After...

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Whether he ultimately signs with us or not, I believe as of this past Thursday night when we were whupping the Panthers *he was fully intending to sign with us*.

Why? Because he did things like leave Miami and come to Pittsburgh, and he was following our game Thursday night and posting nice things about us as the game went on.

Only a sickie would do all that knowing that he was going to sign with the Jets, or someone like that. He may be a self-centered half-wit or not, but I never thought of him as a Silence of the Lambs kind of sicko.

If he doesn't sign with us, when we look back and ask "Why did he change his mind after Thursday night?" … I dunno, maybe it was Dez Bryant, maybe his agent got contacted under the table/unofficially by the Jets or someone, maybe his agent misinterpreted something the Steelers said on Friday morning. Who knows!

[Mr.wizard]

You forgot to mention his mother supports him too. Supporting Bell is a lot different than discussing whether his strategy is any good. I tried to find where the 3 people you mention above said anything about the strategy Bell is pursuing. I found nothing by Brown or Gurley except that they hope Bell gets what he wants. There is an interview of Jones-Drew where he talks in circles a lot, but essentially says nothing except that Bell is not playing football because he is attempting to not get injured. He basically assumes that the contract Bell wants is just waiting for him, if he can survive the year without a career debilitating injury. If you and Jones-Drew think that is a good strategy for getting the contract he wants, so be it. Most people think it will not work, and can recite reasons to back that up.

I remain in the dark with respect to anyone, other than Jones-Drew, who has said Bell is pursuing a good strategy, so you are wrong when you suggest I was cherry-picking arguments. I was unaware of any. I am now aware of Jones-Drew and to the extent it matters, I think his opinion is flawed and assumes the answer to the question. He also seems to enjoy discussing Bell because he can continually raise his own contract negotiations from his playing days, which he appears to be bitter about.

What do you mean it won't work, he hasn't put wear and tear on his body and he is going to sign a big deal in free agency, that was his plan what exactly hasn't worked?

[squidkid]

Why isn't it likely?

he's gonnna have to make 17+ per year with about 40+ guaranteed

[Moonie]

What do you mean it won't work, he hasn't put wear and tear on his body and he is going to sign a big deal in free agency, that was his plan what exactly hasn't worked?

It appears, contrary to your previous posts, that you do have an affirmative opinion on his strategy, and believe that it has essentially already worked - all he had to do was not play. The problem is that what you just stated as his plan is an overly broad and vague description. You either are not paying attention or are strangely moving the goalposts for purposes of this debate.

Bell's plan/goal is much more specific and loftier than what you posted. You can use the Steelers' 2018 offer as a baseline for what his plan has already rejected. He believes he will get significantly more than that, and that not playing for the Steelers will get him there. I think, as do most people paying attention, that his chances get less likely by the day.

[Mr.wizard]

It appears, contrary to your previous posts, that you do have an affirmative opinion on his strategy, and believe that it has essentially already worked - all he had to do was not play. The problem is that what you just stated as his plan is an overly broad and vague description. You either are not paying attention or are strangely moving the goalposts for purposes of this debate.

Bell's plan/goal is much more specific and loftier than what you posted. You can use the Steelers' 2018 offer as a baseline for what his plan has already rejected. He believes he will get significantly more than that, and that not playing for the Steelers will get him there. I think, as do most people paying attention, that his chances get less likely by the day.

His plan was to reduce wear and tear on his body this season so he could sign a big deal in free agency, how am I moving the goal posts? He has already accomplished the wear and tear part, if he signs a big deal please explain to me how his strategy did not work? I stated I didn't know if it would work but so far he has been able to stick to his plan, only way I see that it wouldn't work is if he doesn't sign a big deal. Bell has not come out and said my plan is to get this amount in free agency.

[Moonie]

His plan was to reduce wear and tear on his body this season so he could sign a big deal in free agency, how am I moving the goal posts? He has already accomplished the wear and tear part, if he signs a big deal please explain to me how his strategy did not work?

"so he could sign a big deal in free agency"

I explained the problem with that description of yours, above. And I gave you a reference point too. If you failed to grasp it, or purposely dodged it, there isn't anything else I can say on that.

And I didn't say his strategy didn't work. I expressed an opinion, like many others have, that its unlikely to work. We won't know for sure whether you are correct or I am until March 2019 or so. But, once again, if you think the almost meaningless phrase "so he could sign a big deal in free agency" is what we are trying to measure, you've set it up so you can't ever be wrong (in your own head at least).

[Mr.wizard]

"so he could sign a big deal in free agency"

I explained the problem with that description of yours, above. And I gave you a reference point too. If you failed to grasp it, or purposely dodged it, there isn't anything else I can say on that.

And I didn't say his strategy didn't work. I expressed an opinion, like many others have, that its unlikely to work. We won't know for sure whether you are correct or I am until March 2019 or so. But, once again, if you think the almost meaningless phrase "so he could sign a big deal in free agency" is what we are trying to measure, you've set it up so you can't ever be wrong (in your own head at least).

No, the only plans we know is that he wants to not play and sign a big deal, we don't have specifics to measure that's the entire point. You coming out and saying he needs to make this much or it's a failure is completely meaningless.

[Ernie]

Has his stocked dropped based on your hopes, wishes, or opinion or do you know the other owners will black ball Bell? From what I can see there are several RB needy teams in the league. It only takes one team. It's really not that complicated.

