Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert issued the following statement regarding Le'Veon Bell

[BlackAndGold]

[polamalubeast]

I hope

[silver & black]

I honestly think that fans care and coaches care because they are paid to worry about everything. But I do not think players give two flying frigs. They understand that the NFL is a cold and calculating business and keep their emotions out of it, for the most part.

Another way of reading Foster's statement above is that he didn't notice because he doesn't care and it doesn't really bother him because he is going to prepare and do his job the same way no matter what.

I think we, as fans, often project the attitudes and feelings of a high school locker-room onto an NFL team. I suspect that it is far far different.

Yep. I've just gone through it with a certain Bears player.

[polamalubeast]

I believe Mike Wallace's distraction hurt the steelers in 2012.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice talent to have a better chemistry in the locker room.

[steelreserve]

Every time a player holds out or gets into a contract dispute with their team, the other players close ranks and back them to the hilt. Most recently we saw this with Donald, OBJ, and Mack.

Now, let's think about why they would do that.

Any intelligent person would realize that whatever record-breaking deal another player signs - it comes at their own expense because there is now less cap space for everyone else.

So while it's tempting to think "Yeah! Our brother is sticking it to the greedy owners!" ... in reality he is just sticking it to the other players. They're all drinking from the same milkshake.

The strictly rational approach would be for players to be closely aware of what others are being paid, and not be happy when someone is getting far more than he's worth, because that's literally money that is coming out of your own pocket. Unless you are a superstar yourself, meaning in the top 1 or 2 players on a team who could hope to land such a mega-deal, it would be in your own self-interest if the superstars got less money so that the average for the rank-and-file players would be a bit more.

Unless it's based on simplistic emotions rather than cold, calculating business ... or you know, the exact opposite of what you said matters.


As far as the Bell situation itself is concerned, it now goes beyond money because the jackass is doing stuff that likely affects the team. If I was on a sports team of any kind, and our best player (well, debatable, maybe one of the best three players) showed up late and obviously unprepared, I would be kind of pissed given that I'd spent all day for the last 2 or 3 months getting ready for the season and now he's negatively affecting my chances of winning. Even more pissed if it was a sports team where you got paid, and he was getting paid more than me to do that and couldn't be bothered to take it seriously.

[Mojouw]

Now, let's think about why they would do that.

Any intelligent person would realize that whatever record-breaking deal another player signs - it comes at their own expense because there is now less cap space for everyone else.

So while it's tempting to think "Yeah! Our brother is sticking it to the greedy owners!" ... in reality he is just sticking it to the other players.

The strictly rational approach would be for players to be closely aware of what others are being paid, and not be happy when someone is getting far more than he's worth, because that's literally money that is coming out of your own pocket. Unless you are a superstar yourself, meaning in the top 1 or 2 players on a team who could hope to land such a mega-deal, it would be in your own self-interest if the superstars got less money so that the average for the rank-and-file players would be a bit more.

Unless it's based on simplistic emotions rather than cold, calculating business ... or you know, the exact opposite of what you said matters.


As far as the Bell situation itself is concerned, it now goes beyond money because the jackass is doing stuff that likely affects the team. If I was on a sports team of any kind, and our best player (well, debatable, maybe one of the best three players) showed up late and obviously unprepared, I would be kind of pissed given that I'd spent all day for the last 2 or 3 months getting ready for the season and now he's negatively affecting my chances of winning. Even more pissed if it was a sports team where you got paid, and he was getting paid more than me to do that and couldn't be bothered to take it seriously.

That's a pretty big assumption -- that the players are generally intelligent.

Most of these guys believe in themselves first, second, and last. And even though they are bottom of the roster guys, they figure they are a handful of games away from "breaking out" and getting that top tier dollars.

[teegre]

When Bell shows up (my guess: Week 10), I hope that he gets 250+ yards-from-scrimmage per game.

Why would I root for a player on my team to suck? I do not understand that logic. I get trading him, because that would get us something in return. But, to root for Bell to suck makes zero sense.

