If he doesn't agree to the tag then it's time to cut him loose. He's a hell of a RB. No question. But we will be hurting in cap space and we have other priorities. Draft one in the first or second round and hope he can bring some of what Bell does to the table.
Array title="AtlantaDan has a reputation beyond repute">
Bell decided three days before a playoff game was the perfect time to reignite the issueOriginally Posted by teegre
Mission accomplished - it is getting major national coverage
Bell simply raised what all players know. In the NFL the real elephant in the room is knowing you need to get max $$$ ASAP because, as no team knows better than the 2017 Steelers, it can all end suddenly. Consider the possibility the Ryan Shazier catastrophe is a factor in Bell not being in the mood to pretend it is not about getting paid now since otherwise it might be getting paid never.
The interesting thing is, I was on Bell’s side... until the bolded part.
Now, he is nothing more than a narcissistic pothead.
Guaranteed contracts with injury, suspension, and criminal protections would fix so much of this nonsense.
If I was Bell I'd want all the money too. At this pace he has 2 more seasons before his body breaks.
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Of course.
But, he canNOT get a new contract until the season ends. So, why cause this distraction???
I don't really even see his point. He plays under the franchise tag a second time and he's made a fuck ton of money even by career standards. And I think the team would rather not do it if they don't have to, so just get a fucking deal done.
Why is this even being brought up now? Just some reporter trying to stir up shit? Check his press credentials, I bet they say "Will Welichick."
See you Space Cowboy ...
I say we make him a reasonable contract offer, if he declines, tag him again. If he retires or sits out, we tag him again in 2019. He will be a free agent for the 2020 season, at which point he is 28 and will certainly not get a big contract.
Array title="AtlantaDan has a reputation beyond repute">
IMO Bell not being happy with his contract is not breaking news to his teammates and is no distraction to the team. Bell is out of damns to give if folks do not want him to talk about it.
If the team has been able to deal with the national anthem cluster and having a teammate currently confined to a wheelchair after an on the field injury I bet they will have no problem handling #26 saying once again he wants to get paid
I'm guessing not a single member of the 53 man roster or the coaching staff thought about these comments for more than 2 minutes.
Fans and the media make a ton out of contract relayed statements made by players. Unless he call out teammates or starts making too many "business" decisions on the field, I honestly don't get the distraction narrative. Who is distracted and from what? Does anyone honestly believe that instead of studying their game plan anyone other than Leveon Bell is spending time worrying about what he does this off season?
One season does not make Gurley the best RB in football. Bell had a down season due to missing time during camp and came up 10-13 yards(?) short of Gurley.
Gurley is irrelevant, it's about what Bell does for this team, which is a lot. (Who is to say Gurley won't be asking for that amount also?)
This team loves to create drama for the media.
Every week its something new.
... and whose fault was that?
He could've been way ahead of Gurley - but guess what, he wasn't, because of his own decision. He could've played from Week 1 the last couple years before that, but he didn't because of his own decision. At this point I would say his track record is to basically miss the first month of the season over stupid shit, since that's now been the majority of his career. So yeah, he plays lights-out for 12 games but finishes behind the guy who played 16, I'd have to say the guy who came ready to play and showed up for all 16 wins that one.
See you Space Cowboy ...
EXACTLY! The only thing I give a crap about, starts at 1:05 on Sunday. Hurry the hell up Sunday.
Array title="Lady Steel has a reputation beyond repute">
*sigh* It's always something.
STHU, Le'Veon, and get out on the field. Geesh.
It Bells fault, also the o-line didn't help, they struggled also.
I think any NFL fan would agree that Bell is still the best RB in the game. 1 season doesn't change that. I'm sure you didn't believe Julio Jones was better than AB last year(or the year before that), or Zeke Elliot was the best RB in the NFL.
Bell means so much to this team, everyone should be hoping the Steelers sign him to a long term contract.
Array title="DesertSteel has a reputation beyond repute">
Clearly because he got asked a question. No athlete is ever allowed to deflect or change the subject. They are "just answering the question."
