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The Future of Le’Veon Bell

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With almost two hours left to tag Le’Veon Bell or to come to a decision on a long-term deal, the Steelers have officially tagged Bell. With reports coming out early that no deal would be made before the deadline, speculation started to spread on exactly how much Bell wants. Although both sides still remain optimistic […]

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holy ****

Under the Franchise Tag, Bell will be paid 14.5 million, he will earn an approximate $900,000 dollars per game next year. Right now the concern is setting a long-term deal, but how much does Bell want exactly? Coming from Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers offered $42 million over the first three years and an average of $13.3 million over the life of the deal, but Bell declined the offer. It’s speculated that the issue with the long term deal is that Bell wants more money guaranteed in the first few years of the deal.
 
In that same interview, Bell wouldn’t reveal what he was looking for from the Steelers this year as far as contract numbers go but did confirm he turned down an offer last July that would have paid him $42 million in the first three years of the deal with an annual average of $13.3 million over the life of the contract. Bell admitted he almost signed that contract offer at his mother’s urging to do so.

“I’m the one to bet on myself. And I’ll do it again,” Bell said, per Fowler. “I understand how the Steelers do contracts. Last year, I was pounding the table on guaranteed money. That’s not the case. If I’m not getting guaranteed money, I want a lot more up front. … It’s year-to-year with the Steelers. Essentially if I sign a four- or five-year deal, I’m playing four or five franchise tags.”

Now that Bell has been issued the franchise tag, the Steelers are essentially telling him he’s worth $14.54 million per season right now. Is Bell wanting a new contract that averages $17 million per season, which is exactly what Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown received from the team a little more than a year ago? It’s possible as the running back has said he wants to be paid like a number one running back and a number two wide receiver, combined. If that’s the case, he isn’t likely to get that kind of deal.

Bell has also previously hinted that he wants more guaranteed money than previously offered.

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN ...cially-place-franchise-tag-on-rb-leveon-bell/
 
On the plus side Bell would be very stupid to fail another NFL drug test. He could be looking at an 8 game suspension, losing $900,000.00 per game.
 
Bell plans to stick to his number -- which he isn't revealing -- and is accounting for everything. Asked about his criteria for assessing that worth, Bell explained:

He's putting up more yards per game than any NFL player (his career average of 128.9 yards from scrimmage per game is the best since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger).

He plays every down and basically fills the role of three backs.

His presence keeps the defense off guard because he can line up anywhere on any play, "causing constant mismatches every single down," he said.

He's an elite pass-blocker and No. 2 receiver.

The Steelers are undefeated when he gets 25 or more carries.

His game will age well because he makes plays not solely off athleticism, but "with my mind," he said.


"I'm the one to bet on myself. And I'll do it again," Bell said. "I understand how the Steelers do contracts. Last year, I was pounding the table on guaranteed money. That's not the case. If I'm not getting guaranteed money, I want a lot more up front. ... It's year-to-year with the Steelers. Essentially if I sign a four- or five-year deal, I'm playing four or five franchise tags.

"Earlier I said I felt we would get one done, and this year we are a lot closer than last year. In good spirit, I feel we can get something done. But unless something drastic changes, it won't be [this week]."

Bell is part of the "Killer B's" trio for the Steelers, alongside quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown, whose long-term contracts combine to pay about $37 million per year. Bell wants to join them.

"Both of those guys got what they deserved," Bell said. "I feel I'm next in line."

Bell tweeted Monday evening that he wants "nothing more than to finish the rest of my career" in Pittsburgh.


Bell believes the Steelers understand his worth but he senses his negotiations are viewed through the prism of the running back market, in which Atlanta's Devonta Freeman is the game's highest paid at $8.25 million per year. Freeman has averaged 96.9 yards from scrimmage per game over the past three seasons.

Bell said the constraints of the running back market aren't his doing and don't encapsulate his profile as a player.


"They are using it as me being compared to another running back or my status or what Devonta Freeman has. I can't control what he's done on the field," Bell said. "I only can control what I think I'm worth and what I've done on the field. That's where the problem lies. 'Freeman's making this, we can't give you this.' ... To me, that's not fair. I didn't sign Devonta's deal. That's the position I'm in. I want to make my own decision."

That decision will get bigger if he finds himself without a deal in late July. Bell said the Steelers might see him in Week 10, just in time to pick up his accrued NFL season.

"It'd definitely be hard to pass up," Bell said of the $14.5 million.
 
Bell said $14.5 million is the low end starting point. He wants well north of that. If he hasn't signed the tag and a RB they like falls to them in Rd. 2, I pull the trigger and seriously think about rescinding Bells offer. As of now, many are predicting Evans and Van Der Esch to go before we pick. If that's the case and they take BPA in Rd. 1 and it is a RB, I definitely rescind my tag on Bell. Of course, all of that would depend on who is still out there via free agency because we have to work magic by the 14th just to tag Bell. That means ZERO free agents for us unless they are getting paid vet minimum and even that would be a stretch.
 
Bell plans to stick to his number -- which he isn't revealing -- and is accounting for everything. Asked about his criteria for assessing that worth, Bell explained:

He's putting up more yards per game than any NFL player (his career average of 128.9 yards from scrimmage per game is the best since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger).

