Steelers will soon learn Le'Veon Bell's greatest quality is overrated

[Coach]

This is a good read.

Bell produced only three runs of 20 yards or longer and five catches of 20 yards or more last season. Although his ability as a receiver is not overstated, his production was unimpressive. Bell led NFL running backs with 85 receptions, more evidence of his ability to stay on the field through every down. But he averaged only 7.7 yards per catch, largely because an enormous chunk of his receptions did little to advance the Steelers toward the goal line. He had 22 catches that covered 3 or fewer yards, including eight for negative yardage.

None of the past three Super Bowl champions had a running back who ranked in the top 20. None had a back earn even $2 million. Five Philadelphia backs counted a combined $3.21 million against the cap last season. That’s a quarter of what Pittsburgh*paid Bell on the 2017 franchise tag.

And yet the Eagles ranked No. 3 last season in rushing yards. The Steelers were 20th. The Steelers were third in passing, but Bell’s 655 receiving yards represented only 15 percent of the team’s total. No. 3 wideout Martavis Bryant nearly matched that on 20 fewer targets. They ranked only 18th in red-zone touchdown percentage, an astonishing failure given the value they're assigning to Bell's talents.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/new...value-running-back/1eyk0tnc24aqi1aezg4ycp7yh0

 

[TDX27]

Bell thinks he is worth so much yet he is maybe the 3rd best player on the team. Maybe. Ben is No. 1 and AB is No. 2. We do not win more than 8 games without Ben. AB is far and away the MVP of our skill positions. Dude is just crazy with what he can do. Shazier going down last year showed he very well might have been our No. 3 best or most valuable player. That leaves Bell at maybe No. 4.. The offer he was made was a great offer - even the guaranteed money.

 

[steel dino]

Bell thinks he is worth so much yet he is maybe the 3rd best player on the team. Maybe. Ben is No. 1 and AB is No. 2. We do not win more than 8 games without Ben. AB is far and away the MVP of our skill positions. Dude is just crazy with what he can do. Shazier going down last year showed he very well might have been our No. 3 best or most valuable player. That leaves Bell at maybe No. 4.. The offer he was made was a great offer - even the guaranteed money.

Yep...I would debate him as being our 4th best player overall really...

Rather have DeCastro, Heyward, and possibly Pouncey in the lineup over Bell....which would make him 6th or 7th best player overall..

Steelers haven't had the long term success that we have enjoyed as fans for being dummies when it comes to money...
thats for damn sure!

 

[21STEELERS21]

I don't put a lot of weight on the YPC of a running back. A lot of dumpoffs to a back prevent a negative or zero yardage play.

 

[slashsteel]

His greatest quality is his pass catching ability. And we know that isn't overrated.

 

[oicu8ad]

His greatest quality is his pass catching ability. And we know that isn't overrated.

And he's pretty freaking good at blocking / protecting the QB. His weakness is no breakaway speed / inability to take it to the house or break a long run. Another weakness is also a strength in certain situations -- his patience. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hurts. Early in his career he always, always fell forward and got 2-4 extra yards. It was amazing to watch him turn a loss into a 2 yard gain. He did not do that last year.

I hate that he turned down the amazing deal, but I'm also glad he turned down that amazing deal. We will be fine without him. We've replaced much much better players over the years and we'll do it again. Hope he gets his ring this year with us, then good riddance to his ego, his selfishness, and his greed.

Who ride?

 

[21STEELERS21]

Foster might be the happiest Steeler, it makes it more likely he gets extended.

 

[thesteelcity]

Bell is a damn good running back and it's going to suck to lose his talent. Besides the lack of true breakaway speed, I was happy when he was drafted and have enjoyed watching him. His contract withstanding, the organization is going to go back to the drawing board next season whether it's for a FA, the guys of the roster or a draft pick. He is a really good all around back and will be missed. I don't think we should take for granted of what will be losing. Sure, the team will move on and be fine, but I like/liked seeing #26 in the backfield.

 

[CharlesDavenport]

We can replace Bell and still hum along on O. Not true with AB and Ben.

 

[TDX27]

I don't put a lot of weight on the YPC of a running back. A lot of dumpoffs to a back prevent a negative or zero yardage play.

And that is why his argument of touches gets blown out of the water. Most RB's nowadays can catch dumpoffs. When we have a competent TE and a healthy AB and JuJu, I wouldn't expect Bell to get as many touches.

 

[Steelerfan]

So glad there are 12 Bell threads in this forum started by the same person. As if the information wouldn't fit in the original thread.

 

[Drink IRON City]

So glad there are 12 Bell threads in this forum started by the same person. As if the information wouldn't fit in the original thread.

Haven't you heard of "DOUBLE VISION", Cmo'N MaN.....................




Salute the nation

 

[SteelerFan448]

So glad there are 12 Bell threads in this forum started by the same person. As if the information wouldn't fit in the original thread.

There are also message boards that haven't had 12 new threads started in the past four months. I actually like multiple threads on the same player because it can keep contract stuff separate from other topics.

 

[AggieSteel]

Let's try not to disparage the player. He's one of the best out there and we're lucky to have him out on the field. The relevant question is whether he is worth the asking price and the long term commitment, not whether he's rated properly - because he is.

 

[Hypocycloids]

Let's try not to disparage the player. He's one of the best out there and we're lucky to have him out on the field. The relevant question is whether he is worth the asking price and the long term commitment, not whether he's rated properly - because he is.

