Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell hasn't been quite himself this season, prompting some to question if he has the same burst to his step after undergoing offseason surgery and missing training camp before signing his franchise tender in September.
Bell said Thursday that his relative lack of production could be a combination of rust and his recovery from surgery. But mostly, he believes teams have been playing good defense. He's about due for a big play, as he's yet to crack 100 rushing yards through three games.
"I haven't been that special player yet," Bell, who missed practice Wednesday but returned Thursday, said. "I've just been playing football. I have to go out there and be the special player that I can be. I haven't really made the plays necessary to help my team, especially last game. I was really kicking myself for the last game. That's only because we lost. I think if we win that game I wouldn't be as hard on myself."
Bell had 61 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-17 loss against the Bears. It was his first score of the season, and he's averaging just 3.5 yards per carry _ the same mark he reached during his rookie season, and nearly a yard and a half less than his 2015 and 2016 average of 4.9 yards.
"I've been close to breaking a couple of runs, close to breaking a couple of catches, but it just hasn't happened," Bell said. "Guys are making good tackles on me. Hopefully things will change. I feel like I'm due for a big play. I have to go out there and execute and do what I can."
Offensive coordinator Todd Haley agrees with Bell that the Steelers have faced some good rushing defenses early on. The Vikings (3rd, 62.7) and Bears (8th, 83.7) are both top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game, and the Browns (14th, 87.7) aren't far behind. Bell will have plenty of motivation on Sunday with the team traveling to face the Baltimore Ravens.
"I think that he missed a lot of time," Haley said. "On top of that we played some defenses that I think at the end of the day, the end of the season, are going to be seen as pretty good defenses. That being said, we're going to continue to push this thing and we've got to be a team that's growing week in and week out. We came out on the wrong side last week, we need to figure out a way to be better this week against another good defense and come out on top."
