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RB Le'Veon Bell, FA (3 Viewers)

Another steelers homer here: I watched Bell last year and came away mighty impressed. Great vision and patience, but when he hits the hole he is explosive. I think he will have a coming out party this season; I am buying. Two notes, though: I suspect Blount may vulture some goal line carries (maybe many) thus hurting Bell's fantasy value. Keep in mind as well though Blount's off-the-field issues which hurt his stock in the past. I doubt Tomlin's sticking his neck out for a backup RB should the proverbial fan become soiled.
Curious as to how buying Bell as a RB1 in the late 1st / early 2nd fits with believing that Blount will be vulturing "some maybe many" of the TDs.Also, Blount hasn't had any "off-field" issues, ever. He did KTFO that other player on the field in college, but he's never had any other issues that I'm aware of. After five years, I'm willing to write that incident off as "young dumbassery" and not worry about it. He hasn't exactly been Kenny Britt or Pacman Jones since joining the NFL.
? Search blunt punches team mate at titans camp in on YouTube.....
So a TC fight is a big deal, or indicative of character problems, or actually even relevant in any way whatsoever? I'm guessing you never played organized football -- my HS and college coaches all LOVED it when we were going hard enough to get into fights on the practice field. Hell, they actually encouraged it, assuming you didn't sucker punch the starting QB or anything. It's not golf we're talking about here, and the macho / meathead / tough guy mindset is pretty strongly ingrained in the sport on all levels
They liked it so much they cut him. So in your limited experience playing pee wei football you know this? Also when did water boys start being considered organized sports?
 
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Another steelers homer here: I watched Bell last year and came away mighty impressed. Great vision and patience, but when he hits the hole he is explosive. I think he will have a coming out party this season; I am buying. Two notes, though: I suspect Blount may vulture some goal line carries (maybe many) thus hurting Bell's fantasy value. Keep in mind as well though Blount's off-the-field issues which hurt his stock in the past. I doubt Tomlin's sticking his neck out for a backup RB should the proverbial fan become soiled.
Curious as to how buying Bell as a RB1 in the late 1st / early 2nd fits with believing that Blount will be vulturing "some maybe many" of the TDs.Also, Blount hasn't had any "off-field" issues, ever. He did KTFO that other player on the field in college, but he's never had any other issues that I'm aware of. After five years, I'm willing to write that incident off as "young dumbassery" and not worry about it. He hasn't exactly been Kenny Britt or Pacman Jones since joining the NFL.
? Search blunt punches team mate at titans camp in on YouTube.....
So a TC fight is a big deal, or indicative of character problems, or actually even relevant in any way whatsoever? I'm guessing you never played organized football -- my HS and college coaches all LOVED it when we were going hard enough to get into fights on the practice field. Hell, they actually encouraged it, assuming you didn't sucker punch the starting QB or anything. It's not golf we're talking about here, and the macho / meathead / tough guy mindset is pretty strongly ingrained in the sport on all levels
They liked it so much they cut him. So in your limited experience playing pee wei football you know this? Also when did water boys start being considered organized sports?
Personal insults are always such a strong counterpoint. Well done, guy -- I'm totally convinced that one punch thrown years ago as a rookie in TC outweighs four years of proven strong production with a completely clean record. Now, I definitely expect Blount to be cut or maybe suspended prior to the start of the regular season.

 
Another steelers homer here: I watched Bell last year and came away mighty impressed. Great vision and patience, but when he hits the hole he is explosive. I think he will have a coming out party this season; I am buying. Two notes, though: I suspect Blount may vulture some goal line carries (maybe many) thus hurting Bell's fantasy value. Keep in mind as well though Blount's off-the-field issues which hurt his stock in the past. I doubt Tomlin's sticking his neck out for a backup RB should the proverbial fan become soiled.
Curious as to how buying Bell as a RB1 in the late 1st / early 2nd fits with believing that Blount will be vulturing "some maybe many" of the TDs.Also, Blount hasn't had any "off-field" issues, ever. He did KTFO that other player on the field in college, but he's never had any other issues that I'm aware of. After five years, I'm willing to write that incident off as "young dumbassery" and not worry about it. He hasn't exactly been Kenny Britt or Pacman Jones since joining the NFL.
? Search blunt punches team mate at titans camp in on YouTube.....
So a TC fight is a big deal, or indicative of character problems, or actually even relevant in any way whatsoever? I'm guessing you never played organized football -- my HS and college coaches all LOVED it when we were going hard enough to get into fights on the practice field. Hell, they actually encouraged it, assuming you didn't sucker punch the starting QB or anything. It's not golf we're talking about here, and the macho / meathead / tough guy mindset is pretty strongly ingrained in the sport on all levels
They liked it so much they cut him. So in your limited experience playing pee wei football you know this? Also when did water boys start being considered organized sports?
Personal insults are always such a strong counterpoint. Well done, guy -- I'm totally convinced that one punch thrown years ago as a rookie in TC outweighs four years of proven strong production with a completely clean record. Now, I definitely expect Blount to be cut or maybe suspended prior to the start of the regular season.
Well, to be fair, his 3rd year wasn't that good; he found himself in the doghouse in TB; of course Schiano seemed to be more of a "hard-###" type coach, and Tomlin has a reputation of being a bit too "player-friendly."

