The Future of Le’Veon Bell

[slashsteel]

Slash....being devil's advocate here.....Where we not tight against the cap last year under Bell and STILL went after Hightower? Mind you, had we gotten him the Shazier injury would have been less impactful to the Defense IMO.

I know I always say if they want it they can do it. I guess I am just frustrated at the slow process.

And the options are quickly narrowing at ILber in free agency..

 

[Drink IRON City]

I know I always say if they want it they can do it. I guess I am just frustrated at the slow process.

And the options are quickly narrowing at ILber in free agency..

Thats because of a certain selfish player. He knows he isn't getting any more $$$$$ so why wait till opening week????? Only reason is "JACK" the steelers as you are right
that opportunities are shrinking and BELL knows that. Maybew he feels that is putting pressure on the Steelers???



Salute the nation

 

[Stryker]

Not on board Cope? You don't think this board would explode with discontent like it did with Harrison if they used the non-exclusive and lost him to NE? Many would have cried.."Tombert should have used the exclusive to keep him from going to NE!!!! What a bunch of idiots in the FO!!!"

****** typo. I am NOW on board with the tag... dammit...

 

[Stryker]

Ike, I think the Bell not signing thing, only has to do with his tag. If the Steelers and his agent work out a long term deal on another team. Bell will sign and we will trade.

 

[xjx]

**** Bell.

 

[swal75]

Ike, I think the Bell not signing thing, only has to do with his tag. If the Steelers and his agent work out a long term deal on another team. Bell will sign and we will trade.

If it's exclusive, I don't think it's legal for him to talk to anyone else, right? I mean they can back channel but that's also tampering.

 

[Drink IRON City]

If it's exclusive, I don't think it's legal for him to talk to anyone else, right? I mean they can back channel but that's also tampering.

I'D RISK the back channel tampering to get some value out of him. Once he signs the tag.......we will get a disgruntled 1yr (possibly way less) RB who is gone as soon as the final whistle blows.



Salute the nation

 

[Coach]

The Steelers with Me'veon Bell ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing in 2017 with a poor 3.8 yards per rush, which rated 25th overall.

Most of the playoff teams finished in the top 13th in both categories.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing

Bell is overrated. If you say Bell had more yards, I counter by saying give everyone else 50 more carries/catches and he won't.

Then the argument shifts to do you want to overwork you're staring back? I say you should not. It makes him less useful for the playoffs ( cost us in 2016 playoffs with no back up plan, thanks, Tomlin & Haley ), and less valuable for their next contract.

I hope Bell signs; then we trade him.

Why don't you tell the whole story before you go on spouting off.

They were 3rd in passing at 7.7 YPC,
They were 4th in receiving at 11.8 YPC
(Which reminds me, who was 2nd in catches on the team? How many of those catches were for first downs?)
The were 3rd in first downs league wide
15th in 1st downs by rush (3 teams above 15 were not in the playoffs)
4th in 1st downs by pass (the leader wasn't in the playoffs)
2nd in 3rd down completions for 1st downs

Bell has already said he won't sign until right before week one. So no trade would happen until then, at which time his value would be reduced. Not at least there is no viable replacement on the current roster. I bet you would be happy as a kid with candy if they did trade him for a 7th rounder.

I was talking about the running game, Ike.

The Steelers, who primary used Bell were 20th overall, and 25th in YPC, which was helped a little by Conner's 4.5 average per rush.

I do not believe Bell won't sign until the 3rd or 4th pre-season game. The guy is a liar, remember he mocked the 4-20 drug test and told fans he was clean when he knew he was not.

I continue to think quiet talks are going on between his agent and other teams and he will sign if he can make more money elsewhere.

If Bell doesn't sign by early April, F him. Just cut him and spend the money elsewhere and prepare to draft a running back.

Bell is essentially making twice as much as any other running back, and I doubt he makes more than the 2nd tag number $14.54 million for the 2018 season.

Like I said before it won't be cost much to find another back in free agency or the draft that can average better than 4.0 yards a carry. Will Bell's blocking ability ( Maybe 2% of his total snaps, I'm guessing ) be missed? Sure, but there are much better 3rd down catching backs out there.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

The Steelers with Me'veon Bell ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing in 2017 with a poor 3.8 yards per rush, which rated 25th overall.

Most of the playoff teams finished in the top 13th in both categories.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing

Bell is overrated. If you say Bell had more yards, I counter by saying give everyone else 50 more carries/catches and he won't.

