Changed my thoughts about the Bell contract

[Ernie]

Yeah, if only the Steelers had offered Bell a generous contract...

I'd go as far as to say Bell's contract offer last year was "Market correcting"... "Trend setting". "Generous" would have been somewhere in the 8.5-10.5 million a year contract.

[Northern_Blitz]

I'd go as far as to say Bell's contract offer last year was "Market correcting"... "Trend setting". "Generous" would have been somewhere in the 8.5-10.5 million a year contract.

But do you think he'd have earned more as a UFA? I do.

I think the Steelers do to. Because I don't think that they're idiots that willingly overpay people, especially when it hurts relationships between players and the team.

[Eich]

But do you think he'd have earned more as a UFA? I do.

I think the Steelers do to. Because I don't think that they're idiots that willingly overpay people, especially when it hurts relationships between players and the team.

There's normally a team willing to spend stupid money. It's why so many players have gone to the Redskins over the years. But I think playing for a perennial winner making Market-Correcting money is enough for the kind of players who are focused on their brand and play because they love the game and want to enter the Hall of Fame.

I get the impression that for Bell, it's more about completely re-defining the pay for a dual-threat running back. I'm starting to think that if he had to choose between getting a couple of rings with the Steelers and entering the Hall of Fame while being paid handsomely - OR - re-defining the pay scale for a RB and playing out a non-winning career with the Redskins, he'd choose the latter.

[Northern_Blitz]

There's normally a team willing to spend stupid money. It's why so many players have gone to the Redskins over the years. But I think playing for a perennial winner making Market-Correcting money is enough for the kind of players who are focused on their brand and play because they love the game and want to enter the Hall of Fame.

I get the impression that for Bell, it's more about completely re-defining the pay for a dual-threat running back. I'm starting to think that if he had to choose between getting a couple of rings with the Steelers and entering the Hall of Fame while being paid handsomely - OR - re-defining the pay scale for a RB and playing out a non-winning career with the Redskins, he'd choose the latter.

I think that you may be right. I just don't think that Bell's apparent position is a moral failure.

Instead, I think that his reaction is exactly what would be expected from someone in his position.

[Steel Maniac]

I'd go as far as to say Bell's contract offer last year was "Market correcting"... "Trend setting". "Generous" would have been somewhere in the 8.5-10.5 million a year contract.

Totally agree.

[Steel Maniac]

There's normally a team willing to spend stupid money. It's why so many players have gone to the Redskins over the years. But I think playing for a perennial winner making Market-Correcting money is enough for the kind of players who are focused on their brand and play because they love the game and want to enter the Hall of Fame.

I get the impression that for Bell, it's more about completely re-defining the pay for a dual-threat running back. I'm starting to think that if he had to choose between getting a couple of rings with the Steelers and entering the Hall of Fame while being paid handsomely - OR - re-defining the pay scale for a RB and playing out a non-winning career with the Redskins, he'd choose the latter.

Boom..............

Redskins have personally been responsible for some of the stupidest deals ever. Look no further then that Albert Haynesworth fiasco.

[feltdizz]

not sure if Alberts deal was bad or if changing from a 4-3 to a 3-4 was the real problem.

he wasn't going to get the same numbers in a 3-4.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

not sure if Alberts deal was bad or if changing from a 4-3 to a 3-4 was the real problem.

he wasn't going to get the same numbers in a 3-4.

He was horrible!! Lazy as could be, during games (and reportedly during practices).

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

[feltdizz]

He was horrible!! Lazy as could be, during games (and reportedly during practices).

he was tired.. lmao

[Ernie]

Boom..............

Redskins have personally been responsible for some of the stupidest deals ever. Look no further then that Albert Haynesworth fiasco.

Don't forget the RGIII deal.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Harrison would have pounded his head a few times while he was lying on the ground, while saying, "Get up, sucker. I dare you!!".

[NorthCoast]

Market value for LB is immaterial. The Steelers can work within the CBA and NFL rules that say LB isn't open to the market. LB doesn't have to accept. He can hold out. That's pretty much his only bargaining chip.
However, Bell playing the victim in this whole saga will win very few fans since very few fans can empathize with a multi-millionaire 'needing to get paid'. Bottomline, he won't gain any support with his current approach, he will only risk losing the few supporters he has.

[Ernie]

Honestly I'm hoping Bell's already turned down the best deal the Steelers will ever offer him.

[Northern_Blitz]

Market value for LB is immaterial. The Steelers can work within the CBA and NFL rules that say LB isn't open to the market. LB doesn't have to accept. He can hold out. That's pretty much his only bargaining chip.
However, Bell playing the victim in this whole saga will win very few fans since very few fans can empathize with a multi-millionaire 'needing to get paid'. Bottomline, he won't gain any support with his current approach, he will only risk losing the few supporters he has.

I agree that his market value isn't what drives his current pay because the team is allowed to tag him (i.e. pay him below market value).

But it's not like that happens in a vacuum. He knows that he's worth more on the market. The Steelers do to (that's why they tag him). When it happens twice to a guy who only has so many years to get a big long contract, it's got to be frustrating.

He could take the deal that the Steelers have offered him. It's generational money. But, it's still probably below what he's worth. I don't blame him for wanting what he'd get on the market. He'll probably get to see what that is. Hopefully, his value goes up this year after winning a super bowl with the Steelers.