Here's the question: did Blount get in Schiano's doghouse because Schiano was a #####, or because he didn't like not getting PT behind Doug Martin? If it's the latter, and he was dogging it b/c he wasn't starting, that could be a problem this year. Last year, in NE, b/c of Ridley's butterfingers, Blount had double digit touches in 9 games, 9 touches in a 10th game, and 8 in an 11th. Even though he wasn't starting, he was getting consistent PT. We don't know if he had a bad attitude his last year in TB because of decreased PT, but if that was the case, and he doesn't get consistent touches in Pitt, that could be a problem.

 
Maybe "off-the-field issues" is not the proper term, but Blount has a history that raises red flags at least for me. Instead of relying on my shoddy memory, I took some time to see what wikipedia says:

"After the opening game of the 2009 season, Blount was suspended for punching an opponent and angrily confronting fans, one of which was approaching him with a chair from the stands, after the nationally televised season-opening loss.[1] Though the suspension was announced to be for the remainder of the season, due to his meeting of specific criteria set by the football staff, he was eventually reinstated after missing eight games.[2]"

and "He clashed several times during the season [2008 in Oregon] with veteran head coach Mike Bellotti, earning a suspension for the first quarter of a November loss to the Cal Golden Bears for "not following team rules."[23] After the end of the season, he missed a number of workouts.[14] Bellotti suspended him indefinitely on February 10 for "failure to fulfill team obligations."[24]"

and

"In August 2010, Blount was involved in another incident in which he threw a punch, this time with a Tennessee Titans teammate, defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, a few moments after having his own helmet ripped off in practice. The play ended with some pushing and shoving, Blount threw a right fist, contacting Bakhtiari's facemask. Blount quickly talked to Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher before leaving the field. "He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Fisher said. "It's football. It's training camp."

I'm not trying to crucify the guy, just trying to sort through the facts. And indeed he has earned extended suspensions in the past.

 
Maybe "off-the-field issues" is not the proper term, but Blount has a history that raises red flags at least for me. Instead of relying on my shoddy memory, I took some time to see what wikipedia says:

"After the opening game of the 2009 season, Blount was suspended for punching an opponent and angrily confronting fans, one of which was approaching him with a chair from the stands, after the nationally televised season-opening loss.[1] Though the suspension was announced to be for the remainder of the season, due to his meeting of specific criteria set by the football staff, he was eventually reinstated after missing eight games.[2]"

and "He clashed several times during the season [2008 in Oregon] with veteran head coach Mike Bellotti, earning a suspension for the first quarter of a November loss to the Cal Golden Bears for "not following team rules."[23] After the end of the season, he missed a number of workouts.[14] Bellotti suspended him indefinitely on February 10 for "failure to fulfill team obligations."[24]"

and

"In August 2010, Blount was involved in another incident in which he threw a punch, this time with a Tennessee Titans teammate, defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, a few moments after having his own helmet ripped off in practice. The play ended with some pushing and shoving, Blount threw a right fist, contacting Bakhtiari's facemask. Blount quickly talked to Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher before leaving the field. "He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Fisher said. "It's football. It's training camp."

I'm not trying to crucify the guy, just trying to sort through the facts. And indeed he has earned extended suspensions in the past.
Means nothing.

Belichek loved him. Said he was a great teammate and a positive locker room presence.

 
Maybe "off-the-field issues" is not the proper term, but Blount has a history that raises red flags at least for me. Instead of relying on my shoddy memory, I took some time to see what wikipedia says:

"After the opening game of the 2009 season, Blount was suspended for punching an opponent and angrily confronting fans, one of which was approaching him with a chair from the stands, after the nationally televised season-opening loss.[1] Though the suspension was announced to be for the remainder of the season, due to his meeting of specific criteria set by the football staff, he was eventually reinstated after missing eight games.[2]"

and "He clashed several times during the season [2008 in Oregon] with veteran head coach Mike Bellotti, earning a suspension for the first quarter of a November loss to the Cal Golden Bears for "not following team rules."[23] After the end of the season, he missed a number of workouts.[14] Bellotti suspended him indefinitely on February 10 for "failure to fulfill team obligations."[24]"

and

"In August 2010, Blount was involved in another incident in which he threw a punch, this time with a Tennessee Titans teammate, defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, a few moments after having his own helmet ripped off in practice. The play ended with some pushing and shoving, Blount threw a right fist, contacting Bakhtiari's facemask. Blount quickly talked to Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher before leaving the field. "He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Fisher said. "It's football. It's training camp."