I mean, I guess that Bell isn’t sleeping during meetings. So, he’s got that going for him.
Array title="Count Steeler has a reputation beyond repute">
Bell to the Pats*? I don't think Uncle Bill would ever pay his running backs that kind of cash.
Maybe... maybe not.
AB gets crucified for Facebooking the lockerroom, but somehow, Bell threatening to holdout is not a distraction...???
IMO, what AB did was something all millennials do (ego-centric media stuff). I can understand and forgive that.
And, to iterate, in March, I might have been behind Bell. But, saying it now... IMO, Bell is simply being petulant. A simple answer would have been: “I’m focused on the playoffs and winning a championship. We’ll discuss my contract in the off-season.”
Array title="SteelerFanInStl has a reputation beyond repute">
I agree. Last year Gurley was terrible. This year he was on the top offense in the NFL and was the primary focus. The Rams didn't even have a 1000 yard receiver. Their offense all ran through him. Nothing against Gurley because I like him but let's hold off before we appoint him as the best RB in the NFL.
Bell is a very valuable piece to this team. Anyone who thinks that he can be easily replaced is kidding themselves. I hope that we agree to a new contract with him but I'll leave it up to the front office to decide his worth.
“I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play!” - Jack Lambert
Array title="GBMelBlount has a reputation beyond repute">
As a team, we averaged 3.8 ypc this season.
This is in the bottom quarter of NFL teams.
Why would we pay 14 million a year (or whatever) for a running back who is performing well below average behind one of the best lines in the NFL?
"With love, with patience, and with Faith
....She'll make her way" ~ Natalie Merchant
Bell thinks just because he demands it that the Steelers WILL cave. I hate his attitude and his irresponsible actions, couple that with 3 and a half yards per attempt and they should tag him and draft a RB in the 2nd round and make him take half the snaps.
It's amazing how only making $12 million is so BAD ...
F him. Let him sit or retire.
2 things
Ben's knee down dropped our YPC a lot....Also, you forget its 85 catchs....
I trust the steelers will make the right decision in the Bell's case.
As I said earlier, we can have a good offense without Bell if his replacement is a very good player (like Williams in 2015 but much younger), but right now, this RB is not in our roster.
- - - Updated - - -
If we lose against the jaguars, the critics on Bell will be worse than the critics on Brown last year ....
I can totally see where you are coming from and you have a great amount of reason and logic behind your viewpoint. I have just never bought the "distraction" argument. The whole thing rests on a shaky foundation. It makes a central assumption that these guys are basically what goes on at the facility and that's it. Such an assumption is totally unrealistic. They all surely have things going on that are "distracting them".
Someone's marriage is falling apart. Someone is lonely and homesick. Someone has a loved one who is struggling with a health problem. Someone else has to decide how they are going to help out a friend or family member struggling with a rough financial situation. Someone's kids are doing bad in school. Someone has an injury that they have downplayed to the team and trainers but keeps them up at night with worry. I'm sure the list goes on and on for these 53 players plus coaches.
I just have never bought in that nonsense like AB's stuff and players carping about contracts even causes a ripple in NFL locker rooms. I think it feeds the 24/7/365 media beast but in reality is mountains out of molehills and tempests in a teacup kinda stuff. But I could be wrong, I know less about how an NFL locker-room functions than I do about most things.
Heeeeeyyyyyyyyy......what a shock. Fowler "reported" the comments via Twitter and is now admitting that he selectively framed Bell's response. Additionally, Ramon Foster seems to not give a shit.
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...-espn-steelers
When are we going to learn that Twitter is not a great forum for actual communication?
The drama and the distraction for the steelers is really nothing new and it never disturb the steelers.
I don't blame the drama of Antonio Brown for the loss against the pats last year.
I like to see him sign with the Steelers but, I don't think any team will pay him he wants. Oh wait maybe Dan Synder in Washington.
