Le'Veon your timing sucks...

[BURGH86STEEL]

"On his mind" is fine... "On his mind" not a distraction. In the press 2 days before the divisional round (for all to read).. different story. I think the retraction within an hour or two of the original story... speaks volumes.

I don't believe it's a distraction.

[Ernie]

I don't believe it's a distraction.

Maybe not... one thing we all know for a fact, though... there's a ZERO PERCENT CHANCE of anything positive coming out of his initial comments.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Maybe not... one thing we all know for a fact, though... there's a ZERO PERCENT CHANCE of anything positive coming out of his initial comments.

Very little negative will come out of it either. Most of the negatives will affect Bell. So what if Bell retires? The organization will move on. There are X amount of RB's in college waiting for an opportunity to play in the NFL. Bell has a lot of millions to lose from a financial stand point.

[feltdizz]

Not a good time to be "Putting the team on notice" dizz... Plenty of time for that in the off season. Nothing positive comes out of crap like this.

that would be convenient... but not for Bell.

Business is 365 days a year.

Indonr think its thay serious but think about what happens if Bell gets hurt this post season. He has no insurance.

It also gives the FO a chance to rethink their draft.

Ven also talked about how it might not be his last game. Seems like he is also thinking about next year.

[feltdizz]

Maybe not... one thing we all know for a fact, though... there's a ZERO PERCENT CHANCE of anything positive coming out of his initial comments.

Bell balls out, we win a SB, the FO and Bell work out a contract that makes everyone happy.

it could happen.

[Slapstick]

Bell balls out, we win a SB, the FO and Bell work out a contract that makes everyone happy.

it could happen.

But, that doesn’t happen because he runs his mouth about a contract...it happens because he balls out and wins a SB...

[Buzz]

But, that doesn’t happen because he runs his mouth about a contract...it happens because he balls out and wins a SB...

Very little good that I can see coming out of Bell yapping about contract at this time.

[NorthCoast]

I am certain his future contract situation was on his mind the entire season. It didn't appear to affect his performance. For me this isn't a big deal.

I agree. This isn't new. He hinted several months ago on this. If he has a blowout playoff, he ups the ante. Good for him, and bad for the Steelers.

[NorthCoast]

Does this sound like a guy not focused on the next game (quoted just 2 days ago):

"We have always felt like we haven't finished what we kind of started. Last year was a crazy run; we go into the AFC Championship Game without all of our players that we necessarily need. I end up getting hurt and run down. And it cost us,” Bell said to ESPN. Bell and the Steelers face a stern test in Jacksonville in the Divisional Round. The Jags defeated Pittsburgh, 30-9, in Week 5 and boast one of the NFL's best defensive units.

[Steelwolf]

The jags d are so fast and get the needed push, going to be a closer game than most think

[winwithd]

I forgot Fowler works for ESPN. I read his stuff so often I grow to assume he works for the Steelers. I don't suppose Labriola or Prisuta would have brought that up at this time.

[SteelBucks]

I agree. This isn't new. He hinted several months ago on this. If he has a blowout playoff, he ups the ante. Good for him, and bad for the Steelers.

Bad for both because the Steelers will do what they feel they need to do. If the franchise tag is their best option, they’ll use it. Then the ball is in Bell’s court. The Steelers will not budge, ask Mike Merriweather how his contract negotiation went with the Steelers in the 80’s when he tried to play hard ball with the FO...he thought they would cave and he ended up sitting out the entire season and losing a years salary.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Bad for both because the Steelers will do what they feel they need to do. If the franchise tag is their best option, they’ll use it. Then the ball is in Bell’s court. The Steelers will not budge, ask Mike Merriweather how his contract negotiation went with the Steelers in the 80’s when he tried to play hard ball with the FO...he thought they would cave and he ended up sitting out the entire season and losing a years salary.

I wonder if things have changed though. First that RB who walked off the field when we wouldn't play him, the one who we then he went straight to the **s ... he pretty much declared by his actions he would be a cancer if we didn't let him go, and so we did. It'd be hard to argue with someone who said that instead of suspending him (for "conduct unbecoming to the team" or somesuch), and then keeping him out of the locker room the FO caved there. It could be argued that he kept us out of the SB as well, can't it?

And #92 as well might be another example of the FO not playing hardball nowadays as much as they used to.


Just speculating.

[Slapstick]

Bell’s situation is a little different than Harrison or Blount...

If Bell sits out, then that is exactly what happens: He sits out...he can’t be a “cancer” because he won’t be in the locker room...

The Steelers will, I think, allow Bell to negotiate with other teams. If they tag him, they can match the offer...if it’s a franchise tag, they will get at least a 1st round pick for compensation...

[Northern_Blitz]

None of this (or the things going on with the Pats) matter.

If they lose to the Jags, then it will because they play poorly on the field. Not because Bell said that he obviously doesn't want to be tagged again.