I'm not trying to crucify the guy, just trying to sort through the facts. And indeed he has earned extended suspensions in the past.
Means nothing.

Belichek loved him. Said he was a great teammate and a positive locker room presence.
That's why he let him go instead of signing him for peanuts?

I've never heard a coach say - "He's a terrible player and we wasted the money on him" ... give me a break.

 
Maybe "off-the-field issues" is not the proper term, but Blount has a history that raises red flags at least for me. Instead of relying on my shoddy memory, I took some time to see what wikipedia says:

"After the opening game of the 2009 season, Blount was suspended for punching an opponent and angrily confronting fans, one of which was approaching him with a chair from the stands, after the nationally televised season-opening loss.[1] Though the suspension was announced to be for the remainder of the season, due to his meeting of specific criteria set by the football staff, he was eventually reinstated after missing eight games.[2]"

and "He clashed several times during the season [2008 in Oregon] with veteran head coach Mike Bellotti, earning a suspension for the first quarter of a November loss to the Cal Golden Bears for "not following team rules."[23] After the end of the season, he missed a number of workouts.[14] Bellotti suspended him indefinitely on February 10 for "failure to fulfill team obligations."[24]"and"In August 2010, Blount was involved in another incident in which he threw a punch, this time with a Tennessee Titans teammate, defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, a few moments after having his own helmet ripped off in practice. The play ended with some pushing and shoving, Blount threw a right fist, contacting Bakhtiari's facemask. Blount quickly talked to Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher before leaving the field. "He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Fisher said. "It's football. It's training camp."I'm not trying to crucify the guy, just trying to sort through the facts. And indeed he has earned extended suspensions in the past.
Means nothing.

Belichek loved him. Said he was a great teammate and a positive locker room presence.
That's why he let him go instead of signing him for peanuts?

I've never heard a coach say - "He's a terrible player and we wasted the money on him" ... give me a break.
See: Haynesworth, Albert or OchoCinco, Chad
 
I personally don't put much stock in Schiano's opinion either, the Bucs were pretty much in open revolt last year.

 
Blount used to be a bad seed but there isn't much since his rookie year that suggests he was a bad teammate or had any offseason issues for years. But for his bone headed punch in college he would have been easily drafted and probably pretty high. If we were all judged solely by our worst moments society would likely collapse.

 
Rotoworld:

Le'Veon Bell - RB - Steelers

The Steelers announced Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount as co-starters for Saturday night's preseason game.

Bell played the first series and rotated with Blount throughout the first half, though neither played enough snaps to draw any conclusions about their usage. Blount was used in red-zone packages, and appears to be the preferred option in short-yardage situations. Bell remains the favorite to lead Pittsburgh in carries, but isn't going to handle the massive workload the Steelers gave him as a rookie. Bell has 35 total yards on eight touches though two preseason games.

Related: LeGarrette Blount

Aug 16 - 11:08 PM
 
He has been all over my tiers but right now dude just keeps falling in my ranks.

Got him behind Ball, Lynch, Murray, Alf, Bernard, Martin, Stacey and just ahead of Foster, Gerhart, Ellington. (Standard)

If he doesn't get GL work I feel like he will be a plodder.

 
Honestly dude, Blount is kind of a beast. He only dropped so far because he punched that dude. Talentwise Blount may be better than Bell. You love having Bell on the backburner for passing downs and draws.

But if I'm going to a killshot, give my Blount.

 
I wonder if he'll drop far enough to make for some good value in PPR. I still see him catching near 50 balls.
He's going RB10 in PPR, which I believe is a best case scenario. He's a reach in the 2nd round but like him because of his receiving in the mid-late 3rd.

 
Maybe "off-the-field issues" is not the proper term, but Blount has a history that raises red flags at least for me. Instead of relying on my shoddy memory, I took some time to see what wikipedia says:

"After the opening game of the 2009 season, Blount was suspended for punching an opponent and angrily confronting fans, one of which was approaching him with a chair from the stands, after the nationally televised season-opening loss.[1] Though the suspension was announced to be for the remainder of the season, due to his meeting of specific criteria set by the football staff, he was eventually reinstated after missing eight games.[2]"

and "He clashed several times during the season [2008 in Oregon] with veteran head coach Mike Bellotti, earning a suspension for the first quarter of a November loss to the Cal Golden Bears for "not following team rules."[23] After the end of the season, he missed a number of workouts.[14] Bellotti suspended him indefinitely on February 10 for "failure to fulfill team obligations."[24]"

and

"In August 2010, Blount was involved in another incident in which he threw a punch, this time with a Tennessee Titans teammate, defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, a few moments after having his own helmet ripped off in practice. The play ended with some pushing and shoving, Blount threw a right fist, contacting Bakhtiari's facemask. Blount quickly talked to Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher before leaving the field. "He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Fisher said. "It's football. It's training camp."