His stock would drop if he suffered a torn ACL playing on a one year deal. I seriously doubt his stock drops over what's transpired. Remember it only takes one team.

Bell made a calculated risk. We don't know how the situation will play out. It's like some fans are so blind that they don't see the contracts offered to other players around the league. Again it only takes one team.

I really don't care what Bell decides. I understand why he made the decision. Bell gets less than the Steelers offered on the open market it's his loss. If he makes more than the Steelers offered it's a win. Regardless Bell is still going to make a lot of money as a FA. At the end of the day Bell is still going to make a lot of money.

His stock has dropped based on a number of factors that are well documented on this forum as well as in just about every corner of the NFL world (many of which I've already made). In terms of "Contracts offered to other players around the league"... Bell is not Gurley... and at this point (after him missing a year) it's really not that close... so its really not feasible to assume that Bell is going to be offered Gurley money. My opinion (along with the vast majority of fans, NFL gurus, etc) believe that Bell has already received the best offer that he will receive.

[Ernie]

All this talk about how much value Bell has lost is nothing but speculation, we don't have a gauge on what the free agent market is going to bring Bell, not even Gurley's contract paints an accurate picture because he never hit the open market.

A year older...and a year of bad publicity. Nothing he's done this year has increased his future value.

[Ernie]

Bell is not one strike from a year suspension. Bell is still a good player. His place in history won't matter in contract negotiations going forward.

As with a lot of situations in life this is about understanding. I understand why Bell did what he did. Do you understand? We can go back and fourth on this issue. The reality is one team is going to pay Bell a lot of money. That's a fact. Will it be what the Steelers offered? Maybe. Will it be less than the Steelers offered? Maybe? Will it be more than the Steelers offered? Maybe. If I had to put money down I'd bet that Bell will get more money than the Steelers offered him.

Understanding. These were the questions. Make 14 mill for this season, suffer more wear and tear, or potentially an injury that might lessen his value as a FA? Or should Bell not play for 14 mill, have no more wear and tear, and no injury? He decided to not play. It's less risk involved not to play. Especially if he believes he will get more money as a FA.

Again, it's a risk. Bell is going to make a lot of money regardless.

"And dont forget what he needs is 14.5 mil more than we offered to make his plan worthwhile." Not really. Again, he's going to make a lot of money as a FA regardless of the contract he gets offered.

Is playing another year for 14 mill worth the risk of more wear and tear/potential injury vs reaching FA for untold millions? One team bro, one team. Simple understanding.

So that's the numbers side of it.... what do you think about how he and his agent handled the situation in terms of the team and organization?

[Mr.wizard]

His stock has dropped based on a number of factors that are well documented on this forum as well as in just about every corner of the NFL world (many of which I've already made). In terms of "Contracts offered to other players around the league"... Bell is not Gurley... and at this point (after him missing a year) it's really not that close... so its really not feasible to assume that Bell is going to be offered Gurley money. My opinion (along with the vast majority of fans, NFL gurus, etc) believe that Bell has already received the best offer that he will receive.

You don't know that his stock has dropped, he hasn't hit the open market yet. So you don't know where his stock was or where his stock is, the only offer you were able to see was from the only team that could offer him a deal, do you really think the Steelers used the exclusive tag so they could give him the highest offer?

[Ernie]

You don't know that his stock has dropped, he hasn't hit the open market yet. So you don't know where his stock was or where his stock is, the only offer you were able to see was from the only team that could offer him a deal, do you really think the Steelers used the exclusive tag so they could give him the highest offer?

im in the vast majority that believes his stock has dropped over the course of the last 6 months. At some point common sense has to come into play.

I certainly wouldn't be in the mindset that his stock has somehow risen...given the circumstances. I do know this, if Im one of the 3-4 teams that are in need of a talent upgrade at RB, I'm going to take a long hard look at doing so in the draft... as opposed to signing a guy for his supposed 15+ million a year (with a ton of baggage). Conner is the latest example of proof that you can get just as good of production (if not better) for a fraction of the cost (and no headaches off the field).

[Mr.wizard]

im in the vast majority that believes his stock has dropped over the course of the last 6 months. At some point common sense has to come into play.

I certainly wouldn't be in the mindset that his stock has somehow risen...given the circumstances. I do know this, if Im one of the 3-4 teams that are in need of a talent upgrade at RB, I'm going to take a long hard look at doing so in the draft... as opposed to signing a guy for his supposed 15+ million a year (with a ton of baggage). Conner is the latest example of proof that you can get just as good of production (if not better) for a fraction of the cost (and no headaches off the field).

Where did his stock start? He is going into free agency fresh i dont see why that wouldn't be attractive to a team looking to sign him for big money.

[Steel Maniac]

Where did his stock start? He is going into free agency fresh i dont see why that wouldn't be attractive to a team looking to sign him for big money.

If you can’t see it then I don’t know what to tell you. But he’s shown a lack of intelligence in how he’s handled this; he’s at the strip club on twitter giving hoes money; with more weed. Yeah...if I’m the Jets, that screams to me, “ give that guy a 15mil a year contract .”

[Sword]

Bell will not ever look as good as he did in Pittsburgh...why? Because nobody else, has the OL we do....Bell was good but, our OL made him look even better.....
I think, he made a mistake not signing this past summer.......