Steelers Negotiating with Bell; Personal Reasons Caused Late Arrival

[wig]

Guaranteed, obviously.

 

[CharlesDavenport]

Franco Harris must be like, holy **** did I come along at the wrong time.

 

[stillwright]

signing bell would lower his cap hit as others said, making room for a FA trading, we have a 3 year window, onceBen is gone who cares if he we have cap room for the next two years? we will be rebuilding

Ben will be around longer than 3 more years(my opinion for a LONG TIME NOW). The window could easily be 5 years. As long as Ben has the weapons around him he will be here. Fingers crossed!!!

 

[stillwright]

Huh..that is what I originally thought, but then saw something which said it was less than last year's. I didn't think it could go down. I must have been reading 2017 estimates and didn't notice the date.

Thanks. That changes what you need to give him for Guaranteed money then, but you can, still, get his cap hit well under $14m with a contract.

From what I understand it cant go down. The minimum is what he got last year and I think plus 20%...or this years top 5 average..which ever is higher. Cope should know.

 

[Litos]

Ben will be around longer than 3 more years(my opinion for a LONG TIME NOW). The window could easily be 5 years. As long as Ben has the weapons around him he will be here. Fingers crossed!!!

more than three years? really? He has taken a shitload of hits during his early years thanks to FG Bruce, we where all thinking about him retiring this very season and now you say 5 more years? No Way

 

[stillwright]

more than three years? really? He has taken a shitload of hits during his early years thanks to FG Bruce, we where all thinking about him retiring this very season and now you say 5 more years? No Way

He already stated he wants to play at LEAST 3 more years....So is really that much of a stretch thinking he will play beyond? Hell everyone was crying he was done after this season. I didn't buy it. He has a drive to play and win. He might not show it how fans would want him to but it is there none the less.

 

[chipped ham]

He already stated he wants to play at LEAST 3 more years....So is really that much of a stretch thinking he will play beyond? Hell everyone was crying he was done after this season. I didn't buy it. He has a drive to play and win. He might not show it how fans would want him to but it is there none the less.

Yeah, I completely agree with this. Never at any point did I see a guy on the field who had lost anything. Even during the early part of the year, and with the Jacksonville **** show, i didn't see a guy who "didn't have it," regardless of what he said. People have mentioned that he doesn't move around the pocket, and avoid would-be defenders as gracefully as he once did. I honestly have to ask, what player were you watching? From a physical standpoint, I don't see all that much difference between now, and 5-7 years ago. From a mental standpoint, he's on the top of his game. look at the Le'veon Bell lateral against the jaguars as one piece of evidence; Jacksonville and their supposed "greatest defense ever," got caught flat footed, complaining that he was over the line. Shrewd move by the wily vet. And from a performance standpoint, he was as good as any QB from week 5 on last year, and is without a doubt, playing his best football. I feel that he's absolutely at the top of his game, and can continue for at least 3 more years. Having said that, it only takes one shot to end it all.

 

[CharlesDavenport]

If I'm Ben, I'm taking the money. Is it so bad to contend every year in the worst division in football and get your *** kicked in the playoffs? No. Not so bad. Bad for all of the idiot fans in Pittsburgh who think something else will happen, but who cares about them?

 

[slashsteel]

Yeah, I completely agree with this. Never at any point did I see a guy on the field who had lost anything. Even during the early part of the year, and with the Jacksonville **** show, i didn't see a guy who "didn't have it," regardless of what he said. People have mentioned that he doesn't move around the pocket, and avoid would-be defenders as gracefully as he once did. I honestly have to ask, what player were you watching? From a physical standpoint, I don't see all that much difference between now, and 5-7 years ago. From a mental standpoint, he's on the top of his game. look at the Le'veon Bell lateral against the jaguars as one piece of evidence; Jacksonville and their supposed "greatest defense ever," got caught flat footed, complaining that he was over the line. Shrewd move by the wily vet. And from a performance standpoint, he was as good as any QB from week 5 on last year, and is without a doubt, playing his best football. I feel that he's absolutely at the top of his game, and can continue for at least 3 more years. Having said that, it only takes one shot to end it all.

What player were you watching? He doesn't roll out as much due to those knees he often ices up in training camp. We aren't talking immobile but there is a difference. Not a Manning last year before retiring type difference. But a Ben will not be beating you rolling out of the pocket all day type difference. Once upon a time he could.Lucky for us there is enough mobility left for him to maneuver within the pocket and throw to Timbuktu. Which for him is better anyways. Less of a opportunity to get injured if you aren't out there running around like crazy. I rather him be passing like crazy anyways.

A grizzled vet, a elite thrower. He has enough to get us some more rings, if Tombert and the D allow it.

 

[Aussie_Steeler]

Huh..that is what I originally thought, but then saw something which said it was less than last year's. I didn't think it could go down. I must have been reading 2017 estimates and didn't notice the date.

Thanks. That changes what you need to give him for Guaranteed money then, but you can, still, get his cap hit well under $14m with a contract.

From what I understand it cant go down. The minimum is what he got last year and I think plus 20%...or this years top 5 average..which ever is higher. Cope should know.

That is correct. The general franchise amount for a running back would have gone down as Adrian Peterson's Minnesota contract, and I think another running back contract (possibly Marshawn Lynch's Seattle contract????) that were significantly more than any of last year's running back contracts, have come off the calculations, but because Bell was tagged last year he gets the greater of 120% of his 2017 salary and the five highest average contracts in 2017.

