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Sometimes a fantasy. GM moves and the draft

I'll toss something out there. If the Steelers don't sign Bell to a decent deal this offseason, he very well may not be on the team after this coming season. The team did pretty well with him out of the lineup this year. It's going to come down to him or AB. I can't see them able to pay both. With that said, cutting Pouncey could free up money to try and keep them both or keeping Pouncey could free up money by having a better line and not having to pay Bell.

I hope we can keep Bell and AB. Having both with Ben for a few more seasons is our best chance of winning another SB.

I've seen a lot of people share these same thoughts with Bell. While it is true, and the offense was pretty good without him in the lineup, how much better would they have been with him in there? I think this offense could have been that much better with his ability to catch passes, especially in the red zone. How much of a difference would he have made in games like against the Seahawks, the bungles and the Broncos? everyone is also quick to point out that Williams filled in just fine for bell. Again, while that is true to an extent, how much gas does he really have left in the tank? I love deangelo Williams as much as anyone, but he's gonna be 33 next season and has an injury history, including this past season. I get the whole "not breaking the bank for him," but I also don't believe the solution beyond Le'veon Bell is as simple as it may seem.
 
I've seen a lot of people share these same thoughts with Bell. While it is true, and the offense was pretty good without him in the lineup, how much better would they have been with him in there? I think this offense could have been that much better with his ability to catch passes, especially in the red zone. How much of a difference would he have made in games like against the Seahawks, the bungles and the Broncos? everyone is also quick to point out that Williams filled in just fine for bell. Again, while that is true to an extent, how much gas does he really have left in the tank? I love deangelo Williams as much as anyone, but he's gonna be 33 next season and has an injury history, including this past season. I get the whole "not breaking the bank for him," but I also don't believe the solution beyond Le'veon Bell is as simple as it may seem.


I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I want to KEEP bell as he is all that. The differential of this offense with him or with out him is between 8-15% better with him. Our offense did very well. Our back up running back would be hard for bell to improve much more on (ground game). The pass catching would mean less balls to someone else, but maybe a few more yards to bell. RED ZONE betterment............good guess??? Would be better percentage, but probably in my estimated better range. Sign him definitely,......................






Salute the nation
 
I like Bell as much as the next guy, but I don't think he'll command the money in FA that we Steeler fans (a few in this thread in particular) believe he will. Bell struggles to make it through a season and the RB position doesn't command the $ of QB, LT, WR or pass rusher. Look at the deal last years leading rusher got in free agency. I don't think retaining Bell should break the bank, he'll cost a pretty penny but we should be able to manage it. 5 year 10M bonus on a 40-45M total should get it in the ballpark...maybe even less bonus if the injuries continue.
 
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I agree that the chances a 3rd round pick performs better than Wheaton next season are low - exceedingly low. However, you are not being fair on comparing value. I think that the point is a 3rd round pick, producing for 4 seasons at reasonable cost, is likely to outproduce Wheaton's production for one season, at better value.

We should have been in the AFC Championship, all of our key starters are under contract for next season, but let's sacrifice the present for the future?
 
I've seen a lot of people share these same thoughts with Bell. While it is true, and the offense was pretty good without him in the lineup, how much better would they have been with him in there? I think this offense could have been that much better with his ability to catch passes, especially in the red zone. How much of a difference would he have made in games like against the Seahawks, the bungles and the Broncos? everyone is also quick to point out that Williams filled in just fine for bell. Again, while that is true to an extent, how much gas does he really have left in the tank? I love deangelo Williams as much as anyone, but he's gonna be 33 next season and has an injury history, including this past season. I get the whole "not breaking the bank for him," but I also don't believe the solution beyond Le'veon Bell is as simple as it may seem.

love to keep him but don't think we can keep both he and AB. They are already paying Ben a ton. AB and Bell will command top 3 money. Just not sure they can or will tie up that much money in 3 players.
 
Sometimes a fantasy.

Okay, let's say your Kevin Colbert. There are some players you need to win, and others who are expensive that we can win without.

My moves.

1. Cut or trade Pouncey. Let's say I trade him for a 5th round pick, and free up 10.5 million in cap space.

2. I trade Wheaton for a 3rd round pick and save 842,000 in cap space.

3. I cut Suisham and save 3.3 million in cap space, a no-brainer move!

In free agency:

1. Re-sign Gay for 6 million a year.

2. Sign Eric Weddle. A pro bowl level safety for 3 years at 6 million a year. Upgrade over Allen for sure.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WeddEr99.htm


Draft.