Then the argument shifts to do you want to overwork you're staring back? I say you should not. It makes him less useful for the playoffs ( cost us in 2016 playoffs with no back up plan, thanks, Tomlin & Haley ), and less valuable for their next contract.

I hope Bell signs; then we trade him.



I was talking about the running game, Ike.

The Steelers, who primary used Bell were 20th overall, and 25th in YPC, which was helped a little by Conner's 4.5 average per rush.

I do not believe Bell won't sign until the 3rd or 4th pre-season game. The guy is a liar, remember he mocked the 4-20 drug test and told fans he was clean when he knew he was not.

I continue to think quiet talks are going on between his agent and other teams and he will sign if he can make more money elsewhere.

If Bell doesn't sign by early April, F him. Just cut him and spend the money elsewhere and prepare to draft a running back.

Bell is essentially making twice as much as any other running back, and I doubt he makes more than the 2nd tag number $14.54 million for the 2018 season.

Like I said before it won't be cost much to find another back in free agency or the draft that can average better than 4.0 yards a carry. Will Bell's blocking ability ( Maybe 2% of his total snaps, I'm guessing ) be missed? Sure, but there are much better 3rd down catching backs out there.

Bell was the victim of horrible play calling in the running game last year and still performed. I don't blame him for his yards per carry I blamed the total lack of creativity and flow within the games as they were called, particularly from the huddle versus no huddle. Hopefully this year we see some more strategic and timely play calling using the strengths of this team rather than the **** we saw last year.

 

[21STEELERS21]

Bells yards per carry would be up if we didn't over use him. Need a 2nd back contributing more carries and receptions.

 

[Ike Kelly]

The Steelers with Me'veon Bell ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing in 2017 with a poor 3.8 yards per rush, which rated 25th overall.

Most of the playoff teams finished in the top 13th in both categories.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing

Bell is overrated. If you say Bell had more yards, I counter by saying give everyone else 50 more carries/catches and he won't.

Then the argument shifts to do you want to overwork you're staring back? I say you should not. It makes him less useful for the playoffs ( cost us in 2016 playoffs with no back up plan, thanks, Tomlin & Haley ), and less valuable for their next contract.

I hope Bell signs; then we trade him.



I was talking about the running game, Ike.

The Steelers, who primary used Bell were 20th overall, and 25th in YPC, which was helped a little by Conner's 4.5 average per rush.

I do not believe Bell won't sign until the 3rd or 4th pre-season game. The guy is a liar, remember he mocked the 4-20 drug test and told fans he was clean when he knew he was not.

I continue to think quiet talks are going on between his agent and other teams and he will sign if he can make more money elsewhere.

If Bell doesn't sign by early April, F him. Just cut him and spend the money elsewhere and prepare to draft a running back.

Bell is essentially making twice as much as any other running back, and I doubt he makes more than the 2nd tag number $14.54 million for the 2018 season.

Like I said before it won't be cost much to find another back in free agency or the draft that can average better than 4.0 yards a carry. Will Bell's blocking ability ( Maybe 2% of his total snaps, I'm guessing ) be missed? Sure, but there are much better 3rd down catching backs out there.

Yeah I know you were talking about the running game. That's why I included the other pertinent info that you left out. The passing sets up the run and vice versa, not the myopic scenario you view.

I'm not defending Bell on the tag or his demands, I only see what's obvious. Pitt wants him to be a Steeler, but under their terms. Bell wants to be the poster child for the "standard" he envisions for RBs. That's fine. He can, and Pitt has doubled the market value. So if he doesn't like it, he needs to be griping at the NFLPA for agreeing to the Tags. But that would be ignorant because the tag has made a lot of players instantly secure, which is what the players always wants.

You really throw yourself out there about when Bell will sign. He has already said he won't until the week before regular season, LIKE LAST YEAR. That is the poison pill for the team who issues the tag. And to just cut him would be asinine, as you would forfeit any comp pick for the next year. He's been offered almost twice the RB salary, and still thinks he isn't being showed what his value is. When in actuality he is asking for more money, not his value.

You have said many things about simply replacing him....but keep forgetting constantly....this offense is set up with his specific skill set. The OL knows how to block for him. Ben knows where he is supposed to be during passing plays. You remove that you cost the offense continuity and consistency. Plus now with Haley's play calling removed there could be even more explosiveness to this offense as a whole. Getting a RB who just "averages more than 4 ypc" isn't going to replicate all the nuances of the offense.

