Bell reports to Steelers after August absence
PITTSBURGH – Steelers holdout running back Le’Veon Bell spent approximately 30 minutes at the UMPC-Rooney Sports Complex Friday, saying hello to some teammates before heading off to meet with team doctors for a physical.
Bell passed the physical and will join the Steelers Monday at practice and sign his one-year franchise tender offer of $12.12 million and begin preparing to face the Cleveland Browns in the regular-season opener Sept. 10.
Bell, who skipped all offseason workouts and training camp, will have to introduce himself to a number of new teammates. Plenty has changed for the Steelers in the past eight months, including the addition Wednesday of cornerback Joe Haden.
Haden was signed by the Steelers hours after his release from the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers also acquired tight end Vance McDonald in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers this week.
Haden has been with his new team only a couple of days but already has noticed a difference.
“This just feels like it’s going to be something special,” Haden said Thursday night after the Steelers defeated the Carolina Panthers, 17-14 in their preseason finale.
“In Cleveland, we were always trying to grind, always trying to get there. You talk Super Bowls in Cleveland, but here it’s just a different feeling.”
Haden did not play against the Panthers but the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback spent his first evening with Pittsburgh talking to longtime Steelers cornerback William Gay and others.
Haden is looking forward to getting on the practice field to start the process of erasing seven years of futility with the Browns. Cleveland did not make the playoffs during his seven seasons. The Steelers have played in six postseason games in the past three years, including the AFC Championship last season.
That was a big reason why Haden spurned offers from four other teams to sign a three-year, $27-million deal with the Steelers.
“Everybody talks about just winning, winning, winning,” Haden said. “When you have high-powered guys like Ben (Roethlisberger) in your locker room, when you have an Antonio Brown that is putting up crazy numbers, when you have (Martavis) Bryant and you have Le’Veon Bell, you just have weapons all over the place.
“These dudes just carry personalities and they are confident in their abilities.”
That the Steelers open against the Browns, and that former Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton also spent time in Cleveland as that team’s defensive coordinator, should make Haden’s transition into the starting lineup easier than usual. He’s also been welcomed by his new teammates, even those whose job he was presumably acquired to take.
“He can definitely help us,” said cornerback Ross Cockrell, who started 16 games last season. “He’s been proven to be one of the best in the league. To have him here, it’s a big bonus. You can see it.”
Haden has not been given a jersey number by the Steelers but the No. 23 he wore in Cleveland is worn by free safety Mike Mitchell. Haden said he will pick another number to wear.
It’s not the number that he’s interested in. He wants wins and to play in the postseason.
“I wanted to have a chance to be able to play in some meaningful games,” Haden said.
“I know the Steelers don’t usually miss the playoffs, so I’m like, ‘I just want to be a part of something where I could play in the playoffs.'”
The Steelers must cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. today. … Among those expected to be released are veteran running back Knile Davis, according to a report from NFL.com. Davis, signed in the offseason to be the kick returner and compete for the No. 3 running back spot, was outplayed in the preseason by first-year running back Terrell Watson.