Bell...AGAIN!

[Shawn]

I think he does.. but he wants AB money.

While he may not deserve it based on the RB scale.

By every other metric he is actually correct when you look at his contribution to the offense.

I won't lie, I think he has a point. With that said, AB stays on the field. When Bell plays he means as much as AB to this team.

[feltdizz]

I won't lie, I think he has a point. With that said, AB stays on the field. When Bell plays he means as much as AB to this team.

well, AB missed the end of the Bengals game and the Denver game a few years back..

and he left the Pats game and missed the rest of the regular season last year.

one could suggest AB is starting to break down as well.

but IMO.. it's football, injuries are a part of the game.

[K Train]

So Bell it batman...got it

[Disco1981]

I think he does.. but he wants AB money.

While he may not deserve it based on the RB scale.

By every other metric he is actually correct when you look at his contribution to the offense.

He " averaged " 3.9 ypc and 7 ypr...With a long run of 26 yards the past 2 years...If we're gonna talk numbers, Lets talk them...Talk about slowing down...Definately NOT worth it!

[feltdizz]

He " averaged " 3.9 ypc and 7 ypr...With a long run of 26 yards the past 2 years...If we're gonna talk numbers, Lets talk them...Talk about slowing down...Definately NOT worth it!

per pro ref football's stats..

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BellLe00.htm

He averaged 4 yards a carry and 7.7 yard per catch if you want to be technical about it. He also had a long run of 44 yards the last 2 years.

Like I said.. one year isn't a trend. If Bell has a 5 ypc average this year for us does that mean he still hasn't hit his prime? Gotta see how he does this year before you declare he is slowing down.

[Mick'sTeam]

I was as mad as anyone about not having HFA in the playoffs at the time, but that all went out the window after the Jags came in our house and handled us. Yeah it ended up being close but they put a beating on us. Makes no sense to continue complaining about HFA when we could take care of business when we did have it.

[Northern_Blitz]

Like I said.. one year isn't a trend. If Bell has a 5 ypc average this year for us does that mean he still hasn't hit his prime? Gotta see how he does this year before you declare he is slowing down.

I think that you're right.

But, the Steelers don't have the benefit of waiting for his stats from next year. They have to make the bet now.

[Captain Lemming]

I think that rescinding the tag now serves no purpose and makes the team worse in the short term (maybe the long term too).

It makes the team worse on the field next season (one of Ben's last).

I would have been OK (maybe even in favor) or releasing Bell before FA. But, only cheap / not so good UFAs are left now so it doesn't really make sense. So it frees up cap room, but how would we use it to make the team better? It just means that we'd be under the cap.

We might eventually get comp picks, but I'm not sure how that works if we let a player go now. It's usually the "next draft", but players have to be released in a certain window. Since the new league year has already started, I'm not sure if any comp picks would get pushed to two drafts from now. There is also a timing window for the release of a player for the team to qualify for a comp pick. I don't know what it is, but if it's passed it may be that rescinding the tag now would make the team ineligible for any comp picks in the future.

This is true.

[feltdizz]

I was as mad as anyone about not having HFA in the playoffs at the time, but that all went out the window after the Jags came in our house and handled us. Yeah it ended up being close but they put a beating on us. Makes no sense to continue complaining about HFA when we could take care of business when we did have it.

and Ben also had 2 more turnovers in the second Jags game.

just sayin' folks want to blame Bell but Ben had 7 turnovers in 2 Jags games AT HOME but Bell is why we lost it all?

[Slapstick]

Rescinding the tag isn’t the same as releasing a player...if Bell were to be signed to an offer sheet after the draft (not possible because the Steelers uses the exclusive tag) the first round picks would be in 2019 and 2020.

[NorthCoast]

I think he does.. but he wants AB money.

While he may not deserve it based on the RB scale.

By every other metric he is actually correct when you look at his contribution to the offense.

Depends on your measuring stick. As I posted elsewhere, Football Outsiders for one ranked Bell as the 5th best RB in the league based on production vs competition. So it seems at least 4 other RBs are grossly underpaid as well if Bell is the benchmark.
It's simple economics of supply and demand. Teams need at least 2 good WRs and 3 or 4 really help an offense. Teams really only need one good RB to field a run game. Hence WR is a premium.

[Ernie]

There's no need to be emotional about this subject. Some of us knew this is how it would go down. Both parties are looking out for themselves. The Steelers are not willing to overpay for an oft injured running back with a history of chemical issues...not to mention he isn't getting any younger. There is no doubt in my mind that Bell is one of the best running backs to ever play the game. He makes this team better...when he is on the field. Bell wants to maximize the amount of money he gets knowing full well that running backs have very limited time. I don't blame either party.

It made sense for both parties to play two years of tag and part ways. Thats how this is going to go down...and I would be shocked if they come to an agreement. Lets enjoy Bell while we have him and accept that he will be in another jersey next year.

If we could delete the 3-4 threads and 100+ pages of "Bell talk"...and just replace it with this post (AND LIVE WITH THIS REALITY)... we'd be ALOT better off!
Well done, sir.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Bell's value already known. He priced himself out. He will play tag & be gone if he doesn't take offer on table. Steelers won't pull tag but they may pull offer if draft & preseason go well. Stay tuned.




Many are forgetting the depth chart. Bell won't be here until week before start. JC may start PUP & won't be "work horse" ready. Fitz isn't carrying the load through camp & preseason. On top of all of that...New OC. There will be a part of similarity carried over but Randy will put his fingerprints on it too. Need to develop continuity & chemistry in new system. Don't think LB isn't trying to use that. Expect a RB 1st 3 rounds unless vet added. If they hit...things will come into focus.




Guice very much in play especially if ILB gone. He would grade out high. Business part..1st Rd RB. ..5th year option...tag...6 years Bargain. Leverage. Even if LB here long term..Guice has a role.




I like Guice 1st or Ballage 3rd. Adams from ND later if his foot isn't an issue for '18.

[feltdizz]

Depends on your measuring stick. As I posted elsewhere, Football Outsiders for one ranked Bell as the 5th best RB in the league based on production vs competition. So it seems at least 4 other RBs are grossly underpaid as well if Bell is the benchmark.
It's simple economics of supply and demand. Teams need at least 2 good WRs and 3 or 4 really help an offense. Teams really only need one good RB to field a run game. Hence WR is a premium.

Oh yeah, I definitely think the RB position is undervalued.

Guys like Zeke, Gurley, etc are going to get paid. Whatever Bell gets those guys will eclipse.

[pittpete]

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/Bolt/Pittsburgh-Steelers-RB-James-Conner-is-rebounding-well-from-knee-surgery-116523466

James Conner is rebounding well from knee surgery