2% of his snaps are for pass blocking? Oh for crying out loud.........you are just wanting to be ridiculed. I'll let someone else enjoy the fun this time.

 

[Coach]

I was talking about the running game, Ike.

The Steelers, who primary used Bell were 20th overall, and 25th in YPC, which was helped a little by Conner's 4.5 average per rush.

I do not believe Bell won't sign until the 3rd or 4th pre-season game. The guy is a liar, remember he mocked the 4-20 drug test and told fans he was clean when he knew he was not.

I continue to think quiet talks are going on between his agent and other teams and he will sign if he can make more money elsewhere.

If Bell doesn't sign by early April, F him. Just cut him and spend the money elsewhere and prepare to draft a running back.

Bell is essentially making twice as much as any other running back, and I doubt he makes more than the 2nd tag number $14.54 million for the 2018 season.

Like I said before it won't be cost much to find another back in free agency or the draft that can average better than 4.0 yards a carry. Will Bell's blocking ability ( Maybe 2% of his total snaps, I'm guessing ) be missed? Sure, but there are much better 3rd down catching backs out there.

Yeah I know you were talking about the running game. That's why I included the other pertinent info that you left out. The passing sets up the run and vice versa, not the myopic scenario you view.

I'm not defending Bell on the tag or his demands, I only see what's obvious. Pitt wants him to be a Steeler, but under their terms. Bell wants to be the poster child for the "standard" he envisions for RBs. That's fine. He can, and Pitt has doubled the market value. So if he doesn't like it, he needs to be griping at the NFLPA for agreeing to the Tags. But that would be ignorant because the tag has made a lot of players instantly secure, which is what the players always wants.

You really throw yourself out there about when Bell will sign. He has already said he won't until the week before regular season, LIKE LAST YEAR. That is the poison pill for the team who issues the tag. And to just cut him would be asinine, as you would forfeit any comp pick for the next year. He's been offered almost twice the RB salary, and still thinks he isn't being showed what his value is. When in actuality he is asking for more money, not his value.

You have said many things about simply replacing him....but keep forgetting constantly....this offense is set up with his specific skill set. The OL knows how to block for him. Ben knows where he is supposed to be during passing plays. You remove that you cost the offense continuity and consistency. Plus now with Haley's play calling removed there could be even more explosiveness to this offense as a whole. Getting a RB who just "averages more than 4 ypc" isn't going to replicate all the nuances of the offense.

2% of his snaps are for pass blocking? Oh for crying out loud.........you are just wanting to be ridiculed. I'll let someone else enjoy the fun this time.

With the talent, we have to spread the ball around AND our offensive line, I expect MORE than 4.0 yards per rushing attempt. Yes, or passing attack is terrific, doesn't that mean it should be easier to run the ball?

You tell me how often Bell blocked a guy for a pass play. He's good at it but seldom does it. I guessed 2%. If you have the actual number, post it here.

The OL opens a lot of holes; I'd rather have a guy run through it than dance or hesitate. Okay if hesitating means a chance at a big play, go for it! Bell is not Barry Sanders, and seldom makes big plays.

The guy is a bad seed. If he doesn't sign the tag, forget him. What's the point of him missing camp again ( if you believe him ) and starting the season slow, all for 14.5 million a year with near zero chance of third 3rd tag?

 

[Ike Kelly]

I was talking about the running game, Ike.

The Steelers, who primary used Bell were 20th overall, and 25th in YPC, which was helped a little by Conner's 4.5 average per rush.

I do not believe Bell won't sign until the 3rd or 4th pre-season game. The guy is a liar, remember he mocked the 4-20 drug test and told fans he was clean when he knew he was not.

I continue to think quiet talks are going on between his agent and other teams and he will sign if he can make more money elsewhere.

If Bell doesn't sign by early April, F him. Just cut him and spend the money elsewhere and prepare to draft a running back.

Bell is essentially making twice as much as any other running back, and I doubt he makes more than the 2nd tag number $14.54 million for the 2018 season.

Like I said before it won't be cost much to find another back in free agency or the draft that can average better than 4.0 yards a carry. Will Bell's blocking ability ( Maybe 2% of his total snaps, I'm guessing ) be missed? Sure, but there are much better 3rd down catching backs out there.



With the talent, we have to spread the ball around AND our offensive line, I expect MORE than 4.0 yards per rushing attempt. Yes, or passing attack is terrific, doesn't that mean it should be easier to run the ball?

