Changed my thoughts about the Bell contract

[Steel Maniac]

I'm going to make a prediction...
Bell is going to be less of a "Bell Cow" back the next few years, and there are several reasons for that. If the Steelers sign Bell to a long term deal, they are going to do what they can to stretch out his "Shelf life" so to speak. With the drafting of Samuels and the emergence of Conner, those are two talented guys who are going to demand touches...so we are going to see more "By committee" than most folks may realize it this point in time... Getting Samuels involved in the offense early (including reps at RB) is going to open up our playbook while giving Defenses that much more to prepare for. Getting back to Conner, there's something to be said about his running style (being vastly different than Bells). He was very effective for us in very limited action...and I think this kid is poised to have a great year for us.

I look for the new OC to be a better "Steward" of talent for this offense, and kind ways to get these guys on the field. The ensuing Bell holdout gives him the opportunity to do it early.

Ernie, I agree with you. I think IF Bell were to be signed long term, that would be exactly what has to happen to that backfield. But I also think that at some point, Bell's true self of always being injured would rear it's ugly head and then Conner and Samuels would get more time then initially thought and therefore, an even bigger chance to be a bigger part of the offense.

Those flashes we saw from Conner (I hope) will be more consistent and with an off-season of working out with the big boys and rehabbing, he should come back strong and better then ever. We are all (except for Bell and his supporters) looking forward to seeing what Samuels brings to the table. I'm thinking we could have a Kamara/Ingram backfield in the near future. Here's hoping.

With Bell staying away until a week before the season opener, those two guys will get ample opportunity to showcase and get in sync with the new OC, O-line and with Ben. Can't wait.

[Ernie]

I’m not sure about that. I think Bell is still going to get most of the touches if we sign him long term. He is too deadly of a weapon and too consistent at protecting the QB to split carries.

I actually think we did a decent job getting Conner touches his first year. I put most of the blame on the defense for giving up big plays vs back up QB’s that kept games closer than they needed to be.

I would’ve preferred to see Conner salt away a few games but we didn’t have that luxury last year.

No one's saying Bell won't get most of the touches. I'm saying Conner and Samuels will be more involved.

[pittpete]

Also need to remember that Bell is one failed drug test away from another suspension.
Not positive, but if he failed a drug test isnt he suspended for a year?
Also, does anyone know if Bell is tested during the offseason when he's technically not employed by the Steelers or the NFL?

[Steel Maniac]

No one's saying Bell won't get most of the touches. I'm saying Conner and Samuels will be more involved.

Conner and Samuels will get all the work during camp and preseason. That's where they will give management an idea of what they can and can't do this coming season.

[Slapstick]

Also need to remember that Bell is one failed drug test away from another suspension.
Not positive, but if he failed a drug test isnt he suspended for a year?
Also, does anyone know if Bell is tested during the offseason when he's technically not employed by the Steelers or the NFL?

I believe that, as part of his appeal with the previous suspension, that Bell would only be suspended for four games if he were to fail another drug test.

[feltdizz]

First off we have no idea how far along Conner is in rehab.

Second, regardless of what these 2 do in practice the coaches know what Bell can do during the season which is why he is tagged again.

[Ernie]

First off we have no idea how far along Conner is in rehab.

Second, regardless of what these 2 do in practice the coaches know what Bell can do during the season which is why he is tagged again.

I remember reading an article in the Steelers Depot on Conner's rehab status. He stated that he was sprinting on the treadmill (this was back in February) and was overly optimistic in general. Based on what I've read, there's no reason to think he's not going to be 100% going into the Summer.

If Conner and Samuels can be effective in taking 20-25% of Bell's 2017 workload, what exactly would be the downfall to that?

[feltdizz]

I remember reading an article in the Steelers Depot on Conner's rehab status. He stated that he was sprinting on the treadmill (this was back in February) and was overly optimistic in general. Based on what I've read, there's no reason to think he's not going to be 100% going into the Summer.

If Conner and Samuels can be effective in taking 20-25% of Bell's 2017 workload, what exactly would be the downfall to that?

No downfall at all.

Sounds encouraging for Conner but I will wait until I see him make a few cuts with my eyes before feeling good about him contributing early.

I have a feeling he won’t be ready for the start of the season.

[Buzz]

I remember reading an article in the Steelers Depot on Conner's rehab status. He stated that he was sprinting on the treadmill (this was back in February) and was overly optimistic in general. Based on what I've read, there's no reason to think he's not going to be 100% going into the Summer.

If Conner and Samuels can be effective in taking 20-25% of Bell's 2017 workload, what exactly would be the downfall to that?

Don't see Tomlin agreeing to that. His philosophy has been to run the wheels off his top RB.

[Slapstick]

As far as personnel decisions and who gets playing time, Tomlin is usually fairly hands off...

[Steel Maniac]

I remember reading an article in the Steelers Depot on Conner's rehab status. He stated that he was sprinting on the treadmill (this was back in February) and was overly optimistic in general. Based on what I've read, there's no reason to think he's not going to be 100% going into the Summer.

If Conner and Samuels can be effective in taking 20-25% of Bell's 2017 workload, what exactly would be the downfall to that?

Ernie, look who your talking to about Bell. Felt has no logic when it comes to Bell. If Bell went and shot up a school, Feltz would come and defend him. He's that far gone. There is no logical conversation with him about Bell. That's why I don't talk to him about Bell. There is no objectivity in him about Bell.

[Steel Maniac]

Don't see Tomlin agreeing to that. His philosophy has been to run the wheels off his top RB.

Tomlin has had no options to do other then run the wheels off. Considering the quality that has been behind the starter. We may have options now instead of running the wheels off. We'll see. Time will tell.

[Ernie]

As far as personnel decisions and who gets playing time, Tomlin is usually fairly hands off...

I hope you are right about this... that and the new guy is hopefully a better OC than Todd Haley.

[Buzz]

As far as personnel decisions and who gets playing time, Tomlin is usually fairly hands off...

Going back to the FWP days, he's said he likes to run the wheels off his lead RB, and that's pretty much what we've seen ever since. Even when we had DeAngelo Williams, it was pretty much all Bell unless Bell was hurt or suspended.

[Steel Maniac]

Going back to the FWP days, he's said he likes to run the wheels off his lead RB, and that's pretty much what we've seen ever since. Even when we had DeAngelo Williams, it was pretty much all Bell unless Bell was hurt or suspended.

True...Deangelo was better then I thought he'd be when he got the opportunity to seriously carry the ball. But he had a lot of milage and I see why Tomlin still kept going to Bell when Bell was healthy.