Is Le’Veon Bell hinting at leaving Pittsburgh?

[Ike Kelly]

I was on the fence with the numbers the Steelers offered last off season. I imagine Bell is asking for more this off season. Do I begrudge him wanting as much as he wants? Nope, but at his asking price I would just move on from him....even with him being the alltime great RB that he is and all(or what ever you think he is). I think we can just be as effective without Bell. Does the RB that replaces him do everything that Bell does now for us? Most likely not. Others will have to help pick up in other areas. I remember when Wallace was asking for his pay day. A few were saying that we couldn't replace Wallace and his TD's( I believe Wallace was doing somethings that weren't done before also). The fact is we did. Just how it is. If Bell isn't around someone else will be. All we have to do is hand them the ball. And with as great as some on here says our OL is...... it should be that much easier for the next guy.

Not pointing fingers at you Stillwright, just using your example. But why is Wallace being put in the same comparison as Bell? When Wallace wanted paid, we had two other up and coming receivers, and arguably better, right behind him, Sanders and Brown. When Wallace balked at the offer, they gave it Antonio instead. Brilliant move by Colbert in my opinion, because Wallace wasn't a polished receiver by any means.....just a speedster who ran by back end of the defenses we faced. That left Hines open a ton underneath.

We have nothing like Bell on the roster. Connor I have high hopes for, but he is no where near at the level where Bell was in his first year much less coming into his second.

 

[Ike Kelly]

Yes if Bell is traded I will say GOOD move, and I will also laugh as he plays on the best team with a powerful OL ( with two guys who pull as well as anyone ). and is flanked by a HOF QB with great weapons around him. Take that away we'll see how good he is!

????.....what team are you talking about? What two OL who pull better than anyone else? HOF QB? Are you talking about Pittsburgh?



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[antdrewjosh]

If Brady was throwing to Bell it would be basically unstoppable. No one throws a guy open short better than Brady EVER. Ben gets to Bell so late in the progression that the linebacker engages as the ball is thrown he is ready for the tackle. I literally scream at my tv. Dump it off now. 5 or 6 times a ****** game. Ben is a hell of a qb but his short game throwing a guy open is *** and his screen game is one of the worst Ive seen.

This... ive been saying this since Mendenhall.

 

[Ike Kelly]

I bet you $1,000 Colbert has discussed ways to unload Bell in some capacity ( Tag or trade ).

As much as it pains me, I agree with you he won't be cut, though I'd argue if cut, the Steelers can get a back in fee agency that will average better than 4.0 yards per carry and have plenty of money left over in free agency to fill holes at S or ILB.

Nice back tracking.....

You said trade or cut, Supe called you on Bell being cut and now you say he won’t be cut. Yeah real smooth.....

But you forgot one thing Genius, you can’t cut a UFA. He can be tagged and the tag rescinded, but he wouldn’t be cut because he is a UFA. If tagged and Bell signs the tag, that’s 14-15 on the books right there.


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[Coryea]

If Brady was throwing to Bell it would be basically unstoppable. No one throws a guy open short better than Brady EVER. Ben gets to Bell so late in the progression that the linebacker engages as the ball is thrown he is ready for the tackle. I literally scream at my tv. Dump it off now. 5 or 6 times a ****** game. Ben is a hell of a qb but his short game throwing a guy open is *** and his screen game is one of the worst Ive seen.

Difference is Brady's check down is one of his first reads, not his last. Damn Ben!!!!

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[Coryea]

Again he doesnt have to take what the steelers offer..and its ok to be ok with that

And it's ok that the Steelers don't think he's worth it, and it's ok to be ok with that

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[antdrewjosh]

And it's ok that the Steelers don't think he's worth it, and it's ok to be ok with that

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But they do..they want to keep him. They see his value. They understand we cant just plug Joe Blue in and keep the train going

 

[Coryea]

But they do..they want to keep him. They see his value. They understand we cant just plug Joe Blue in and keep the train going

He'd be signed already if they thought he was worth what he thinks he is. It's very obvious they don't think he's worth what he's asking, and I fully agree

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[warriors42]

If Bell is traded or cut, I've got a truck load of crow for this board. One thing I'm sure of, he won't get a 3rd tag. Heck, he not even worth tag money. Too few big plays.

