In the NFL, injuries simply happen, and the teams that avoid key injuries usually have the most success. Not all injuries are equal, and though some will hurt a team's depth or force them to scramble to replace a starter here or there, losing certain players can change the entire outlook of a season. The Carolina Panthers lost star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to a season-ending ACL injury in a training camp practice on Wednesday, and suddenly, their status as favorites in the NFC ... Read More
2015 Fantasy Football Outlook: Le’Veon Bell
Yesterday I started my 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Football preview by looking at Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Today I shift the focus to the backfield and look at running back Le’Veon Bell. Bell is an easy guy to analyze, especially after a 2014 season in which he was the Fantasy Football MVP. I for one rode Bell to more than one title a season ago. But there are some complications entering the 2015 campaign as Bell won’t be immediately available, serving a two-game ... Read More
Le’Veon Bell has suspension reduced
If everything goes right for the Pittsburgh Steelers and running back Le’Veon Bell, it looks as if the Steelers could see their star runner back before Week 4 as originally planned. Dan Graziano of ESPN reported Bell was in talks with the league to get his suspension reduced to either one or two games. Potentially big fantasy news: NFL, Le'Veon Bell are negotiating a settlement that could reduce his 3-gm suspension to 1 or 2. — Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) July 28, 2015 Albert ... Read More
Steelers storyline No. 3: Can DeAngelo Williams provide offense with a capable backup at running back?
With Le'Veon Bell out for the first three games, can the Steelers rely on DeAngelo Williams to carry the load? During any given season, one can often point to a pivotal moment that helped shape and define its outcome. Sometimes they are moments we embrace; who will ever forget Franco Harris's "Immaculate Reception", or James Harrison rumbling 100-yards with a convoy of blockers to push the Steelers towards a sixth Super Bowl title? Others we would like to forget. Neil O'Donnell to Larry ... Read More
Roger Goodell unsure of when Le’Veon Bell’s appeal will be heard
If Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell was expecting to find out before training camp if his initial three-game suspension for marijuana use and DUI would be reduced before training camp begins, he better not hold his breath. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apparently doesn’t have any idea of when Bell’s appeal will be heard. Goodell, speaking in Washington County on Tuesday, said he didn't know the timetable for Bell's appeal. “That appeal is not heard by me, I would have to ... Read More
Steelers storyline No. 1: Will offense repeat?
With less than a week until the Pittsburgh Steelers head to training camp and officially start the 2015 season, there are no shortage of intriguing storylines to follow once players report this coming Saturday, July 25, at St. Vincent College. Over the next five days, we will take a look a five key storylines for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. After a remarkable 2014 season, can the Steelers offense have a similar performance in 2015? 2014 was an unforgettable year for the Steelers ... Read More
Steelers must utilize Dri Archer properly in 2015
When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kent State running back Dri Archer in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft, many questioned whether or not the diminutive speedster could make an impact as a pro. As Archer gets ready for his second year with the Steelers, those questions still linger. In fact, the skeptics who were critical of the selection at the time were given plenty of ammunition for their arguments during Archer's rookie campaign. Among the arguments made against picking Archer so ... Read More
COLUMN: Bell suspension is just another example of NFL overreach
After months of speculation on how many games Steelers All-Pro running back Le'Veon Bell would be suspended after his DUI arrest last August, the news broke earlier this morning that <a href="http://www.pittsburghsportingnews.com/leveon-bell-suspended-three-games/21435">Bell would miss the first three games of the 2015 season</a>. Though not exactly shocking news, it's a blow to a team that will have to start the season without arguably the best running back in the NFL today. When ... Read More
Le’Veon Bell suspended three games
The Pittsburgh Steelers knew that they would have to be without Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell to begin the 2015 season. Now they know for how long. Bell was handed a three-game suspension on Thursday by the NFL and fined one game check for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He is appealing that decision. The suspension comes from a DUI arrest back in August 2014 during a traffic stop in Pittsburgh in which Bell and former Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount were ... Read More
Can DeAngelo Williams contribute at running back for Steelers?
When NFL free agency began earlier this week, one of the positions with a number of intriguing options was running back. The list of options included the NFL's leading rusher in DeMarco Murray, along with backs with Pro-Bowl credentials such as Frank Gore, Reggie Bush, Steven Jackson and Justin Forsett. Others such as Roy Helu and Ryan Mathews were looking for new opportunities after spending their time with one team. Such was the case with DeAngelo Williams. After nine seasons with the ... Read More