While it’s not likely to happen a lot in 2014, it’s worth noting that Pittsburgh Steelers had running backs Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount both lined up together in the backfield for one play during Wednesday’s practice.
There’s no report as to what other personnel was on the field for that one play, or the formation used, but it’s fun to think about nonetheless.
Last season, the Steelers didn’t use very much 21 or 22 personnel groupings, but when they did, fullback Will Johnson was second back on the field. Johnson, however, will never be considered a threat to carry the football.
For all we know, Blount was just getting a look as a lead blocker for Bell.
In an attempt to get rookie Dri Archer some offensive snaps in 2014, offensive coordinator Todd Haley might consider occasionally lining the third-round draft pick up in the backfield along with either Blount or Bell. Depending on the look and personnel presented at that point by the defense, several play checks would then exist.
Any of you remember the touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller in the 2012 season-opener against the Denver Broncos? If you don’t, below is an animated gif of it.
On that play, the Steelers used their 21 personnel grouping with a broken eye look that featured Jonathan Dwyer in the eye and then-rookie Chris Rainey as the up-back on the strong side of the formation. Merely flaring both running backs out to the flat was enough to create much needed room for Miller in the middle of the field.
Why didn’t we see more of that in 2012? There’s so many plays that can run out of that formation depending on what the defense shows.
