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PITTSBURGH – James Conner has acquired a leading role in the Steelers' offense with or without the 'Veon Bell,' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday.
Bell has not signed his $ 14.5 million franchise label while preserving his health for a long-term contract at Pittsburgh or elsewhere, but he is planning a comeback for the 8th week game against the Browns from Cleveland. Conner was the starting point, totaling 342 yards and five touchdowns on 84 runs and 22 assists for 239 yards.
"I think James did some incredible things and that he deserves to be on the field," Roethlisberger told the media in his locker Wednesday, before Sunday's match against them. Bengals of Cincinnati. "We also know what's the Veon and what he brings to the table, I guess we'll cross this bridge if and when it happens."
Bell, an All-Pro in 2017, has averaged 129 yards per game since entering the league in 2013. He wants to sign with Pittsburgh, but the heated negotiations with the franchises have complicated matters. The Steelers recently offered a $ 70 million five-year contract that Bell rejected due to weak guarantees ($ 17 million).
Bell did a little bit of everything for the offense and, in his absence, the Steelers also asked Conner a lot. As a rookie, he struggled to protect his passes, injuries and fitness, but progressed steadily in his second year. Conner has two fumbles, however, and the hasty attack has dropped since weeks 2 to 4, averaging 2.8 yards per run.
But Roethlisberger said the figures did not tell the whole story of Conner's complete game.
"If you look at the general picture of what we asked him to do every week, I think he's increasing every week," Roethlisberger said. "I think that's what gets lost in that half-square [does] and what he did – block passages, pick up the blitz, get out of the backfield. I do not want to do anything bad, but he catches almost everything I throw at him, and he's always in the right place all the time. "
Left striker Alejandro Villanueva said that a Bell-Conner combo could be "very effective" because of Bell's patient racing style associated with Conner's explosion in the hole. The Pittsburgh offense is usually based on a single battle horse, but Roethlisberger said the two players can spell each other to keep fit for a long season.
The Steelers (2-2-1) have a pass for Week 7 but need a win over the Bengals 4-1 to tighten up the AFC North race. The Steelers-Bengals games were marked by a litany of injuries and fines for questionable shots. Roethlisberger is hoping for a cleaner game, noting that the NFL rules preventing malicious hits have not limited problems in the past.
"For me, it's not just about the physical presence of football," Roethlisberger said. "It's when you get extracurricular activities, the dirty stuff you want has been removed, and hope is cut right now."
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