Changed my thoughts about the Bell contract

[Buzz]

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

Agreed.

I don't think he's stupid. What all this tells me is that he wants to leave.

[Ernie]

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

I guess this answers the question as to whether or not Conner will be ready for camp lol

[Eich]

Honestly, no, I'm not going to sit out. I'm going to be in the facility Week 1. It's going to be a rerun of last year. I'm not going to (training) camp. I'm not doing nothing else extra, OTAs, none of that.

I'm going to strictly go to what I have to go to. I want to win every game. I want to have the best statistical career that I possibly can, so I want to play in every game that I can possibly play.

A day earlier, in an article released by Billboard.com, Bell said he would consider sitting out until Week 10. Under NFL rules, Bell would have to report by then so he could accrue a full season and become a free agent in 2019.

Me saying I was going to sit out was more emotional at the time. When I was asked the question, that's the way I felt at the time. I might come in Week 1. I might come in Week 4. I don't know what week I'm going to come in, but I'm going to play this year, though.

I'm going to play. I just don't know when I'm going to play.

Clear as a Bell.

[Northern_Blitz]

I guess this answers the question as to whether or not Conner will be ready for camp lol

This is very good news. Unlike Bell, I think that camp matters for Conner. I'm glad that he is healthy.

[Steel Maniac]

This is very good news. Unlike Bell, I think that camp matters for Conner. I'm glad that he is healthy.

Boom..........

[feltdizz]

This is very good news. Unlike Bell, I think that camp matters for Conner. I'm glad that he is healthy.

oh, it definitely matters for Conner. We need to see he can block in the backs vs linebacker drills and can take contact and stay healthy.

[Northern_Blitz]

Agreed.

I don't think he's stupid. What all this tells me is that he wants to leave.

I don't know that he "wants" to leave, but I think he sees the writing on the wall.

I think that the rapping is him anchoring at a high number in preparation for negotiations next year. "Well I think I'm worth $17M/year for 4 years, but I'll be reasonable and take $16M for three".

[kindlecatsb'ng]

A day earlier, in an article released by Billboard.com, Bell said he would consider sitting out until Week 10. Under NFL rules, Bell would have to report by then so he could accrue a full season and become a free agent in 2019.






Clear as a Bell.

He sounds bi-polar.

[feltdizz]

Agreed.

I don't think he's stupid. What all this tells me is that he wants to leave.

no disrespect but I have heard Bell in a few interviews and while he may not be stupid, I don't think he is all that smart either.

seems like he is just throwing tweets and raps at the wall and seeing what sticks

[Eich]

no disrespect but I have heard Bell in a few interviews and while he may not be stupid, I don't think he is all that smart either.

seems like he is just throwing tweets and raps at the wall and seeing what sticks

Completely agree. Easy to get the impression that he's not one of the sharpest tools in the Steelers' shed.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Completely agree. Easy to get the impression that he's not one of the sharpest tools in the Steelers' shed.

To almost quote Greg Lloyd, "We're not hiring him for his cognitive skills!"

[RuthlessBurgher]

Franco Harris: 'Best interest' for Steelers to sign Le'Veon Bell

8:00 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- As a standard-bearer for Pittsburgh Steelers running backs, Franco Harris has grown to appreciate Le'Veon Bell.

"I think he's the best all-around back in the game," Harris said Wednesday at Heinz Field from the Steelers' throwback uniform unveiling honoring the Super Bowl XIII team.

Le'Veon Bell is facing the prospect of a second straight season playing on the franchise tag. Mark Alberti/ Icon Sportswire

But the Steelers don't have the best all-around back until he signs, which might not be until September as Bell stays away from the team during offseason workouts.

With Bell and the Steelers preparing for a second straight summer of contract negotiations with the franchise tag as the placeholder, Harris would like to see Bell in black and gold for many years.

Bell is due $14.5 million on the tag, which he has opted not to sign while waiting for a long-term deal. Both sides haven't agreed to a price, despite the Steelers' multiple offers dating to last year.

"I know contracts can get sticky," Harris said. "With this state of his career and he has some big decisions to make -- nothing I can say about it, I can’t say one thing or the other -- but I guess I always feel this can work out. I think it’s in the best interest of both parties to make it work.”

Bell told ESPN he won't take less than an average payout of $14.5 million per year on an extension. Although the Steelers don't expect Bell back any time soon, they do expect him to stay in shape, which he has consistently done over the past five years. Teammate Antonio Brown has urged Bell to show up to workouts and get better with him.

Harris believes the two sides will work out their differences because of the benefits involved.

“Him being the best all-around back is great for the Steelers, and then again playing for the Steelers is great," Harris said.

Meanwhile, teammates old and new will be ready to embrace Bell once he shows up.

"It's going to be fun to have him on our side," said safety Morgan Burnett, who signed a free-agent deal with the team in March.

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/27986/franco-harris-best-interest-for-steelers-to-sign-leveon-bell

[feltdizz]

Tell em Frank!!!

haha, not surprised at all a former RB who left over contract issues would be in Bell's camp.

[Slapstick]

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

[Northern_Blitz]

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

I agree the contract they reportedly offered is generous.

Do you agree that the contract they reportedly offered is less than Bell would probably make on the open market?