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NFL1000 Scouting Notebook: Has Le’Veon Bell Regained Status as NFL’s Best RB?
- Updated: December 14, 2016
Welcome to Bleacher Report’s NFL1000 Scouting Notebook, a weekly series where we’ll use the power of the 16-man NFL1000 scouting department to bring you fresh insights into the league and explain some of the more interesting (and potentially controversial) grades we give players every week.
The full list of NFL1000 grades will be released Thursday, and we will attempt to preview some of what we are seeing in our film analysis here.
We will look at Brock Osweiler’s continued struggles, dive into what DeSean Jackson can still bring to an NFL offense and scouts answer a few questions on this week’s hot topics. But first, let’s start out with some film analysis of Le’Veon Bell’s massive week.
Has Le’Veon Bell Regained Status as NFL’s Best RB?
Written by John Middlekauff
Le’Veon Bell officially threw his hat into the MVP conversation Sunday in Buffalo. Bell went off for 38 carries, 236 yards and three touchdowns—he also added four catches for 62 yards in the air, an area he has dominated during his career.
Even on a snowy day in Buffalo, Bell outgained the entire Bills team (298 to 275), which is unheard of in the NFL. After the game Bell told reporters he loved playing in the tough weather conditions. “Snow’s never bothered me (or) [fazed] me.” It’s pretty obvious after Sunday he wasn’t lying.
Bell’s patience and vision are his greatest attributes. Not sure there have been many running backs in NFL history who have set up blocks better or possessed Bell’s instincts to let their teammates locate defenders before getting vertical. A natural feel in space allows him to set up defenders, while his change-of-direction skills enable him to make guys miss and embarrass would-be tacklers. The play below really displays what Bell brings to the table on so many levels:
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I am not sure Bell gets enough credit for being an explosive player. While he hangs his hat on patience, his innate ability to get downhill fast when the hole immediately opens is special. Once he is in the open field, he has the instincts to work away from defenders or stiff-arm them in space.
One defender is not going to bring Bell down in the open field. He doesn’t get enough credit for physically punishing potential tacklers. While he doesn’t have the elite top-end speed, he does play really fast, which is arguably the most important attribute for any NFL skill player. The play below is an example of all of this:
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Bell is a fantastic goal-line runner because of his power and strength to explode on contact. He is very comfortable running out of any formation. His feet never stop, even as defenders attempt to wrap him up and bring him down. He has a will to finish runs that can’t be taught; it’s really a special attribute. The run below set the tone for the entire game on Sunday in the first quarter:
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Le’Veon Bell is on pace to have a career year catching the football despite missing three games due to suspension. He has elite hands, a natural feel for running routes and the instincts to find openings in coverage. Once the ball is in his hands, he turns back into a running back and becomes a playmaker. The play below encompasses everything Bell brings to the table and why he had such a big day against the Bills:
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Bell is in the prime of his career and is absolutely dominating NFL defenses on a weekly basis. He destroyed the Bills for 60 minutes on Sunday. The Steelers have the inside track to win the AFC North and will be a thorn in any contender’s side come January. Do not be surprised to see Bell carry them on a deep playoff run or even lead them to Houston representing the AFC in the Super Bowl. He is that special of a player.
What Has Happened to Brock Osweiler?
Written by Cian Fahey
Brock Osweiler’s problems can be traced back to last season. Osweiler didn’t sign with the Houston Texans and become an incompetent player. He already was an incompetent player, but the Broncos did a better job of hiding him with their offensive scheme and by relying on the NFL’s best defense. Bill O’Brien took that incompetence and put it in an offense that does nothing to help him.
Osweiler is being asked to throw the ball downfield and make reads with receivers who at times run option routes. He doesn’t get to rely on screen passes, half-field reads or route combinations that alleviate the pressure on him to make difficult reads or difficult throws. The Texans are treating …
