Le’Veon Bell Says Certain Teammates Were ‘Not Ready To Play Football’ Against Jaguars

[Shoes]

BY DAVE BRYAN FEBRUARY 3, 2018 AT 10:56 AM
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell certainly made his way around radio row on Friday in Minneapolis, MN ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl game and in addition to talking quite a bit about his current contract situation, the 2017 First-Team All-Pro also talked about his team’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Rounds of the playoffs during an interview with Tiki Barberand Brandon Tierney from CBS Sports Radio.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/02...tball-jaguars/

[st33lersguy]

Yeah, everyone who watched that crapfest of a game could have said that. Maybe stop trying to make headlines to the sports media and creating more off-field drama

[AtlantaDan]

This will go over well with his teammates coming from the guy who played himself into shape the first few weeks of the regular season and sent out an idiotic tweet the night before the Jax game

“Why didn’t you guys have the energy?”

I did, but you can’t control everybody. I did. I wanted that game badly.

“Certain guys out there was not ready to play football. ... Don’t get me wrong, guys woke up in the second half, but it’s kind of too late.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201802030096

IMO Bell has one foot out the dooor

[Shoes]

A certain teammate didn't come to training camp either. But I can agree with Bell on complacency, that is in control of Tomlin 100%. As much as I despise the Pats, they have the playoff bye nearly every year and never show up complacent. They buy into good old Bill's gospel hook line and sinker. It's that simple.

[DesertSteel]

A certain teammate didn't come to training camp either. But I can agree with Bell on complacency, that is in control of Tomlin 100%. As much as I despise the Pats, they have the playoff bye nearly every year and never show up complacent. They buy into good old Bill's gospel hook line and sinker. It's that simple.

I'm finding it harder and harder to believe the the Tomlin' Steelers will ever win a Super Bowl again in the Bill & Brady era.

[Born2Steel]

A certain teammate didn't come to training camp either. But I can agree with Bell on complacency, that is in control of Tomlin 100%. As much as I despise the Pats, they have the playoff bye nearly every year and never show up complacent. They buy into good old Bill's gospel hook line and sinker. It's that simple.

Bell was NOT going to get reps in TC. Tomlin said that very thing way back then. He was just coming back from groin surgery. He only got 10 carries in the season opener. He was getting zero reps during TC.

[Mojouw]

Bell was NOT going to get reps in TC. Tomlin said that very thing way back then. He was just coming back from groin surgery. He only got 10 carries in the season opener. He was getting zero reps during TC.

Shhh. No wants to hear facts. They just want to vent their opinione. Make the Steelers Great Again!

[SteelerFanInStl]

Bell was NOT going to get reps in TC. Tomlin said that very thing way back then. He was just coming back from groin surgery. He only got 10 carries in the season opener. He was getting zero reps during TC.

Shhh. No wants to hear facts. They just want to vent their opinione. Make the Steelers Great Again!

Yep, these complaints about Bell not being in TC are comical. He wasn't going to get reps anyway.

[AtlantaDan]

Bell was NOT going to get reps in TC. Tomlin said that very thing way back then. He was just coming back from groin surgery. He only got 10 carries in the season opener. He was getting zero reps during TC.

Shhh. No wants to hear facts. They just want to vent their opinione. Make the Steelers Great Again!

Yep, these complaints about Bell not being in TC are comical. He wasn't going to get reps anyway.

I think preseason is too long and exists in its present format to force season ticket holders to pay for 2 preseason games. But I disagree that it is "comical" to complain about the delay in Bell reporting.

At least one person apparently disagreed about whether not reporting mattered, but what does he know? I have never seen him post here.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he does not know if Le’Veon Bell will be in good enough “football shape” to play all the time and immediately be a large part of the offense when he returns to the Steelers...

I don’t know if he’ll be ready to play every single play like he does typically during the season....

“Coming off an injury, it’s going to be about how he feels,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s going to come back here in great shape, he’s always in great shape. But there’s in-shape and there’s football shape, there’s running around in shorts and T-shirt and putting the pads on and getting hit....

Roethlisberger said the offense has installed several new wrinkles — “More than usual,” he said — that Bell will have to transfer from the meeting room to the field when he returns.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201708230380

Of course Ben just might be a front office stooge and said it to embarrass Bell

Apparently any worries were unjustified - Bell hit the ground running in week one and obviously would not have carried a heavier workload than 10 carries along with 3 receptions if he had not delayed reporting

Since it was week one everyone had a light workload that day - AB only went for 11 receptions and 182 yards

[EzraTank]

Is this the same guy that tweeted stupidity before the game about playing the Pats the following week. The same moron that showed up late on game day and skipped the walk-through the night before? How many guys on the Patriots pull that crap? Do you think Brady does skips walk-throughs?

Bell you have a ton of talent below the neck, but not too much above the neck.

[Shoes]

Bell was NOT going to get reps in TC. Tomlin said that very thing way back then. He was just coming back from groin surgery. He only got 10 carries in the season opener. He was getting zero reps during TC.

Shhh. No wants to hear facts. They just want to vent their opinione. Make the Steelers Great Again!

