Jan 3, 2017 4 min read

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

The playoffs are always an interesting time. Every team goes into the postseason with a healthy level of optimism – unless, of course, you’re the Oakland Raiders and are down to your third-string quarterback.

And there’s plenty of optimism surrounding the Steelers, who will go into the postseason with a healthy Le’Veon Bell for the first time in three trips.

It’s also a time for taking shots at opponents.

Yet Omar Kelly, a writer and columnist for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel did just that Tuesday.

Apparently trying to make a name for himself by trolling Steelers fans or, in fact, he’s just a fan boy, Kelly posted this on his Twitter feed: “Why do Steelers fans think Le’Veon Bell is such a God? Jay Ajayi had more rushing yards and more rushing touchdowns on less carries. FACTS.”

That, of course, got the kind of responses Kelly was looking for as a number of people attempted to set him straight.

Fact is, it’s not just Steelers fans who think Bell is pretty good – the word God is probably misused here. People all over the league will tell you he’s a better running back that Ajayi.

That’s no slight against Ajayi, who did, in fact, finish with four more yards on one fewer carry rushing than Bell.

He’s a good running back. He’s just not in Bell’s overall class.

Kelly tried to walk things back when other facts were thrown in his face, saying he was only talking about Ajayi as a runner.

But the fact is this: Running backs can’t just be judged on what they do solely as a runner. Otherwise, a player such as Giovanni Bernard, who is an excellent runner and receiver but couldn’t block me coming on a blitz pickup, would get 300 touches per season and be one of the best backs in the league.

But the fact he’s worthless in blitz pickup forces Cincinnati to use other backs.

Likewise, what Bell does as a receiver is also part of his job duties. And there, he is peerless in the NFL.

Kelly tried to downplay that as well, saying that Kiko Alonso will be able to handle Bell out of the backfield.

Well, Bell had six catches for 55 yards in the first matchup with Miami, so Alonso might want to buckle up for this one.

This is the fun part of the postseason. The Dolphins won the first meeting with the Steelers and Ajayi had an outstanding game. He had two great games against the Bills, as well. In his other eight starts he averaged 66 yards per game with one 100-yard effort.

And he offers little as a receiver, catching 27 passes for an average of five yards per catch.

Maybe Ajayi will go off again this week. Maybe Bell will, as well. After all, he had 53 yards on 10 carries against Miami the first time around. Chances are, he’ll get more than 10 carries in this game.

To the winner of this game will go the spoils.

But Le’Veon Bell is a better running back than Jay Ajayi. Period. End of conversation.

Doesn’t make him a God. But it does make him a first-team All-Pro.

As Miami native Chad Johnson used to say, child please.

@ The Steelers are going to have an interesting decision to make at wide receiver this week with all six guys on their 53-man roster presumably healthy.

There are plenty of people out there who feel Sammie Coates should be a healthy scratch with the emergence of rookie Demarcus Ayers the past two weeks.

But Coates, who missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, will likely be active.

He’s been the team’s primary kick returner all season and also has been very solid as a gunner.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is back, as well, and does an excellent job as a gunner, but with Shamarko Thomas done for the season, Coates might be in the team’s top two in terms of that job along with Heyward-Bey.

And given that Miami has both a kick and punt return for touchdowns this season, that could be the difference.

Also, with Antonio Brown back to work with Eli Rogers, how many small, speedy wideouts do the Steelers need?

@ Mike Tomlin sounded very optimistic regarding the status of tight end Ladarius Green today.

Green, of course, has been in the concussion protocol, so you never know which way that will go. But I saw Green Monday, as well, and he looked to be in a good mood.

For what that’s worth.