It was a big day for running back Le'Veon Bell, who was named team MVP on the same day he was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
Bell, of course, has set team records for total yards, receptions by a running back and receiving yards by a running back this season. He has been, arguably, the best running back in the NFL this season.
Most importantly, he has saved his best for last, scoring seven touchdowns in the past five games.
The Steelers are 18-10 in games in which he plays and, perhaps most impressively, Bell has fumbled once in his career and hasn't done so at all this season.
But there were certainly other candidates. And they made the Pro Bowl as well.
Ben Roethlisberger was named to his third Pro Bowl, as was wide receiver Antonio Brown. Center Maurkice Pouncey will be making his fourth Pro Bowl trip, while linebacker Lawrence Timmons will go for the first time.
Any of that foursome could also have been the team's MVP, as could have cornerback William Gay.
Congrats to all those guys, especially the first timers.
ReplyDeleteBell is quite deserving. But it is a little curious that Roethlisberger has only won the team MVP vote just once, iirc in 2009. And that was probably more for the savage beating he took without complaint that year. But it does make you wonder how his teammates truly feel about him when the most vital player to the team gets passed over year after year. Not unlike Holmes getting the SB MVP. Not that Holmes wasn't undeserving. But there's a curious pattern. I'm sure a compelling argument could be made in any/all those instances for whoever won. But when the frachise QB consistently gets passed over nearly ever single year, it makes me wonder. The QB always wins every where in almost every MVP type vote. SB MVP, League MVP, team MVP. Cept here. Odd.
ReplyDeleteI think it's more a matter that they kind of take Roethlisberger for granted. The QB could be the MVP every season. That's expected.
ReplyDeleteImo Roethlisberger is being a leader, aka eschewing praise and giving it to others.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how all the people who wanted Bell cut after his arrest in August feel now. Same with the "should have taken Lacy instead" crowd. No way this team is sitting where they are with Issac Redman & Dywer carrying the ball.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family. DW/LV.
ReplyDeleteDale, I feel the same way about the league MVP. I wished they would vote for more non qbs, like demarco murray jj watt antonio or bell, just to make it more interesting at least haha. Everyone knows brady, manning, rodgers, ben etc are the real most valuable players
ReplyDeleteThe NFL just needs to can the MVP award. Only RB and QB's can win it so it's bogus.
ReplyDeleteWe just need a "Best Player" Award. None of this "valuable" crap cause QB are the most valuable due to the rules. None of the NFL QB's had a great season this year.