I'm not trying to crucify the guy, just trying to sort through the facts. And indeed he has earned extended suspensions in the past.
Means nothing.

Belichek loved him. Said he was a great teammate and a positive locker room presence.
That's why he let him go instead of signing him for peanuts?

I've never heard a coach say - "He's a terrible player and we wasted the money on him" ... give me a break.
Blount is nothing special. He's a decent power running back in a sea of them. The Pats wanted to resign him but the Steelers paid him way more than what the Pats were paying him especially in this RB market. Pats are pretty shrewd and they spent their money wisely elsewhere.

 
Even Bell is saying Blount will get the goal line carries this season? I'm not touching this guy in the second or third round. Yet a other reason to go WR/WR outside the top 4-5.

 
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Maybe "off-the-field issues" is not the proper term, but Blount has a history that raises red flags at least for me. Instead of relying on my shoddy memory, I took some time to see what wikipedia says:

"After the opening game of the 2009 season, Blount was suspended for punching an opponent and angrily confronting fans, one of which was approaching him with a chair from the stands, after the nationally televised season-opening loss.[1] Though the suspension was announced to be for the remainder of the season, due to his meeting of specific criteria set by the football staff, he was eventually reinstated after missing eight games.[2]"

and "He clashed several times during the season [2008 in Oregon] with veteran head coach Mike Bellotti, earning a suspension for the first quarter of a November loss to the Cal Golden Bears for "not following team rules."[23] After the end of the season, he missed a number of workouts.[14] Bellotti suspended him indefinitely on February 10 for "failure to fulfill team obligations."[24]"

and

"In August 2010, Blount was involved in another incident in which he threw a punch, this time with a Tennessee Titans teammate, defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, a few moments after having his own helmet ripped off in practice. The play ended with some pushing and shoving, Blount threw a right fist, contacting Bakhtiari's facemask. Blount quickly talked to Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher before leaving the field. "He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Fisher said. "It's football. It's training camp."

I'm not trying to crucify the guy, just trying to sort through the facts. And indeed he has earned extended suspensions in the past.
Means nothing.Belichek loved him. Said he was a great teammate and a positive locker room presence.
That's why he let him go instead of signing him for peanuts?

I've never heard a coach say - "He's a terrible player and we wasted the money on him" ... give me a break.
Blount is nothing special. He's a decent power running back in a sea of them. The Pats wanted to resign him but the Steelers paid him way more than what the Pats were paying him especially in this RB market. Pats are pretty shrewd and they spent their money wisely elsewhere.
There are not a "sea" of power RBs who have averaged 4.7 ypc over almost 600 career carries. That puts him tied for 16th best career ypc for RBs in NFL history (that's a list comprised of RBs with at least 750 career carries, which Blount has not reached yet, but it gives perspective on how big that "sea" is). .

 
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I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
Nobody had more carries within 1 yard of the end zone than Le'Veon Bell. Either way, his value is going down because of this news because he's not going to get all of the work like he did in 2013.

 
ourmanflint said:
Maybe "off-the-field issues" is not the proper term, but Blount has a history that raises red flags at least for me. Instead of relying on my shoddy memory, I took some time to see what wikipedia says:

"After the opening game of the 2009 season, Blount was suspended for punching an opponent and angrily confronting fans, one of which was approaching him with a chair from the stands, after the nationally televised season-opening loss.[1] Though the suspension was announced to be for the remainder of the season, due to his meeting of specific criteria set by the football staff, he was eventually reinstated after missing eight games.[2]"

and "He clashed several times during the season [2008 in Oregon] with veteran head coach Mike Bellotti, earning a suspension for the first quarter of a November loss to the Cal Golden Bears for "not following team rules."[23] After the end of the season, he missed a number of workouts.[14] Bellotti suspended him indefinitely on February 10 for "failure to fulfill team obligations."[24]"

and

"In August 2010, Blount was involved in another incident in which he threw a punch, this time with a Tennessee Titans teammate, defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, a few moments after having his own helmet ripped off in practice. The play ended with some pushing and shoving, Blount threw a right fist, contacting Bakhtiari's facemask. Blount quickly talked to Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher before leaving the field. "He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Fisher said. "It's football. It's training camp."

I'm not trying to crucify the guy, just trying to sort through the facts. And indeed he has earned extended suspensions in the past.
Means nothing.

Belichek loved him. Said he was a great teammate and a positive locker room presence.
That's why he let him go instead of signing him for peanuts?

