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We don't need our starters to attend camp or play any preseason games because they always start out hot and ready to win at the beginning of the season.
4pm deadline looms
- Thread starter Steelerfan81
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Tomlin sucks
Maybe the reason Bell didn't take the contract is because of the terms, not the amount. The Steelers want to protect themselves from a relapse or him missing games due to substance abuse. Perhaps they had wording that would return a proportionate amount of his signing bonus directly linked to the amount of games he'd be suspended for? That would make sense for him to dig in his heels, because his 'guaranteed' amount would not be guaranteed.
Offer was a 5 year deal averaging 12mil a year. That's 5yr/60mil. 30mil first 2 years and 42mil in first 3 makes a yearly breakdown most likely as 15, 15, 12, 9, 9. The unknown is how much was guaranteed and how much of signing bonus was offered. Its his right to not sign that deal but I think he is being foolish. The offer was very generous considering his injury history and off the field issues. Tag, Tag, buhbye.
So, he hasn't signed his Tender yet. I no that before the deadline that the Steelers could pull there tag. but there has to be something in the fine print to protect them. what if he blows out his knee in Fla training prior to signing and reporting. why should the Steelers be on the hook for 12.12 million,when he will never see the field. i'd bet he'd sign that Tender pretty fast then.
If they pull the tag he becomes a UFA free to sign anywhere and the steelers get no compensation
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I would like to see a tag - the non-exclusive rights tag for two reasons:
1. Gives Bell the chance to test the market to see if there really are any teams willing to pay him as much as he is looking for; and
2. More importantly if another team does make an offer the Steelers are unwilling or unable to match, the Steelers get that team's first round draft picks in 2019 and 2020 giving them plenty of draft firepower at a time when drafting Ben's replacement will be a major priority.
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This is exactly what they should do...after all it is a business. ...Bell is treating it as one...as he should. The Steeler's need to see this also.
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Oh the STEELERS do, believe me they do. Either bell will be a STEELER next year or the STEELERS will be compensated in one way or another.
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Titans ink Casey to reported 4-year, $60M extension with $40M guaranteed
Jack Browne Jul 28, 2017 5:17 PM
The Tennessee Titans signed Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to a multi-year extension, the team announced Friday.
The terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the extension is worth $60.4 million over four years with $40 million guaranteed. He had two years remaining on his current contract.
If Bell is offered this contract he signs.. you mean to tell me this guy is a better football player then Bell??
Jack Browne Jul 28, 2017 5:17 PM
The Tennessee Titans signed Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to a multi-year extension, the team announced Friday.
The terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the extension is worth $60.4 million over four years with $40 million guaranteed. He had two years remaining on his current contract.
If Bell is offered this contract he signs.. you mean to tell me this guy is a better football player then Bell??
JUL. 28, 2017 AT 2:05 PM
Le’Veon Bell Is Irreplaceable. The Steelers Have Yet To Notice.
By Michael Salfino
Filed under NFL
Le’Veon Bell was born in the wrong decade. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back is the best player in the NFL at his position, but he’s playing at a time when that distinction has never been less valued. On Thursday, Bell didn’t report to camp (and was under no obligation to do so), having yet to sign his franchise tender for $12.1 million. Earlier this month, negotiations between the All-Pro and the Steelers broke down without Bell signing a long-term contract after he reportedly sought $15 million per year. Assuming Bell does sign the tender, he’ll still play this season for the Steelers as the game’s highest-paid back. But the Steelers can’t resume negotiations on a long-term deal until 2018, meaning Bell will be a free agent once again.
Put another way: This could be Bell’s last season wearing black and gold. In another era, when running backs like Earl Campbell, Franco Harris and Walter Payton were the gods of the gridiron, this would be unfathomable. But in the modern NFL, any running back, regardless of his ability, may be viewed as replaceable simply because he doesn’t throw or primarily catch the football. Despite this new line of thinking, Pittsburgh could still be making a huge mistake.
Local papers have noted that Pittsburgh has won at a higher rate without Bell the past two years (11-5 including playoffs) than with him (12-7). But Bell played in five games without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during that span, compared with just one for his backup the past two years, DeAngelo Williams, who is no longer with the team. The Steelers went 10-3, meanwhile, when Bell and Roethlisberger both played.1
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In addition to durability risk, the knock on running backs is that they are interchangeable –that their success is based more on a team’s offensive scheme and run blocking than any innate ability. But that doesn’t seem to be the case with Bell.
