without judgment. Several players say Bell has earned credibility in the locker room despite his issues because he's a team-first guy who "works his *** off," as one player put it.

"Everybody deserves chances," running back DeAngelo Williams said. "And not only do they deserve chances, we've got to forgive and we've got to forget. That's what us as a society forget. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we make multiple mistakes. ... Sometimes, it coincides with the first mistake we made in the beginning. Everybody's entitled to their own opinion. ... But we're going to support him whatever he does, just like they will support me or anybody else in this locker room. We grind together."

Williams calls Bell a great teammate who's "cool as hell." Bell has had no problems blending into the locker room, when he's available, which is the core issue.

Bell seems to recognize that, saying "obviously" he let his team down by missing three games and is ready to "show people what I'm able to do" over an extended period.

After talking with Bell over the summer, Salem didn't know all the details of the looming suspension but felt the need to encourage him anyway. He knows how devastated he'd be if he lost football for good.


"There's just nothing red flag about him," Salem said. "I know there's a bump in the road. You just want him to experience success in life. Our hope is that continues to happen for him. That's what I told him."

Shortly after the latest suspension, Bell released a video on social media that was quickly taken down. The reason for releasing it -- explaining why he missed the drug tests and how he's grown -- was well-intentioned. That he mentioned he hadn't smoked marijuana since December 2014 -- otherwise, after his DUI -- helps explain why the video might have been removed.

The video itself probably wasn't a great decision, but going nearly two years without smoking is considered progress.

Bell can find a schedule and approach that works for him.

"Keep setting new goals and be better than you were before, which he's already reached in that respect," Johnson said. "So it's about just continuing to do what he does every day in terms of getting ready for the field, and the rest will follow suit."
 
If our lines get dominated like they did in Philly. He will not make a difference.


ps. I really like bell.
 
Black & Gold Bleeder said:
If our lines get dominated like they did in Philly. He will not make a difference.


ps. I really like bell.
Click to expand...

I agree. Everything starts in the trenches and that's why we lost Sunday. We were dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage
 
To prove my claim, I went back and charted all the games (including playoffs) since 2013 when Ben had Bell (for at least 2 QTRs in a game) and when he did not. I analysed the TD to INT ratio with and without Bell and the results are eye popping.

Ben Roethlisberger without Le'Veon Bell for 20 games: 33 TD's, 25 INT's

Ben Roethlisberger with Le'Veon Bell in 29 games: 56 TD's, 20 INT's
Click to expand...

A much better study would be to compare when the Steelers had Williams, which was 2015 and 2016. Pre Williams our backup RB's were not nearly as good.

In 2014, our primary backup at RB was Blount.

In 2013, Dwyer and Jones.

In 2015 without Bell the offense scored 278 points in 10 games, or 27.8 points a game. This is Excellent. Furthermore, we won our first playoff games in years without Bell. Has the offense ever averaged 27.8 points when Bell starts? I tend to doubt it.

Bell when healthy and clean is excellent, but so is Williams who has no major recent injuries and always tests clean.
 
Coach said:
A much better study would be to compare when the Steelers had Williams, which was 2015 and 2016. Pre Williams our backup RB's were not nearly as good.

In 2014, our primary backup at RB was Blount.

In 2013, Dwyer and Jones.

In 2015 without Bell the offense scored 278 points in 10 games, or 27.8 points a game. This is Excellent. Furthermore, we won our first playoff games in years without Bell. Has the offense ever averaged 27.8 points when Bell starts? I tend to doubt it.

Bell when healthy and clean is excellent, but so is Williams who has no major recent injuries and always tests clean.
Click to expand...

So you would rather have Williams than Bell. RIght? You cant have it both ways.
 
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Black & Gold Bleeder said:
So you would rather have Williams than Bell. RIght? You cant have it both ways.
Click to expand...

My honest answer is it depends on the opponent's defense. Williams has more speed and power, Bell's a better pass catcher and blocker.

Both are excellent, but Bell is unreliable due to injuries and suspensions.