I've never heard a coach say - "He's a terrible player and we wasted the money on him" ... give me a break.
Blount is nothing special. He's a decent power running back in a sea of them. The Pats wanted to resign him but the Steelers paid him way more than what the Pats were paying him especially in this RB market. Pats are pretty shrewd and they spent their money wisely elsewhere.
A decent power back has a very good role, which is to grind down an opponent when the Steelers have the lead. Blount could very easily be the guy in the forth quarter if Pittsburgh has a sizeable lead and gain 50 yards and a TD. That's 50 and a TD that Bell doesn't get. Those late game numbers are the difference between a RB finishing as RB6 on the season and RB12.

 
Adam Harstad said:
I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
Is there anything to back this up? I'm probably not going after either of these players this year so it's kind of a moot point personally, however I see this stated routinely despite the fact that he's had a very small sample size for 4 year vet. From that sample, I'd say he's been fairly average.

People act like he's had a ton of opportunities and just been terrible, but in fact he's only had a few and, while he hasn't impressed, he hasn't really been awful, either. Further, you'd have to think goal line running would be easier to learn than pass protection so it's not unthinkable that he could've improved after a year of actual coaching. (three years under Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano might've done more harm than good)

 
Adam Harstad said:
I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
Is there anything to back this up? I'm probably not going after either of these players this year so it's kind of a moot point personally, however I see this stated routinely despite the fact that he's had a very small sample size for 4 year vet. From that sample, I'd say he's been fairly average.

People act like he's had a ton of opportunities and just been terrible, but in fact he's only had a few and, while he hasn't impressed, he hasn't really been awful, either. Further, you'd have to think goal line running would be easier to learn than pass protection so it's not unthinkable that he could've improved after a year of actual coaching. (three years under Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano might've done more harm than good)
This post has all the numbers, and they're extremely grim. Not only is the sample size small given his total workload (why haven't coaches been giving him short-yardage carries before?), but the success rate has been absolutely dire. Le'Veon BellLeGarrette Blount* ranks 85th out of 88 RBs in short-yardage conversion rate since entering the league, which ties with Thomas Jones and beats out only Darren McFadden and Javon Ringer. Only Ringer, McFadden, Thomas Jones, and Sammy Morris- out of a sample of 88 RBs since 2010!- average fewer yards per carry in short-yardage situations than LaGarrette Blount.

*This post originally listed Le'Veon Bell instead of LeGarrette Blount here. It was an unfortunate error, and I apologize for the confusion!

 
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Adam Harstad said:
I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
Is there anything to back this up? I'm probably not going after either of these players this year so it's kind of a moot point personally, however I see this stated routinely despite the fact that he's had a very small sample size for 4 year vet. From that sample, I'd say he's been fairly average.

People act like he's had a ton of opportunities and just been terrible, but in fact he's only had a few and, while he hasn't impressed, he hasn't really been awful, either. Further, you'd have to think goal line running would be easier to learn than pass protection so it's not unthinkable that he could've improved after a year of actual coaching. (three years under Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano might've done more harm than good)
This post has all the numbers, and they're extremely grim. Not only is the sample size small given his total workload (why haven't coaches been giving him short-yardage carries before?), but the success rate has been absolutely dire. Le'Veon Bell ranks 85th out of 88 RBs in short-yardage conversion rate since entering the league, which ties with Thomas Jones and beats out only Darren McFadden and Javon Ringer. Only Ringer, McFadden, Thomas Jones, and Sammy Morris- out of a sample of 88 RBs since 2010!- average fewer yards per carry in short-yardage situations than LaGarrette Blount.
So they both suck, is that what you're saying?

 
I think he meant to reference Blount when he said Bell
But along with this I took from above:

Blount is 7 for 19 (36%) inside the 5 for his career converting goal line attempts.

Last year he was 2 for 4. Ridley was 6 for 8.

Bell was 7 for 19 last year.
It would seem that they both suck with an equal 7 for 19 (36%) conversion rate for their careers.

 
Adam Harstad said:
I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
Is there anything to back this up? I'm probably not going after either of these players this year so it's kind of a moot point personally, however I see this stated routinely despite the fact that he's had a very small sample size for 4 year vet. From that sample, I'd say he's been fairly average.