Not every running back is replaceable
Difference between teams’ primary and secondary running options by yards per attempt, 2016
YARDS/ATTEMPT
TEAM RB1 RB2 RB1 RB2 DIFF.
CHI J. Howard J. Langford 5.2 3.2 +2.0
SF C. Hyde S. Draughn 4.6 2.7 +1.9
DAL E. Elliott A. Morris 5.1 3.5 +1.6
PIT L. Bell D. Williams 4.9 3.5 +1.4
KC S. Ware C. West 4.3 3.3 +1.0
NO M. Ingram T. Hightower 5.1 4.1 +1.0
GB T. Montgomery E. Lacy 5.9 5.1 +0.9
SD M. Gordon K. Farrow 3.9 3.2 +0.7
ATL D. Freeman T. Coleman 4.8 4.4 +0.3
DET T. Riddick Z. Zenner 3.9 3.8 +0.1
MIN J. McKinnon M. Asiata 3.4 3.3 +0.1
TEN D. Murray D. Henry 4.4 4.5 -0.1
CLE I. Crowell D. Johnson 4.8 4.9 -0.1
JAX T.J. Yeldon C. Ivory 3.6 3.8 -0.2
HOU L. Miller A. Blue 4.0 4.2 -0.2
BUF L. McCoy M. Gillislee 5.4 5.7 -0.3
BAL T. West K. Dixon 4.0 4.3 -0.3
PHI R. Mathews D. Sproles 4.3 4.7 -0.4
DEN D. Booker C.J. Anderson 3.5 4.0 -0.5
NE L. Blount D. Lewis 3.9 4.4 -0.5
NYG R. Jennings P. Perkins 3.3 4.1 -0.8
CAR J. Stewart F. Whittaker 3.8 4.7 -0.9
CIN J. Hill R. Burkhead 3.8 4.7 -0.9
WSH R. Kelley C. Thompson 4.2 5.2 -1.1
TB D. Martin J. Rodgers 2.9 4.3 -1.4
NYJ M. Forte B. Powell 3.7 5.5 -1.8
OAK L. Murray J. Richard 4.0 5.9 -1.9
RB2 is the teams’ best backup running back with at least 50 rushing attempts.
SOURCE: TRUMEDIA
The 25-year-old averaged 4.86 yards on 261 carries last season — or 1.36 yards more than Williams averaged in 98 attempts while running behind the same offensive line. That differential was the fourth in the NFL when comparing primary ball carriers to their best backup with 50-plus carries, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. That means Bell gained 355 more yards on his 261 carries than his backup would have, and those extra yards are worth 23 points, based on the league rate of a point every 15.4 yards from scrimmage. That was bested only by the Chicago Bears’ Jordan Howard (1.98 yards better per carry), San Francisco 49ers’ Carlos Hyde (1.90) and Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott (1.55). But in those three cases, the 2016 backups — Jeremy Langford, Shaun Draughn and Alfred Morris, respectively — are nowhere near the caliber of Williams, one of only three backs since 2000 who have matched Bell’s active streak of averaging at least 4.7 yards in three consecutive seasons (minimum 100 carries).2 No back this century has ever done it four straight years.
If you look at the list across the league, you begin to see why an NFL front office might think twice about giving big money to a first-string running back. There were 11 teams in 2016 in which the difference in efficiency between the starter and the backup was separated by less than half a yard per attempt. What’s more, there were 16 backups who were actually more efficient in less work, perhaps because of fresher legs. And the four backs who averaged at least 1 yard more per rush than the man they were behind on the depth chart are backups again this year. That includes the best backup rusher last year, Oakland’s Jalen Richard (1.88 yards per carry more than the now-departed Latavius Murray, who was replaced by Marshawn Lynch). More mysteriously, the Jets’ Bilal Powell (5.51 per carry) is expected to back up the same starter, Matt Forte (3.73), as is Washington’s Chris Thompson (5.24) behind Rob Kelley (4.19).
Bell’s teammates, at least, seem to appreciate his value. “We need him,” star wide receiver Antonio Brown told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday. “He’s a special piece.” But on Wednesday, prior to training camp, Brown expressed dismay on Instagram over Bell’s anticipated absence, saying the “First rule to getting better is showing Up!”
Brown was rewarded for his stellar output with a four-year, $68 million deal in February. But Bell’s best offer from the Steelers didn’t approach that, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, which is instructive in showing how much more the NFL values passing over the ground game. But Bell is arguably the team’s second-most important receiver behind Brown, too. Last year, he became the first player in NFL history to average more than 50 yards receiving per game in addition to 100 rushing yards. And his total of 157 yards from scrimmage per game was third-most in league history.
