Le’Veon Bell tells Steelers he’ll be ready for camp
By James Dudko
Le’Veon Bell has told the Pittsburgh Steelers he’ll be ready for the start of training camp.
The dynamic running back has also promised to come back stronger after the knee surgery that cost him most of the 2015 NFL season.
Bell made the claims during a recent interview, per ESPN‘s James Walker:
"I’m going to be ready. The biggest thing for me is getting mentally ready for getting hit and things like that, and I don’t think I’ll really get tackled until a preseason game or maybe in the regular season. I don’t think I’ll actually hit the ground or get tackled. But when that does happen, I’ll be ready for it. But cutting, running routes, picking them and putting them on my feet, everything is back to normal."
It’s interesting that Bell hinted at some wariness about how his surgically repaired knee will stand up to contact. That’s sure to weigh on the mind of someone who plays a position where he can expect to be at least contacted on every play.
Looking back at the torn MCL and PCL he suffered in Week 8 last season, Bell indicated he didn’t initially think he’d be back and ready for action at this stage of the league’s calendar.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger already helms a passing attack capable of stretching any defense deep. A receiving corps led by brilliant catch machine Antonio Brown is the envy of most teams.
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Offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s bold aerial schemes can be boosted by the offseason acquisition of Ladarius Green, one of the smarter moves in NFL free agency. Green is a roving menace as joker-style, hybrid tight end who can create a big play from anywhere.
Yet, for all the weapons at Roethlisberger’s disposal, it’s Bell who makes the Steelers click. His blink-of-an-eye speed and multi-layered, joystick-style moves make him a cross between Barry Sanders and an in-his-prime Chris Johnson.
Bell also excels as a receiver. He’s a move pass-catcher who can be placed anywhere across a formation, including the slot or even flexed out wide.
The Steelers missed Bell’s versatility and big-play potential last season as veteran DeAngelo Williams tried to pound defenses between the tackles and the inexperienced Fitzgerald Toussaint struggled to provide a swifter complement.
With Bell on the field for 2016, Pittsburgh should be favorites in the AFC. Beyond next season, he’s insisted he’s confident about securing a new contract once his rookie deal expires, per Walker.
That’s the news Steelers fans will really want to hear.
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