Hall of Fame LB Ham raves about Bell, says Elliott 'can't hold his jock'

Count Hall of Fame outside linebacker Jack Ham in the camp that believes Le'Veon Bell to be the NFL's premier running back.

Ham starred for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971-82, earning six first-team All-Pro selections, Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1975, and helping the club win four Super Bowls.

Ahead of the upcoming season, Ham raved about Bell, while taking shots at Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.

"Bell is the best route runner I have seen for a running back in a long time," Ham said to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"(Elliott) can't hold his jock as a receiver or route runner. Running a flare out of the backfield is not running a route. There's a huge difference. Elliott is a flare guy, not a route runner. Bell understands this. He didn't do that at Michigan State. They didn't use him like that. Here they found out he was such a good receiver. It's a big weapon when he's in there."

Bell, Elliott, and Arizona Cardinals star David Johnson are widely considered to be the NFL's premier running backs, but the Steelers' star enters the season as the highest-paid player at this position by a wide margin.

The Steelers likely hope Ham's endorsement goes along way with Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown operating as the fulcrums of the team's offense.