Don't understand all the media (and some posters) negativity about Bell in the 2nd

[B&GinNC]

Only part of what I'm saying is the risk on the player... I don't see where he's that much better than the two big backs already on the roster, each of whom had a 130
+ yard game last year against a quality opponent, and that there were plenty of backs from all over that could've filled the void on the 3rd day. Rainey was a character risk from the word go, which is why he's no longer on the team. He was replaced by LaRod Stephens Howling.

I had ZERO interest in Lacey, and would've been even more upset if they'd taken him. His success was, in my opinion, entirely the result of running behind an offensive line that was head and shoulders above any defensive line it faced talent wise. Barrett Jones, Chance Warmack, DJ Fluker, et al didn't run the ball, but they sure helped Lacey make it look easy. FWIW, I think Lacey will be Spinderella 2.0 in the NFL... just like Mendy, a big back who runs small and thinks he can juke and move to get loose when he simply can't. It's OK when Barry Sanders does it because 2,1, -1 is balanced by 80. When it's 2, 1, -1, and the big break gets run down from behind at 10, the average sucks... and drives bog down unless you've got the greatest 3rd and long QB in NFL history.

[supersteeler]

What I see in Bell is a back you can rely on to move the chains in order to keep drives alive, but also a back that gives the QB another option with his pass catching ability. I don't care how he runs, his height or any of that stuff, when we're in the red zone and he scores thats what I care about.
The bottom line is TD's, thats what Bell will bring to this offense!

[SidSmythe]

I am not sure how good or bad the Michigan St. line was ... but if you look at his stats he did great against weak teams and he didn't do so great against top teams. BUT the dude is a workhorse. Go look at his total carries in some of these games.... He's a Haley guy probably due to the fact that he's a good pass catcher out of the backfield.

[feltdizz]

I honestly think the Steelers should have took Montee Ball...but...im happy with the pick....leveon is a gd running back...still needs to work on running east and west just a lil more...and hopefully he gets a lil faster

...or the RB from Stanford.

Now that Bell is a Steeler I'm on board but I have a few concerns with his running style.

Pros:
1) he has good hands
2) he was pretty physical the few times I watched him
3) he has decent speed for a guy his size
4) ball security.. he keeps it high and tight

Cons:
1) jumping over defenders.. it looks cool, but it gets old quick and can lead ti injury
2) he runs high... he will get crushed if he doesn't
3) Big10 back...it's been a long time since a RB in the Big10 did anything impressive.
4) Big10 back... It's been a LONG time since...

I know Ball is also a Big10 back but if I had to choose between the 2 I think Ball has a better size to avoid big hits and get to the second level.

I hope Bell proves me wrong. I understand why we "reached" for him in the second... that was our guy and he wouldn't have been there in the 3rd IMO.

[feltdizz]

I am not sure how good or bad the Michigan St. line was ... but if you look at his stats he did great against weak teams and he didn't do so great against top teams. BUT the dude is a workhorse. Go look at his total carries in some of these games.... He's a Haley guy probably due to the fact that he's a good pass catcher out of the backfield.

He was a stud and I don't think MSU had much else going for them on offense.. that being said. He didn't do much vs good competition. I think those games are the ones where you look at his 3 and 4 yard carries to see if he made something out of nothing or broke a few tackles to get positive yards.

[Steelerphile]

+1....we already have 2 big fat slow guys at RB on the roster....now we have 3....I would much rather have seen a fast back with breakaway speed added to the stable.

There was much better value for BPA at other positions...this was a reach for the Steelers.

Bell is a Steeler now and obviously I am hoping for the best.

If Bell is a big, fat slow guy then you're right, but obviously the Steelers don't think that describes him. I don't either. He's taller than Dwyer or Redman so his weight is more distributed. I don't think he is fat. For his size, I don't think he is slow. He's better than Dwyer or Redman, but we'll have to wait and see.

[feltdizz]

If Bell is a big, fat slow guy then you're right, but obviously the Steelers don't think that describes him. I don't either. He's taller than Dwyer or Redman so his weight is more distributed. I don't think he is fat. For his size, I don't think he is slow. He's better than Dwyer or Redman, but we'll have to wait and see.

he better be...

[grotonsteel]

+1....we already have 2 big fat slow guys at RB on the roster....now we have 3....I would much rather have seen a fast back with breakaway speed added to the stable.

There was much better value for BPA at other positions...this was a reach for the Steelers.

Bell is a Steeler now and obviously I am hoping for the best.

+1

Mendy was crucified for his spin moves...i think Bell will be a step ahead regarding spin mvoes...He is not a North-South runner..

