When will Bell regain form?
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Ike,
Bell looks slower, several other posters see it. Can you?
When I watch other teams backs they look much faster. Either Bell is not in football shape ( for being selfish and stupid knowing in advance what his contract would be but holding all of camp ) or he has eroded a bit physically due to the pounding and shorter shelf life of the position he plays.
By the way, Bell was in South Beach Miami when the Steelers were in camp. That place is known for partying, attractive women and late nights.
So which is it? He's not in football shape or he's in a slow decline?
Actually, it could be a combination of the both. I'm not sure yet. What I am sure of is he has back-back to back below average performances by his own standards, and that needs to change soon.
I am glad the Steelers did not offer Bell a ridiculous long-term deal. A top talent when in shape and healthy he is, but he's also got a lot of off the field baggage and past injury issues.
For 2017 he is averaging 3.2 yards per carrying and just 2.7 yards per catch.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BellLe00.htm
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I also saw the Vikings being ripped by big plays by Bryant ( who also drew a flag for lots of yards on a play where he might have scored ) , and having a tough time coving AB. No way could they focus on just one player....
Agree. Our gameplan early was to get Bell going. The Vikings did a good job of shutting down his cutbacks. Bell's big runs were mostly when he hit the hole and went forward. Bryant is an X factor there is no defense for. Those big bombs down field opened up the run for Bell and once they started dragging AB across the field they got him going. The coaches need to continue doing a better job adjusting to what the defense is doing. If they do that, then this offense will be clicking.
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The last part, adjusting to what the defense is doing, hasn't ever really been our strong suit though. This is what I'm concerned about. We typically go into games knowing what we want to do offensively, and we just keep doing it because it's what we want to do. If we were better at adjusting and taking what is given, this offense would be unstoppable
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Coach, Bell is not slower at all. His lateral bursts are there. On the play where he slid right, found the hole, exploded through it, jumped the defender, hit the ground, and exploded again, shows he still has it.
If it wasn't for that shoestring tackle on the dump off, he would have had a 30-40yd play.
His body is ready to make big plays, but his mind has to catch up, and he's improving. I expect an even better Bell next week. We'll just have to see how long it will take to get pro-bowl Bell back.
If it wasn't for that shoestring tackle on the dump off, he would have had a 30-40yd play.
His body is ready to make big plays, but his mind has to catch up, and he's improving. I expect an even better Bell next week. We'll just have to see how long it will take to get pro-bowl Bell back.
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Yes, we need to use Brown more like New England uses their guys Get him the ball on quick outs, slants and crossing routes, then let him use his quickness and agility to get extra yards. Brown is really not deep threat on go routes.
If McDonald pans out, he could have the middle wide open when teams ae focusing on Bell, Brown or Bryant.
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Dak might be exposed as a game manger safety first type of QB with a good arm by the end of the season. His own coach threw him under the bus form for not making enough plays in the passing department. If Dak regresses a bit, which could happen with enough film on his tendencies and ability as a passer, Elliot will become more of a target. And Dez Bryant can quickly become a distraction if Dak struggles. Dallas looked awful on defense. It could be fun watching their season blow up.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Averaging 2.8 yards per rush is not what the Steelers had in mind for its offense through two weeks. Le'Veon Bell said he's close to breaking 'explosion plays,' but as it stands his longest rush is 15 yards. The big holes the Steelers line created late last season aren't quite there yet, though Sunday's win showed improvement. Getting the average closer to 4 or 5 yards per game should unlock the Steelers' aerial attack.
Averaging 2.8 yards per rush is not what the Steelers had in mind for its offense through two weeks. Le'Veon Bell said he's close to breaking 'explosion plays,' but as it stands his longest rush is 15 yards. The big holes the Steelers line created late last season aren't quite there yet, though Sunday's win showed improvement. Getting the average closer to 4 or 5 yards per game should unlock the Steelers' aerial attack.
Am I the only one who is seeing the defense this week and last load up to stop the run? They are daring us to throw the ball. Once we stretch the field the running game will be there. Running into 8 or 9 man fronts isn't going to be pretty for us.
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First, Bell never had speed as a forte of his talent, so I don't see him any slower as he was last year. You can look at other RB's in the league all you want and say they are faster, because..well they are, and have been since Bell came in the league. Bell's talent is his change of direction ability and patience with the blocks forming and having a sudden burst through them.