[steelreserve]

That's a pretty big assumption -- that the players are generally intelligent.

Most of these guys believe in themselves first, second, and last. And even though they are bottom of the roster guys, they figure they are a handful of games away from "breaking out" and getting that top tier dollars.

That's still the opposite of cold and calculating business.

Like, if I thought I was about to break out and become a big star, surely I would realize that the more money that is not tied up in some other big contract, the more there is for me, right?

This is assuming I was not interested in moving to Oakland or Washington, D.C.

[AtlantaDan]

THIS ^^^ is the the most irritating part of it all, a guy like James Conner who fights and beats cancer all showing up to practice directly after Chemotherapy, busts his ass to prove himself in the NFL and then Lev Bell walks in and says 'take a seat' then Bell takes his place as #1 running back.

As opposed to the morality of the franchise QB placing the 2010 season in jeopardy by incurring a 4 game suspension for allegations of sexual assault and then being handed the starting QB job when he returned?

As Mojouw posted, Tomlin is not handing out participation trophies because you are a good guy - if you are the better player you play regardless of how big a jackass someone like Bell may be

[86WARD]

THIS ^^^ is the the most irritating part of it all, a guy like James Conner who fights and beats cancer all showing up to practice directly after Chemotherapy, busts his ass to prove himself in the NFL and then Lev Bell walks in and says 'take a seat' then Bell takes his place as #1 running back.

Bell is a better football player. If he’s ready to go, you play him. Unless you have Todd Gurley on your team.

[polamalubeast]

As opposed to the morality of the franchise QB placing the 2010 season in jeopardy by incurring a 4 game suspension for allegations of sexual assault and then being handed the starting QB job when he returned?

As Mojouw posted, Tomlin is not handing out participation trophies because you are a good guy - if you are the better player you play regardless of how big a jackass someone like Bell may be

The steelers also gave our super bowl hero one year before(Santonio Holmes) to the jets for nothing in this offseason. Talent is important, but chemistry is very important too.

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[El-Gonzo Jackson]

When Bell shows up (my guess: Week 10), I hope that he gets 250+ yards-from-scrimmage per game.

Why would I root for a player on my team to suck? I do not understand that logic. I get trading him, because that would get us something in return. But, to root for Bell to suck makes zero sense.

I agree. Why do fans take things about pro sports personally? I don't think any pro athlete cares about my work situation?? So when he shows up, hope that he produces and when he is too expensive to be .

I was thinking that Bell was adamant that he never said he was going to report today, so just out of principle he was gonna show up the next day. It may still happen, but I think the team gameplans with Connor as the starter for sure.

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Bell is a better football player. If he’s ready to go, you play him. Unless you have Todd Gurley on your team.

agreed, you play the better football player, not the guy with the better comeback story. That being said, Bell has had no carries and no time with the offense....I think opening day you start Connor and sprinkle some reps in for Bell IF he reports.

[DesertSteel]

If we didn’t take things personally we wouldn’t be fans. And we wouldn’t be on a message board talking about it. That’s Fandom 101.

[SteelerCountry58]

Love what Bell brings to our team but the drama has worn me out. So sick of this nitwit, I really don’t care anymore. I root for the logo and the Burgh’s faithful. The team marches on regardless! Let’s go!!

[86WARD]

There really hasn’t been any drama. The guy is holding out. It’s what players that aren’t getting paid what they think they should be paid do. It’s not dramatic at all. Rod Woodson did it. Hines Ward did it. It’s really not that big a deal. It’s a hold out.

[HollywoodSteel]

He is just stupid not to be here today. He had a chance to improve his relationship to the fans. He chose not to.

I think the Steelers should give themselves the best chance of winning. But if we get a big lead, make Bell close it out. Give him every single meaningless carry. Let him get hit way more times than necessary. Shake the rust off him. Then shake even more off him.

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Make him play special teams too.

[AtlantaDan]

He is just stupid not to be here today. He had a chance to improve his relationship to the fans. He chose not to.