Yet despite their arguably equal importance to the team, it’s Bell who is skipping camp while he waits on his payday. Brown, meanwhile, arrived at camp on Thursday chauffeured in the backseat of a 1931 Rolls Royce.
Le’Veon Bell Is Irreplaceable. The Steelers Have Yet To Notice.
By Michael Salfino
Filed under NFL
Le’Veon Bell was born in the wrong decade. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back is the best player in the NFL at his position, but he’s playing at a time when that distinction has never been less valued. On Thursday, Bell didn’t report to camp (and was under no obligation to do so), having yet to sign his franchise tender for $12.1 million. Earlier this month, negotiations between the All-Pro and the Steelers broke down without Bell signing a long-term contract after he reportedly sought $15 million per year. Assuming Bell does sign the tender, he’ll still play this season for the Steelers as the game’s highest-paid back. But the Steelers can’t resume negotiations on a long-term deal until 2018, meaning Bell will be a free agent once again.
Put another way: This could be Bell’s last season wearing black and gold. In another era, when running backs like Earl Campbell, Franco Harris and Walter Payton were the gods of the gridiron, this would be unfathomable. But in the modern NFL, any running back, regardless of his ability, may be viewed as replaceable simply because he doesn’t throw or primarily catch the football. Despite this new line of thinking, Pittsburgh could still be making a huge mistake.
Local papers have noted that Pittsburgh has won at a higher rate without Bell the past two years (11-5 including playoffs) than with him (12-7). But Bell played in five games without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during that span, compared with just one for his backup the past two years, DeAngelo Williams, who is no longer with the team. The Steelers went 10-3, meanwhile, when Bell and Roethlisberger both played.1
ADVERTISEMENT
In addition to durability risk, the knock on running backs is that they are interchangeable –that their success is based more on a team’s offensive scheme and run blocking than any innate ability. But that doesn’t seem to be the case with Bell.
Not every running back is replaceable
Difference between teams’ primary and secondary running options by yards per attempt, 2016
YARDS/ATTEMPT
TEAM RB1 RB2 RB1 RB2 DIFF.
CHI J. Howard J. Langford 5.2 3.2 +2.0
SF C. Hyde S. Draughn 4.6 2.7 +1.9
DAL E. Elliott A. Morris 5.1 3.5 +1.6
PIT L. Bell D. Williams 4.9 3.5 +1.4
KC S. Ware C. West 4.3 3.3 +1.0
NO M. Ingram T. Hightower 5.1 4.1 +1.0
GB T. Montgomery E. Lacy 5.9 5.1 +0.9
SD M. Gordon K. Farrow 3.9 3.2 +0.7
ATL D. Freeman T. Coleman 4.8 4.4 +0.3
DET T. Riddick Z. Zenner 3.9 3.8 +0.1
MIN J. McKinnon M. Asiata 3.4 3.3 +0.1
TEN D. Murray D. Henry 4.4 4.5 -0.1
CLE I. Crowell D. Johnson 4.8 4.9 -0.1
JAX T.J. Yeldon C. Ivory 3.6 3.8 -0.2
HOU L. Miller A. Blue 4.0 4.2 -0.2
BUF L. McCoy M. Gillislee 5.4 5.7 -0.3
BAL T. West K. Dixon 4.0 4.3 -0.3
PHI R. Mathews D. Sproles 4.3 4.7 -0.4
DEN D. Booker C.J. Anderson 3.5 4.0 -0.5
NE L. Blount D. Lewis 3.9 4.4 -0.5
NYG R. Jennings P. Perkins 3.3 4.1 -0.8
CAR J. Stewart F. Whittaker 3.8 4.7 -0.9
CIN J. Hill R. Burkhead 3.8 4.7 -0.9
WSH R. Kelley C. Thompson 4.2 5.2 -1.1
TB D. Martin J. Rodgers 2.9 4.3 -1.4
NYJ M. Forte B. Powell 3.7 5.5 -1.8
OAK L. Murray J. Richard 4.0 5.9 -1.9
RB2 is the teams’ best backup running back with at least 50 rushing attempts.
