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Pittsburgh Steelers 2015 Training Camp Profile: RB DeAngelo Williams

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DeAngelo Williams Pittsburgh Steelers Should Retire

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The loss to Le’Veon Bell in the final week of the NFL season was a loss that the Pittsburgh Steelers could not overcome in their playoff match against the Baltimore Ravens the next week. During the season, Bell’s versatile abilities made him a matchup nightmare for any team he faced. His 1,361 rushing yards was second in the league, while his 854 receiving yards was first among running backs. Just as importantly though, Pittsburgh lacked a solid backup running back to take Bell’s place. That offseason, Pittsburgh signed LeGarrette Blount to a two-year deal. By mid November, the organization released Blount for on- and off-the-field issues, leaving Bell by himself to shoulder the load for Pittsburgh’s running game. This offseason, Pittsburgh signed another veteran running back to a two-year deal.

Unlike Blount, DeAngelo Williams has not had any issues on or off of the field. Since being drafted back in 2006, Williams has been a solid running back for the Carolina Panthers. He left the team as the franchise’s all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns for a career, season, and single game. Over the past three seasons, the emergence of running back Jonathan Stewart and quarterback Cam Newton has limited the amount of rushes that Williams got earlier in his career.

With Le’Veon Bell being suspended for the first three games of the season, the 32-year-old back will be placed in the starting position to kick off the Steelers’ season. The other two running backs on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ depth chart, Dri Archer and Josh Harris, combined for 19 total rush attempts for 56 yards last season. Dri’s 40 yards rushing was third for rushing yards last season. First was Bell and second was Blount, who now plays for the New England Patriots.

Williams commented on the potential strength of the Pittsburgh Steelers backfield, saying “We are one of the best backfields, if not the best backfield in the NFL.” Whether that is true or not, two points were undeniable last season. First, Le’Veon Bell established himself as one of the best running backs, if not, the best in the league. Secondly and more importantly, the lack of depth at the running back position was the main flaw on an explosive Pittsburgh offense last season. If Williams can produce solid numbers in Pittsburgh, then that flaw will be fixed and who knows how dangerous this offense can be.

Daniel Johnson is a Beat Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter. “Like” him on Facebook. Add him to your network on Google

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