People act like he's had a ton of opportunities and just been terrible, but in fact he's only had a few and, while he hasn't impressed, he hasn't really been awful, either. Further, you'd have to think goal line running would be easier to learn than pass protection so it's not unthinkable that he could've improved after a year of actual coaching. (three years under Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano might've done more harm than good)
This post has all the numbers, and they're extremely grim. Not only is the sample size small given his total workload (why haven't coaches been giving him short-yardage carries before?), but the success rate has been absolutely dire. Le'Veon Bell ranks 85th out of 88 RBs in short-yardage conversion rate since entering the league, which ties with Thomas Jones and beats out only Darren McFadden and Javon Ringer. Only Ringer, McFadden, Thomas Jones, and Sammy Morris- out of a sample of 88 RBs since 2010!- average fewer yards per carry in short-yardage situations than LaGarrette Blount.
That's interesting, because last year according to Football Outsiders Blount was tied for the second best success rate in the league, behind only Woodhead, for all players with at least 100 carries. They define success on a running play as follows:



In general, a play counts as a "hit" if it gains 40% of yards on first down, 60% of yards on second down, and 100% of yards on third down.

If the team is behind by more than a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 50%/65%/100%.

If the team is ahead by any amount in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 30%/50%/100%.

link

.

 
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Statistics aside, where are the forum guys who keep their ears low to the ground on all things Steelers and what's their take on usage/scenarios (Finkle, God's Brother, etc)?

 
Adam Harstad said:
I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
Is there anything to back this up? I'm probably not going after either of these players this year so it's kind of a moot point personally, however I see this stated routinely despite the fact that he's had a very small sample size for 4 year vet. From that sample, I'd say he's been fairly average.

People act like he's had a ton of opportunities and just been terrible, but in fact he's only had a few and, while he hasn't impressed, he hasn't really been awful, either. Further, you'd have to think goal line running would be easier to learn than pass protection so it's not unthinkable that he could've improved after a year of actual coaching. (three years under Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano might've done more harm than good)
This post has all the numbers, and they're extremely grim. Not only is the sample size small given his total workload (why haven't coaches been giving him short-yardage carries before?), but the success rate has been absolutely dire. Le'Veon Bell ranks 85th out of 88 RBs in short-yardage conversion rate since entering the league, which ties with Thomas Jones and beats out only Darren McFadden and Javon Ringer. Only Ringer, McFadden, Thomas Jones, and Sammy Morris- out of a sample of 88 RBs since 2010!- average fewer yards per carry in short-yardage situations than LaGarrette Blount.
That's interesting, because last year according to Football Outsiders Blount was tied for the second best success rate in the league, behind only Woodhead, for all players with at least 100 carries.They define success on a running play as follows:

In general, a play counts as a "hit" if it gains 40% of yards on first down, 60% of yards on second down, and 100% of yards on third down.

If the team is behind by more than a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 50%/65%/100%.

If the team is ahead by any amount in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 30%/50%/100%.

link

.
What I find interesting in that read is that it fits the bill for what the website does (innovative statistics...created by THEM) but it appears to severely lack the eyeball test.

Blount is tied with Donald Brown behind Danny Woodhead as the best in the business while guys like ADP is 32, Lacy and Forte are late 20's, and Frank Gore, who might be one of the best inside runners behind one of the best lines, is 38?? Color me skeptical. §

 
I wonder if he'll drop far enough to make for some good value in PPR. I still see him catching near 50 balls.
he dropped to me in my draft last night to 3.08. Crazy. I kept looking at him saying no way he will get to me. PPR league, all Tds 6 PTs so there are enough QBs that to earlier to push some skill positions back a bit, but that was crazy. Some of it I am sure was the announcement and enough people either grabbing other positions or other RBs until I got him.

 
I think he meant to reference Blount when he said Bell
But along with this I took from above:

Blount is 7 for 19 (36%) inside the 5 for his career converting goal line attempts.

Last year he was 2 for 4. Ridley was 6 for 8.

Bell was 7 for 19 last year.
It would seem that they both suck with an equal 7 for 19 (36%) conversion rate for their careers.
For his career, Le'Veon Bell is 11 of 16 at converting short-yardage (3rd or 4th down, 1-3 yards to go), a success rate that ranks 33rd out of the 88 backs in the sample (the sample, again, being all RBs with at least 10 short-yardage attempts since 2010). He is 12th out of 88 in average yards per attempt on short yardage carries. Based on his one year in the league, he is not at all terrible in short-yardage situations.

 
Bronco Billy said:
Adam Harstad said:
FF Ninja said:
Adam Harstad said:
I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
Is there anything to back this up? I'm probably not going after either of these players this year so it's kind of a moot point personally, however I see this stated routinely despite the fact that he's had a very small sample size for 4 year vet. From that sample, I'd say he's been fairly average.

