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Pittsburgh Steelers: James Conner has done everything Le’Veon Bell was asked to do

By Noah Strackbein

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 12 yard touchdown run during the third quarter in the game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on October 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 12 yard touchdown run during the third quarter in the game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on October 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Be a Pro Bowl running back. Those were the instructions given to James Conner when he took over the backfield for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

No one asked Conner to be the next Le’Veon Bell. No one was ranting about how he needs to take on the exact approach in the backfield or that he needed to be just as patient with the ball. All anyone wanted him to do was be good enough that the Steelers didn’t realize Bell was gone.

Out of three AFC running back spots available, Conner was awarded one of them. The others, Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay (the NFL’s first undrafted rookie to make a Pro Bowl) have set themselves a part from the rest of the conference, by a noticeable distance.

Bell couldn’t have done any better at this point in the season. 909 yards, 12 touchdowns and he hasn’t played the last two games of the season. Add 467 receiving yards and explain how Le’Veon Bell would’ve done any better at this point in time.

Conner could’ve easily reached Bell’s 2017 numbers in both rushing and receiving if he played in all 16 games. Depending on how well these performances were, one could argue he’d surpass that mark.

So, it’s time to acknowledge and drop it. James Conner did everything he was asked to do and more. No one saw a Pro Bowl season back in August, all everyone kept talking about was being good enough to help this team. He’s done that and so much more.

Bell’s name hasn’t been brought up in weeks. His time in Pittsburgh is over and the ending isn’t one people will shine a positive light on.

There’s no getting better than the Pro Bowl. James Conner didn’t need it to finish the season but claiming his spot among the top three runners in the AFC was the cherry on top of his replacement season.

dark. Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post CFB regular season

It’s time era of Conner in Pittsburgh. He can do nothing more to secure his place within the Steelers, unless adding a strong playoff run is on his list. He’s erased Bell’s name from the books and placed his own. Now, it’s truly time to forget about the man who didn’t want to play and celebrate that the next generation of running football in Pittsburgh is an exciting one.

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