The Bell Tolls For Le’Veon
Just when the excitement of camp nearing was permeating throughout Steeler Nation, the anticipation of another run at a seventh Lombardi Trophy was at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Then another bomb drops on our hopes and dreams as the news of one Le’Veon Bell facing a four game suspension is in our morning mail. Hard enough keeping our fingers crossed that injuries won’t derail a player at any point during the season, but to have these self inflicted wounds by virtue players not having common sense, is highly disconcerting.
For those whose thoughts turned to the question, can we win the first four games without him, and answer clearly is a resounding yes. For those who pondered the future of Le’Veon Bell with the Steelers and will he be given another opportunity by the organization, or be able to live up to his current obligations, the answer comes back a definite maybe.
More specifically is the fact that it appears that we’re looking at a similar case that exists with Martavis Bryant, simply put, Le’Veon got him a Jones he can’t seem to shake. One has to think the biggest issue facing him at this point is the fact that the Rooney’s will bend, but they won’t break and as we’ve seen countless times, no one player is bigger than the sheild.
If recent history is any indicator, one could expect the Steelers to stick with Bell throughout the 2016 season, but long terms plans may not be in his future with the expense of resigning him not meriting the trust he has lost in the organization. Fortunately D’Angelo Williams, even at 33 years old, has proven a reliable full time starter and will server the running back class well. Behind Williams is Fitzgerald Toussaint, former Rams running back Daryl Richardson, Cameron Stingily, Brandon Brown-Dukes and Brandon Johnson, all will fill out the backfield going into training camp. Richardson is the only one with NFL regular-season experience. He rushed for 690 yards (in two seasons with the Rams during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
The Steelers also have former Rams running back Daryl Richardson, plus Cameron Stingily, Brandon Brown-Dukes and Brandon Johnson on their training camp roster. Richardson is the only one with NFL regular-season experience, he rushed for 690 yards [4.1 yards per carry] in two seasons with the Rams, 2012 and 2013 respectively.
Synopsis
Seems like a forgone conclusion that Bell will be absent at the start of the regular season, so Steeler fans will do as they always do, root for the guys that are on the field and wave your Terrible Towels proud.