SOURCE: TRUMEDIA
The 25-year-old averaged 4.86 yards on 261 carries last season — or 1.36 yards more than Williams averaged in 98 attempts while running behind the same offensive line. That differential was the fourth in the NFL when comparing primary ball carriers to their best backup with 50-plus carries, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. That means Bell gained 355 more yards on his 261 carries than his backup would have, and those extra yards are worth 23 points, based on the league rate of a point every 15.4 yards from scrimmage. That was bested only by the Chicago Bears’ Jordan Howard (1.98 yards better per carry), San Francisco 49ers’ Carlos Hyde (1.90) and Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott (1.55). But in those three cases, the 2016 backups — Jeremy Langford, Shaun Draughn and Alfred Morris, respectively — are nowhere near the caliber of Williams, one of only three backs since 2000 who have matched Bell’s active streak of averaging at least 4.7 yards in three consecutive seasons (minimum 100 carries).2 No back this century has ever done it four straight years.
If you look at the list across the league, you begin to see why an NFL front office might think twice about giving big money to a first-string running back. There were 11 teams in 2016 in which the difference in efficiency between the starter and the backup was separated by less than half a yard per attempt. What’s more, there were 16 backups who were actually more efficient in less work, perhaps because of fresher legs. And the four backs who averaged at least 1 yard more per rush than the man they were behind on the depth chart are backups again this year. That includes the best backup rusher last year, Oakland’s Jalen Richard (1.88 yards per carry more than the now-departed Latavius Murray, who was replaced by Marshawn Lynch). More mysteriously, the Jets’ Bilal Powell (5.51 per carry) is expected to back up the same starter, Matt Forte (3.73), as is Washington’s Chris Thompson (5.24) behind Rob Kelley (4.19).
Bell’s teammates, at least, seem to appreciate his value. “We need him,” star wide receiver Antonio Brown told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday. “He’s a special piece.” But on Wednesday, prior to training camp, Brown expressed dismay on Instagram over Bell’s anticipated absence, saying the “First rule to getting better is showing Up!”
Brown was rewarded for his stellar output with a four-year, $68 million deal in February. But Bell’s best offer from the Steelers didn’t approach that, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, which is instructive in showing how much more the NFL values passing over the ground game. But Bell is arguably the team’s second-most important receiver behind Brown, too. Last year, he became the first player in NFL history to average more than 50 yards receiving per game in addition to 100 rushing yards. And his total of 157 yards from scrimmage per game was third-most in league history.
Yet despite their arguably equal importance to the team, it’s Bell who is skipping camp while he waits on his payday. Brown, meanwhile, arrived at camp on Thursday chauffeured in the backseat of a 1931 Rolls Royce.
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I've been thinking about this situation since the deadline passed. Quarterbacks are the highest paid in the game because they touch the ball on every snap and impact the game more than any other player on the field. On the Steelers, Bell carries such a heavy workload and isn't just the best at his position, but a top-5 talent in the entire league. He's going to carry the ball 300 times a season and catch it another 70+ times with probably at least 10 touchdowns. I'm fine paying him like the elite weapon that he is, because let's be real, this team doesn't have to pay a tight end and isn't going to pay Bryant big dollars. No reason to not keep Bell through a second contract, even if it blows away the running back market.
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I think they made an offer making him the highest paid RB in the league. He didn't take it.
You can tag him 3 straight years and still come out only a little more money that what you offered him. The tag is what drives the dollars.
As far as Tennessee and the Casey deal. That's why they are Tennessee and haven't won jack ****. That deal sucks. Casey had TWO MORE YEARS on his contract (which the Steelers refuse to ever renegotiate on unless you are a QB). That's stupid move #1. Casey had no leverage. If he wants to sit out, let him ******* get fat. Second, I've seen him listed as a DE, but I would argue he's a DT, which is a completely different tag number ($17 million for DE's, $13.5 million for DT's).
Why the Titans would increase a player they OWN and could pay $6.5 million this year, $7.5 million next year and then TAG for $13.5 million in 2019 (that's $27.5 total for those adding at home) makes no sense and is why they are a bad team. You go and give him a raise up to $15 million/year and guarantee $40 million off of that deal? Your GM should be tarred and feathered for that deal. What a TERRIBLE ******* precedent for your locker room. I mean that deal will **** up every deal you ever try to negotiate with any player in your locker room for the next decade. How can you possibly justify that deal to your paying fans and keep a straight face?
Hell.... I thought giving Max Starts a 4-year, $26 million deal was bad. What a ******* moron Jon Robinson is. But again, that's why it's not hard to be a half decent team in this league. 50% of the other teams are just so stupid they practically take themselves out of it.