Array title="AtlantaDan has a reputation beyond repute">
Tomlin has run the wheels off Bell and not surprisingly it is starting to show in his performance
If there is a concern that Bell is being overused, as has been posted repeatedly on this board, it is not a reach to conclude that overuse is starting to show in his performance and that any relative decline will only accelerate
I also hope Bell gets a long term contract with the Steelers, but if he did not accept the Steelers offer last season and his price has not come down it is not going to happen
As far as "any NFL fan would agree Bell is still the best RB in the game" it is not a life achievement award, it is what have you done for me lately and what is the likelihood of a player's performance improving or declining in the future. I do not claim to speak for all NFL fans (of which I am one) as you do but here is one article that disagrees with your position
Ranking the Top Running Backs of 2017 Season
2. Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Inside Running: 23/25
Outside Running: 21/25
Receiving: 17/20
Blocking: 17/20
Position Value: 7/10
Overall Grade: 85/100
Le'Veon Bell is simply one of the best running backs in the NFL. He has unrivaled patience with his running, at times coming to a complete stop while he waits for his blocks to develop before suddenly bursting through the hole. He's equally effective running inside, out, gap and zone and will create his own yards regardless of the scheme if he needs to. Bell is also a fantastic receiver and has the ability to move outside or line up in the slot and run routes. Overall, Bell is the model of the modern NFL running back, and between his running and receiving abilities, he can carry an offense.
—NFL1000 running backs scout Mark Bullock
If you took a strong drink every time an announcer mentioned Bell's patience during a broadcast, you'd pass out by halftime. But it's not an overrated factor of Bell's game—he seems to defy the laws of football with his ability to stand behind the line and wait with an agonizing patience for holes to open up. Then, of course, he has the power and speed to create big plays. What isn't talked about enough, though, is that Bell is the best receiving back in the league—if he was deployed solely as a slot and outside receiver, he could still have a major impact because he understands routes and has the ability of a pure receiver. His versatility, not his patience, is the secret to his greatness—and his importance to the Steelers offense.
—NFL1000 lead scout Doug Farrar
1. Todd Gurley II, Los Angeles Rams
Inside Running: 22/25
Outside Running: 23/25
Receiving: 18/20
Blocking: 16/20
Position Value: 7/10
Overall Grade: 86/100
While the development of Jared Goff has been the major theme of Sean McVay's first season as Rams head coach, Todd Gurley II's revival shouldn't be overlooked. McVay has done an excellent job scheming ways to get Gurley in space, where he can show off his terrific athletic ability. He runs well to the edge, where he looks to bounce outside and take on smaller defenders he can run over. He's also proved to be a huge threat as a receiver, making him a complete back that finished the season with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage.
—NFL1000 running backs scout Mark Bullock
In 2016, Jeff Fisher did the impossible: He made Gurley disappear. Fisher and offensive coordinator Rob Boras put one of the most talented backs of the last decade in a weird committee, punishing him with limited snaps when he couldn't create miracles behind a horrid offensive line. The switch to McVay obviously opened things up for Goff and for Gurley as a receiver, but it also let Gurley use all his abilities in a fully dimensional offense. Behind a much improved offensive line, Gurley led the league in yards from scrimmage with 2,093 and touchdowns with 19. There isn't a thing you'd want a running back to do that Gurley can't—he has great power and speed, ankle-breaking agility, and he's developing into a top-flight asset as a receiver. Perhaps the best pure back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson, Gurley finally has the perfect offense for his talents, and the arrow is pointing up.
—NFL1000 lead scout Doug Farrar
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...of-2017-season
Array title="SteelerFanInStl has a reputation beyond repute">
"As a team". Yes, as a team. Why do you say that Bell performed "well below average" but the OL is "one of the best lines in the NFL"? The OL is responsible for that ypc also, not just Bell.
ypc is just one statistic. You need to look at everything if you're going to judge a player.
Despite Bell performing "well below average", he still made First Team All Pro. Imagine that.
“I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play!” - Jack Lambert
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