You tell me how often Bell blocked a guy for a pass play. He's good at it but seldom does it. I guessed 2%. If you have the actual number, post it here.

The OL opens a lot of holes; I'd rather have a guy run through it than dance or hesitate. Okay if hesitating means a chance at a big play, go for it! Bell is not Barry Sanders, and seldom makes big plays.

The guy is a bad seed. If he doesn't sign the tag, forget him. What's the point of him missing camp again ( if you believe him ) and starting the season slow, all for 14.5 million a year with near zero chance of third 3rd tag?

You double down on this 4.0 ypc figure and how the OL and Bell should do better. He started slow? Might I remind you the defenses we played last year early were pretty good at that time we played them. Minnesota, Chicago KC and Jax all had solid D units. Further more. You say you are an “experienced” coach, so you would decline having an offense that provided you 12 yards every three downs? Ask any real coach as to what they would say. I know I wouldn’t if I was getting four yards per carry, I’d take that every game, every time. Run the clock out keep their offense off the field.

As for your 2% hogwash, again more BS out of your mouth. You better guess again, because according to you Bell only pass blocked 10 (rounded up percentage) times the entire year. TEN plays in your words genius.

Statistically, he was targeted 105 times, there were a total of 590 pass plays. I’ve given you the figures, you figure the math. I’m willing to guess the percentage is a whole lot higher than yours.

Bell seldom makes big plays? We have a prolific offense because of him, even with the play caller we had. He makes plays in any formation...moves the chains, gets miss matches.......

You want to compare Bell to Barry Sanders? Get out of here......Sanders was a great back because of his elusiveness and vision. Everyone who knows what he did knew he would have monster games, but on some carries would lose lots of yardage, but make it up with unbelievable runs.

If he doesn’t sign the tag, he loses his accrued season for 2018 and remains under the Steelers rights through 2019. He missed camp last year and he was 3rd in rushing with 15 games. Lead in all purpose yards, again.

Near zero chance for a Third tag? Man you are delusional. If Bell doesn’t get an extension and plays the 2018 year under the tag, he will be a FA come March 2019. Pitt will not give him the tag a 3rd time. 120% of $14.5 isn’t happening. He will be one year closer to 30, another 350 -400 carries on the odometer and will have missed his opportunity for “setting the standards” (by maybe $1-2 mil/ year difference between he and the club). After this year his value declines...a lot. 27 year old RBs don’t get 5 year deals.


Sent from my iPad using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[insaniti]

Like I said before it won't be cost much to find another back in free agency or the draft that can average better than 4.0 yards a carry.

Jerick McKinnon just signed with the Niners for 4 years $30m. Dude had 991 TOTAL yards, that's COMBINED and is now making 7.5m a year... yeah, it'll be cheap and easy to replace Bell [/sarcasm]

 

[GMC]

Jerick McKinnon just signed with the Niners for 4 years $30m. Dude had 991 TOTAL yards, that's COMBINED and is now making 7.5m a year... yeah, it'll be cheap and easy to replace Bell [/sarcasm]

Judging by the RB market thus far, it appears the 49ers didn't heed Kirk Lazarus' advise.

 

[BLITZ]

I am so tired of worrying about what 26 wants. sign him and trade him or let him negotiate a deal with another team and then trade him or realize his worth and sign him long term. please lets get this over long term one way or the other

 

[swal75]

I'm pretty sure he's an exclusive franchise player. He is not allowed to talk to other teams or solicit offers. He can't be traded until he signs the tag and reports. He plays for us or nobody.

 

[stillwright]

I am so tired of worrying about what 26 wants. sign him and trade him or let him negotiate a deal with another team and then trade him or realize his worth and sign him long term. please lets get this over long term one way or the other

Or just wait until a a week before the season starts. He then signs the tag. You then have him for the 2018 season. After that he can run for some other team. We collect a comp pick. Why worry over it? It is what it is at this point.

 

[Coach]

Jerick McKinnon just signed with the Niners for 4 years $30m. Dude had 991 TOTAL yards, that's COMBINED and is now making 7.5m a year... yeah, it'll be cheap and easy to replace Bell [/sarcasm]

As Coyrea said

Could've signed Lewis and Hyde for their 5 million/per each and still had almost 5 million left over.

 

[stillwright]

As Coyrea said

I don't know. Those 2 guys or Bell for an extra $5 mill? I think I will take Bell. For this one season anyway.