Le’Veon Bell had the most statistically productive season in team history in 2014, but the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back still believes his game can grow.
“I still made a lot of mistakes. There were a lot of times I might have taken a hole too early. People consider me patient, but I like to hold myself to a higher standard. There are still some holes I feel like I hit a little too quickly and some routes where I didn’t get open,” he recently told Bob Labriola of Steelers.com.
It was obvious Bell dropped weight heading into 2014 and as a result, played more dynamically, but tells Labriola he feels he’s become “faster and more explosive,” throughout this offseason. The added burst proved to be a huge factor for him in 2014, doubling his 20+ yard runs compared to his rookie season, eight to four.
Bell, like the majority of players in the league, still feels a twinge of disrespect from the league.
“I still have things to prove. I don’t feel like I get the credit around the league that I deserve and I am trying to go out and earn it.”
He, of course, will only have 13 games to earn it in 2015 if his three game suspension stands. It is still believed Bell’s appeal is under review and no final decision has been made nor is there a timetable for that to occur.
In just two seasons with the Steelers, Bell has already cracked the top 20 rushing list in franchise history, sitting in 18th place with 2221 yards. It’s conceivable he can jump into the top ten by the end of the year. He’ll need to average 87 yards per game to pass Walter Abercombie for that tenth spot.
