The franchise defining power running game synonymous with
the Pittsburgh Steelers under Chuck Noll and continued with Bill Cowher has
been all but non-existent in recent seasons in Pittsburgh.
Since 'The Bus' Jerome Bettis left the shores of the three
rivers the Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled mightily finding A running-back
capable of running anything close to A power running game. Many Steelers fans
put the blame for the Steelers decision to seemingly abandon the running style
that once defined the franchise squarly on the shoulders of head coach Mike
Tomlin.
The 2013 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers was A year that
can best be described as A team in transition attempting to reinvent their once
proud identity. The organization said goodbye to the likes of James Harrison,
Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace due to cap restraints and long over-due
personnel reshuffling. 2013 was also the year GM Kevin Colbert and Head Coach
Mike Tomlin actively attempted to fill glearing needs on the roster through the
draft. The Steelers were once a frachise that was revered for their ability to
access talent and built outstanding cailber rosters through the draft on a
yearly basis. That ability to scout talent through the draft has been called
into question in the last few years after two straight seasons of
underperforming drafted prospects.
The 2013 draft was much different than any Colbert/Tomlin
drafts in the past. Aside from the rather confusing selection of QB Landry
Jones in the 4th Round, the 2013 draft class looks to be A genuine improvement
in every aspect compared to draft in recent memory. Jarvis Jones, Marcus
Wheaton, Shamarko Thomas and Vince Williams all draft selections in 2013 played
significant roles in the Steelers setup last season and will play much larger
roles in 2014. The gem of the 2013 draft class in my humble opinion was
undoubtably Le'Veon Bell the (235lb, 6ft 1in) running back from Michigan State
selected in the 2nd round.
Le'Veon Bell was A rock for the Steelers offence in 2013, He
set the franchise record for scrimmage yards by a rookie. The record was
previously held by Steelers great Franco Harris. Bell ended his rookie season
with 8 touchdowns, and 860 yards on 244 attempts. All those numbers are
impressive but aside from the statistical side of Bell's standout rookie season
was his adaptability and willingness to block on passing downs that was what
struck me the most. Le'Veon Bell is A physically imposing running back of which
the like has not been seen in the Steel City in many years, That is not A
slight at Rashard Mendenhall who enjoyed a couple of highly productive seasons
in Pittsburgh. But the two just can't be compared... Bell is as close to A
complete back as you can get, Mendenhall's flaws are all to obvious.
Is Le'Veon Bell as powerful as Marshawn Lynch or as fast as
Jamaal Charles? No. But what makes the Michigan State product intriguing is
that he is not defined as A power-back or A speed-back he combines both
integral aspects of the position to great effect, And in doing so just makes
him that much more lethal. Pass catching and route running are two more
important aspects a complete running-back is able to utilize to well, Bell has
incredible hands and his progression in understanding and running crisp routes
was evident throughout the season.
2014 is setup to be a coming out party for Le'Veon Bell, the
supremely talented 21-year-old has a bright future in the NFL. Behind a healthy
offensive-line led by the returning Maurkice Pouncey and new Offensive Line
coach Mike Munchak who should successfully implement an outside-zone running
offense that should suit Bell very well, 2014 will be the year the rest of the
league takes notice of Le'Veon Bell.
Matthew Macfarlane.
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattM_44
Read more of my articles on BleacherReport, FootballNation FTBPro.