As for football shape....the guy had 30+ touches, 90 yards against a stout run D. You can argue all you want about his decision not to participate in camp. I thought he should have been there for his teammates, but realize the business aspect of the sport. Talk to 51 about that. You think he likes getting cut after making the team and then being resigned?
Only you would make assumptions about eroding talent at game #2. I guess Elliott is seriously eroding ( his quit on a play following a turn over inexcusable), Shady McCoy, L. Murray for the Vikes, etc are all eroding. Or could it be they are going against solid Defenses?
So football shape/decline in ability? Neither. He's just getting into groove with the OL and bringing the mental part of his game in tune with the physical.
As for South Beach.....all I saw were videos and mention of his workouts with his trainer. Didn't see any moments he being at strip clubs or involved with shady characters. So your opinion on what goes on there is noted. But not a shred of proof as to whether he has been in trouble with that crowd. Yeah so he likes to make music, so what....immature? Possibly, but it's popular with his age group. It's also an outlet for his branding. I would rather he be in that than clubbing like Elliott has been doing. Which has him under a suspension that's held up in court proceedings. Wish he could get a sponsor like Old Spice/ or something else like it to bring his branding to a more dynamic audience.
Finally as for your RPA avg. 3.2 average on 4 downs is a first down every time. As well as 2.7 PCA, which is also a first down on 4 downs.
I for one think he will be at that 4-5 YPA on rushes in the next game. Maybe 10 YPA on receptions as well.
Close your umbrella Chicken Little, the sky isn't falling.
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I've been as hard as anyone on Bell. It's true. And early on he was definitely not having a great game but that was as much due to the coord being determined to "establish a run game" regardless of the fronts Minnesota was putting up. Now that's frustrating to everyone, of course. But as we saw later in the game, it paid off because the stout determination to stick to the run kept the defense honest throughout the game and truthfully, although Ben was not all that sharp in the 1st half he really exploited some things in the 2nd and even if the Steelers didn't put up 38 pts, they really controlled the game and there wasn't much question at any point that the Vikings were going to come back.
This is the beauty of the 5 Bs. (Yep, in my book Boswell is a bonafide B.) If you're going to commit to dealing with Bell, you've got Brown and Bryant to contend with. If you focus on Brown, you have to deal with Bryant and Bell. There's just TOO much poison and if by some miracle you manage to do just enough to hold most of the B's in check, Boswell can still chip away at you all F'n day with Field Goals if that's the way you want it.
I was a bit annoyed with the abundance of bombs yesterday too. But, let's look at it in the greater scheme. Other teams are going to look at the tape and they'll see that if you load up to shut down Bell, the Steelers are going to launch on you. And thanks to Bryant's hot-damn catch deep, they showed they'll catch that ****. That makes other teams stop for a minute and think about how much they want to commit to shutting down Bell. But then you also have Rogers zipping over the middle. And you have Bryant on those damn slants. And you have Brown (Who CAN run a deep route because he'll jump up and contest any DB in the league for a ball that's in his zipcode Coach.)
They left some opportunities on the field, but at the same time, they gave other teams a LOT to think about.
This is the beauty of the 5 Bs. (Yep, in my book Boswell is a bonafide B.) If you're going to commit to dealing with Bell, you've got Brown and Bryant to contend with. If you focus on Brown, you have to deal with Bryant and Bell. There's just TOO much poison and if by some miracle you manage to do just enough to hold most of the B's in check, Boswell can still chip away at you all F'n day with Field Goals if that's the way you want it.
I was a bit annoyed with the abundance of bombs yesterday too. But, let's look at it in the greater scheme. Other teams are going to look at the tape and they'll see that if you load up to shut down Bell, the Steelers are going to launch on you. And thanks to Bryant's hot-damn catch deep, they showed they'll catch that ****. That makes other teams stop for a minute and think about how much they want to commit to shutting down Bell. But then you also have Rogers zipping over the middle. And you have Bryant on those damn slants. And you have Brown (Who CAN run a deep route because he'll jump up and contest any DB in the league for a ball that's in his zipcode Coach.)
They left some opportunities on the field, but at the same time, they gave other teams a LOT to think about.
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A few points to ponder.
1 ) It's his speed, acceleration, and quickness that looks slower to me. You can still be quick with acceleration without having a 4.5 forty time. On an ouside run yesterday, Bell wasn't close to beating DL or LB players to the edge. We have all seen him do that before. Other posters see a speed and quickness decline so far in Bell's game. Take off your black and gold glasses. On the Vikings D, Conner who ran it once got 9 yards. Bell who ran it 27 times had a long of 11.