If you ask me who would I rather have Williams for 1-2 million a year, or Bell for 12-15 million a year, I'll easily say Williams.
 
He's important but my guess is there is only a 50/50 chance he is back next year. So, enjoy his play while we can.
 
Coach said:
My honest answer is it depends on the opponent's defense. Williams has more speed and power, Bell's a better pass catcher and blocker.

Both are excellent, but Bell is unreliable due to injuries and suspensions.

If you ask me who would I rather have Williams for 1-2 million a year, or Bell for 12-15 million a year, I'll easily say Williams.
Click to expand...


Williams has more speed? Are you on ******* crack?

Joe
 
Roethlisberger Expects Bell, Williams To Be On The Field At The Same Time Against Chiefs

BY DAVE BRYAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 AT 11:00 AM
Now that Pittsburgh Steelers will get starting running back Le’Veon Bell back on the field this week for their Sunday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs, we can probably expect to see him used quite extensively, according to the comments made Tuesday by head coach Mike Tomlin. With that said, veteran running back DeAngelo Williams is likely to be on the field at the same time Bell is for a few plays as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said as much Wednesday during his talk with the media

“Listen, we’re not going to put [Bell] at wide receiver and DeAngelo at running back,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “But we will have them both on the field and move them out of the backfield. We’re not going to take RB off the front of [Bell’s] name and put WR. But I definitely think he is one of our best receivers.”

In last year’s Week 3 game against the St. Louis Rams, which was Bell’s first game of the season, we saw both him and Williams on the field at the same time for a few plays and that included both lining up as wide receivers on a few plays. In other words, we can probably expect something similar to that happening Sunday night against the Chiefs.

While Williams has proven over his many years in the league to be a reliable receiving option out the backfield, Bell is even better and especially when he runs those option routes out of the slot.

Through the Steelers first three games of the 2016 regular season we have seen the team’s defense get exploited numerous times by running backs catching the football out of the backfield so perhaps we’ll see the offense utilize a similar attack against the Chiefs Monday night in an effort to get the ball out of Roethlisberger’s hand quickly and into the hands of Bell in open space.
 
....I wonder how Bell will celebrate reaching 420 rushing yards this season
 
Ben: 'He is one of the best'

Ben Roethlisberger is getting a proven weapon back this week with the return of Le'Veon Bell, and he is looking forward to what he brings not just to the running game, but also the passing game.

"He is one of the best in the business at what he does," said Roethlisberger. "He can block, he can catch, and he can run after catch. I am excited to get him back out there."


Roethlisberger excited for Bell's return
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Bell missed the first three games of the season after being suspended for a violation of the NFL substance abuse policy, but like he does year round he stayed in tip top condition the entire time. Roethlisberger said the only adjustments Bell might have to make returning to the field are dealing with some new things they have put into the offense while he was out.

"I don't foresee there being any issues," said Roethlisberger. "If there are we will iron them out in the next couple of days. There are some things we have put in since he has been gone, but I fully expect him to pick up on it and be ready to go.

"He has been working hard. I think the mental side of it is the big area, the question mark if you will because there are some new things. He was here early this morning. I know he will be ready in practice, asking questions. I don't foresee any issue at all."

Roethlisberger also weighed in on these topics:

On the Chiefs' defense that has eight interceptions through three games:
"They make plays. Not only when the ball is tipped in the air they make a play, but they make plays on the ball. When it touches their hands, they catch it. A very good defense."

On bouncing back after the loss to the Eagles:
"That is looking back. We are not looking back, we are looking forward. We have a great team coming to town for Sunday Night Football at Heinz Field and this will be a big test for us."

On if pump fakes are effective against Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, who likes to jump routes and leads the team with four interceptions:
"Potentially, but then you have to have time to get it off because they have a real good pass rush on the other side of that."

On how Alejandro Villanueva has grown since last year against the Chiefs, his first start:
"He has gotten more confidence, better technique. More trust and belief in himself and the guys around him. They have that in him. I think we have seen a player that has grown every week."