I dont think you can tag a player more then two years in a row, or at least I dont think it has ever been done

 

[jitter77]

Bell Facts

1. Bell gets lots of yards
2. Bell gets way more touches than anyone
3. Bell only had 1 play over 20 yards (not a big play back)
4. Bell has a ton of wear and tear for a youngish back
5. We dont have a guy who can do what he does right now

Bottom line is Bell is more of a grinder back w/ a injury / suspension history. He is not worth 14-15 million. The offense will be fine w/o him and the defense would be better. We can pick up or draft a serviceable back, save a ton of money, and help the team where it needs more help. I know most people want Bell back, but we had him last year and we couldnt even beat the Jags. Why would we throw more money at him and just roll with the same ole again. I just dont think its possible to sign Bell, get a good safety, find a replacement for Shazier, an upgrade at CB, and an upgrade over Dupree. We would have to hit the powerball in the draft. Without Bell we could buy good talent for at least 2-3 holes and draft to fill the rest. I just dont think one RB is worth losing out on being able to shore up 2-3 other spots of more severe need.

 

[Ike Kelly]

I dont think you can tag a player more then two years in a row, or at least I dont think it has ever been done

You can, but a team won’t do it. Had Washington not got Lewis, Cousins would have been tagged for the 3rd time. His salary would’ve been 20% higher than 2017 which was 20% higher than 2016. So no team with fiscal cap responsibility would give a player 60% increase in top 5 of the position (unless it was a kicker) in three consecutive years.


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[swal75]

I dont think you can tag a player more then two years in a row, or at least I dont think it has ever been done

I believe the 3rd hit is either 44% more than the previous year or it's the highest franchise tag number(the QB one, probably 25+million)

 

[SteelerSask2]

Difference is Brady's check down is one of his first reads, not his last. Damn Ben!!!!

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If it is first or second down the first guy you can hit for sure for more than 2 yards you give it to him. That is Bens down fall. You do that enough and the defense has to come up and then it is easy deep. Ben is super exciting when things are working but he just cant simplify his game and make it easy.

 

[Coryea]

If it is first or second down the first guy you can hit for sure for more than 2 yards you give it to him. That is Bens down fall. You do that enough and the defense has to come up and then it is easy deep. Ben is super exciting when things are working but he just cant simplify his game and make it easy.

Bell had 85 catches, more than the Great Tom Brady top two RBs combined, obviously Ben hit him just fine

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[antdrewjosh]

Bell had 85 catches, more than the Great Tom Brady top two RBs combined, obviously Ben hit him just fine

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Seriously Coryea you cant see the difference in what Sask is saying. When you drop that pass in rhythm the back has the advantage. This is why Deon Lewis makes LBs look foolish consistently. When you throw it as a last resort it much harder to make the LB miss

 

[Coryea]

Seriously Coryea you cant see the difference in what Sask is saying. When you drop that pass in rhythm the back has the advantage. This is why Deon Lewis makes LBs look foolish consistently. When you throw it as a last resort it much harder to make the LB miss

Dion Lewis makes LBs look foolish because he's a tough guy to stop one on one.
You go on and on about Bell and his catches, but then some how turn around and bash Ben for his inability to get Bell the ball properly.

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[Coryea]

Seriously Coryea you cant see the difference in what Sask is saying. When you drop that pass in rhythm the back has the advantage. This is why Deon Lewis makes LBs look foolish consistently. When you throw it as a last resort it much harder to make the LB miss

Yeah Brady does such a great job at getting Lewis the ball in perfect situations, Lewis had a whopping 214 yards, 8 first downs, and a huge 6.7 yards per catch, yes I wish Ben could master that skill.

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[Aussie_Steeler]

The amount is fully guaranteed for 16 or 6 games. What I haven't seen yet, which could be done, is to suspend a player for 2 weeks for conduct detrimental to the team when they return week 10. You do that, you own his rights the following year as well if he's under contract. The fact that Bell is playing on a tag would not apply, though the argument could be made that he's playing for a 2nd tag not a 3rd tag if tagged again without playing 6 games.

Your suggestion won't work. Firstly as per the collective bargaining agreement if Bell signs the contract after the first week, his salary is guaranteed for the pro rata portion of the season remaining when he signs (which is logical - if the entire season's salary is guaranteed for the last six games why would any player sign the franchise tag before then?).

Second, Bell can only be franchise tagged in 2019 on the same terms as 2018 if he doesn't play at all in 2018. What happens with six (or seven depending on when the bye is) games remaining, is if Bell does not sign the franchise tag by the Tuesday following week 10, he is not allowed to play in the NFL at all in 2018 except in case of extreme personal or club hardship.

So if he signs the tag after week ten and prior to the deadline, and the Steelers suspend him for two weeks for conduct detrimental (and I'm not sure refusing until the last possible minute to sign a contract that is forced on you qualifies), he will still have played in the 2018 season, therefore the franchise tag in 2019 would be subject to the third season escalator.

 

[slashsteel]

Sorry Ben is very capable of getting it out quickly and in rhythm.

I think yinz are really reaching with that perspective.

Difference really is Ben is a down the field sandlot type passer, two different type QBs.

