The LeVeon Bell saga

[PennStateNate]

missed team meeting today. Looks like it’s Conner Sunday.

What is interesting seems like the OL is going against Bell. Wonder if and when he returns we get a longest yard segment where the D gets him untouched.

I see both sides in this. But Don’t get Foster’s quotes comparing it to war and his mom dying.

 

[herrli]

I haven't followed this closely but he is still making a lot of money right? I mean how much do you need? I get the dangers and all but lots of jobs have danger worse than football. I have no sympathy for these guys .

 

[fairgambit]

missed team meeting today. Looks like it’s Conner Sunday.

What is interesting seems like the OL is going against Bell. Wonder if and when he returns we get a longest yard segment where the D gets him untouched.

I see both sides in this. But Don’t get Foster’s quotes comparing it to war and his mom dying.

Generally I would not care much whether the Steelers won or lost, but by not showing up today, when many thought he would, Bell has let his teammates down and many of them are pissed. I hope Conner plays lights out and Bell never plays another down for the Steelers.

 

[SR108]

I haven't followed this closely but he is still making a lot of money right? I mean how much do you need? I get the dangers and all but lots of jobs have danger worse than football. I have no sympathy for these guys .

Yea it’s almost like we are not playing Pitt this week. Pittsburgh Sports press obsessed with Bell not showing up. So much for the Pitt “super bowl”.

 

[fairgambit]

Yea it’s almost like we are not playing Pitt this week. Pittsburgh Sports press obsessed with Bell not showing up. So much for the Pitt “super bowl”.

Pitt will always take a back seat to the Steelers. Of course, they take a back seat to the opera, ballet, and the symphony too, but that is as it should be.

 

[razpsu]

Don’t mess with the Steelers they will send you on your way. I think they have proven that time and time again. Tired of his bull.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Steelers are dumb. Every other player (Rodgers, Beckham, Mack, Donald) this season got their money.
Should have just given Bell 55 for 3 years

 

[fairgambit]

Steelers are dumb. Every other player (Rodgers, Beckham, Mack, Donald) this season got their money.
Should have just given Bell 55 for 3 years

I am not a Rooney fan and have not been since the Old Man died. That said, while I could use many critical words to describe their ownership, dumb is not one of them.

 

[Custerdome]

Locker room cancer. Always has been and always will be.

Screw him. Play without him. I'd rather lose without him than win with him.

 

[PSUdraw]

Steelers are dumb. Every other player (Rodgers, Beckham, Mack, Donald) this season got their money.
Should have just given Bell 55 for 3 years

Yes Rodgers is a franchise QB, Mack had to be traded for him to get his money, Donald might be the best DL in the nfl next to Watts but he cant stay healthy, Beckham im not sure about if he worth the money he got those he is pretty damn good ,plus Bell has been suspended twice for Substance abuse policy he has been a headache off the field for the Steelers when it comes to contracts and suspensions.

 

[DandyDonII]

Watching this saga play out makes me think the Raiders were justified in trading Mack. I would never give a defensive guy that much money when you are paying a QB top money. I was torn whether I would have traded Mack or Franchised him next year, effectively keeping him until he was 30... However, after watching Bell hold out again, I understand why Gruden took the two number ones and saved the 20 mil

 

[ralphster]

Actually, Gruden would be even better off with 4 second round picks over 2 firsts. Two second rounders will outperform one first rounder in most scenarios, and for less money.

 

[sluggo72]

I haven't followed this closely but he is still making a lot of money right? I mean how much do you need? I get the dangers and all but lots of jobs have danger worse than football. I have no sympathy for these guys .

Right now he is not making a dime, and will start missing game checks

 

[sluggo72]

Steelers are dumb. Every other player (Rodgers, Beckham, Mack, Donald) this season got their money.
Should have just given Bell 55 for 3 years

I believe the Steelers are 11-4 without him

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Actually, Gruden would be even better off with 4 second round picks over 2 firsts. Two second rounders will outperform one first rounder in most scenarios, and for less money.

Didn’t Oakland send a 2 with Mack?

 

[Norm Petersin]

His franchise tag only gets him $14.5 M. Trade him, not wanted now

 

[sluggo72]

His franchise tag only gets him $14.5 M. Trade him, not wanted now

Who wants to pay a RB that kind of money?? He's turned down Todd Gurley money

 

[LeatherHelmets]

His franchise tag only gets him $14.5 M. Trade him, not wanted now

They can't trade him without signing him first.

 

[sluggo72]

They can't trade him without signing him first.

Not true they can trade him if they want. But the new team would be foolish not to work out a deal first as he could just continue his hold out

 

[slykens]

Locker room cancer. Always has been and always will be.

Screw him. Play without him. I'd rather lose without him than win with him.

I can’t speak to his attitude but I’ve always had the impression he’s a Hangar Queen. He has missed games due to suspension and is prone to injury.

If I were the Steelers I’d offer him $20M a year but guarantee none of it. Let him put his money where his mouth is. He can carry a big insurance policy if he wants “guarantee” money.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Would love for the Steelers to put him on a “Did Not Report / Screw Him” list that would put his ass in the stands for the entire 2018 season and not pay him $.01.

I ABSOLUTELY HATE players (any sport) that don’t 100% honor signed contracts.

 

[DandyDonII]

Didn’t Oakland send a 2 with Mack?

yes but they got a 3 in return, in essence, they gave up a pick around 45, and probably got a pick around 75 in return...

