Steelers interested in Michigan St RB Le'Veon Bell

[supersteeler]

There is no evidence a back of Bell's size would be a disadvantage, take Steven Jackson for example. He's 6'2 weighs 240 lbs and is having a great pro career. Most backs are in the 5'10 to 6 ft. range but it doesn't mean a taller back can't have success like Steven Jackson demonstrated.

He has all the tools to be a good NFL back thats what you look for when evaluating a prospect, plus the production he had on the field. Yeah, he will face faster, bigger, players in the NFL but you could say the same with any prospect coming out of college.

[Oviedo]

There is no evidence a back of Bell's size would be a disadvantage, take Steven Jackson for example. He's 6'2 weighs 240 lbs and is having a great pro career. Most backs are in the 5'10 to 6 ft. range but it doesn't mean a taller back can't have success like Steven Jackson demonstrated.

He has all the tools to be a good NFL back thats what you look for when evaluating a prospect, plus the production he had on the field. Yeah, he will face faster, bigger, players in the NFL but you could say the same with any prospect coming out of college.

In addition he will not have to be a lead RB since that notion in the NFL is going the way of the dinosaur. He'd unlikely ever carry the ball as much as Jackson has in his career because he was the only offense the Rams had many years.

[Slapstick]

In addition he will not have to be a lead RB since that notion in the NFL is going the way of the dinosaur. He'd unlikely ever carry the ball as much as Jackson has in his career because he was the only offense the Rams had many years.

OT: I have played fantasy football only once in my life...it was 2006 and I drafted Steven Jackson in the first...

I won the league that year and decided to retire...it was too nerve wracking for me...

But, I will always be grateful to Steven Jackson...

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

There is no evidence a back of Bell's size would be a disadvantage, take Steven Jackson for example. He's 6'2 weighs 240 lbs and is having a great pro career. Most backs are in the 5'10 to 6 ft. range but it doesn't mean a taller back can't have success like Steven Jackson demonstrated.

He has all the tools to be a good NFL back thats what you look for when evaluating a prospect, plus the production he had on the field. Yeah, he will face faster, bigger, players in the NFL but you could say the same with any prospect coming out of college.

Evidence is lack there of. I can only guess you played the game and that should also be evidence. The big feature backs haven't flooded the NFL rosters and there is a reason. If you get the rare blend of size-speed NFL caliber backs...They seem to be productive at the next level. Bell isn't one of those but that doesn't mean he can't be productive.

Bell has shown the skills in college and I didn't say he couldn't succeed. But make no mistake, the power backs learning curve to the next level has alot to do with the speed size ratio in the NFL. He won't be running over or through players he did in college or bouncing outside when a LB steps up in a hole. Bells success will hinge on using his size and keeping his pad level down. Using his vision and taking what is there. Then using some of his skills that make him a more complete back such as cathing the ball out of the backfield and picking up the blitz. What made Bell successful in the Big 10 is he had a unique size-speed ratio for a college back. That advantage will deminish some in his next step...He will have to do work & excel in the "little things" to continue his success.


Jackson is a great RB and Bell could hope to have that type of success. For every one of him I could pencil in a Big 10 back like Perry, Biakabutka, Dozier, Enis, Clay, Wheatley, etc. I'm not discounting Bell's accomplishments but would feel alot better if he faired better against Top 10 teams. When you look at the game logs of level of competition, MS played against 2 Top 10 teams. Trying to get a feel for the bigger stage. Bell went 19/77 0 Tds against ND & 17/45 0 Tds against OSU. That would be 36/122 3.4 o Tds. Bell put up 212/961 4.5 6 Tds in the Big 10.

I'm a PSU homer and watch alot of Big 10 ball. I watched Bell play in many games. I would be the first to tell you if I like or dislike a Big 10 prospect while being unbiased. I'm not really a big fan of Big 10 RBs. The last 2 since '07 that I thought had a chance to break the "mold" of a Big 10 back failure in Mendy & Wells both have been disappointments. Jury is still out on Mikel Leshoure. The last two MSU leading rushers were Ringer & Baker and they haven't done anything yet in the NFL. Ringer nearly duplicated Bells 3 year numbers in 2 years and Baker had 2,293 in 3 years. Keeping things in perspective.

