Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell has developed into a playmaker and will be the X-Factor against the defensive-challenged Falcons, who have the 32nd-ranked defense in the NFL, on Sunday.
There were whispers around the Steeler Nation last season about the team picking the wrong running back.
Bell was selected 48th overall in the 2013 NFL draft. The Green Bay Packers selected Alabama running back Eddie Lacy some 13 picks later in the draft. Lacy went on to rush for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns in 15 games, while Bell rushed for 860 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games.
Bell battled through a foot injury last season, but is closing in on 2,000 yards from scrimmage this season. He has rushed for 1,231 yards and has caught 71 passes for 693 yards.
“He’s a back for all situations,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “He can run inside. He can run outside. He can catch it.”
The Steelers didn’t flinch when Lacy turned in a better rookie season than Bell, who’s elusive and powerful at 6-foot-1 and 244 pounds.
“He’s highly conditioned,” Tomlin said. “He’s a big-time competitor. He wants to be one of the central reasons why we are successful.”
The Falcons just finished trying to corral Lacy, who rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries and caught five passes for 33 yards in Green Bay’s 43-37 victory Monday.
“The running back, I believe is similar to the running back that we faced last week,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “He’s a strong guy, 245 pounds, very patient runner. Interesting fact, he’s had 200 yards of total offense in two consecutive games. That’s the first time any running back has done that since Walter Payton, and it’s been a long time since Walter Payton’s played. That’s an impressive number.”
About the Author
