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Since the season started, the “talking heads” and “experts” have all been rambling their mouths off about how the Steelers are more dangerous with Bell and that despite how well James Conner has played. Bell is the “best Running Back in the NFL” and demands attention that defenses have to game plan around as he is a far more dangerous threat. In addition, the Steelers are “going to need Bell” to make a deep playoff run.
And in this case, the talking head experts are 100% correct – at least in the part that Bell is a more talented Running Back than James Conner and arguably will “absolutely” need Bell to make a deep playoff run. However, they are not right in the way they want to think.
While it is true that Bell has been the best RB in the league as he has accomplished 3 consecutive All-Pro seasons and arguably a more dominant stretch of individual production than any Steelers RB in modern NFL history. That includes Hall of Famers Franco Harris or Jerome Bettis as well as the shorter but record setting performances of Barry Foster and Willie Parker.
At the same time; Bell has provided a consistent distraction of injuries and suspensions, as well as his off-the-field behaviors. He’s a bona-fide diva and quite simply – dominant individual seasons and championship seasons are not mutually exclusive.
Consider these two divas and what they have in common:
They never gave up their mindset of doing it their way and not a TEAM way – and as a result all their records saw them get to the Hall of Fame but never a championship.
We watched arguably the most talented Steelers team since the 1970s go 13-3 last year but required Boswell to bail them out with 3 kicks with 0:00 on the clock to beat 3 badly injured and weak teams. Indeed, it seemed like the 2017 Steelers played with no heart, winning games out of sheer talent at the end. They generated big plays late in the game far too often until it caught up with them in that debacle vs. Jacksonville.
So the talking heads have it right, but have it all wrong. Bell is a BETTER RUNNING BACK than James Conner, but the Steelers are a BETTER TEAM with Conner starting.
I have a theory that Bell and Brown had a strong influence on each other in a health competition of one-upsmanship as each tried to outdo the other. While it generated great statistical numbers, it came at the cost of the TEAM.
After the September debacle and circus surrounding Bell; that atrocious game one by Roethlisberger throwing a win against the Browns away and the uninspired games vs. Kansas City and Baltimore; the Steelers went back to the basics. Forget about Roethlisberger’s record setting pace to 5000 yards and have a healthy mix of Conner rushing for 100-yard games and efficiency with big plays from Big Ben to Brown, Schuster and Vance McDonald. The genuine Conner uphill struggle for respect and even his LIFE has trickled throughout the TEAM. There is obvious rapport Conner has with his offensive line has managed to influence the rest of the team – those campy TD celebrations have slowly disappeared and Conner seems to be handing the ball to the ref after a score as if its his job to be there. Brown even seems less concerned with a 2000-yard season and more about the wins. Schuster is a great kid, but the rookie playfulness has begun to mature into focused playmaking. And as the team grinds out leads on offense with longer drives, giving the defense the time to be rested and play with greater strategy and effectiveness – this Steelers team is demonstrating it is better than that 2017 team that was robbed of home field advantage.
And once again, the “talking heads” are right with the Steelers needing Bell to make a deeper and more successful run in the playoffs -- but again not in the way they think. Conner needs someone to give him a break every third series – so Bell can put on his hat and give the starter the rest he needs and watch while not worrying about injuring himself as they win without his full-time services.
And in this case, the talking head experts are 100% correct – at least in the part that Bell is a more talented Running Back than James Conner and arguably will “absolutely” need Bell to make a deep playoff run. However, they are not right in the way they want to think.
While it is true that Bell has been the best RB in the league as he has accomplished 3 consecutive All-Pro seasons and arguably a more dominant stretch of individual production than any Steelers RB in modern NFL history. That includes Hall of Famers Franco Harris or Jerome Bettis as well as the shorter but record setting performances of Barry Foster and Willie Parker.
At the same time; Bell has provided a consistent distraction of injuries and suspensions, as well as his off-the-field behaviors. He’s a bona-fide diva and quite simply – dominant individual seasons and championship seasons are not mutually exclusive.
Consider these two divas and what they have in common:
- Dan Marino re-wrote the record books early in his career and especially in 1984.
- Randy Moss made huge play after huge play his entire career, setting the TD receiving record in 2007.
They never gave up their mindset of doing it their way and not a TEAM way – and as a result all their records saw them get to the Hall of Fame but never a championship.
We watched arguably the most talented Steelers team since the 1970s go 13-3 last year but required Boswell to bail them out with 3 kicks with 0:00 on the clock to beat 3 badly injured and weak teams. Indeed, it seemed like the 2017 Steelers played with no heart, winning games out of sheer talent at the end. They generated big plays late in the game far too often until it caught up with them in that debacle vs. Jacksonville.
So the talking heads have it right, but have it all wrong. Bell is a BETTER RUNNING BACK than James Conner, but the Steelers are a BETTER TEAM with Conner starting.
I have a theory that Bell and Brown had a strong influence on each other in a health competition of one-upsmanship as each tried to outdo the other. While it generated great statistical numbers, it came at the cost of the TEAM.
After the September debacle and circus surrounding Bell; that atrocious game one by Roethlisberger throwing a win against the Browns away and the uninspired games vs. Kansas City and Baltimore; the Steelers went back to the basics. Forget about Roethlisberger’s record setting pace to 5000 yards and have a healthy mix of Conner rushing for 100-yard games and efficiency with big plays from Big Ben to Brown, Schuster and Vance McDonald. The genuine Conner uphill struggle for respect and even his LIFE has trickled throughout the TEAM. There is obvious rapport Conner has with his offensive line has managed to influence the rest of the team – those campy TD celebrations have slowly disappeared and Conner seems to be handing the ball to the ref after a score as if its his job to be there. Brown even seems less concerned with a 2000-yard season and more about the wins. Schuster is a great kid, but the rookie playfulness has begun to mature into focused playmaking. And as the team grinds out leads on offense with longer drives, giving the defense the time to be rested and play with greater strategy and effectiveness – this Steelers team is demonstrating it is better than that 2017 team that was robbed of home field advantage.
And once again, the “talking heads” are right with the Steelers needing Bell to make a deeper and more successful run in the playoffs -- but again not in the way they think. Conner needs someone to give him a break every third series – so Bell can put on his hat and give the starter the rest he needs and watch while not worrying about injuring himself as they win without his full-time services.