1 ) CB Apple
2 ) OLB Calhoun
3 ) C Martin ( Should be able to beat out Wallace by the end of the season )
3 ) CB Canady
4 ) DL Zettel We are going to lose some players at DL in free agency.
5 ) BPA at WR / Return specialists
7 ) BPA at OL


These moves

1 ) Keep our best DB in Gay who did not give up a TD this season, an made his share of plays!
2 ) Add another very good one in Weddle. Tomlin so I read likes him.
3 ) Phase Blake out and insert a 1st and 3rd round talent at CB, who happen to have both height and speed.
4 ) Give Jarvis Jones some competition at OLB, mostly likely an upgrade
5 ) Give us a very cheap center who's likely better than Wallace
6 ) Give us a kick return person instead of risking Brown


No matter how much you shout about it Joel, Pouncey is going nowhere. Even if he was, a 5th rounder is not anywhere near what Pro-Bowl Centef would be worth.
Additionally, you are creating a need for a Center since Cody Wallace is barely average.
Trade Wheaton for a 3rd? Who is going to give you a 3rd for him?
Gay for 6 mil per season. You must be Gay's agent. He isn't getting over 3-4 mil per.

Not one of your best efforts man.
 
Trading Wheaton for a 3rd is silly. The odds of a 3rd rounder coming in and being a better player (especially in his rookie year) are not good. I would say there are much greater odds that Bryant tests positive again and serves a one year suspension and Wheaton becomes that much more important.

Not if you going to lose in in free agency. I'd rather have the draft pick. Sanders and Wallace were thrid round picks at WR, by the way. Other 3rd round picks that were not WR's that paned out under Colbert were Starks, and Hope.
 
Not if you going to lose in in free agency. I'd rather have the draft pick. Sanders and Wallace were thrid round picks at WR, by the way. Other 3rd round picks that were not WR's that paned out under Colbert were Starks, and Hope.

Doesn't every team lose players to FA every year? Don't we? Nothing new. We will let Wheaton play out his contract and if he leaves ....then he leaves. Coates will be in his third year by then and hopefully ready to take a bigger role. Also I'm sure we will draft another one also at some point. In the scheme of things a 3rd isn't worth it to mess up our chemistry at the WR position.
 
We should get a comp pick when Wheaton leaves in free agency. Need to figure that into the equation as well. You are basically trading Wheaton and a 4th or 5th round pick in 2018 for a 3rd round pick in 2016. But I don't think anyone will give us a 3rd for Wheaton anyway. Just because one team once offered us a 3rd for Manny Sanders, doesn't mean we can get the same for Wheaton.
 
I like Bell as much as the next guy, but I don't think he'll command the money in FA that we Steeler fans (a few in this thread in particular) believe he will. Bell struggles to make it through a season and the RB position doesn't command the $ of QB, LT, WR or pass rusher. Look at the deal last years leading rusher got in free agency. I don't think retaining Bell should break the bank, he'll cost a pretty penny but we should be able to manage it. 5 year 10M bonus on a 40-45M total should get it in the ballpark...maybe even less bonus if the injuries continue.

Agreed. Deuce Staley v 2.0 is not going to get a huge contract elsewhere, and ought to get a modest one here, if at all.
 
What say you?? Would you be upset if the Steelers took a player who wouldnt play right away but could best the player in the draft??

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...s-and-colbert-specials-steelers-kevin-colbert

Would have to be part of a detailed plan.
If we were to take Jaylon Smith it would be with the caveat that Timmons was released and thereby freeing up enough money to bring in a starting CB or S.
At that point, we would just need another OLB and CB/S (whichever wasn't filled in via FA) to shore up the defense.

I wouldn't hate it. I love Timmons and want to see him retire a Steeler. At the same time, Jaylon Smith is going be a stud.
 
I would think we could get better than a 5th for Pouncey, I don't trade him for that. 2nd or better (not happening) or I don't even consider it.
Beyond that, I'm a huge Ohio State fan, and I don't like Eli Apple for the Steelers. I'd take a 6th or 7th flyer on him, but I don't like his game at all. IMHO, he was a weak link on OSU's defense.
 
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