>>>He's just getting a lot more attempts, which means a shorter career and his YPR and YPC is below average!

He plays every down and basically fills the role of three backs.

>>>I'd much rather have two backs for 1/3rd or 1/4th of the price. See the Super bowl champion Eagles, or their opponents.

His presence keeps the defense off guard because he can line up anywhere on any play, "causing constant mismatches every single down," he said.

>>>Somewhat, but they know he's less likely to make a big play. I'd much rather get the ball in a faster player's hands. He's a check down back, mostly.

He's an elite pass-blocker and No. 2 receiver.

>>> Elite Pass blocker, yes but he seldom does it. Most #2 WR's, check hat just about all average better per catch.

The Steelers are undefeated when he gets 25 or more carries.

>>> Meaningless, we just use him to run out the clock when the offense scores enough. I bet most backs have similar numbers when they run it 25 times or more.

His game will age well because he makes plays not solely off athleticism, but "with my mind," he said

>>> If Bell was a 2013 used car, he'd have a lot of miles on him already. He's also a high maintenance distraction. I ponder what Superman will say if he's traded. He can surely top the standard don't let the door hit you in the vag.
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My comments in Orange.
 
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My comments in Orange.

But for some reason the steelers keep franchising him.. his reasons must have some merit to them..
 
But for some reason the steelers keep franchising him.. his reasons must have some merit to them..

Merit? Yeah he is the best RB in the game. They made their offer to Bell. Last year it was $13.3 mill a year average. Right between the tag from this season and last season. Thos season their offer was higher. I would say the Steelers offers have been way more than fair. Probably more than they wanted to offer. On the end Bell wants to be paid. Its not about resetting the bar for the RB position. Its about making the most ever. He has every right to want what he wants, but shouldn't be mad that the Steelers tagged him again. All he has to do is show up and play for one more year with this franchise and then be on his way. Hopefully a ring will be the end result.
 
What the FO offered him last year was more than fair. And he turned that down. **** him.



Exactly. And he showed up at the last minute, wasn't ready to go and took several games to be anything special.

I don't think he's worth 14.5 and I don't take the chance he plays and gets hurt and the Steelers are screwed because of that monster contract. It's not just next year it's several years and RBs don't have a long shelf life.
 
Exactly. And he showed up at the last minute, wasn't ready to go and took several games to be anything special.

I don't think he's worth 14.5 and I don't take the chance he plays and gets hurt and the Steelers are screwed because of that monster contract. It's not just next year it's several years and RBs don't have a long shelf life.
I couldn't agree more, he can say or demand that he's worth this or that, but if he doesn't get paid that then he's not.

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antdrew I get that he deserves to ask for whatever the **** he wants, he reminds me of this guy:

images


but the reality is that he's being offered a record breaking deal which would make him earn as a top 3 player inside the team. If that's not enough for him then ****, I guess nothing is enough for his standard, good riddance.
 
On the plus side Bell would be very stupid to fail another NFL drug test. He could be looking at an 8 game suspension, losing $900,000.00 per game.

No he isn't. His next drug suspension would be 4 games. He's served 2 suspensions under 4 games. He had them reduced so his next infraction would be 4.

Commit it to memory Coach. Sheesh...
 
No he isn't. His next drug suspension would be 4 games. He's served 2 suspensions under 4 games. He had them reduced so his next infraction would be 4.

Commit it to memory Coach. Sheesh...

It's like him continuing to insist that Bell's ypc is below average, but only points to one whole season in which he averaged 4.0 ypc. Never does he mention that Bell has a CAREER ypc of 4.4. His lowest yearly average was his rookie year in which he had a 3.5 ypc. Outside of that clear exception, his ypc is 4.6. Not only that, but his ypc is higher than, or in-line with players like: Emmit Smith (4.2); Walter Payton (4.4); Eric Dickerson (4.4); Tony Dorsett (4.3); Marcus Allen (4.1); Franco Harris (4.1); and the Bus (4.0). Of course, I'm not stating that Bell is a Hall of Fame player, just that the statement that coach made of Bell having a low ypc is untrue.
 
My thought is can the Steelers field a super bowl caliber defense and still pay this dude 16-17 million a year. My feeling is **** no. If they can't reach some deal before the draft,I'd draft a RB and maybe bring another in through free agency as well. All are way cheaper options and they still have Connor. This team needs some quality injected on defense.
 
My thought is can the Steelers field a super bowl caliber defense and still pay this dude 16-17 million a year. My feeling is **** no. If they can't reach some deal before the draft,I'd draft a RB and maybe bring another in through free agency as well. All are way cheaper options and they still have Connor. This team needs some quality injected on defense.

We need to clear about 8 million dollars yet to comply with the salary cap yet at the start of the new year by around mid-March. I don't foresee many FA signings this season. That is of high quality anyways.
 
Bell is not worth above the 16th 4.5 million he is getting as franchised. Time to let him go. Make a deal with Cleveland for him.

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trade him and draft that neeto Penn State running back! Take a bite out of that Barkley tree!
 
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