People act like he's had a ton of opportunities and just been terrible, but in fact he's only had a few and, while he hasn't impressed, he hasn't really been awful, either. Further, you'd have to think goal line running would be easier to learn than pass protection so it's not unthinkable that he could've improved after a year of actual coaching. (three years under Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano might've done more harm than good)
This post has all the numbers, and they're extremely grim. Not only is the sample size small given his total workload (why haven't coaches been giving him short-yardage carries before?), but the success rate has been absolutely dire. Le'Veon Bell ranks 85th out of 88 RBs in short-yardage conversion rate since entering the league, which ties with Thomas Jones and beats out only Darren McFadden and Javon Ringer. Only Ringer, McFadden, Thomas Jones, and Sammy Morris- out of a sample of 88 RBs since 2010!- average fewer yards per carry in short-yardage situations than LaGarrette Blount.
That's interesting, because last year according to Football Outsiders Blount was tied for the second best success rate in the league, behind only Woodhead, for all players with at least 100 carries.They define success on a running play as follows:

In general, a play counts as a "hit" if it gains 40% of yards on first down, 60% of yards on second down, and 100% of yards on third down.

If the team is behind by more than a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 50%/65%/100%.

If the team is ahead by any amount in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 30%/50%/100%.

link

.
Success rate is not the same as being good in short yardage. One way to have a high success rate is to get a lot of 6-yard gains on 1st and 10. In fact, since LeGarrette Blount has had so few short yardage carries in his career, his success rate will be disproportionately represented by his work on 1st and 2nd down.

I'm not saying Blount is a bad RB. Since 2010, 107 RBs have gotten at least 50 carries on 1st and 10. Of those 107 RBs, Blount ranks a remarkable 7th in yards per carry! He obviously has some skills and some strengths. It's just that, for his career so far, "short yardage" has not been one of those strengths, so the news that Pittsburgh is planning on using him as a short-yardage RB is puzzling to me.

(Note: I'm aware that the news was they're going to use him as a goal-line RB, but goal line success correlates well with short-yardage success, and by substituting all short-yardage carries in for just goal-line carries we get a much larger sample size.)

It's also worth noting that New England's offense is EXTREMELY favorable for producing awesome success rate figures. Blount ranked 3rd in success rate last year... but Ridley ranked 7th. In 2012, Ridley ranked 4th. In 2011, BJGE ranked 6th. In 2010, BJGE ranked 2nd. In 2009, Laurence Maroney- Laurence Maroney!- ranked 11th. In 2008, Sammy Morris ranked 10th. In 2007, Laurence Maroney- Laurence Maroney!- ranked 2nd. In 2006, Corey Dillon ranked 6th. In 2005, Corey Dillon ranked 9th. In 2004, Corey Dillon ranked 5th. You have to go back more than a decade to Antoine Smith and Kevin Faulk in 2003 to find a featured back in New England who ranked worse than 11th in success rate, despite New England trotting out some truly awful RBs in that span. In that respect, LeGarrette Blount's strong success rate last year doesn't really give us all that much information about him as a player.

 
Bronco Billy said:
Adam Harstad said:
FF Ninja said:
Adam Harstad said:
I'll believe it when I see it. As I said, few backs have been worse in short yardage and goal-to-go situations than LaGarrette Blount.
Is there anything to back this up? I'm probably not going after either of these players this year so it's kind of a moot point personally, however I see this stated routinely despite the fact that he's had a very small sample size for 4 year vet. From that sample, I'd say he's been fairly average.

People act like he's had a ton of opportunities and just been terrible, but in fact he's only had a few and, while he hasn't impressed, he hasn't really been awful, either. Further, you'd have to think goal line running would be easier to learn than pass protection so it's not unthinkable that he could've improved after a year of actual coaching. (three years under Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano might've done more harm than good)
This post has all the numbers, and they're extremely grim. Not only is the sample size small given his total workload (why haven't coaches been giving him short-yardage carries before?), but the success rate has been absolutely dire. Le'Veon Bell ranks 85th out of 88 RBs in short-yardage conversion rate since entering the league, which ties with Thomas Jones and beats out only Darren McFadden and Javon Ringer. Only Ringer, McFadden, Thomas Jones, and Sammy Morris- out of a sample of 88 RBs since 2010!- average fewer yards per carry in short-yardage situations than LaGarrette Blount.
That's interesting, because last year according to Football Outsiders Blount was tied for the second best success rate in the league, behind only Woodhead, for all players with at least 100 carries.They define success on a running play as follows:

In general, a play counts as a "hit" if it gains 40% of yards on first down, 60% of yards on second down, and 100% of yards on third down.

If the team is behind by more than a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 50%/65%/100%.

If the team is ahead by any amount in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 30%/50%/100%.

link

.
Success rate is not the same as being good in short yardage. One way to have a high success rate is to get a lot of 6-yard gains on 1st and 10. In fact, since LeGarrette Blount has had so few short yardage carries in his career, his success rate will be disproportionately represented by his work on 1st and 2nd down.

