IT MIGHT BE BELL TO PAY!
Knows some Steeler fans ‘despise’ him because of contract dispute
When the Pittsburgh Steelers roll into MetLife Stadium on Sunday, it’ll be a bit of a reunion for Le’Veon Bell.
But Bell, a former Steeler, isn’t expecting a rosy reaction from the entire Pittsburgh fanbase.
“I think it’ll probably be 5050,” Bell said. “Half that are happy to see me and still love me, half that hate me and despise me. It is what it is, I’m gonna show love regardless. Everyone that’s wearing my jersey, I’m gonna go sign it and things like that. It’ll be fun.”
For the first time in his career, Bell is set to face the franchise that helped develop him into one of the best running backs of this decade and a twotime All-Pro.
“It’s going to be fun,” Bell said. “You know, going out there against guys that I practiced with for a long time and actually getting a chance to compete against them, it’s going to be fun.”
How Bell’s time ended with Pittsburgh is widely known by now. He missed the entire 2018 season due to a contract dispute over guaranteed money before signing with the Jets on a fouryear, $52 million deal that included $27 million guaranteed.
Bell said that he isn’t concerned with potentially spoiling the Steelers’ playoff hopes, as a win would likely knock the Steelers from postseason contention.
“Honestly, I don’t look at like that,” Bell said. “Each and every game I try to give it my all, you know? I guess if I can try to find an extra squeeze I’m gonna try, but it is what it is to me. I’m always going to try and go out there to do my best.”
Pittsburgh will be a tough test for the Bell and the Jets offense. The Steelers are allowing just 3.7 yards per carry this year, good for third in the NFL. Defensive end T.J. Watt is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and they have a host of talented linebackers and defensive linemen that will make life tough on the Jets.
“Those guys, they do a lot of two-gapping,” Bell said as he broke down Pittsburgh’s defense. “They got great edge rushers, they can rush the passer well, great interior linemen. Not only that, but they got guys on the outside — the defensive backs — that can play close coverage and not let guys get open. The pass rushers will be able to get home and it makes everyone’s job easier.”
Pittsburgh’s defense will just be another challenge for Bell in his first year with the Jets — a year that hasn’t gone how anyone would hope. Bell is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and has only managed three games with over four yards per carry. Head coach and offensive playcaller Adam Gase said there isn’t one specific area to blame for Bell’s lack of production.
“I think a little bit of it is the pieces changing up front, we kind of lost a little bit of our chemistry there from training camp, once we got going in the season,” Gase said. “We had some guys going in and out, losing Sam (Darnold) for three weeks, we kind of leaned on (Bell) pretty heavily, really everything was on him, trying to get us positive yards and first downs, so he took a pretty good pounding there for three weeks.”
Whether it’s offensive line continuity, Gase’s playcalling, or Bell’s own ability, he just hasn’t been able to create meaningful
production on a weekly basis.
He has a chance to do that this week against his old team.
ROBBY ILL
WR Robby Anderson was sent home on Thursday with an illness. OL Tom Compton (calf ) and WR Demaryius Thomas (knee/hamstring) also did not participate in Thursday’s practice.
S Jamal Adams (ankle), DL Henry Anderson (shoulder), OL Kelvin Beachum (ankles), CB Arthur Maulet (calf), DL Steve McLendon (knee/hip) ,CB Brian Poole (concussion/ ankle), RB Bilal Powell (ankle) and DL Quinnen Williams (neck) were limited in Thursday’s practice.