Improve his relationship with the fans?

This quote describing how Keith Olbermann left ESPN fits for Bell's relationship with Steelers fans

"He didn't burn bridges here, he napalmed them."

[polamalubeast]

Make him play special teams too.

That would be the best thing that Tomlin could do!


I mean, Bell was disrespectful, not just for his holdout, but for his tweets, etc, so that would be a strong message for the entire team to put him on the coverage in the special teams!

[DesertSteel]

Steelers won’t be petty but you can bet they are exploring every avenue for leverage.

[Neversatisfied]

As opposed to the morality of the franchise QB placing the 2010 season in jeopardy by incurring a 4 game suspension for allegations of sexual assault and then being handed the starting QB job when he returned?

As Mojouw posted, Tomlin is not handing out participation trophies because you are a good guy - if you are the better player you play regardless of how big a jackass someone like Bell may be

I agree however when Bell refuses to show up for practice and preseason games it affects the whole offense not just Bell, Bell will no doubt have some rust to knock off not to mention getting in sync with Ben and the offensive line. This isn't quite as innocent or without drawbacks as many Would like to think.

[AtlantaDan]

Steelers won’t be petty but you can bet they are exploring every avenue for leverage.

The leverage is he is gone after this season so you run the wheels off him - no worries about millions in guaranteed $$ after this season that hit the salary cap if his productivity goes off a cliff after 2018

[DesertSteel]

The leverage is he is gone after this season so you run the wheels off him - no worries about millions in guaranteed $$ after this season that hit the salary cap if his productivity goes off a cliff after 2018

I meant leverage in relation to a no-show/holdout.

[ETL]

If I was Bell, I would do the same thing as my time as an NFL RB is limited and this is my only leverage.

However, I would treat it as business and be quiet about it and not put out all the drama. Why? Because, that is bad business.

As a Steeler fan - Le’Veon Schemeveon. If he’s here great. If he’s not - I root for the players that are here and don’t care for those that aren’t.

[DesertSteel]

If I was Bell, I would do the same thing as my time as an NFL RB is limited and this is my only leverage.

However, I would treat it as business and be quiet about it and not put out all the drama. Why? Because, that is bad business.

As a Steeler fan - Le’Veon Schemeveon. If he’s here great. If he’s not - I root for the players that are here and don’t care for those that aren’t.

You would not show up for game week with no financial advantage related to your absence?

[Dwinsgames]

The problem is that Bell will not be ready for the season.

I know that Bell is better than Conner in a normal situation, but steelers do not need an all pro running back to be successful .... Only need to be a little above average as runner and as receiver.

The other thing is that Bell is a major distraction, so if I would be Tomlin and Colbert, I would do the same treatment that Santonio Holmes had in 2010, the last time that the steelers had been in the super bowl ....

No one is bigger than the team .... at least not at the level that Bell has been for a good while

I am not certain Bell is superior to Conner as a runner...

look Bell averaged a meager 4.0YPC last year behind arguably one of the best lines in football ...

the way Conner runs I am not so sure he could not / would not best that by a significant amount in terms of YPC goes 4.5 is a big increase in terms of judging a RB totals .. 5.0 is huge increase in production over a season of being a feature back ...

300 carries 300 more yards is the difference in 4.0 and 5.0 so quite significant ..

Bells workload and laziness for offseason work , missed training camps and party lifestyle have cost him in terms of effectiveness and now before you blink to many times age is going to start costing him too

go look at HoF RBs and look at season totals from prior to age 27 to post age 27 that is normally where you start to see a drop in production in the YPC category ...Bell was 4.0 does he drop a bit more with another missed camp another party filled off season ? all things to consider

[AtlantaDan]

I meant leverage in relation to a no-show/holdout.

I do not see how they have any until he reports other than the fact he misses paychecks - the collective bargaining agreement gives him until November to sign the tender and secure credit for a year of service for his exit to free agency in 2019.