 

[DandyDonII]

Would love for the Steelers to put him on a “Did Not Report / Screw Him” list that would put his ass in the stands for the entire 2018 season and not pay him $.01.

I ABSOLUTELY HATE players (any sport) that don’t 100% honor signed contracts.

He doesn't have a signed contract.

 

[sluggo72]

He doesn't have a signed contract.

Well he does to the extent that at this time the Steelers control his rights and salary unless he chooses to take no salary and not play. The Steelers could choose to give him more but they don't have to. Nor does Bell have to play. But he can't play for anyone else unless the Steelers allow him to

 

[Lane]

Yes he does

When did that happen?

 

[sluggo72]

When did that happen?

See above or from Forbes....
e July 16th NFL deadline for tagged players came and went with no deal reached; he’ll earn $14.544 million in 2018, bringing his two-year earnings to $26.664 million. But that money comes with no true job security, and, apparently, no desire on the Steelers’ part to pay Bell for who he is as a player but rather for the position he plays, according to his agent Adisa Baka

 

[bluewhiteApos]

The union contract allows for franchise tagging.

 

[psu_1989]

See above or from Forbes....
e July 16th NFL deadline for tagged players came and went with no deal reached; he’ll earn $14.544 million in 2018, bringing his two-year earnings to $26.664 million. But that money comes with no true job security, and, apparently, no desire on the Steelers’ part to pay Bell for who he is as a player but rather for the position he plays, according to his agent Adisa Baka

He still needs to sign the Franchise contract. He does not have a contract today. The Steelers own his rights, but it is like a draft choice that is holding out.

 

[marisa45]

Edit

 

[PearlSUJam]

Yes Rodgers is a franchise QB, Mack had to be traded for him to get his money, Donald might be the best DL in the nfl next to Watts but he cant stay healthy, Beckham im not sure about if he worth the money he got those he is pretty damn good ,plus Bell has been suspended twice for Substance abuse policy he has been a headache off the field for the Steelers when it comes to contracts and suspensions.

Besides the fact that he can't stay healthy when it counts for the playoffs, he's one drug test away from being suspended for a year. None of the others mentioned have that over their head.

The Steelers got a 3rd round pick for Martavis Bryant from the Raiders this off season, and they just cut him because he's facing another suspension.

Bell fails to acknowledge he's a liability and that's why they've been going year to year with his contracts.

 

[Get Nasty]

Bell's pass catching and route running is extremely good for a RB, but I personally believe his running of the football is a bit overrated. Not saying he's bad, but he's far from an elite runner, his YPC back that up.

 

[BBrown]

missed team meeting today. Looks like it’s Conner Sunday.

What is interesting seems like the OL is going against Bell. Wonder if and when he returns we get a longest yard segment where the D gets him untouched.

I see both sides in this. But Don’t get Foster’s quotes comparing it to war and his mom dying.

I'm a Steeler fan but really haven't been following much of this.
Bell is an exceptional RB but his shelf life is probably almost used up and apparently the goodwill toward him
by both fans, players and administration is as well.
He's been MIA in all the play off games, even when he was/is available.
Seems the Team is moving on without him. Guess I will too.

 

[BBrown]

Watching this saga play out makes me think the Raiders were justified in trading Mack. I would never give a defensive guy that much money when you are paying a QB top money. I was torn whether I would have traded Mack or Franchised him next year, effectively keeping him until he was 30... However, after watching Bell hold out again, I understand why Gruden took the two number ones and saved the 20 mil

Gruden is over rated and thinks way to highly of himself. Must run in the family.

 

[KnightSlayer]

I can’t speak to his attitude but I’ve always had the impression he’s a Hangar Queen. He has missed games due to suspension and is prone to injury.

If I were the Steelers I’d offer him $20M a year but guarantee none of it. Let him put his money where his mouth is. He can carry a big insurance policy if he wants “guarantee” money.

Steelers are being cheap asses and I don't blame Bell one bit. Guy had back to back years with nearly 1300 yards rushing and another 600-700 yards receiving. He completed his rookie contract and has earned a big second contract. If the Steelers don't want to pay him, then trade him or release him.

 

[LemonEars]

The Browns are much improved and playing at home. If they beat the Steelers with lead-footed Connor at RB look for the Steelers players to turn against Bell big time.

 

[Hartzie]

His franchise tag only gets him $14.5 M. Trade him, not wanted now

They can't trade him until he signs his tender.

 

[KnightSlayer]

The Browns are much improved and playing at home. If they beat the Steelers with lead-footed Connor at RB look for the Steelers players to turn against Bell big time.

More likely they'll be pissed at the owners.

 

[PearlSUJam]

More likely they'll be pissed at the owners.

Who do you get rid of to make room for his new contract assuming he signs his franchise tender? They are up against the cap as it is.

 

[KnightSlayer]

Who do you get rid of to make room for his new contract assuming he signs his franchise tender? They are up against the cap as it is.

That's poor planning on the Steeler's part. The guy finished his rookie contract in 2016. It's now 2018. They figured they could squeeze a couple of more prime years out of him with the franchise tag. He touched the ball 428 times last year. No way Bell should be expected to do that again without a long term contract.

 

[Hartzie]

That's poor planning on the Steeler's part. The guy finished his rookie contract in 2016. It's now 2018. They figured they could squeeze a couple of more prime years out of him with the franchise tag. He touched the ball 428 times last year. No way Bell should be expected to do that again without a long term contract.

And they tried to make him the highest paid running back in history - but it wasn't enough. He's cancer.