2 ) Bell knew what he was playing for " the business side " and chose to hold out for no financial gain. His timing is off because of this, and I think he's not in
football shape. During the process, he mocked Colbert a bit and acted like a @ss.
3 ) His Yards per Rush and Yards per catch for the year is 3.2 and 2.7. Terrible numbers and with our OL and skill players should be a bit better. Conner ran it once for 9 yards. Bell ran it 27 times, with a long of 11. Hmmm....
4 ) If he can't regain form vs the Bears, it's not raining, it's pouring. Bring your umbrella because the fans will become more vocal. One game or two, okay maybe a fluke. Three? Not likely unless there is some sort of injury we do not know about.
5 ) What do you really know about South Beach? I have been there 50 times, mostly before I was married. Its a party place and this include the athletes visiting for an away game. My PT is a brick house, and she parties there all the type.
If you want to train without distractions, do it somewhere in Ohio or middle PA. South Beach has more distractions than just about anywhere else I can think of in the USA. Judging by Bell's shall we say appetite for women, and life style I do not think he was down there solely for the training... Face facts. he went there for business and pleasure....and look at the results we are seeing on the field.
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#throwchyt@awallitmightstick
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Da Bears will help him "stretch out" next week. Late to practise doesn't help. Luckily we have 3 weaker team games early this year.I'll take the wins! Vikes. D was good warmup. Don't think Da Bears will be more than esteem builder.#GoSteelers 
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so glad he didn't have a donut like Elliott did in Denver yesterday then we would really have something to ***** about. 27 carries for 87 yards against that MIN D is not too shabby. I see improvement from him, but I'm also seeing it in Ben, too. Both were rusty last week and brought up their game. Against Chicago, I expect a better game out of both. This season is a sprint, not a marathon. All the talk about Bell not being here is now moot. He's now here and contributing. Let's not overuse or run his wheels off early. His explosion will come, but he's technically not that kind of back. Breathe, he is and will be fine.
The agenda shall be pushed!!!!
You know what I love about Bell waiting to sign his contract (Because it wasn't a ******* holdout)?
He's not injured.
That and he's already played in more game week 1/2 games than half of his previous years playing.
He's not injured.
That and he's already played in more game week 1/2 games than half of his previous years playing.
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I don't think the offense in general (and that is part Bell, but part everyone else too) is firing on all cylinders yet.
I kind of expect more from the O-line. Bryant is slowly working back into NFL shape/timing. Ben hasn't looked super sharp (even to Brown). Tight ends could play better (blocking and route running) and the whole Vance McDonald thing is still a work in progress and he's hurt and missing practices.
As compared to some we are pretty healthy, but the timing and rhythm of the offense isn't there.
If we can stay healthy, I think there's a huge breakthrough game coming... just a matter of when. There have just been so many injuries around the league right now, I'm not sure expecting us to stay healthy is realistic. Just seems like a lot right now.
I kind of expect more from the O-line. Bryant is slowly working back into NFL shape/timing. Ben hasn't looked super sharp (even to Brown). Tight ends could play better (blocking and route running) and the whole Vance McDonald thing is still a work in progress and he's hurt and missing practices.
As compared to some we are pretty healthy, but the timing and rhythm of the offense isn't there.
If we can stay healthy, I think there's a huge breakthrough game coming... just a matter of when. There have just been so many injuries around the league right now, I'm not sure expecting us to stay healthy is realistic. Just seems like a lot right now.
Bell's legs will get back under him soon.
My issue is his blocking. or lack thereof.
We have a new "Whiff".
My issue is his blocking. or lack thereof.
We have a new "Whiff".
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I don't think folks would be giving him so much **** if he didn't act like he was insulted by signing his 13.1 million dollar contract. All I care about is winning. It's a team and he's a cog in what could be a great machine.
Can they drug test you while you're not under contract?
Can they drug test you while you're not under contract?
Yes his is still in the program subject to random tests
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Judging on last week, Bryant is back to form. He can take it to the house or draw flags for lots of yardage. We are just a different team with him the game in terms of points scored.
The Bears are a very bad team. 0-2 only I part of the story. Their defense had just 4 total sacks, and 0 interceptions. Defensively they are ranked 24th in total yardage surrendered.
If Bell is sluggish vs the Bears, fans should start to wonder about what is going on. I have no problem at all giving Conner the ball 3-5 times a game.