Right, so it was a benefit to Bell and the team for not being in TC? Ok.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201708090130

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201707270187

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/camp-holdout-leveon-bell-reportedly-might-not-join-the-steelers-until-september/

[Born2Steel]

Right, so it was a benefit to Bell and the team for not being in TC? Ok.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201708090130

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201707270187

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/camp-holdout-leveon-bell-reportedly-might-not-join-the-steelers-until-september/

Benefit to the team or for Bell? Bell was not getting ANY reps in TC. He was working out, the same as MB was before he got officially reinstated. Ben's comments are correct that there is in shape, and then there is football shape. Football shape was not going to happen until Bell and Bryant both started taking reps with the team. Which, guess what, he was not going to do during TC. Had Bell signed the tag earlier, he would have had access to the facility sure, but would still be doing his own workouts away from the facility.

[Shoes]

Benefit to the team or for Bell? Bell was not getting ANY reps in TC. He was working out, the same as MB was before he got officially reinstated. Ben's comments are correct that there is in shape, and then there is football shape. Football shape was not going to happen until Bell and Bryant both started taking reps with the team. Which, guess what, he was not going to do during TC. Had Bell signed the tag earlier, he would have had access to the facility sure, but would still be doing his own workouts away from the facility.

Got a link for that?

[Born2Steel]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news...z1xyl5hudr58qp

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh...camp-105520001

http://www.pennlive.com/steelers/ind...ries_camp.html

https://www.sbnation.com/2017/7/27/16035696/leveon-bell-pittsburgh-steelers-holdout-training-campcontract

http://www.businessinsider.com/leveo...t-money-2017-9

[Shoes]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news...z1xyl5hudr58qp

Jeff Diamond, LMAO! Right from Steeler HQ!

The fact is Colbert and Tomlin both wanted Bell in TC. Bell said himself, I believe it was in Pennlive a few months back, that being in TC would have helped with (reps), carries,routes and pads.

[Born2Steel]

Jeff Diamond, LMAO! Right from Steeler HQ!

The fact is Colbert and Tomlin both wanted Bell in TC. Bell said himself, I believe it was in Pennlive a few months back, that being in TC would have helped with (reps), carries,routes and pads.

You do not have to agree with it, but there it is.

[Shoes]

You do not have to agree with it, but there it is.

I don't agree with it or you. The Fact is Rooney, Colbert & Tomlin wanted Bell in TC and they didn't want him there running the soda machine.

[Born2Steel]

I don't agree with it or you. The Fact is Rooney, Colbert & Tomlin wanted Bell in TC and they didn't want him there running the soda machine.

Then there you have it.

Colbert may not have spoken to him, but Mike Tomlin has said multiple times this preseason he has kept in contact with Bell, and to me, that is what matters. Bell isn’t a rookie, and knows the offense better than any other running back in training camp. The fact remains Bell will report to the Steelers. Will it be when they, the fans, organization and teammates, want him there? No, but he will show up and will likely be as dynamic as ever when he does report.
So, with that said, there are two sides to this story, but ultimately, will Colbert still have an axe to grind with Bell when he runs all over a team in the regular season and helps the team win?
Not a chance.
In the meantime, I suggest fans just relax with Bell’s situation, know he will report to the team, and the offense should have all capable bodies ready to go when they travel to the mistake by the lake in Week 1."

Meh, it matters not what I think. You guys have your opinions about Bell. I have mine. Go Steelers!

[DesertSteel]

I don't agree with it or you. The Fact is Rooney, Colbert & Tomlin wanted Bell in TC and they didn't want him there running the soda machine.

Exactly!

[Shoes]

Then there you have it.

Hey, your the one who said...

Bell was NOT going to get reps in TC. Tomlin said that very thing way back then. He was just coming back from groin surgery. He only got 10 carries in the season opener. He was getting zero reps during TC.

Then posted a link that doesn't say a thing about Tomlin, Colbert or Rooney saying any of the above. Remember facts, Mojouw wants facts, not opinions.

[Born2Steel]

Hey, your the one who said...



Then posted a link that doesn't say a thing about Tomlin, Colbert or Rooney saying any of the above. Remember facts, Mojouw wants facts, not opinions.

I wasn't done.....

[Shoes]

I wasn't done.....

I am. I'm going to soak some chickpeas and navy beans.

[Born2Steel]

I am. I'm going to soak some chickpeas and navy beans.

Will there be cornbread?

[Shoes]

Will there be cornbread?

No cornbread, white bean mushroom soup for the navy beans. The chickpeas go to my favorite, "No Tuna"Salad Sandwich.

https://www.forksoverknives.com/reci...ch/#gs.2eyyeV8

[Lady Steel]

Someone needs to put duct tape over Bell's mouth.

[Born2Steel]

Someone needs to put duct tape over Bell's mouth.

Indeed.

[pczach]

I think preseason is too long and exists in its present format to force season ticket holders to pay for 2 preseason games. But I disagree that it is "comical" to complain about the delay in Bell reporting.

