Alejandro Villanueva has teammate on his side in contract battle with Steelers

[feltdizz]

Doesn't sound like much of a "battle" between AV and the Steelers as the title would overstate.

AV is doing the right thing. He understands that his best chance of a good contract is to stay engaged with the team. Ask Mike Wallace how playing hard ball with the team helps your chances of being on the team.

The Steelers will do the right thing by AV...it will just take some time.

Bell on the other hand is becoming a nuisance. No reason to stay away. He is accomplishing nothing. See the Wallace comment above

First off, we offered Wallace a contract, he turned it down and got PAID!!! How did it hurt Wallace? He left us, we didn't leave him.

Wallace was also one trick pony and we had talented WR's who were actually better than him already on the roster...and we still tried to sign him!!!

Bell on the other hand is a monster, 50% of our offense. He has been hurt a lot but that's also the primary reason he want's a long term deal. Bell isn't being a nuisance at all IMO. He is being a smart football player who knows he has leverage. We aren't nearly as good on offense without him. We can survive but we are twice as good when Bell is on the field.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I believe that both men, as players, are in different situations.

AV has been playing LT for only about 3-4 years (IIRC). Every day he spends in camp he is learning his craft. He is becoming better. Aside from the inherent risks, AV raises his value every day he spends practicing.

LB is widely regarded as either the best back in the game, or at the very least top two. His biggest problem (aside from drug suspensions) is that his body has failed him when the team has needed him to be at his best. I have little problem with him not putting on the pads quite yet, as long as he isn't on his couch smoking dope and getting fat.

[Mr.wizard]

Doesn't sound like much of a "battle" between AV and the Steelers as the title would overstate.

AV is doing the right thing. He understands that his best chance of a good contract is to stay engaged with the team. Ask Mike Wallace how playing hard ball with the team helps your chances of being on the team.

The Steelers will do the right thing by AV...it will just take some time.

Bell on the other hand is becoming a nuisance. No reason to stay away. He is accomplishing nothing. See the Wallace comment above

I would say AV is doing the wrong thing, if I where him I would be trying to make sure my financial future is secured before I put myself at any kind of risk for injury. AV out played his contract by far, so as far as I'm concerned he doesn't owe the Steelers anything, he should be waiting for the Steelers to show him some respect.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: risk of injury - does AV really put himself at higher risk by participating, or would workouts on his own if he stayed away be just as risky?

If they're about the same, he's probably doing what's in his best interest by participating, in terms of goodwill, etc.

[feltdizz]

I would say AV is doing the wrong thing, if I where him I would be trying to make sure my financial future is secured before I put myself at any kind of risk for injury. AV out played his contract by far, so as far as I'm concerned he doesn't owe the Steelers anything, he should be waiting for the Steelers to show him some respect.

I agree. I'm not concerned with injury if I'm AV but I think I outplayed my contract. That good will only goes so far. Sure, we gave him a chance and he stepped up and made the most of it. Now it's time to get some security.

Only problem I believe is depth. Do we have other options who can play as well as AV? If so, it makes sense for him to play ball.

[NorthCoast]

True, but the team can cut a player and thereby stop paying the contact.

What about the guaranteed money? It seems players (and agents) hardly worry about salary anymore. It's all about guaranteed $ that make or break deals.

[Shawn]

First off, we offered Wallace a contract, he turned it down and got PAID!!! How did it hurt Wallace? He left us, we didn't leave him.

Wallace was also one trick pony and we had talented WR's who were actually better than him already on the roster...and we still tried to sign him!!!

Bell on the other hand is a monster, 50% of our offense. He has been hurt a lot but that's also the primary reason he want's a long term deal. Bell isn't being a nuisance at all IMO. He is being a smart football player who knows he has leverage. We aren't nearly as good on offense without him. We can survive but we are twice as good when Bell is on the field.

This is the same debate we had earlier in the year. It's just not as simple as pay the man his money. He realizes this is his last big contract. I would venture that he wants in the 4-5 year, 10-12 million dollar range with too much in guaranteed money. He overestimates his value based on risks associated with him. Drug strikes and injuries do not equal double digit a year salaries, no matter how good you are.