You can tag him 3 straight years and still come out only a little more money that what you offered him. The tag is what drives the dollars.
As far as Tennessee and the Casey deal. That's why they are Tennessee and haven't won jack ****. That deal sucks. Casey had TWO MORE YEARS on his contract (which the Steelers refuse to ever renegotiate on unless you are a QB). That's stupid move #1. Casey had no leverage. If he wants to sit out, let him ******* get fat. Second, I've seen him listed as a DE, but I would argue he's a DT, which is a completely different tag number ($17 million for DE's, $13.5 million for DT's).
Why the Titans would increase a player they OWN and could pay $6.5 million this year, $7.5 million next year and then TAG for $13.5 million in 2019 (that's $27.5 total for those adding at home) makes no sense and is why they are a bad team. You go and give him a raise up to $15 million/year and guarantee $40 million off of that deal? Your GM should be tarred and feathered for that deal. What a TERRIBLE ******* precedent for your locker room. I mean that deal will **** up every deal you ever try to negotiate with any player in your locker room for the next decade. How can you possibly justify that deal to your paying fans and keep a straight face?
Hell.... I thought giving Max Starts a 4-year, $26 million deal was bad. What a ******* moron Jon Robinson is. But again, that's why it's not hard to be a half decent team in this league. 50% of the other teams are just so stupid they practically take themselves out of it.
Because they have the cap to do it and he has earned it. How is it terrible when he he is the face of your defence respected on the field for his play and off the field for his community work. He plays both so look like they paid him in the middle.
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But why so early, del explained he still had two years left in his contract. You still will have the money to sign him the following season, why strap your cap and negotiating edge like that for future contracts?
Where does it say they did that?? They are 41 million under the cap
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I meant future contracts, the next star they have will want an extension with two years left. It sets a precedent
They made it quite obvious he was a special case. His on field play and off field work made him a special case
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How many other players / egos on their roster, not to mention their agents in their minds also believe they are in the "Special Case" classification? I'll help, all 51 of them think that. They will have a tough time negotiating with all their big name players now.
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I agree RB's have a 3-5 year window, but the difference with Bell is, he could be slid into a WR position when his RB days are done. Kind of like moving a CB like Rod Woodson to S. you get more productive years out of him this way. Bell is a generational RB , and I believe even a top 10 WR after that. In the Slash role, he is and will be better than Stewart ever was. Bell can't play QB, but Stewart really didn't either.
I would have offered him a 5-6 year deal, with the understanding he was getting #2 WR money in years 4-6. I would also have added incentives that would allow him to get more money with production. The odds of playing out that contract are really quite good in Pittsburgh.
I would have offered him a 5-6 year deal, with the understanding he was getting #2 WR money in years 4-6. I would also have added incentives that would allow him to get more money with production. The odds of playing out that contract are really quite good in Pittsburgh.
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Here is the flaw in your statement,......... BELL's numbers last year were exaggerated due to lack of a legitamite #2 WR. This year that will be different. The team leaned on him as AB was out of the equation due to double / triple team on him. Ben literally had nowhere to go. Now that it looks like we may have our #2 back the numbers will change accordingly. It is a pass driven league and LBell will get less touches weather running or receiving. Obviously injury or SUSPENTION by Bell or Bryant could change things even more drastically. I hope all stay healthy and who cares about the number of touches as long as these players stay team goal oriented.
Just a couple of things.........Bell isn't a speed demon now what makes you think in his twilite years he would suddenly get fast and make a GREAT WR?????? Also there is no way no how Bell is a better slash role than Kordell was. Did you watch Korky when he was in the slash role???? That slash role occured before he was a QB, NOT while he was a QB as at that time he was a QB........Kapish???? NOT taking anything away from Bell as he is DANG good and as said possibly the best generation RB today. When you move him out to full time ±WR he will become more predictable and easier to cover while coupled to his speed deficiency. WOODSON was moved to safety due to his losing a step and yes,.......that did prolong his career. In Bell's case, losing a step doen't translate to moving to a HIGH SPEED required position.
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Bell not being in camp isn't helping his cause at all. He has 12 million plus reasons to get his *** to work.
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It depends on if it is about his love of the game or the money
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Well his money isn't going to change this year. 12 million. Next year will be even bigger with the tag. I think he's just trying to get out of camp since he can without signing his contract. If he loved the game that much he'd be with his team working on winning a championship. It all starts in camp. Everyone else is in but him. It's disappointing as a fan.