Say it ain't so, Le'Veon. Say it ain't so.
Recently word came down from the NFL that they would be suspending Le'Veon Bell for 4 games this season for missing a drug test. For Steelers' fans across the country, this comes as a huge blow, especially to a team that has already lost another huge playmaker, Martavis Bryant for the year. For a team that was arguably one Fitzgerald Toussaint fumble or one Vontaze Burfict dirty hit from the Super Bowl last year, they should be disappointed if this suspension stands.
While Bell is appealing these four games, let's take a hypothetical look at what the Steelers will be losing. In the first four weeks, they play at the Redskins, home against the Burfict-less Bengals, in Philadelphia against the Eagles, and back home against the Chiefs. Being the optimist I try to be, I honestly believe that they can win every game because Deangelo Williams played phenomenally down the stretch for a backup after Le'Veon Bell went down with MCL and PCL damage in his right knee causing him to miss at the second-half of last season. Without him against the Bengals however, the hopefully much improved Steeler defense can pick up the slack and stifle the Bengal's passing attack. In all four of these games, AB and Ben can only do so much. The offense will likely look to their big offseason addition, Ladarius Green, a former backup to Antonio Gates in San Diego. I hate would to have to throw Green into the fire in his first games out of the enormous shadow that follows Antonio Gates, but I expect the Steelers to do just that. I sure hope he wrecks havoc for opposing defenses from the start of the season. Otherwise, Steelers' fans will be pulling their hair out as they watch AB get double and triple coverage nearly every snap.
On the plus side for the Steelers' front office, Bell is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and will surely want a long extension comparable to some other elite running backs in the league which would prove difficult to do. If the suspension stands, however, the Steelers might be able to get Bell at a bargain price next summer. It's not every day they invest in a player with issues off the field, but Le'Veon Bell might be the special kind of player that could take the Steelers from Sixburgh to the stairway to Seventh Heaven.
Win or lose those first four games, the Steelers are primed to make yet another Super Bowl run. As long as Bell can still sling it, I believe they will remain, perennial contenders, hopefully continually beating the Bengals.
