NFL Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell Deserving of Most Improved Player Award

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Le'Veon Bell, Ben Roethlisberger

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Professional Football Writers of America Association has selected Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell as the recipient of the Most Improved Player Award for season 2014. The accolade comes after a monster year for the back, who set a franchise yards-from-scrimmage record in just his sophomore season.

With recipients such as DeAngelo Williams, Arian Foster and Alshon Jeffrey in recent years, the award has typically been reserved for players who have made small strides in their on-field performance en route to holding down a position as a strong starter.

But Bell is different. The title of “most improved” seems to almost water down his accomplishments somewhat. He won’t come within reaching distance of the NFL’s top individual honor this year, but to scratch up even a handful of votes for MVP will mean a lot for the 22-year-old weapon in an age where the modern league’s love affair with elite quarterbacks and pass rushers continues to grow.

Before his heralded arrival in 2013, the Steelers were ambling about in the purgatory of “running back by committee.” The arrangement was futile and, frankly, a little embarrassing for a team rich in its history of power running, so much so that scheme became known as “Steeler football” across the nation.

A pure every-down back if ever there was one, Bell has only just begun to carve his legacy with this Pittsburgh offense. In 2014, he improved from 3.5 yards per carry to a shade under five, and more than doubled his receiving stats of a year ago, eclipsing well over 2,000 yards from scrimmage in the process.

As many Steeler fans already know though, his best attributes won’t show up on any stat sheet. Bell is the best blocking back in the game, has developed a flawless rapport with his drastically improved offensive line and boasts a unique running style yet to be emulated by anyone else.

Ironically, the greatest indication of Le’Veon’s significance this year came during a game in which he never took the field. After suffering a nasty looking hit during Week 17’s division-clinching victory, Bell was reduced to spectator status in the wild card round.

The result was an unmitigated capitulation from the inside out for the Steelers. When the running game couldn’t pick up steam, the offense turned to the pass. Without his sidekick available to halt the progress of any and all comers, Ben Roethlisberger felt the heat all night. As the game grew further out of hand, Dick LeBeau’s defense resorted to conservative means to prevent the big play, which of course played right into the Baltimore Ravens’ claws.

An inglorious 30-17 defeat fell at the hands of a man who had no power to do anything about it. But if Steeler Nation knows Le’Veon, he won’t leave himself or his team that vulnerable again. The league’s most improved player is ready to set off on becoming one of its most decorated, one season at a time.

Jonathon Natsis covers the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , ‘like’  him on Facebook or add him to your network on  Google+./i>

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