Tomlin: Choice between Bell and Lacy was easy (SI)

[Iron Shiek]

I imagine he has to say this to preserve any amount of respect from his player, but I agreed with this heading into the season, and still do (even though I like both of the running backs quite a bit).[URL="http://tracking.si.com/2013/12/17/steelers-mike-tomlin-leveon-bell-eddie-lacy/?sct=obnetwork"]

http://tracking.si.com/2013/12/17/steelers-mike-tomlin-leveon-bell-eddie-lacy/?sct=obnetwork[/URL]

Mike Tomlin says he prefers running back Le’Veon Bell to fellow rookie Eddie Lacy because of his versatility, according to Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Tomlin had been asked if he had any second thoughts about taking Bell ahead of Lacy in last year’s draft, with the Green Bay Packers’ RB looking like a top Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. But the Steelers coach said the choice was “an easy one,” citing Bell’s ability to catch balls out of the backfield.
The Steelers’ rookie has 43 receptions for 388 yards in addition to his 646 yards on the ground. Lacy has accrued 1,028 rushing yards this season in 248 attempts and has caught 31 passes for 236 yards.

[Oviedo]

Both are good RBs but lets not forget when we look at the stats how many games Bell missed and the piece of crap offensive line he has to run behind.

[SteelCrazy]

Eddie Lacy wouldnt have anything near 1,000yards rushing if he ran behind our line

[phillyesq]

Lacy may well be the better pure runner, but I think Bell is the more versatile back. Bell is looking to be the perfect back for the Steelers - able to run effectively and with authority, but also able to be a weapon out of the backfield. His versatility makes him particularly valuable in the no-huddle.

[Sugar]

Though Gio Bernard is playing well for the Bengals, I do wonder if they would do things differently if they had it to do over again. I must imagine Denver would. I'd hate to think of Payton using him as a weapon.

[NW Steeler]

The Steelers made the right pick, they selected the guy that matched the offense they want to run. We are just getting a glimpse of what the guy can do. Imagine if we ever have a competent and cohesive oline in front of him. He would put up monster numbers.

[SidSmythe]

LACY is a BEAST. He can get a head of steam and move piles. BELL on the other hand is finesse and patient with some power who is more suited for HALEY's OFFENSE. 10 years ago LACY would have been a STEELER!

[Sugar]

LACY is a BEAST. He can get a head of steam and move piles. BELL on the other hand is finesse and patient with some power who is more suited for HALEY's OFFENSE. 10 years ago LACY would have been a STEELER!

Thank God the coaches are looking for what they need now and not trying to be what they were 10 years ago.

[NorthCoast]

Though Gio Bernard is playing well for the Bengals, I do wonder if they would do things differently if they had it to do over again. I must imagine Denver would. I'd hate to think of Payton using him as a weapon.

I was most interested in Bernard vs Bell after draft day. Statistically there are within a hairs breadth of each other (slight edge to Bernard) in total yards from scrimmage. Factor in the Steelers pathetic OL for half the season and you have to believe Bell could have done some amazing things under equal conditions. The real difference will be durability. Lacy's style does not bode well for a long career but he is built like a tank so it may balance out.

[Vader]

Eddie Lacy wouldnt have anything near 1,000yards rushing if he ran behind our line

And you know this how? Lacy breaks a lot of tackles it isn't just the OL.

[hawaiiansteel]

--- The Steelers backed off Eddie Lacy in the draft in part because of his injured big toe, which was fused by surgery. Tomlin said Tuesday the decision to draft Le’Veon Bell instead of Lacy in the second round was no contest.

“It was an easy decision for me. Again, probably because of the things that I talked about with his versatility that he’s displayed here but also at Michigan State. Obviously, Lacy is a top-quality back and rightfully so. He was a great back at Alabama. Obviously, he is over 1,000 yards and is proving his worth in Green Bay. Probably it’s just a matter of preference.

[URL]http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers-steelers-blog/2013/12/18/Tomlin-Praises-Woods-V-Williams.html[/URL]

[papillon]

I don't see that big of a difference in the versatility aspect. Lacy has 31 catches and Bell has 43 catches, Lacy has over a 1,000 yards and Bell has 646 rushing, those are similar numbers for two #1 backs in the NFL. If we had Lacy, I'd be just as happy as I am with Bell. Now, if Lacy only had 10-15 catches then I'd give you the versatility slant on the selection.

The Steelers liked Bell better and that's fine, it's working for the Steelers. The Packers liked Lacy better and that's fine, it's working for the Packers.

Pappy

[SteelCrazy]

And you know this how? Lacy breaks a lot of tackles it isn't just the OL.

I can read palms and I read his palm. Obviously I don't know, but it is my opinion that Adrian Peterson wouldnt have gained 800 yards on 200 carries, the same amount of carries Bell has with us.

[steelsnis]

I don't see that big of a difference in the versatility aspect. Lacy has 31 catches and Bell has 43 catches, Lacy has over a 1,000 yards and Bell has 646 rushing, those are similar numbers for two #1 backs in the NFL. If we had Lacy, I'd be just as happy as I am with Bell. Now, if Lacy only had 10-15 catches then I'd give you the versatility slant on the selection.

The Steelers liked Bell better and that's fine, it's working for the Steelers. The Packers liked Lacy better and that's fine, it's working for the Packers.

Pappy

Agree both are looking like really good backs, but Bell definitely is more versatile. He has a dozen more catches after missing the first three games of the season and most of the preseason.

Having a back who's reliable catching passes out of the backfield is a huge plus. Bell is only 9 catches from passing John L. Williams for the Steeler record for catches by a back, and only 202 yards away from passing FRANCO HARRIS for the all-time rookie record for yards from scrimmage.

[url]http://bigstory.ap.org/article/versatile-rb-bell-flourishing-steelers[/url]

[feltdizz]

I can read palms and I read his palm. Obviously I don't know, but it is my opinion that Adrian Peterson wouldnt have gained 800 yards on 200 carries, the same amount of carries Bell has with us.

That's crazy... I know it sounds good to say it but that's insane... AP is a beast and runs like a Gazelle on Steroids. He would definitely have 1,000 yards.