I'll stand where I stood earlier this year, the smart play isn't a long term contract. It's a franchise tag this year and see what shakes out. If he stays off the weed, and stays healthy and helps us produce...and Conner isn't dynamic...ok then pay the man. You still have franchise tag leverage to get the deal done. The Steelers are much too smart to get sucked into another Woodley-esque contract. When Bell gets his 20 million in guarantees what keeps him from hitting the bong? I'll tell you what...nothing unless you have a carefully worded contract which he wouldn't likely sign.

To me this is a no brainer unless he wants to be reasonable about his contract demands.

[feltdizz]

I would wait until camp starts to boast about Bell not getting a contract. I still think we get a deal in place by then.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

please point out where Shawn is boasting? all I see is a well thought out reasonable look at bells situation, but confrontation is your usual MO

anyhoo, it's my understanding that unless a deal is struck by the deadline of the 17th, then a deal does not get done as they cannot negotiate further

[squidkid]

This is the same debate we had earlier in the year. It's just not as simple as pay the man his money. He realizes this is his last big contract. I would venture that he wants in the 4-5 year, 10-12 million dollar range with too much in guaranteed money. He overestimates his value based on risks associated with him. Drug strikes and injuries do not equal double digit a year salaries, no matter how good you are.

I'll stand where I stood earlier this year, the smart play isn't a long term contract. It's a franchise tag this year and see what shakes out. If he stays off the weed, and stays healthy and helps us produce...and Conner isn't dynamic...ok then pay the man. You still have franchise tag leverage to get the deal done. The Steelers are much too smart to get sucked into another Woodley-esque contract. When Bell gets his 20 million in guarantees what keeps him from hitting the bong? I'll tell you what...nothing unless you have a carefully worded contract which he wouldn't likely sign.

To me this is a no brainer unless he wants to be reasonable about his contract demands.

you are 100% spot on.
a fair contract with clauses for his injuries and dope or the tag.
paying this guy big money will be a mistake.
tag him 2 years in a row, if need be.

[Mr.wizard]

This is the same debate we had earlier in the year. It's just not as simple as pay the man his money. He realizes this is his last big contract. I would venture that he wants in the 4-5 year, 10-12 million dollar range with too much in guaranteed money. He overestimates his value based on risks associated with him. Drug strikes and injuries do not equal double digit a year salaries, no matter how good you are.

I'll stand where I stood earlier this year, the smart play isn't a long term contract. It's a franchise tag this year and see what shakes out. If he stays off the weed, and stays healthy and helps us produce...and Conner isn't dynamic...ok then pay the man. You still have franchise tag leverage to get the deal done. The Steelers are much too smart to get sucked into another Woodley-esque contract. When Bell gets his 20 million in guarantees what keeps him from hitting the bong? I'll tell you what...nothing unless you have a carefully worded contract which he wouldn't likely sign.

To me this is a no brainer unless he wants to be reasonable about his contract demands.

Every NFL contract has language in them all ready which allows teams to void any guarantees within the contract, if a player is suspended. If Bell got 20 million guaranteed he would have 20 million reasons not to get suspened.

[feltdizz]

please point out where Shawn is boasting? all I see is a well thought out reasonable look at bells situation, but confrontation is your usual MO

anyhoo, it's my understanding that unless a deal is struck by the deadline of the 17th, then a deal does not get done as they cannot negotiate further

he said "Bell overestimates his value based on.."

we have no idea if this is true until negotiations are over.

i don't see how that was confrontational but you usually look for any reason to say stupid stuff like that when you post.

[feltdizz]

Dez Bryant didn't sign his contract until minutes before the deadline. Most teams work out deals up to the last minute so I expect a deal on the 17th around 3PM.

Just doesnt make any sense for AB to make 68 mill and he touches the ball 8 times a game while Bell touches the ball 25 times a game.

I hope we lock him up so we can have the 3 B's together until Ben leaves.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

he said "Bell overestimates his value based on.."

we have no idea if this is true until negotiations are over.

i don't see how that was confrontational but you usually look for any reason to say stupid stuff like that when you post.

maybe you need to look up the definition of boasting as I'm not sure you understand the term

as far as saying stupid stuff when I post, I just have to chuckle. you're the one with 19,500+ posts on a slow moving message board. I'm sure you believe everyone of them is insightful

[feltdizz]

maybe you need to look up the definition of boasting as I'm not sure you understand the term

as far as saying stupid stuff when I post, I just have to chuckle. you're the one with 19,500+ posts on a slow moving message board. I'm sure you believe everyone of them is insightful

see, you did it again