this just hit me

Did the Steelers take bell over lacy because of the new rules. In the open field bell is better then lacy. Bell still has the size to lower his head and ram defenders with it inside the box but he also had the moves that he doesn't have to lower his body in the open field. Also he is more versatile

 

I think the question of Lacy's health was more of a concern. On a side note, I think Bell is the better back but just my opinion.

 

I like him as well I just hope he waits until he has the speed of the nfl down before he tries jumping anyone because that could be ugly.

 

In Todd Haley's interview, he also alluded to the fact that Lacy ran behind the best offensive line in college football and Bell did not. Lacy had huge holes to run through and Bell had to create his own holes in many cases. Makes sense.

 

calvin hill.

 

I think they chose Bell because he had a worse oline and created his own holes where Lacy had an amazing Oline

Bman

 

Iowasteel, I have seen Lacy a couple of times last year. I thought he was the best back of all. However I did not see Bell. Tell me what you see in Bell? Just curious on this, and hope you are right.

 

Bell is healthier it was reported that Lacy had a toe fused maybe suffering from turf toe and nagging hamstring.

 

I missed that interview. That gives me a little hope, but I'm still skeptical, so I'll take a "wait and see" attitude about him.

 

I think the steelers chose bell for that reason too! Also Bell is 21 and Lacy is going to be 23 I think. Plus Lacy's inuries were a concern, and last year we dealt with a ton of injuries between the RB's. I think adding Lacy who already has a nagging hamstring injury and a fused toe was cause for concern. I'm happy with Bell. I think he has more of an upside and more potential.

 

It does indeed make sense and makes me feel a little better about the pick.

 

Makes me feel better about the bell pick, worse about landry jones who gets rattled easily.

To answer the OP's question, I don't think the new rules will affect the game THAT much. in order to get outside the tackle box, be in the open field and still want to lower your head is a very rare scenario. Chances are if you got that far out in space, you have the moves to avoid the contact, and have more options than just lowering your head

 

I also heard it was a combination of the turf toe and that Lacy had a better OL. Have to admit we need a back that is going to make a hole, not wait for one to open up. I wanted Lacy but the more I read and see video of Bell, I m pretty happy about the pick.

 

JAD...sorry I was away from the computer for a few days. I know, hard to believe I have a life away from here! I had the chance to watch Bell a few times and continually wished that the Hawkeyes had him. Of course, Iowa has had some major miseries at running back the last few years. What I liked about him, besides his hands out of the backfield, is that he was consistent. He never seemed to take a play off and did this with, what I thought was an average (at best) o-line. He was like one of those wind-up toys, you wound him and he went. I see the pundits question his field awareness but I didn't see that as an issue when I watched. What I saw was, at times, a lack of a hole or a place to go. I think he will be a good back.

 

i agree. i still see a runner like arian foster in the kid. he didn't set the college ranks on it's ear either, but became a better pro. foster is not a scat back yet grinds out good games and keeps the chains moving. bell is perfect for that.

make those safeties have to come up. make the corners have to help with run support. keep the LB'ers honest and closer to the LOS. then we throw over them to our receivers that can make things happen with the ball in their hands. it makes for an offense that is hard to defend and can control the clock with. it can also keep some heat off of our qb with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield too. it's a nice fit for the young offense.

 

People keep talking about how Ben played in his early years. He had the Bus behind him during those years and I think the Bus provided just what you are describing. If Bell can be half the Bus it will be something we haven't had in years (and I'm not necessarily saying that he will run just like JB did).

 

it all has to fit together this year and will start with ben, then the O-line and keeping ben believing in the system. we have the wideouts to make it work, we have the TE's when heath gets here, we have the rb's to make it work. ben has to control his urge to want to go downfield as much and give the rest a chance to work. then his shots downfield should be easier to hit. his smaller quicker receivers could flourish too. it's all got to work hand in hand.

 

Iowasteel and Mac daddyo, thanks for the Bell info, I feel much better about this pick after reading your posts.

 

1000+ yards after contact may have been a factor in selecting Bell.