I watched Leveon Bell the whole time he was at MSU, and I've watched James Conner the whole time he was at Pitt. A healthy Conner was a better all around college RB than Bell. The one question mark I ever had for Conner was his ability to catch out of the backfield, and last year he proved that he is more than capable there. If he stays healthy, he will eventually become the starter and will excel.
OK I'm just gonna out and say it.....
- Thread starter thebadby2
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Bell is much better and probably the most talented RB in the NFL. He isn't getting beat out by anyone. Conner might take over next year if he shows well and Bell doesn't get an extension.
I think they like conner as a safety net in case they can't get bell to sign a cap friendly extension. Let's not be too much of pitt homers here and say that conner will end up supplanting bell as the starter come week 14 or something.
Bell played out of shape at MSU. He was your typical fat10 back until he lost that extra weight with the Steelers.
I think they were both amazing in college- I am a bit surprised that the Steelers took Conner in the 3rd. He may end up being a steal or he may not, but you at least know you are getting a guy who will always give you his best- no matter what.
Bell was my favorite RB by far in his year's draft.
I was crossing my fingers the Steelers would draft him. I remember watching him at MSU and thinking, "Man that is one tough back with deceptive quickness."
I am just happy the Steelers have them both. A very good situation.
Bell was my favorite RB by far in his year's draft.
I was crossing my fingers the Steelers would draft him. I remember watching him at MSU and thinking, "Man that is one tough back with deceptive quickness."
I am just happy the Steelers have them both. A very good situation.
Everyone thought the Eagles would take him at the beginning of the 4th...They apparently (and correctly) loved him. I think the Steelers knew it was now or never. Like McCoy he is a first round talent...Great pick by Steelers
James has 4th round speed with a first overall pick heart. This is one of those rare moments when things worked to a T. The Steelers got a contributor at the least. A star at best.
Bell is a good back but his running style is greatly dependent on a good solid offensive line. Conner is a bruiser and will be a great change of pace to bell
News flash-every RB's success depends on quality offensive line play, especially in the NFL.
Both of these guys are big strong versatile backs who aren't the fastest, so I don't see the change of pace idea here.
yes I agree and it didn't come out properly. Bell is a very patient back. He sits back and waits for holes to open instead of just attacking straight forward. His style works in Pittsburgh cause the line is good, not sure it would translate elsewhere.
Bell is probably the best back in the league, number two at worst. The list of backs who could beat Bell out is a short one, consisting of guys who have a bust in Canton, or will soon have one. So if you think James can actually beat Bell out, that means that you expect Conner to become one of the best backs ever to step on a football field. That is a tall order.
IMO this a damn near perfect running back duo. As much as I want James to be the one getting all the carries, bell is the most talented back in the league considering his overall game, or at least one of them. JC being a bruising back though provides a great mix-up as the change of pace back and I think he's gonna be a huge contributor in Pittsburgh for a long time.
HOWEVER - didn't New England maybe sorta give the rest of the league a good plan for stopping Bell? I have to imagine every team on the Steelers schedule has spent a huge amount of time watching that game tape. It will be interesting this year to see how the league adopts NE's approach, and how the Steelers and Bell counter.
Take a lap buddy! Bell is a consensus top 3 back in the NFL. It's a matter if it's to risky to to sign Bell long term.
LOL! Can't believe the Steelers drafted a fat slow RB in the 1st round. Man the Steelers brass are idiots. And boy did they get lucky Bell lost a few pounds and turned into a stud. This site cracks me up.
He was almost 250 pounds his rookie year and dropped down to 225 in the off-season. Ignorance is usually funny so keep on laughing at yourself.
Take remedial reading buddy.
I said a healthy Conner was a better college back than Bell was. While JC was healthy for his full sophomore season, that was certainly true, and I watched nearly every game that both players played. Conner missed his entire junior year and played at 50-60% most of last season. I also said that if he stays healthy, he will eventually become the Steeler's starter. He's not going to walk in and knock Bell off as a starter, I never even suggested that. Bell's a pothead and his character and work ethic are iffy, Conner's clean as a whistle and his character and competitive drive are as strong as they come. I think down the road a few years Conner-if he stays healthy-overtakes Bell. Sooner if Bell F's up or gets hurt.
Cool! I guess I'll repeat myself for the low IQ guys in a different way so your narrative feels better for you guys. Anyone that makes an argument that Connor is or will be a better football player than Bell is a massive sports retard. Check back with me when JC is a top 3 NFL RB. Until then you are a dummy. Here's hoping JC is the best 3 down RB in the NFL. Until then yuz goofy.
In the national media and even fans across the country, they seem to have already forgotten that James Conner was one of the top 3 or so backs in the country his sophomore year. He wasn't just a good player that was the star on an otherwise talentless team, he was the freakin' ACC offensive player of the year as a sophomore when James Winston was also a sophomore.
Connor is a hedge and leverage if he pans out. Bell has a one year deal and sees a steep increase if the Steelers tag him again next spring so choosing a guy that can "replace" him was a huge priority.