To which the answer is no.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Bell thinks he is worth so much yet he is maybe the 3rd best player on the team. Maybe. Ben is No. 1 and AB is No. 2. We do not win more than 8 games without Ben. AB is far and away the MVP of our skill positions. Dude is just crazy with what he can do. Shazier going down last year showed he very well might have been our No. 3 best or most valuable player. That leaves Bell at maybe No. 4.. The offer he was made was a great offer - even the guaranteed money.

I think part of Bell's problem is that he wants to be the #1 dawg on his team and he knows that here he will be #3 at best.

 

[AggieSteel]

I think part of Bell's problem is that he wants to be the #1 dawg on his team and he knows that here he will be #3 at best.

I hope this isn't the case. Football players need to stop comparing themselves to basketball. In a 5 on 5 situation, it's possible for one guy to dominate and be the alpha, and they have those debates in basketball all the time. Football has so many moving parts, requires everyone doing their job. It's pointless to debate who the "top dog" is. If you're lucky enough to be surrounded by talent that makes you look better, you should probably not **** that up by purposefully landing yourself on a garbage team just to be the "Alpha". Guaranteed you will lose money that way, no one will give you some massive astronomical contract if you have a **** season playing with **** coaches and **** teammates. These guys are really not smart if they view it that way

 

[Tibs]

I love watching Bell on the field and love having him on the Steelers but he's a ******* prima donna.

His agent went on a media rampage crying that Bell is 'more than just a running back' who has 'unique skills' and should be compensated as such. The Steelers offer would have paid Bell significantly more than any other RB in the league. What more do you want? Jesus H. Christ. That's exactly what the Steelers did with their offer is show Bell they consider his worth in the stratosphere. It's pure greed at this point, grandstanding on the highest level. Bell's stroking his hair in the mirror like a fairy tale princess, dreaming of rainbows and unicorns. Reminds me of the situation with Sanders, Burress and Santonio. We used to only tolerate prima donna WR's in the 'Burgh, until Bell came along. He demands to be paid like a superstar (that he is) so the Steelers step up and offer to pay him as such - well above the market rate - and he walks away like a *****, refuses to come to terms and sign a contract.

I hope we see a healthy dose of Connor and Samuels early and often this year.

 

[CharlesDavenport]

Let's try not to disparage the player. He's one of the best out there and we're lucky to have him out on the field. The relevant question is whether he is worth the asking price and the long term commitment, not whether he's rated properly - because he is.

Nobody is disparaging the player. He's great, sure, but he is a running back. Can we replace AB with anything close - no, can we replace Big Ben with anything close - no. Can we replace Bell with anything close - absolutely. Pretty sure the O Line will not hate standard blocking schemes. A breath of fresh air to them will be a back who hits the designed hole.

 

[Screz]

But what about his ability to give up zero blocks ?? When he's on the field you can't double team anyone you have to keep the safeties down..

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[Coach]

Let's try not to disparage the player. He's one of the best out there and we're lucky to have him out on the field. The relevant question is whether he is worth the asking price and the long term commitment, not whether he's rated properly - because he is.

He’s over rated. Put him on an average team and I’m telling you he won’t look as good. Bettis pointed this out too. This was proven when Bell was out and the Steelers signed Williams as a back up. What happened? Williams ran it just as well as Bell did.

Okay maybe Bell catches 3 more passes that other backs can’t over the course of a season. Counterpoint most other backs get more yards when they catch it and they cost a fraction of what Bell does.


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[Aussie_Steeler]

This is a good read.


None of the past three Super Bowl champions had a running back who ranked in the top 20. None had a back earn even $2 million. Five Philadelphia backs counted a combined $3.21 million against the cap last season. That’s a quarter of what Pittsburgh*paid Bell on the 2017 franchise tag.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/new...value-running-back/1eyk0tnc24aqi1aezg4ycp7yh0

Philadelphia also won the super bowl with their backup quarterback, yet I don't see all those advocates for letting Bell go on the basis Philadelphia won the Super Bowl without a top tier running back, suggesting the Steelers should dump Ben's salary and go with Landry Jones. The Steelers aren't built the same as Philadelphia (or New England in 2017, or the Broncos in 2016), therefore what won the Super Bowl for Philadelphia (and the previous two winners) is not necessarily going to work for the Steelers.

 

[Stryker]

What won the super bowl and playoffs for Philly after Wentz went down, was scoring, and play calling to the strength fo your players. Foles is not the pocket passer Wentz is. So when Wentz went down, they changed the offense to a read option, to help Foles do what he does best. Reading defenses and reacting to what he sees.

Losing their best player on D and their franchise QB would derail most teams. The Eagles showed that coaching can have a positive effect in the face of adversity.

 

[oicu8ad]

What won the super bowl and playoffs for Philly after Wentz went down, was scoring, and play calling to the strength fo your players. Foles is not the pocket passer Wentz is. So when Wentz went down, they changed the offense to a read option, to help Foles do what he does best. Reading defenses and reacting to what he sees.

Losing their best player on D and their franchise QB would derail most teams. The Eagles showed that coaching can have a positive effect in the face of adversity.

Ding ding ding! ^^^ Money post right there!!!!

 

[Coach]

What won the super bowl and playoffs for Philly after Wentz went down, was scoring, and play calling to the strength fo your players. Foles is not the pocket passer Wentz is. So when Wentz went down, they changed the offense to a read option, to help Foles do what he does best. Reading defenses and reacting to what he sees.

Losing their best player on D and their franchise QB would derail most teams. The Eagles showed that coaching can have a positive effect in the face of adversity.

Correct. Good leadership from the players helps as well.