Changed my thoughts about the Bell contract

[Buzz]

checked out on the team?

huh?

unless he sits out games I can't see that being true.

Well, it's just my opinion, but from listening to his song and reading his more recent social media statements, I think he's already moved on in his heart. He knows that what the Steelers offered him is fair, but now he's just being ridiculous with his demands. He doesn't really want to be here. Get something for him and cut him loose, and go with the guys who want to be here.

[Steel Maniac]

Yep. Sad to lose a player of his caliber but, at this point, he's already checked out on the team -- he's unhappy about having to be here on the franchise tag (making $14.5 million for 2018!) this year. Trade him to some bottom-feeder and at least get something out of him.

In a couple of years from now, as Bell is laid up with an injury on some bottom feeder team, he'll learn to appreciate the Steeler organization and all the good players around him that made his job easier then the team he'll currently be on.

And he'll come back , sniffing around the Steeler organization too; just like Holmes is now. Wanting to be involved in one way or another.

[RuthlessBurgher]

At some point, enough is enough and it becomes more about greed and less about bargaining. Why didn't AB "bargain" has hard as Bell is? Ben? Tom Brady. Peyton Manning. Other guys, at the top of their game. Why does Bell have to rap one year about "needing" $15M, then the next year, $17M? Even his own agent apparently wanted him to sign last year.

If he wants to "bargin" in this way, it's his right. But he shouldn't get all upset when fans aren't thrilled with the tactics.

None of those guys you mentioned were given the franchise tag multiple times.

Bell is following the exact same playbook that his college QB Kirk Cousins ran after he was franchise tagged multiple times in Washington.

[feltdizz]

At some point, enough is enough and it becomes more about greed and less about bargaining. Why didn't AB "bargain" has hard as Bell is? Ben? Tom Brady. Peyton Manning. Other guys, at the top of their game. Why does Bell have to rap one year about "needing" $15M, then the next year, $17M? Even his own agent apparently wanted him to sign last year.

If he wants to "bargin" in this way, it's his right. But he shouldn't get all upset when fans aren't thrilled with the tactics.

because AB and Ben are paid handsomely due to their positions.

AB made some noise and got his money quick fast even though we NEVER rework contracts when a player has 2 years left. Yet we did with AB.

Jimmy Graham tried to get his position changed because he wanted to be paid on the WR scale and not the TE scale. He is on his 3rd team now. Guys want to be paid handsomely based on production and I can't fault them for it.

Of course fans will call Bell greedy because most of us make a fraction of what NFL players make. However, I bet anyone in his payscale doesn't see it that way. I think McCoy was mad at Bell for not taking the deal last year.. but that's because he said it would've reset the market for RB's.

and who knows how mad Bell really is about the fans.

[feltdizz]

what's the fascination with some folks talking about Bell being injured later in his career?

and I definitely expect Bell to come back to the organization if he leaves. The Steeler organization isn't petty like some fans. They drafted these guys and treat them like family. Sometimes family doesn't get along but it's still family.

So weird to hear some folks talk about the Steelers like this but I think some folks are late to the party and don't understand how we operate as a franchise.

[Eich]

because AB and Ben are paid handsomely due to their positions.

If Bell had accepted the offer made to him last year, he would have been paid handsomely as well. He's being paid handsomely NOW under the TAG. He can retire NOW and have more money than most people will ever earn in their lifetime. Every position is not going to get paid franchise QB or number one receiver money.

If Bell switched to receiver, he wouldn't be number 1 or number 2 on this team. But because he's a RB who's good at catching, he thinks he should be paid for 2 positions. He's not happy with becoming the highest paid RB in the league. He wants to blow up the ceiling for what a RB earns. He wants to be paid what AB is paid. That's nutz IMO.

[feltdizz]

If Bell had accepted the offer made to him last year, he would have been paid handsomely as well. He's being paid handsomely NOW under the TAG. He can retire NOW and have more money than most people will ever earn in their lifetime. Every position is not going to get paid franchise QB or number one receiver money.

If Bell switched to receiver, he wouldn't be number 1 or number 2 on this team. But because he's a RB who's good at catching, he thinks he should be paid for 2 positions. He's not happy with becoming the highest paid RB in the league. He wants to blow up the ceiling for what a RB earns. He wants to be paid what AB is paid. That's nutz IMO.

I agree, I thought the last offer was fair last year.

He wants more, he may get it, he certainly got more with the tag this year than last so he isn't stupid.

IMO the only thing stupid is rapping about it.

[Eich]

IMO the only thing stupid is rapping about it.

Yes, I think this is where he's really annoying the fans. He's flaunting what he thinks he deserves. Keep it all professional and I think he gets a lot less negative reaction from the fans.

"Ima need 15 and they know it"

then a year later

"I’mma need 17"

Makes him look ridiculous IMO.

[Steelerphile]

I don't think missing camp will be a big deal for Bell either. I think the "started slow" thing is a bit of a narrative. He didn't get many carries in the first few games (maybe as punishment?), but was on pace for being a top 3-5 RB in the league by the end of game 4 (basically exactly where he ended up)

That being said, I agree that the Steelers should be ready to move on from him. But, I think that basically gets rectified with a day 1 or 2 draft pick next year. High talent tirst year RBs generally do a decent job of being plugged right into an offense.

I think it is a team issue for Bell to miss training camp once again. Even if his teammates don't voice their resentment. I think there will be several who will internally resent him for skipping all the hard work at training camp and showing up for the games ( which is the fun part) and expecting to be fed the ball 30 times a game.

