LeVeon Bell suspended first 3 games

[stampedehero]

Our number one division rival  loses their RB as the season starts.  Is this a Steeler problem or will they adjust like we did with Justin Forsett?  

[Ravenslifer]

They have a lot of time to adjust for it - draft, OTAs, mini camps, TC.  I don't think it's that big of a deal.

[Ravens4Real]

They very quietly turned their biggest weakness into one of their biggest strengths, the last couple of years (offensive line). Although Bell is on the rise to being one of the best backs in the game, I am a proponent of as long as the offensive line is good, than the running back matters very little.

They will miss him for those games but I'm not expecting their whole offense to fold. Their passing game is lethal and I blieve they had the second best offense last year. Outside of Ben, their offense is extremely young. Side note upon looking at ages of their offense, Antonio Brown is only 26?! Dear lord.

[Inqui]

He offers more to their game plan than strong running. He's also a solid receiving option (who needs to be accounted for) and a quality pass protector. Combine all three elements of his game and he's someone you genuinely have to account for on every play.

 

He's a huge loss, and I hope we draw them at least once during the first three weeks.

[Inqui]

They very quietly turned their biggest weakness into one of their biggest strengths, the last couple of years (offensive line). Although Bell is on the rise to being one of the best backs in the game, I am a proponent of as long as the offensive line is good, than the running back matters very little.

They will miss him for those games but I'm not expecting their whole offense to fold. Their passing game is lethal and I blieve they had the second best offense last year. Outside of Ben, their offense is extremely young. Side note upon looking at ages of their offense, Antonio Brown is only 26?! Dear lord.

I think he does more than that. You have to commit numbers into the box to stuff him, but also keep an eye on the shorter RB routes. Doing both means he frees up room for Brown to look even better, and having both on the field at once was a huge part of how lethal they could be imo.

 

That said, I agree with the OL being a better predictor of rushing figures. But Bell's one of those guys who does a lot more than just pound it on every other play.

[allblackraven]

I think he does more than that. You have to commit numbers into the box to stuff him, but also keep an eye on the shorter RB routes. Doing both means he frees up room for Brown to look even better, and having both on the field at once was a huge part of how lethal they could be imo.

 

That said, I agree with the OL being a better predictor of rushing figures. But Bell's one of those guys who does a lot more than just pound it on every other play.

 

Yeah, people (Tomlin in particular) were downplaying Bell's loss to injury for our playoff game last season as well. Lot of Steelers offense revolves around him and it will be very hard to replace him via draft. They'd have to spend the 1st or 2nd round on elite RB prospect and hope for the best but with Bell on the roster why would you draft RB that early?

Edited April 10, 2015 by allblackraven

[Tank 92]

 

He's a huge loss, and I hope we draw them at least once during the first three weeks.

I'm hoping for a "home and home" series like they do in hockey to begin the season. lol

If they don't have a similar option by then it will hurt their O.

[AsianRice]

Yeah, people (Tomlin in particular) were downplaying Bell's loss to injury for our playoff game last season as well. Lot of Steelers offense revolves around him and it will be very hard to replace him via draft. They'd have to spend the 1st or 2nd round on elite RB prospect and hope for the best but with Bell on the roster why would you draft RB that early?

yeah, the playoff game against them would be very close to the end and could go either way if Bell was playing; however, they were just underestimating our team and we did making them paid....

[harfordravenfan]

would be great to get our away game with them in the first 3 weeks but we all know we will end up getting then for the fourth game lol

 

But in a way, I would prefer that so I don't hear steeler fan friends say "if Bell was playing" yada yada yada

[stampedehero]

I think he does more than that. You have to commit numbers into the box to stuff him, but also keep an eye on the shorter RB routes. Doing both means he frees up room for Brown to look even better, and having both on the field at once was a huge part of how lethal they could be imo.

 

That said, I agree with the OL being a better predictor of rushing figures. But Bell's one of those guys who does a lot more than just pound it on every other play.

Great analysis.

[TXRavensFan]

would be great to get our away game with them in the first 3 weeks but we all know we will end up getting then for the fourth game lol

 

But in a way, I would prefer that so I don't hear steeler fan friends say "if Bell was playing" yada yada yada

 

Haha...now that was prophetic.

[harfordravenfan]

Haha...now that was prophetic.

 

lol, forgot I said. Damn I'm good

 

Next prediction... We get to the Superbowl this year and win!!!

 

Gotta go for it all while i might have some mojo