If Bell would have an Eddie George type of career, I would be surprised. I think his ceiling is more like a Brandon Jacobs with the size comparison...JMO. Of course if the Steelers select him I will hope for "George" . He does fit the Steelers mold of a young skill player coming out.

[Shawn]

Adrian Peterson is 6 foot 1.
Eric Dickerson is 6 foot 3
Eddie George is 6 foot 3

I'm sure there are many more...I believe Brandon Jacobs is 6 foot 4.

I agree in the sport of football, low man wins. With that said, tall running backs can compensate by getting that pad level lower, delivering blows, running technique etc. On film, Bell is elite. He is powerful, quick, patient and runs with vision. I have NO concerns about his size. I believe he will be rookie of the year if he gets on a team that needs his services right away.

[feltdizz]

Adrian Peterson is 6 foot 1.
Eric Dickerson is 6 foot 3
Eddie George is 6 foot 3

I'm sure there are many more...I believe Brandon Jacobs is 6 foot 4.

I agree in the sport of football, low man wins. With that said, tall running backs can compensate by getting that pad level lower, delivering blows, running technique etc. On film, Bell is elite. He is powerful, quick, patient and runs with vision. I have NO concerns about his size. I believe he will be rookie of the year if he gets on a team that needs his services right away.

AP is a freak
Dickerson played at a time when players weren't as fast nor as big...
George had a decent career.

I just don't see it in Bell.. like JPN said, Big 10 backs always look elite in college but rarely does it translate to success at the next level.

[TD386Steel]

So if the Steelers love this kid I think they'll need to either take him in the 2nd which is maybe to early or in the 3rd which will be to late or am I wrong?

[Shawn]

AP is a freak
Dickerson played at a time when players weren't as fast nor as big...
George had a decent career.

I just don't see it in Bell.. like JPN said, Big 10 backs always look elite in college but rarely does it translate to success at the next level.

Time will tell but I think ruling out a player based on being a couple inches "too tall" is short sighted at best. The guy is a beast. I have little doubt that he will be a successful pro.

[ramblinjim]

If Bell's Steeler career matches that of Eddie George, I'd be just fine with that.

[thor75]

If Bell's Steeler career matches that of Eddie George, I'd be just fine with that.

I agree, minus the Casey Hampton bell ringer

[Shoe]

OT: I have played fantasy football only once in my life...it was 2006 and I drafted Steven Jackson in the first...

I won the league that year and decided to retire...it was too nerve wracking for me...

But, I will always be grateful to Steven Jackson...

Haha... Funny how that works. You always have a soft spot for someone who pulls your @s$ out of the fire (i.e. betting)

As for Bell, it would flat be a mistake to take a guy like that in the first couple rounds. There are plenty of serviceable backs out there! RB is a platoon position in today's NFL, pure and simple. Get Jonathan Franklin in Round 3. Or take Burkhead in 4. It doesn't matter.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Bell isn't "Elite" by no means. If he was elite he would be considered a 1st rounder. If you want to say he may be the most "complete" back in this draft...I would agree. There just isn't an elite RB in this draft. If you want to call him a beast because of his size, I would agree. But he isn't a beast by skillset or what he does on film. If you are watching Youtube highlights and coming away with elite-beast you are watching the wrong things. Grab a game recap of all his plays. Take Northwesterm 2012. You won't come away saying he is elite or beast. You will coming away saying he is a good RB.

Bell isn't overly elusive for his size. He also isn't a punisher his size would suggest. He is a pile mover with good leg drive after contact. He has good mass in his lower half which is a plus. He has good enough feet to make the cuts in the hole. Good receiver & blocker. He doesn't always run behind his pads & gets upright at times relying on his size to break tackles. He seems to have very good vision & patience. Also a good receiver and very willing blocker. Alot to work with. If you want a summary of who Bell can be at the next level it is simple. Bell needs to play as the RB he is and not the RB he thinks he is at the next level. That will be the difference between him being a feature or a compliment back. He needs to be a one cut North & South downhill leaner. He isn't going to bounce & jump cut in the NFL when a LB fills the hole. He will have to lower his pads and run through the tackle...Get positive yards. If he turns his shoulder to the LOS he plays out of his strenghts. He won't be able to rely on bouncing tacklers off his upper body or hurdling tacklers in the open field. I know he could be that back, he has shown it many times.