Bell led the league in rushing yards because he got the ball more than anyone in the NFL. The Steeler rushing offense was ranked 20th. I think the rushing offense would be better if they distributed the carries more. A 4.0 ave per carry is nothing special. Most of the Steeler running backs will be veterans this season, and I would bet they all think they can contribute. I don't think Bell should just be given all the carries again this year without training camp. Conner can do some things and if he has worked and shown that he can play and improved his blocking, then he should be getting the carries when the season starts not Bell.

There is something to be said for building team chemistry and working out in the sun with your friends and teammates. Even if Bell doesn't play a lot in preseason, he should be at camp.

[feltdizz]

I think it is a team issue for Bell to miss training camp once again. Even if his teammates don't voice their resentment. I think there will be several who will internally resent him for skipping all the hard work at training camp and showing up for the games ( which is the fun part) and expecting to be fed the ball 30 times a game.

Bell led the league in rushing because he got the ball more than anyone in the NFL. The Steeler rushing offense was ranked 20th. I think the rushing offense would be better if they distributed the carries more. A 4.0 ave per carry is nothing special. Most of the Steeler running backs will be veterans this season, and I would bet they all think they can contribute. I don't think Bell should just be given all the carries again this year without training camp. Conner can do some things and if he has worked and shown that he can play and improved his blocking, then he should be getting the carries when the season starts not Bell.

There is something to be said for building team chemistry and working out in the sun with your friends and teammates. Even if Bell doesn't play a lot in preseason, he should be at camp.

Conner and company had all camp last year to get up to speed with blocking and the small things... he came up short.

Ben needs to trust the guys protecting him.

As far as camp is concerned, not sure.. I think once you are a true vet you aren't doing much hard work in camp.. it's reps for sure.

I also wonder how players feel about a guy like Bell getting tagged twice. Most players understand it's players vs the FO when it comes to contract negotiations.

[Steelerphile]

Conner and company had all camp last year to get up to speed with blocking and the small things... he came up short.

Ben needs to trust the guys protecting him.

As far as camp is concerned, not sure.. I think once you are a true vet you aren't doing much hard work in camp.. it's reps for sure.

I also wonder how players feel about a guy like Bell getting tagged twice. Most players understand it's players vs the FO when it comes to contract negotiations.

Conner was a rookie last year. He probably never blocked in college. It was little bit of a revelation to him that he needed to do this. Now he is fully aware of that aspect and will pick it up. Trust me.

I don't remember Bell in his rookie year but he probably wasn't an extraordinary blocker either. It's something he probably acquired since I doubt he blocked that much in college.

[feltdizz]

Conner was a rookie last year. He probably never blocked in college. It was little bit of a revelation to him that he needed to do this. Now he is fully aware of that aspect and will pick it up. Trust me.

I don't remember Bell in his rookie year but he probably wasn't an extraordinary blocker either. It's something he probably acquired since I doubt he blocked that much in college.

To hear Bell tel it he has never given up a sack in the NFL.

I definitely expect Conner to improve but it's an area you have to be solid at if you are trying to get more touches behind someone like Bell.

[hawaiiansteel]

I definitely expect Conner to improve but it's an area you have to be solid at if you are trying to get more touches behind someone like Bell.

Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs May 22-24: what we learned

By SAM QUINN

JAMES CONNER IS LEADING THE WAY FOR THE BACKUP RB JOB

Le'Veon Bell did not attend OTAs as he is holding out for a new contract, so that left the other running backs a strong opportunity to prove themselves. Stevan Ridley and Fitzgerald Toussaint are fighting for a roster spot, and Jaylen Samuels is contributing all over the field, but Conner was the standout of the first set of OTAs. Not only did he look recovered from the knee injury that ended his season, but he seemed to take great strides in the areas that kept him off of the field last season. Most notably, he was not a good pass-protector. But all signs out of OTAs indicate that Conner has improved in that area, and with a good performance as a runner, he might actually take a bigger chunk of the available carries next season.

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/ContentGallery/Pittsburgh-Steelers-OTAs-May-22-24-what-we-learned-118597014/#118597014_6

[Buzz]

Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs May 22-24: what we learned

By SAM QUINN

JAMES CONNER IS LEADING THE WAY FOR THE BACKUP RB JOB

Le'Veon Bell did not attend OTAs as he is holding out for a new contract, so that left the other running backs a strong opportunity to prove themselves. Stevan Ridley and Fitzgerald Toussaint are fighting for a roster spot, and Jaylen Samuels is contributing all over the field, but Conner was the standout of the first set of OTAs. Not only did he look recovered from the knee injury that ended his season, but he seemed to take great strides in the areas that kept him off of the field last season. Most notably, he was not a good pass-protector. But all signs out of OTAs indicate that Conner has improved in that area, and with a good performance as a runner, he might actually take a bigger chunk of the available carries next season.

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/ContentGallery/Pittsburgh-Steelers-OTAs-May-22-24-what-we-learned-118597014/#118597014_6

Good to hear. Won't totally make up for the loss of Bell, but if Conner can become a reliable blocker for Ben, it will go a long way toward filling the void. With Conner's running talent and Samuel's all-purpose abilities, we just might be allright at RB after RapDude leaves to go play for a different team.

[hawaiiansteel]

making unreasonable contract demands + portraying himself as a victim = last year as a Pittsburgh Steeler