On if his has talked to Markus Wheaton to help pump him up:
"I have been around Markus long enough. Our lockers are right next to each other. Just encourage him, let him know we are here for him. He is going to be harder on himself than anybody else is. Don't need to bring him down anymore, just keep building him up and letting him know I have faith and trust in him."

On the importance of getting him back into the game:
"He was down pretty early. Just to get back out there was good for him and all of us. I fully expect him to bounce back and have a great week of practice."

On if Eli Rogers can't go what they will do in the slot:
"We have guys who are veteran guys, even (Darrius) Heyward-Bey, who can fill in that spot. It does stink to lose a guy that has been your predominantly slot receiver and has done some really good things and has grown, but we have other guys we feel can step in and fill the void and be ready to move on."

On the importance of the receivers taking pride in knowing all of the positions:
"That is huge. I think that is awesome they have the confidence, we have it, I have it in them that they can fill in and jump into a spot and we don't miss a beat."

On if Le'Veon Bell is an option at slot:
"In a way yes. We are not going to put him at wide receiver and use DeAngelo (Williams) at running back. But we will, I think, have them both on the field and move them out of the backfield. We are not going to take RB off the front of his name and put WR, but I definitely think he is one of our best receivers."
 
t-man said:
Williams has more speed? Are you on ******* crack?

Joe
Click to expand...


Joe,

Williams is faster.

Bell ran a 4.60 at the combine. Yes, he lost some weight, but the counterpoint is knee surgeries do not make you faster. Quite the opposite

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/le'veon-bell?id=2540175


Williams is a very well maintained player and ran a 4.40 at the combine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeAngelo_Williams


I'd wager a lot of money if the two had a 40 yard race, Williams wins it.
 
Shane Falco said:
....I wonder how Bell will celebrate reaching 420 rushing yards this season
Click to expand...


There's a song here. It runs 4 minutes and 20 seconds.

Main lyrics.

" They said they couldn't reach my damn cell phone. I told em' man I'm fully grown. They didn't take me at my word. Where's Johnnie Cochran at, my F'n case wasn't fairly heard? You know how they treat players like me. A cowardly piece of paper in the mail, yeah I see. Free agency looms large for number 26. No NFL team is gonna be fooled by these tricks. Now its time to get paid, I'm talking money like Biggie and Tupac made "
 
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hopefully MT TH go with Wallace as the lg if Foster cant play, hes more powerful and will help more vs poe heping pouncey
 
Coach said:
Joe,

Williams is faster.

Bell ran a 4.60 at the combine. Yes, he lost some weight, but the counterpoint is knee surgeries do not make you faster. Quite the opposite

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/le'veon-bell?id=2540175


Williams is a very well maintained player and ran a 4.40 at the combine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeAngelo_Williams


I'd wager a lot of money if the two had a 40 yard race, Williams wins it.
Click to expand...

I would take that wager up to at least 500 bucks, and maybe more watching the game tonight.

Joe
 
There always has to be 1 moron making ridiculous claims to try to start an argument. I don't think we will have to hear the Williams over Bell argument after last night.
 
Coach said:
My honest answer is it depends on the opponent's defense. Williams has more speed and power, Bell's a better pass catcher and blocker.

Both are excellent, but Bell is unreliable due to injuries and suspensions.

If you ask me who would I rather have Williams for 1-2 million a year, or Bell for 12-15 million a year, I'll easily say Williams.
Click to expand...

If it was my 1.2 m so would I. But if I was running a team trying to get to a SB give me Bell thank you.
 
Coach makes the same stupid arguments from thread to thread. DeAngelo Williams does not run a sub 4.4 nowadays. He's still quick but he doesn't have elite speed like he did when he was 22. That's common sense. Bell has been working on speed the entire off season.

Bell is a ******* animal. He does **** D Will physically can't do. Bell has every single tool there could possibly be in a running back. He ******* runs right thru people, he can zig zag, break tackles, reverse field, best vision, catch the ball, and break the home run.

I wish you'd stop trying to argue.
 
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