Adrian Peterson would be that "elite" player for his size I mentioned. AP will either run through you or away from you. Bell isn't that type of back. Dickerson was the same. A taller back but he was also a State Champ track athlete. Bell isn't that type of athlete. I mentioned Eddie George & Jacobs. You could put Arian Foster in that group for a present comparison. I don't think Bell will reach a George or Foster level...If he was a Steelers I sure hope he would. I think the ceiling could be a Jacobs. Bell is not a finished product and he has some work to do at the next level if he wants to become very productive.

All of that aside. I'm a PSU boy. I see every game and watch alot of Big 10 ball. I am bias...But not in a good way. I shy away from Big 10 RBs, WRs, & DBs that don't meet a criteria. From experience & knowing what this conference is about...You better be highly productive on the field and an elite athlete in workouts for me to consider you early in a draft at those positions. If you are highly productive but an average athlete...Won't consider you early. If you are an elite athlete but average production on the field...Won't consider you early. Take a Big 10 OL, TE, FB or front 7 on D and put them in comparision to any other player in a premier conference in the country. At RB, WR, & DB...You better be a special football player in the BIG 10. Until this conference starts pile up exceptions to my rule that are highly productive in the NFL...I'm sticking to it.

[Shawn]

You act as if I'm not a Big Ten fanatic...and that I haven't watched alot of Bell. Youtube? Come on man. When I refer to being a "beast" I'm referring to his ability to take over a game. He had 3 200 yard games last season with 3 games of 250+ including his receiving. I agree his a complete back who can be elusive, run with power, and catch. Certainly odds are in your favor, but I'm willing to bet that Bell is one of the best, if not the best running back from this class. I'm that sold on this guy.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

You act as if I'm not a Big Ten fanatic...and that I haven't watched alot of Bell. Youtube? Come on man. When I refer to being a "beast" I'm referring to his ability to take over a game. He had 3 200 yard games last season with 3 games of 250+ including his receiving. I agree his a complete back who can be elusive, run with power, and catch. Certainly odds are in your favor, but I'm willing to bet that Bell is one of the best, if not the best running back from this class. I'm that sold on this guy.

I can tell you are a big 10 fanatic. 4 of your 6 picks in your mock are Big 10 boys. Maybe you are a little bias in the other direction.

I said Youtube because many pull up the highlihts and fall in love. I generalized my post for many. I can make an undrafted player look draftable just by putting up his highlights. You watch the game log highlights of players to get a feel.

I understand you passion for the player, I just don't share the same enthusiasm on Bell. For example, your 3 200+ yard games were against Boise State, Eastern Mich, & Minnesota. The National rankings for their run defense is Boise State 47th, Eastern Mich 124th, & Minnesota 74th. He also rushed for 188 yards against Nebraska and they rank 92th. Some of his worst games were against ND (17/45), OSU (19/77), & Wis (21/77). Their national rankings in rushing D are ND 11th, OSU 14th, & Wis 25th. I don't see the "beast" of taking over the games against good defenses.

Bell could be one of the best, if not the best running back from this class...I think he has as good a shot as any. I really don't like the class at the Top and I think the talent depth is in th 2-4 range with little drop off. I think Lacy & Bell are the two most complete with Ball & Taylor close behind. That being said, I don't think there is much seperating that group from a Zac Stacy.Those are the types that fit that "Steeler Back" mold but I'm not that sure that is the direction they will go. I think they may be looking for their Ray Rice - Jamaal Charles type. Bradshaw could fit that mold. If they don't sign Bradshaw, maybe look at a Bernard, Franklin, Michael early of a Wood or Graham later.

JUST some FYI...There are some sleeper types who could develop into a well rounded back late in the draft or undrafted. There are guys like Michael Ford, Spencer Ware, Rex Burkhead, Matt Tucker, Mike James, or Cameron Marshall.

[Shawn]

It's not bias, it's experience. I put people in my draft that I know...and I know can play. I don't know SEC or ACC guys. If you are comfortable reading a scouts opinions, or seeing a highlight reel to come up with your conclusions, well more power to you.