 

[Stryker]

That is correct. The general franchise amount for a running back would have gone down as Adrian Peterson's Minnesota contract, and I think another running back contract (possibly Marshawn Lynch's Seattle contract????) that were significantly more than any of last year's running back contracts, have come off the calculations, but because Bell was tagged last year he gets the greater of 120% of his 2017 salary and the five highest average contracts in 2017.

Correct, and since Bell was the highest paid RB last season, the 120% salary increase is greater than the average of the top 5 RBs. Though my math has him at $14.544M ($12.12M x120%)

 

[Drink IRON City]

Still hoping for a TEAM first but both happy deal. Time will tell but like any off season it seems forever between information.



Salute the nation

 

[chipped ham]

What player were you watching? He doesn't roll out as much due to those knees he often ices up in training camp. We aren't talking immobile but there is a difference. Not a Manning last year before retiring type difference. But a Ben will not be beating you rolling out of the pocket all day type difference. Once upon a time he could.Lucky for us there is enough mobility left for him to maneuver within the pocket and throw to Timbuktu. Which for him is better anyways. Less of a opportunity to get injured if you aren't out there running around like crazy. I rather him be passing like crazy anyways.

A grizzled vet, a elite thrower. He has enough to get us some more rings, if Tombert and the D allow it.

No, you're right that he's not quite like he was, but I think many have looked at his play and said that he, essentially, can't get out of his own way in the pocket. Obviously, there's a natural physical regression, but he's not nearly as bad as some make it out to be. Also, the last two years have given us top notch offensive line play, something he hasn't had since '05, so there hasnt been as much of a need for him to move around, except on play fakes. Perhaps I overstated it a bit, but it's certainly noticeable when Ben is playing with an urgency: Jaguars playoff game, Ravens home game this year, Ravens xmas game last year. Those specific games, you see Ben start getting back into his groove, and moving around. Most specifically, you see his ability to avoid pressure.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

No, you're right that he's not quite like he was, but I think many have looked at his play and said that he, essentially, can't get out of his own way in the pocket. Obviously, there's a natural physical regression, but he's not nearly as bad as some make it out to be. Also, the last two years have given us top notch offensive line play, something he hasn't had since '05, so there hasnt been as much of a need for him to move around, except on play fakes. Perhaps I overstated it a bit, but it's certainly noticeable when Ben is playing with an urgency: Jaguars playoff game, Ravens home game this year, Ravens xmas game last year. Those specific games, you see Ben start getting back into his groove, and moving around. Most specifically, you see his ability to avoid pressure.

My take is that this year was our year. Offense was firing on all cylinders and we entered the playoffs with all starters relatively healthy except for Shazier. No assurance that will happen again, especially with Bell's history of playing one full season out of five.

 

[TDX27]

I want Bell on the team but I see no way signing him helps the team in the short term or long term. We will have no way to sign any free agents to fill the huge ILB hole we have (especially with the $8 million cap hit we have for Shazier not being able to play) and the FS hole we will have when we cut Mitchell to make room to sign Bell. How does that make the team better this year or over the next 3 years or so? It does not. If we sign him, no one better complain, including myself, about how bad our D is next year or the year after.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I want Bell on the team but I see no way signing him helps the team in the short term or long term. We will have no way to sign any free agents to fill the huge ILB hole we have (especially with the $8 million cap hit we have for Shazier not being able to play) and the FS hole we will have when we cut Mitchell to make room to sign Bell. How does that make the team better this year or over the next 3 years or so? It does not. If we sign him, no one better complain, including myself, about how bad our D is next year or the year after.

That would be my argument to NOT sign him. I can see both sides of the coin but to sign him and the significance of poor play due to not being able to sign others would far out weigh to NOT sign him and get upgraded play. The difference in drop of play missing bell will be negated by raise in level of play by other offensive / RB players. The not raise of play by not signing anyone capable will be bigger detriment to team as whole. Unless it's a team friendly contract, I'll take the later of the two meaning NO Bell.



Salute the nation

 

[jitter77]

I am against breaking the bank for Bell. Our offense will be fine without Bell. If we sign bell we will have no money to work on the D. I find it unlikely we will have an impact rookie and impact ILB from the draft. I would cut ties with Bell and retool the D. If we can't stop anyone we will go nowhere. I also just do not trust bell to put in the work once he gets the big money.

 

[SteelChip]

I am against breaking the bank for Bell. Our offense will be fine without Bell. If we sign bell we will have no money to work on the D. I find it unlikely we will have an impact rookie and impact ILB from the draft. I would cut ties with Bell and retool the D. If we can't stop anyone we will go nowhere. I also just do not trust bell to put in the work once he gets the big money.

eeewh.......another point of contention to mull. We've all seen it before.

 

[ark steel]

That is correct. The general franchise amount for a running back would have gone down as Adrian Peterson's Minnesota contract, and I think another running back contract (possibly Marshawn Lynch's Seattle contract????) that were significantly more than any of last year's running back contracts, have come off the calculations, but because Bell was tagged last year he gets the greater of 120% of his 2017 salary and the five highest average contracts in 2017.

That makes sense. Thanks!

 

[ark steel]

Everyone wanted Bell to prove he was durable enough and could stay out of trouble the whole year? He did. All the touches he got, did he miss a meaningful game?

 

[Drink IRON City]

eeewh.......another point of contention to mull. We've all seen it before.

and we will probably see it again.......................... especially if he is tagged



Salute the nation