If by that point the offense is functioning well without Bell they then could trade him. But if it was just for the rest of the season only contenders presumably would be interested and it is doubtful the Steelers would trade him to a potential AFC playoff opponent. Also unlikely they would get much for a half season rent a player trade. The ultimate cluster would be to lose to a NFC team with Bell in this season's Super Bowl.

[Edman]

When was the last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl with a single feature back?

You won't find one.

[DesertSteel]

I do not see how they have any until he reports other than the fact he misses paychecks - the collective bargaining agreement gives him until November to sign the tender and secure credit for a year of service for his exit to free agency in 2019.

If by that point the offense is functioning well without Bell they then could trade him. But if it was just for the rest of the season only contenders presumably would be interested and it is doubtful the Steelers would trade him to a potential AFC playoff opponent. Also unlikely they would get much for a half season rent a player trade. The ultimate cluster would be to lose to a NFC team with Bell in this season's Super Bowl.

To be even clearer (my apologies): If Bell shows up one or more games late and signs, what are the options that give the Steelers an upper hand? Probably nothing. I agree run his wheels off, but what if Conner is killing it and Bell is sucking?

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I am not certain Bell is superior to Conner as a runner...

look Bell averaged a meager 4.0YPC last year behind arguably one of the best lines in football ...

the way Conner runs I am not so sure he could not / would not best that by a significant amount in terms of YPC goes 4.5 is a big increase in terms of judging a RB totals .. 5.0 is huge increase in production over a season of being a feature back ...

300 carries 300 more yards is the difference in 4.0 and 5.0 so quite significant ..

Bells workload and laziness for offseason work , missed training camps and party lifestyle have cost him in terms of effectiveness and now before you blink to many times age is going to start costing him too

go look at HoF RBs and look at season totals from prior to age 27 to post age 27 that is normally where you start to see a drop in production in the YPC category ...Bell was 4.0 does he drop a bit more with another missed camp another party filled off season ? all things to consider

Bell was never fast to begin with. His lack of homerun ability has always been my complaint with him. Last year, he was markedly slower.

[polamalubeast]

I am not certain Bell is superior to Conner as a runner...

look Bell averaged a meager 4.0YPC last year behind arguably one of the best lines in football ...

the way Conner runs I am not so sure he could not / would not best that by a significant amount in terms of YPC goes 4.5 is a big increase in terms of judging a RB totals .. 5.0 is huge increase in production over a season of being a feature back ...

300 carries 300 more yards is the difference in 4.0 and 5.0 so quite significant ..

Bells workload and laziness for offseason work , missed training camps and party lifestyle have cost him in terms of effectiveness and now before you blink to many times age is going to start costing him too

go look at HoF RBs and look at season totals from prior to age 27 to post age 27 that is normally where you start to see a drop in production in the YPC category ...Bell was 4.0 does he drop a bit more with another missed camp another party filled off season ? all things to consider

For Conner, we have to wait, since he has not had a regular season game as starter, but we have seen talented players leaving the steelers and the steelers have rarely suffered,especially at the wide receiver position.

Just remember the situation between Mike Wallace vs Antonio Brown ... Brown became the best WR in the NFL after Wallace left and he had a debate if Brown could be a number one in this league before Wallace leave.

So we have to give Conner the chance and the only thing I want from him is to be above average like the old DeAngelo Williams in 2015 and the steelers are going to be fine, but I would not be surprised if he is better than the version of Williams in 2015 ...

[AtlantaDan]

To be even clearer (my apologies): If Bell shows up one or more games late and signs, what are the options that give the Steelers an upper hand? Probably nothing. I agree run his wheels off, but what if Conner is killing it and Bell is sucking?

In that case the Steelers simply guessed wrong when they tied up $14 million under the cap for 2018 on a player they assumed would play a full season at or near an All Pro level.

I still think he reports this week. Not showing up until midseason gives up millions while still being subject to a bad injury after he does report for someone who is all about the money even more than your typical professional athlete.