I'm not saying Blount is a bad RB. Since 2010, 107 RBs have gotten at least 50 carries on 1st and 10. Of those 107 RBs, Blount ranks a remarkable 7th in yards per carry! He obviously has some skills and some strengths. It's just that, for his career so far, "short yardage" has not been one of those strengths, so the news that Pittsburgh is planning on using him as a short-yardage RB is puzzling to me.

(Note: I'm aware that the news was they're going to use him as a goal-line RB, but goal line success correlates well with short-yardage success, and by substituting all short-yardage carries in for just goal-line carries we get a much larger sample size.)

It's also worth noting that New England's offense is EXTREMELY favorable for producing awesome success rate figures. Blount ranked 3rd in success rate last year... but Ridley ranked 7th. In 2012, Ridley ranked 4th. In 2011, BJGE ranked 6th. In 2010, BJGE ranked 2nd. In 2009, Laurence Maroney- Laurence Maroney!- ranked 11th. In 2008, Sammy Morris ranked 10th. In 2007, Laurence Maroney- Laurence Maroney!- ranked 2nd. In 2006, Corey Dillon ranked 6th. In 2005, Corey Dillon ranked 9th. In 2004, Corey Dillon ranked 5th. You have to go back more than a decade to Antoine Smith and Kevin Faulk in 2003 to find a featured back in New England who ranked worse than 11th in success rate, despite New England trotting out some truly awful RBs in that span. In that respect, LeGarrette Blount's strong success rate last year doesn't really give us all that much information about him as a player.
I understand the two stats are not the same. But given his success rate and how miserable you say he is on short yardage, that must mean he's putting his team in very desirable second and third down situations. There's a lot to be said for a guy who can do that. That again would indicate he will warrant duty that will rob Bell of opportunities.

 
Rotoworld:

Le'Veon Bell - RB - Steelers

CBS Pittsburgh's Colin Dunlap reports Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount were arrested for possession of marijuana Wednesday, while Bell was also booked for DUI.

Per Dunlap, Bell and Blount were in possession of 20 grams of pot and were accompanied by another female, who was in possession of two grams. All three were said to be "cooperative." While this obviously isn't good news, it may have no affect on Bell or Blount's status for the 2014 season. Bell had no real off-field concerns coming out of Michigan State. But Blount has a shaky track record. Both will be in line for potential suspensions once the case is resolved.

Related: LeGarrette Blount

Source: Colin Dunlap on Twitter

Aug 20 - 7:33 PM
 
How do BOTH your running backs get busted for weed at the same time? Is rotoworld right that neither will be suspended this season?

 
How do BOTH your running backs get busted for weed at the same time? Is rotoworld right that neither will be suspended this season?
Its possible. Bell will get two games and Blount a few more since he had other run ins once this is resolved legally. Lawyers will push it back until the end of season.

 
Another steelers homer here: I watched Bell last year and came away mighty impressed. Great vision and patience, but when he hits the hole he is explosive. I think he will have a coming out party this season; I am buying. Two notes, though: I suspect Blount may vulture some goal line carries (maybe many) thus hurting Bell's fantasy value. Keep in mind as well though Blount's off-the-field issues which hurt his stock in the past. I doubt Tomlin's sticking his neck out for a backup RB should the proverbial fan become soiled.
Curious as to how buying Bell as a RB1 in the late 1st / early 2nd fits with believing that Blount will be vulturing "some maybe many" of the TDs.

Also, Blount hasn't had any "off-field" issues, ever. He did KTFO that other player on the field in college, but he's never had any other issues that I'm aware of. After five years, I'm willing to write that incident off as "young dumbassery" and not worry about it. He hasn't exactly been Kenny Britt or Pacman Jones since joining the NFL.
No never had any off field issues.

Blount is 7 for 19 (36%) inside the 5 for his career converting goal line attempts.

Last year he was 2 for 4. Ridley was 6 for 8.

Bell was 7 for 19 last year.

You know....I think lost in all of this is that New England can run the damn football. Also, in Blount's big game in the playoffs last year he was getting some huge holes against a porous Indy defense.

Pittsburgh's line last year was crap. Look at Bell's total yards after contact.
 
Rotoworld:

Le'Veon Bell - RB - Steelers

CBS Pittsburgh's Colin Dunlap reports Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount were arrested for possession of marijuana Wednesday, while Bell was also booked for DUI.

Per Dunlap, Bell and Blount were in possession of 20 grams of pot and were accompanied by another female, who was in possession of two grams. All three were said to be "cooperative." While this obviously isn't good news, it may have no affect on Bell or Blount's status for the 2014 season. Bell had no real off-field concerns coming out of Michigan State. But Blount has a shaky track record. Both will be in line for potential suspensions once the case is resolved.

Related: LeGarrette Blount

Source: Colin Dunlap on Twitter

Aug 20 - 7:33 PM
What kind of morons are these two if they didn't immediately hand all their weed to the chick?

 

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