Bell's suspension reduced from three games to two

[DP39]

The NFL has reduced Le'Veon Bell's suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy from three games to two.

https://twitter.com/JarrettBell

[rooneytunes]

Sweet

[stillcajun]

Awesome!

[Legacy User]

Good news, give that knee a few extra weeks rest. Deangelo will be just fine for 2 weeks.

[steelclan]

Nice! Bizarro world in NFL: Brady upheld and Bell reduced.

[BethlehemSteel]

Def nice.

[Kodiak]

2 is better than 3, but should have been 1.

The upside is that's two less games for Tomlin to "run the wheels off"...assuming those 2 games don't cost us a playoff spot, it's probably a plus.

[Steelafan77]

Not over happy about this. More or less one of those bitter/sweet deals. Had Bell been smarter he wouldn't be suspended at all. On the other side of the coin I'll take the one game reduction. Woo Hoo!

[jeemie]

2 is better than 3, but should have been 1.

The upside is that's two less games for Tomlin to "run the wheels off"...assuming those 2 games don't cost us a playoff spot, it's probably a plus.

Bell averaged 18 carries per game last year, and another 3-4 touches on passes.

That's hardly "running the wheels off".

[Steel Mike]

2 is better than 3, but should have been 1.

The upside is that's two less games for Tomlin to "run the wheels off"...assuming those 2 games don't cost us a playoff spot, it's probably a plus.

Bell averaged 18 carries per game last year, and another 3-4 touches on passes.

That's hardly "running the wheels off".

There's no room for logic here.

[jeemie]

2 is better than 3, but should have been 1.

The upside is that's two less games for Tomlin to "run the wheels off"...assuming those 2 games don't cost us a playoff spot, it's probably a plus.

Bell averaged 18 carries per game last year, and another 3-4 touches on passes.

That's hardly "running the wheels off".

There's no room for logic here.

There's no doubt the Steelers should have tried to sign another RB after Blount left (Tate was not available immediately but was available a few weeks later) but in the games that followed there were limited opportunities to get Josh Harris actual playing time. A lot of those games were close, and so you weren't going to take Bell out just to get Harris experience.

Bell only had 25+ total touches 6 games last year. He averaged 18 carries a game and (I was wrong) 5 receptions a game...about 23 total touches.

That's what you want out of a guy as dynamic as he is.

[Kodiak]

2 is better than 3, but should have been 1.

The upside is that's two less games for Tomlin to "run the wheels off"...assuming those 2 games don't cost us a playoff spot, it's probably a plus.

Bell averaged 18 carries per game last year, and another 3-4 touches on passes.

That's hardly "running the wheels off".

A number of backs have broken down over the years after a season with 370 touches...23 a game, RIGHT WHERE Bell was last year (and above that the last 6 games or so).

[jeemie]

2 is better than 3, but should have been 1.

The upside is that's two less games for Tomlin to "run the wheels off"...assuming those 2 games don't cost us a playoff spot, it's probably a plus.

Bell averaged 18 carries per game last year, and another 3-4 touches on passes.

That's hardly "running the wheels off".

A number of backs have broken down over the years after a season with 370 touches...23 a game, RIGHT WHERE Bell was last year (and above that the last 6 games or so).

The only game where they might have inserted Harris in those last five after Blount was released was the first Cincinnati game...and even that was close until the 4th Quarter.

And lo and behold, when the Steelers got a big lead, Harris was inserted.

I have a feeling that DeAngelo Williams will not disappear once Bell's suspension is lifted.

[Drummer Boy]

A number of backs have broken down over the years after a season with 370 touches...23 a game, RIGHT WHERE Bell was last year (and above that the last 6 games or so).

That's 370 carries, not touches. According to Football Outsiders, who originally popularized that number, the number of receptions has zero effect (or maybe even a positive effect) on yards-per-carry the following season.

[Legacy User]

A number of backs have broken down over the years after a season with 370 touches...23 a game, RIGHT WHERE Bell was last year (and above that the last 6 games or so).

That's 370 carries, not touches. According to Football Outsiders, who originally popularized that number, the number of receptions has zero effect (or maybe even a positive effect) on yards-per-carry the following season.

Exactly...touches not carries. No one is running his wheels off like Earl Campbell.

Bell's games are far more like Roger Craig.....guys who are dangerous receivers. Craig played in a far more violent league (although much different offense) and still had a great career.