I would have prefered someone like Arthur Brown there..solidify the LB corp for good..

[steelfin]

If Bell is a big, fat slow guy then you're right, but obviously the Steelers don't think that describes him. I don't either. He's taller than Dwyer or Redman so his weight is more distributed. I don't think he is fat. For his size, I don't think he is slow. He's better than Dwyer or Redman, but we'll have to wait and see.

My comments were really more tongue-in-cheek.

My point is that we have 2 other backs that have a similar style. What we dont have is a home run hitter in the backfield...someone that can take it to the house on any play.

[phillyesq]

I am all about drafting for value...

At the same time, I understand that, if the team is convinced that a given player is "the guy" that they want, it may be necessary to overdraft, so to speak, if they are indeed convinced...

As I pointed out previously, Bell led the nation in yards after contact last year...and it wasn't even close...

With a young offensive line that will (hopefully!) improve this year, having a guy who gets yards after contact will be dangerous at the second level...

Great post.

If Bell was the Steelers guy and they felt they could not get him in the third, then grabbing him in the second is fine. I saw some buzz late where people where suggesting that Bell might actually be the best back in the draft. If so, it's going to be a great pick, regardless of whether he was selected 10 slots or so earlier than people would have liked.

As for the idea of "value" I'd much rather have Bell where the Steelers took him than Ball in any round. Maybe Bell would have been a better "value" in the third, but maybe the Steelers would not have him, and would instead have taken another back in the third, passing on Wheaton.

[Sugar]

In the PC, it was said that Coach Kirby looks at the "low-light" film on a guy to see what he does in adverse circumstances and came away impressed by Bell. They also liked the way that he always seemed able to get positive yards when D's were keyed on him.

Nothing I've seen or read indicates to me that he was anything other than the Steelers top RB the whole time. In that case, they got him while the getting was good. I can understand thinking that he might have been a reach when he was taken because of draft projections. However, now that we have the whole thing behind us, it looks like a very good move to me.

[papillon]

I don't think he compares to Dwyer or Redman, because he's both of them in one back, plus he can catch the ball. If he he's good in pass protection then the Steelers found a back that basically has all the tools necessary to be a high quality NFL back (minus the top end speed). The Steelers evidently liked him enough for him to be their highest rated back and they took him while the taking was good. Redman and Dwyer weren't going to get the job done in the running game. They had their chance last year and failed; one or two games of 130 yards isn't enough. Dwyer came out of games after 3 or 4 consecutive carries and Redman didn't do much save for a couple games. Hopefully, Bell can reinvigorate the running game, add the pass catching dimension and get into the end zone when the Steelers get inside 10 yard line.

I would have rather drafted Arthur Brown, but the running game needs help. The Steelers may have found a 3 down back and that would be fine with me.

Pappy

[Shawn]

did those people not notice the run on RBs at the end of the 2nd round when Montee Ball, Eddie Lacy and Christine Michael were chosen within five picks of each other?

Le'Veon Bell would have never made it out of the 2nd round...

You are a wise sage of a man. The fact is this, the Steelers assumed if they didn't grab Bell they would be drafting the 6th or 7th best back in the draft. They need a feature back, and they got that in Bell. All things considered I think he to be the best back in the draft and the Steelers agreed.

[Shawn]

In the PC, it was said that Coach Kirby looks at the "low-light" film on a guy to see what he does in adverse circumstances and came away impressed by Bell. They also liked the way that he always seemed able to get positive yards when D's were keyed on him.

Nothing I've seen or read indicates to me that he was anything other than the Steelers top RB the whole time. In that case, they got him while the getting was good. I can understand thinking that he might have been a reach when he was taken because of draft projections. However, now that we have the whole thing behind us, it looks like a very good move to me.

Another terrific insight. MSU's offense was Bell-centric. Teams geared up to stop Bell and couldn't. He is a more powerful runner than most people who have only watched the youtube clips know. They won't show you how he had contact made behind the line of scrimmage yet still fought for three yards. He is a tough back to contain. I dreaded when the Buckeyes had to face him.

[Sugar]

Another terrific insight. MSU's offense was Bell-centric. Teams geared up to stop Bell and couldn't. He is a more powerful runner than most people who have only watched the youtube clips know. They won't show you how he had contact made behind the line of scrimmage yet still fought for three yards. He is a tough back to contain. I dreaded when the Buckeyes had to face him.

Heck, our own Jarvis Jones respected him quite a bit as well.

People can find anything to complain about. At the end of the day, we don't know how good he'll be. That said, I'm very excited to see this class develop and I think Bell could be the most contributing member of the class in year one.