- Joined
- Feb 4, 2018
- Messages
- 15,849
- Reaction score
- 20,240
You are spot on. Bell needs a ton of touches in order to be effective. His yards per carry is actually very low considering how well his line blocks. His tap dancing style would not work with many other teams.He is truly the most overrated player in the NFL since he gets an unworthy “superstar” billing.. He’s a good player. There isn’t a single thing he does well enough to be considered a superstar. He has good vision (though arguably his ability to hold and wait for holes is a tribute the Pittsburgh line.). He is a good backfield receiver. He is elusive (probably his best skill). He is fairly, but certainly not notably, explosive with speed/breakaway ability.
But he isn’t elite at any of those things, just all-around above average.
His reputation is built on being the only running back besides Gurley (who is way better) that gets a very high usage rate in a higher scoring offense with an elite passing game. Put a good three-down RB in an offense like New England or Green Bay, with a strong run blocking line, give him 25 touches, and you’ll see similar numbers.
As for his idea that he should be paid like a running back PLUS wide receiver, well that’s idiotic. Cam Newton then should get paid like a QB plus running back and Rob Gronkowski should be paid like a receiver and left tackle, if you want to go down that road. In the end, his versatility doesn’t do that much. I’d take Michel and White over just Bell, or at least it’s close, and a lot cheaper.
Gurley is by far the best RB in the league right now and it’s laughable that people say it’s Bell.