At least one person apparently disagreed about whether not reporting mattered, but what does he know? I have never seen him post here.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he does not know if Le’Veon Bell will be in good enough “football shape” to play all the time and immediately be a large part of the offense when he returns to the Steelers...

I don’t know if he’ll be ready to play every single play like he does typically during the season....

“Coming off an injury, it’s going to be about how he feels,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s going to come back here in great shape, he’s always in great shape. But there’s in-shape and there’s football shape, there’s running around in shorts and T-shirt and putting the pads on and getting hit....

Roethlisberger said the offense has installed several new wrinkles — “More than usual,” he said — that Bell will have to transfer from the meeting room to the field when he returns.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201708230380

Of course Ben just might be a front office stooge and said it to embarrass Bell

Apparently any worries were unjustified - Bell hit the ground running in week one and obviously would not have carried a heavier workload than 10 carries along with 3 receptions if he had not delayed reporting

Since it was week one everyone had a light workload that day - AB only went for 11 receptions and 182 yards

Good post Dan.

It seems way too many around here are just taking one side and failing to acknowledge fair points on both sides regarding Bell.

Is he a great player? Yes he is. To say otherwise is just silly if you've watched him play over his career. He does so many things well on the field that it's ridiculous. He has been everything you can ever want from an effort perspective, and from knowing his assignments and then performing them in all aspects of the game. He is as complete a player at RB as the NFL has ever seen.

Was he out of football shape early in the year, and did staying out of training camp hurt him? You're damn right it did. For those of you that talk about him not getting reps in preseason, that doesn't matter. He would have been in every meeting, been getting reps in non-contact drills, learning all the new wrinkles in the offense, and having better timing of plays with the OL and the quarterback. This isn't even arguable. If any of you ever played organized football, you understand that there's a difference between not taking contact and not being there at all. Come on guys.

Does he deserve criticism about off field stuff? Yes he does. He has been suspended multiple times. He also seems to always be making statements that are not conducive to cohesive locker rooms with statements about the organization or other players. He isn't smart enough to keep from saying things that don't help him, and he's constantly walking back statements and giving mixed messages.

Does he deserve to be untouchable, and should be given a big contract for what he has done in his career? Not necessarily. He has been a great performer when on the field, but has missed a ton of time with injuries, suspensions, and has now been ineffective for games because of missing TC. He is also becoming a bigger and bigger headache that continues to make public statements and threats against the team. For anyone to suggest that an owner, a GM, a head coach, or anyone else in the organization isn't listening to what he is saying and considering that he isn't worth the trouble has their head in the sand. There is probably plenty more going on that we haven't heard about. There almost always is.

It's also hilarious that so many killed Big Ben for saying maybe he didn't have it anymore, or that he was considering retirement, but want to just dismiss the comments of a player to "retire" if he gets the franchise tag again. Talk about holding a team hostage. Then, what do they do if he holds out? Cut him? Who can they afford to sign when planning for him to be there with his huge number against the cap? What quality running back would sign with the team, not knowing if or when Bell would show up and honor the rest of his contract? These are all legitimate questions that the organization has to ponder and figure out if any of it can work, or they need to move on.

For those of you who say they must keep him because he's irreplaceable, here's a question. What does the team do if he is franchised and on the roster with a huge cap hit and he doesn't show up? How irreplaceable is he then?

If they sign him to a huge long-term deal, will he be the same back we have seen or will he decline while taking up a huge percentage of the cap?

Will he continue to be a problem even if he signs a contract? From an effort standpoint, there's nothing in this guy's career that says that he won't give everything he has when he plays. What he does off the field is a little less clear from a Twitter, Instagram, and interview standpoint.

I think there are so many levels to this decision that many aren't even thinking about. This decision by the team may shape the foreseeable future of the franchise.

As a player on the field, I love him. I think he does have a couple more great years in him, but will probably decline as a runner when he starts to lose his close area quickness. We know he doesn't have great top-end speed now, but his quickness, elusiveness, and power allows him to use his great vision to make him what he is as a runner. When he loses quickness, he's going to be a different player altogether. He may not be the smartest tool in the cabinet off the field, but on the field, he is a savant. His football IQ is off the chart. He may be a guy that can alter his game to still make a difference as he ages and his skills change.

The question is: Is he worth the risk or the trouble? Can you pay that much money to a player with diminishing skills in a few years that is a risk regarding drug suspensions, and that has been a growing problem off the field? So much to consider.

[AtlantaDan]

Good post Dan.

It seems way too many around here are just taking one side and failing to acknowledge fair points on both sides regarding Bell.

Great post Did not quote full post to save space.

[ALLD]

There isn't another team in the NFL that did less with more talent than the Steelers. Bell wasn't totally at fault, but he was part of the problem.

[Mojouw]

There isn't another team in the NFL that did less with more talent than the Steelers. Bell wasn't totally at fault, but he was part of the problem.

Really? I mean a few teams get a pass because of injury. But what about the Panthers, Raiders, Chiefs, Chargers, Giants, Seahawks, and Falcons just off the top of my head. There is a significant amount of Pro Bowl level talent sprinkled across those rosters. Franchise QBs and impact players on both sides of the ball, etc.