He is looking for big plays as Brady is content on the dink and dunk.

Both styles work for both QBs.

You wouldn't ask Ben to change up his game any more than you would ask Brady to be bombs away Ben.

You plug different WRs in and the O still goes, you plug different Rbs in and the O stills goes.

It is all about Ben, keep trying to belittle what he is capable of.

His stats tell a different story.

 

[bleedB&G]

He still don't understand it's a team game. He thinks he would be as good as he is if he were on a team like Cleveland or another team. Would love to see him on another team and see him fall on his face. So selfish. I say get what you can and move on. He's no good to this team if he's not happy here.

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[antdrewjosh]

Dion Lewis makes LBs look foolish because he's a tough guy to stop one on one.
You go on and on about Bell and his catches, but then some how turn around and bash Ben for his inability to get Bell the ball properly.

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Where have i gone on and on about his catches? Why is it ok to point out Bell deficiencies but not Ben's. Nobody player is perfect not Bell and not Ben either.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Sorry Ben is very capable of getting it out quickly and in rhythm.

I think yinz are really reaching with that perspective.

Difference really is Ben is a down the field sandlot type passer, two different type QBs.

He is looking for big plays as Brady is content on the dink and dunk.

Both styles work for both QBs.

You wouldn't ask Ben to change up his game any more than you would ask Brady to be bombs away Ben.

You plug different WRs in and the O still goes, you plug different Rbs in and the O stills goes.

It is all about Ben, keep trying to belittle what he is capable of.

His stats tell a different story.

Why is it belittling? Im just pointing something out about his style of play. Just like others have pointed out Bells lack of long runs. He's still a great back. Just like Ben not being a rhythm QB on his checkdowns doesnt make him a bum. He is still a great QB.. No one is saying he isnt. You can point out the things someone isnt great at and it not be a diss.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Why is it belittling? Im just pointing something out about his style of play. Just like others have pointed out Bells lack of long runs. He's still a great back. Just like Ben not being a rhythm QB on his checkdowns doesnt make him a bum. He is still a great QB.. No one is saying he isnt. You can point out the things someone isnt great at and it not be a diss.

BELL SUCKS
BEN SUCKS

Wish we had rg3 & ___________ (insert name her but must be over 32yrs old)






sarcasm alert







Salute the nation

 

[Stryker]

Your suggestion won't work. Firstly as per the collective bargaining agreement if Bell signs the contract after the first week, his salary is guaranteed for the pro rata portion of the season remaining when he signs (which is logical - if the entire season's salary is guaranteed for the last six games why would any player sign the franchise tag before then?).

Second, Bell can only be franchise tagged in 2019 on the same terms as 2018 if he doesn't play at all in 2018. What happens with six (or seven depending on when the bye is) games remaining, is if Bell does not sign the franchise tag by the Tuesday following week 10, he is not allowed to play in the NFL at all in 2018 except in case of extreme personal or club hardship.

So if he signs the tag after week ten and prior to the deadline, and the Steelers suspend him for two weeks for conduct detrimental (and I'm not sure refusing until the last possible minute to sign a contract that is forced on you qualifies), he will still have played in the 2018 season, therefore the franchise tag in 2019 would be subject to the third season escalator.

The thing is, Bell doesn't have to sign the tag week 1. He can wait until week 10 to sign it. That stops him from being fined daily for not showing up. I assume the reason why most players sign the tag and play the full season, is because of the guaranteed money, and It's why Bell did it last year. Especially since it is far more than any RB is making in a year.

Per the collective bargaining agreement. When a franchise player signs, it is fully guaranteed regardless of the week signed. I'm not sure of signing past week 10 rules, because any player that takes it that far, sits out the year. Bell should be allowed to play any week he choses, the only difference is if he's rostered for less than 6 games, He loses a year of eligibility. Now that means something when you're signed to a multi-year contract, but a tag is done at the start of free agency. I personally think if that happened there would be two sides fighting for the rights of Bell. The Steelers would make a case that he didn't play a full season under the tag, so it is void, the NFLPA will state he's been tagged a 3rd time and the escalation would be 144% for his 3rd tag. That hasn't played out, so I don't know the answer, but I feel that would be the scenario.

 

[slashsteel]

Why is it belittling? Im just pointing something out about his style of play. Just like others have pointed out Bells lack of long runs. He's still a great back. Just like Ben not being a rhythm QB on his checkdowns doesnt make him a bum. He is still a great QB.. No one is saying he isnt. You can point out the things someone isnt great at and it not be a diss.

Ok but don't know if I want to buy the notion that he isn't a rhythm QB. At times sure if he is locking on somewhere else and late to throw. But plenty of times I have seen him hit the player in stride....

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