Secondly, what you noted “it’s not like talents like Gurley or Bell grow on trees”, I thank you for noting that because it strengthens my point and likely the reason why the Steelers can ill afford to lose Bell; his type doesn’t appear too often, thus there is no reason why he shouldn’t get paid in such a manner that can reflect is valuability to a team. Barkley is good but when you talk about a running back that is good for a system, not every running back in the draft can be plugged in and play the Steelers way as Bell did; if that was the case, they would have likely gotten rid of Bell a long while ago. What makes a good running back is two things I’ve learned; their skillset and the system they play in. Bell’s skillset is virtually perfect for the type of offense Randy is likely to run. The only other running backs in this draft that may fit this bill are Derrius Guice and Kerryon Johnson; hence part of the reason why they met with the Steelers at Pro Day and/or the combine.

The teams that you noted that won Superbowls without a running game, well let’s evaluate each one Bob (I love when you do this):

Green Bay – They’ve only won one Superbowl in the last 15 years (2010). They’re fortunate to have arguably the most talented QB ever in Aaron Rodgers; however last season when he was injured, how did that turn out? They most definitely could have used a competent running back to open up their offense, especially considering the type of quarterback they had in Rodgers’ place. Instead they became too predictable and teams exploited that.

Seattle – Funny how you mentioned running back. They had Marshawn Lynch whom at the time was one of the premier running backs in the league. The year they won back in 2013, he rushed for 1,257; in the postseason he led the league in rushing yards so his contribution were essential. Ironically enough, on the play in which Seattle should have run the ball, they passed instead and lost the Superbowl (Malcolm Butler’s interception).

Patriots – Whether you see it or not, much offensive schemes they’ve run with different coordinators, has been initiated by the running game. With this team, we can explore ad nauseum why they’ve been successful. What I know is that for many years, they were very much a play-action offense; thus for a lot of years, they depended heavily on their running backs for success. Much of that has not changed, especially considering now they have mediocre receivers (Gronk being the exception).

Winning a superbowl doesn’t exclude the running game Bob, like every other aspect required in a winning team, it’s part of the formula to the equation of success; if you’re absent one part, you become exposed.

Bob here’s the bottom line, it seems like a lot of fan, you’re in that camp of letting Le’veon Bell go because you believe he’s keeping your team back from winning. If you actually study the type of offenses this team has run in the last 5 seasons, they’ve relied heavily on Bell; to replace that will be extremely difficult, as you noted, running back like Bell doesn’t grow on trees.

Your reference to a one of a kind talent like Todd Gurley is laughable. The Rams did not get to the Super Bowl, and it’s not like talents like Gurley or Bell grow on trees. Still, many teams have won Super Bowls over the years, including New England and Seattle and Green Bay, without a Gurley or Bell type of RB that opens up the passing game.

Barkley is likely going to be 1st overall or at the very least top 5, Barkley is likely going to be a Brown; thus you can forget about him. It is important that when you start talking about things like this, you evaluate what they’ve been doing, whom they’ve met with and whom they’re actually interested it. The only running back they’re likely to get if they actually make that type of move, is to get Derrius Guice; he resembles Bell as any other running back in that class, exception to perhaps Kerryon Johnson, whom is likely to be available in the 3rd round.

About this whole presumption about Bell’s me too attitude Bob, let me sprinkle a dose of reality to you; all of them have it. Before Antonio Brown got paid, he also was putting on a me too attitude( you saw it on the field against the Ravens). Frankly speaking, the fact that NFL players don’t get guaranteed contracts in a sport that is as violent as football is a crime; hence why people like Bell want to get what they can get before they end their career. As fans, many of us do not appreciate that, rather we carry this delusional stance that they should just play and be happy to get paid what they’re paying; that’s not how is works in today NFL unfortunately Bob.

As noted before, the reason why they traded back on 2006 was before they were picking last and they had just won a Superbowl; thus trading up or down didn’t make a difference. Whether you like it or not, Bell is an important piece to that offence because of how he frees up everyone else; in exception to Guice, none of those running backs come close to having Bell’s skillset. Hate to disappoint you, but you’ll be seeing Bell this season; next season could be a different story, but this season, he’ll be there.

When you look at this Steelers team, they are a couple pieces away from really contending; the last thing they’ll want to do now, is remove one of their most important pieces, for the sake of a linebacker that has recently noted having some health concerns; thus Vander Esch could fall in the draft.

If in any crazy scenario they trade Le’veon Bell, it’s more than likely not for Vander Esch; he’s good but not worth letting go of a multi-time All-Pro running back. This is not the strongest draft class, so we need to look at the guys that they’ve met with/dined with, whom they would be more inclined to get;
– Minkah Fitzpatrick
– Darrius Guice (whom they met and dined with)
– Justin Reid (arguably the top safety in this class)
– Tremaine Edmunds (arguably the best ILB in the draft).

That said, I’m more than positive that Colbert isn’t going to be making any trades in the draft this year; keyword being “this year”.

Too bad that ge’ll be long gone by 28.