"We're a Type of Team That We Tackle in Preseason": Steelers Still Have a Feel for Le'Veon Bell
PITTSBURGH -- In the midst of a must-win situation for the Steelers is a reunion with their former running back Le'Veon Bell on Sunday at MetLife Stadium against the Jets.
For the first time since sitting out a season in 2018 after refusing to sign his franchise tag, Pittsburgh will meet their former Pro Bowler on the field.
In a young locker room, not every member of the Steelers roster has seen Bell suit up in the black and gold. Veterans Mike Hilton and Bud Dupree said they're looking forward to the matchup but coach Mike Tomlin is enthused.
According to Tomlin, no longer communicates with Bell. "He's a New York Jet," Tomlin said.
During his season-long holdout, Bell sent plenty of messages to his former team through Twitter lash outs and rap disses.
Tomlin did acknowledge the benefit of some Steelers practicing with him throughout his career. Players like Dupree, Vince Williams, Cameron Heyward and other veterans watched his growth and unique running style when he competed in Pittsburgh.
"I don't have to tackle him. I don't have a lot to worry about," Tomlin joked. "Tackling him is the issue, and his teammates have seen him in training camp-type settings, we're a type of team that we tackle in preseason and training camp-type settings so it won't be the first time those guys will combat him in those ways. We have a lot of respect for Le'Veon, we know the competitor he is. We know he's going to answer the bell and be hell-bell in this game but it's our job to minimize that, particularly to when it pertains to us securing victory."
With a few years of experience practicing against Bell's signature patient running style, the Steelers could have a few tricks to try and stop him.
"I feel like going against him in practice you've got a good feel of how he likes to read things stuff like that," Hilton said. "Of course, it's easier said than done but we feel like with the speed we have we can get a lot of guys around him and kind of use that patience against him."
Bell has had his worst season in the NFL and more of the focus of the Jets offense is on second-year quarterback Sam Darnold, who has thrown for 10 touchdowns and 1,335 yards over the last five games. The Jets have gone 3-2 including a 34-3 blowout win over the Oakland Raiders.
Steelers fans always travel well and they will have no trouble taking over MetLife Stadium with their Terrible Towels. New York is 5-9 and long been out of playoff contention. The Steelers are 8-6 and tied with the Titans for the second-wild card spot in the AFC.
The Steelers this season have faced Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Kyler Murray and now they must try to stop another young QB.
"He's got all the talent that makes him a top draft pick," Tomlin said. "He's got all the mobility and arm strength and touch, he doesn't panic under pressure, he's been a big challenge in terms of watching his tape, in terms of things that they do with him; they run him in the red zone, he's got a couple rushing touchdowns. There's a lot of top notch young quarterbacks in the league. I think that's what stands out to me when watching him this week, just thinking back to recent weeks and some of the things we've seen, there's a lot of young talented signal callers in this league."
Bell might not be the threat he was in Pittsburgh, but he is still the story of this game.
