I want to highlight a play that didn't even get the Steelers any yardage on Sunday vs the Giants, but it also didn't cost them any yardage.
The playcall was a HB option pass on 2nd and 11 with 54 seconds left in the first quarter. Bell takes the pitch to the right where he was not trying to gain yardage, but create space for a pass attempt. The Giants were not fooled at all on this play, and the receiver options were covered. Bell, being a RB, his instinct normally would be to run and try and gain some yardage, however when RBs check out of the pass into the run after the play has broken down, they are usually tackled for a loss, and it would have been about an 8 yard loss. Instead of trying to advance the football against pass blocking that was breaking down deep in the backfield, Bell instead decided to throw the ball away.
This is a high football IQ play, and one that I can't recall ever seeing from a player running the HB option. Running Backs are more apt to force a bad throw (since they don't get to throw often and want to make a play with their arm), or option out of the pass late, trying to run for yardage, but usually ending up losing yardage. Being a passer outside of the pocket, Bell was able to throw the ball out of bounds (past the LOS) without the possibility of penalty or loss of yardage. He made the smart play on this forgettable down, to give Ben a chance to pick up the first down on the next play.
Personally I think more RBs should use this tactic, not just for passing option plays, but for plays when they are running to the edge when they can see they can't advance the football, they can throw the ball OOB to avoid a loss of yardage. I wouldn't trust every running back be able to do this, but with Bell's vision and athleticism, I'd trust him to make those plays. I'm not sure if the coaches told Bell to throw it away if the play was not there, or if he decided to do it on his own, but one thing can be said about it, it was the right thing to do in that situation. Smart play Bell!
The playcall was a HB option pass on 2nd and 11 with 54 seconds left in the first quarter. Bell takes the pitch to the right where he was not trying to gain yardage, but create space for a pass attempt. The Giants were not fooled at all on this play, and the receiver options were covered. Bell, being a RB, his instinct normally would be to run and try and gain some yardage, however when RBs check out of the pass into the run after the play has broken down, they are usually tackled for a loss, and it would have been about an 8 yard loss. Instead of trying to advance the football against pass blocking that was breaking down deep in the backfield, Bell instead decided to throw the ball away.
This is a high football IQ play, and one that I can't recall ever seeing from a player running the HB option. Running Backs are more apt to force a bad throw (since they don't get to throw often and want to make a play with their arm), or option out of the pass late, trying to run for yardage, but usually ending up losing yardage. Being a passer outside of the pocket, Bell was able to throw the ball out of bounds (past the LOS) without the possibility of penalty or loss of yardage. He made the smart play on this forgettable down, to give Ben a chance to pick up the first down on the next play.
Personally I think more RBs should use this tactic, not just for passing option plays, but for plays when they are running to the edge when they can see they can't advance the football, they can throw the ball OOB to avoid a loss of yardage. I wouldn't trust every running back be able to do this, but with Bell's vision and athleticism, I'd trust him to make those plays. I'm not sure if the coaches told Bell to throw it away if the play was not there, or if he decided to do it on his own, but one thing can be said about it, it was the right thing to do in that situation. Smart play Bell!
