Let Bell Walk

[feltdizz]

As stated in another thread no problem with Butler getting the axe and bury the LeBeau 3-4 with him once and for all and go to a 4-3 and bring in a coach who understands that system

I doubt we could have a 1 year turn around but I would do it. I wouldn't get rid of Bell to do it though. Get rid of players on defense who don't fit the system.

[Ernie]

I'd rather spend Gay, Mitchell and a few other defenders money on the D and keep the best RB in the game on offense.

I could see if Bell looked like trash yesterday but he balled out like usual. Why do we need to get rid of really good players to get really good players? Get rid of expensive players on the side of the ball that stinks right now.

Ideally that would be the way to go about it (cutting loose the expensive/dead weight), but is it really that simple? What kind of cap hit do we take with some of these guys that we are cutting?

[Eich]

Bell is special but I just don't see the need to set the new record for how much a back earns. Bell wants to set a new standard for what a running back earns. If he was the only special player we had on offense, then maybe it's worth it. But we have Ben, AB, JuJu and even Bryant if he sticks around. There's plenty of skill players on offense to keep scoring points - especially if we can find a better coordinator.

The defense needs help. A lot of it.

I'd like to see both coordinators gone.

[feltdizz]

Bell is special but I just don't see the need to set the new record for how much a back earns. Bell wants to set a new standard for what a running back earns. If he was the only special player we had on offense, then maybe it's worth it. But we have Ben, AB, JuJu and even Bryant if he sticks around. There's plenty of skill players on offense to keep scoring points - especially if we can find a better coordinator.

The defense needs help. A lot of it.

I'd like to see both coordinators gone.

AB is great.. JuJu looks to be the real deal but he didn't have an impact on the game yesterday. Bryant is too streaky. Great play but that was pretty much the only play he made yesterday. We didn't have much consistency with those guys and Bell is Mr. Consistency on offense. He is good for over 100 yards in total offense pretty much every time he is on the field AND he helps keep Ben clean.

I just don't see why we need to let him go for the D to get better. Get rid of the bums on defense and replace them with better players. That will make the D better.

[pfelix73]

AB is great.. JuJu looks to be the real deal but he didn't have an impact on the game yesterday. Bryant is too streaky. Great play but that was pretty much the only play he made yesterday. We didn't have much consistency with those guys and Bell is Mr. Consistency on offense. He is good for over 100 yards in total offense pretty much every time he is on the field AND he helps keep Ben clean.

"I just don't see why we need to let him go for the D to get better." Get rid of the bums on defense and replace them with better players. That will make the D better.

"I just don't see why we need to let him go for the D to get better." - Because he is demanding too much $. Franchise tag equals $15 million. I like the idea of what someone was saying about that special franchise tag, where it lets him test the market, and we have right to sign him or receive the 2 1st round picks.

I may be wrong, but I think the RB class in this year's draft is reasonably pretty good... Maybe look for a bruiser like Fournette is. I'm impressed with him. Now watch he'll go out and lay an egg next week.

[Oviedo]

AB is great.. JuJu looks to be the real deal but he didn't have an impact on the game yesterday. Bryant is too streaky. Great play but that was pretty much the only play he made yesterday. We didn't have much consistency with those guys and Bell is Mr. Consistency on offense. He is good for over 100 yards in total offense pretty much every time he is on the field AND he helps keep Ben clean.

I just don't see why we need to let him go for the D to get better. Get rid of the bums on defense and replace them with better players. That will make the D better.

I agree. We are NOT a better team without Bell. No way you can make that case on any level.

Defense needs to get younger, faster players and get rid of the Wm Gay's of the team who did essentially nothing all season long.

[Slapstick]

The other players don’t have the opportunity to be consistent...the offense is centered around Bell and Brown...Bell accounted for 77% of our rushing yards...Bell and Brown accounted for 50% of our passing yards...those two are making huge amounts of money, so it is only fitting that the offense goes through them...and, they deliver...

The question is, is that the best use of the team’s resources?

[Ernie]

The other players don’t have the opportunity to be consistent...the offense is centered around Bell and Brown...Bell accounted for 77% of our rushing yards...Bell and Brown accounted for 50% of our passing yards...those two are making huge amounts of money, so it is only fitting that the offense goes through them...and, they deliver...

The question is, is that the best use of the team’s resources?

The answer to that question is.... did you see McDonald yesterday? What did he have... 10 catches for a buck 20? I know he's been hurt for several games this year... but he still proves my point from a broader perspective... which is: This team has enough weapons... no way should that percentage of the workload "Have to" go to Bell and AB.

Id bet just about any OC in the league would give anything to have the opportunity to run an offense with such an arsenal.

[Steelerphile]

If Bell would share carries, and accept a reasonable contract, it would be wonderful to keep him. But he has a prima donna approach, and expects to have all the carries. I continue to believe that a dual back approach would be more effective. I do like James Conner, but there are other good backs too. A mix of running styles, gives defenses more difficulties then a steady diet of Bell does and will do.

Bell will fight attempts to play other backs and if you pay him $15 million dollars, the Steelers would be wasting their money to incorporate another back in the offense more. He held up fairly well from an injury standpoint this year, but backs take a lot of hits. Injury could strike at any time. RBs are not a good investment for major money.

QBs are protected by the rules. They are a good investment if you have one. QBs can play well into their 30s. RBs decline after 6 years in the league. Therefore, I am in favor of letting Bell see what is out there for him, instead of tagging him and going through the same questions one more season.

[Ernie]

If Bell would share carries, and accept a reasonable contract, it would be wonderful to keep him. But he has a prima donna approach, and expects to have all the carries. I continue to believe that a dual back approach would be more effective. I do like James Conner, but there are other good backs too. A mix of running styles, gives defenses more difficulties then a steady diet of Bell does and will do.

Bell will fight attempts to play other backs and if you pay him $15 million dollars, the Steelers would be wasting their money to incorporate another back in the offense more. He held up fairly well from an injury standpoint this year, but backs take a lot of hits. Injury could strike at any time. RBs are not a good investment for major money.

QBs are protected by the rules. They are a good investment if you have one. QBs can play well into their 30s. RBs decline after 6 years in the league. Therefore, I am in favor of letting Bell see what is out there for him, instead of tagging him and going through the same questions one more season.

Man that post is $$$$ on several points. I believe the Steelers would be put in that situation as well (Bell demanding the workload and the Steelers justifying it by what they are paying him).

[Northern_Blitz]

Tag him with the non-exclusive franchise tag...allow him to negotiate with other teams...then, he can have a better idea of his market value...

The Steelers would have the right of first refusal or they would receive two first round draft picks as compensation...

Let the chips fall where they may...

I think that this is what the team will do.

If another team signs him, would they try to do it after the draft so that the picks are a year later down the road? If they did that, would it change your opinion on this strategy if we get the picks a year later (when Ben might be gone)?

For the record, I'm OK signing Bell to another franchise deal. I think that he can choose to make 2x the next RB or he can choose a longer term deal at a rate that doesn't break the market. He can't have both (at least not from the Steelers).

[Slapstick]

It is possible for a team to sign a player to an offer sheet after the draft but before June 15th (or whatever the deadline is this year).