LE’VEON BELL
by Smokin’ Jim Frazier
Running the football is an important part of the Steelers offense and their history.
Offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s offense is a zone blocking scheme where stretch plays can create cut back lanes to be exploited by a back with some speed and power and they found their man in the second round.
Le’Veon Bell (6-2, 245), of Michigan State, is a big back that draws comparison to Eddie George and Steven Jackson. Bell rushed for 1,793 and 12 touchdowns to lead the Big Ten in 2012.
He can step out of tackles, drop his shoulder and plow through contact. Bell is light on his feet, displays an effective spin move and hurdling ability in the open field.
Rashard Mendenhall plays for the Arizona Cardinals, so Bell will compete with Issac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer for the starting running back position.
The Steelers were looking for a player who has the speed to stretch the field the way that former receiver Mike Wallace could do.
Wide-receivers are the engines that drive the high-flying, big-yardage offenses across the league and the Steelers found a replacement for Wallace in the third round.
Markus Wheaton (5-11, 185) set the Oregon State school record for career receptions with 227. He led the team in receiving with 91 catches for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2012.
Wheaton, is a speedster, who also ran track for the Beavers and he joins Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Plaxico Burress to give quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a dangerous group of receivers.
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