Breaking News: Bell not expected to show by deadline.

[swissvale72]

Hope this isn't a careful what you wish for thing, in the end. I wish he had signed...rather have gone into December and then the playoffs with Le'veon Bell on my team.

Hope you guys are right.

[Minkah'n History]

Hope this isn't a careful what you wish for thing, in the end. I wish he had signed...rather have gone into December and then the playoffs with Le'veon Bell on my team.

Hope you guys are right.

How do you know he would really help with such pedestrian stats? He was garbage last year for what he made.

Locker room Swiss? That doesn’t count screwing these guys who have been busting their asses?

I’ll ride with what we got.

[swissvale72]

Hope this isn't a careful what you wish for thing, in the end. I wish he had signed...rather have gone into December and then the playoffs with Le'veon Bell on my team.

Hope you guys are right.

How do you know he would really help with such pedestrian stats? He was garbage last year for what he made.

Locker room Swiss? That doesn’t count screwing these guys who have been busting their asses?

I’ll ride with what we got.

Let's just hope "what we got" now is "what we got" come January. Happened a few times where late injuries to Steeler running backs cost this team dearly in the playoffs.....

Not talking about "screwing" anybody; also not caring about the assessment that he was "garbage last year for what he made." I wasn't looking for a great return on investment, but rather another weapon that could help the Steelers in the playoffs.

[drmalba]

.
I hold no ill will towards Bell. I even like the guy, and I wish him success in squeezing out a few more good years like Adrian Peterson. Bell was imo, the best RB in the league from 2014-16, and I appreciate what he did for the Steelers even though he was injured for the playoffs. I don’t hate a guy for being injured. He didn’t want to be injured.

Good post. Bell is a special player and it sucks the economics of the situation ruined the chance to compete with him for another title. I do not bear Illl will for the guy and I find most of the hate/minimizing his considerable skills in these forums pretty damn unconvincing. I wish him best of luck and I'm sure someone will make him rich again.

We have a new raging badass now who "runs like he faced death" and I'm 100% behind him and the new RB stable now in our quest for #7.

What’s convincing is his completely AVERAGE 2017...do you watch the games like Troy Aikman does? The guy was completely healthy and needed all those touches just to be average.

I’m thinking we weren’t making enough big plays with him because he can’t run for more than a 20 yard gain. His best years have been in the rear view. Let’s see that patient running style somewhere else while Conner just rips these holes with power. Is that convincing enough?

Love how you're harping on a season where the guy put up close to 2000 yards from scrimmage and had 85 receptions AS A RUNNING BACK. If that's "average" then I am an anthropomorphic Melba toast.

[Scunge]

But where were the touchdowns DrMalba???

My whole point about Bell is that he needed all of those touches to get his yardage but to what end?? Where were the damn touchdowns???

Bell had 11 TDs last season, Conner through 9 games has 11 TDs, he is on pace to have 20 TDs.

Yeah, us improving to #1 in redzone efficiency, going up to 79% is more than just having Fitchner replace Haley. It has just as much to do with having a RB that can SCORE TOUCHDOWNS!!!!

You know what other Steelers RB also had no problem scoring TDs? DeAngelo Williams. He had 11 TDs while only starting 10 games that one year. What might Williams have done if he had started all year??

To have not just one but two Steeler RBs outproduce Bell in touchdowns, for the offense to score more points with Conner and Williams, well it tells me all I need to know about Bell.

He was over rated and he limited this offense.

Today is a very good, no, a great day. Bell not being a Pittsburgh Steeler is the absolute best thing that could have happened to this team.

[benstunner]

What's the point in the transition tag? Don't we lose him for nothing if we don't match the offer he gets (Why would we want to bring him and drama back here)? Wouldn't we be better off lettin him walk and gettin a comp pick?

[Kodiak]

If PIT wins the SB it would be truly historic for a guy to have given-up $14.5M to NOT get a ring

[Legacy User]

But where were the touchdowns DrMalba???

My whole point about Bell is that he needed all of those touches to get his yardage but to what end?? Where were the damn touchdowns???

Bell had 11 TDs last season, Conner through 9 games has 11 TDs, he is on pace to have 20 TDs.

Yeah, us improving to #1 in redzone efficiency, going up to 79% is more than just having Fitchner replace Haley. It has just as much to do with having a RB that can SCORE TOUCHDOWNS!!!!

You know what other Steelers RB also had no problem scoring TDs? DeAngelo Williams. He had 11 TDs while only starting 10 games that one year. What might Williams have done if he had started all year??

To have not just one but two Steeler RBs outproduce Bell in touchdowns, for the offense to score more points with Conner and Williams, well it tells me all I need to know about Bell.

He was over rated and he limited this offense.

Today is a very good, no, a great day. Bell not being a Pittsburgh Steeler is the absolute best thing that could have happened to this team.

He shoots, he scores!!!

[drmalba]

Scunge - if you're trying to sell me that the problem over the past five years with our red zone efficiency has anything to do other than our dependence on a tequila-chugging stoner with the initials T.H., you're not going to get very far with me.

All i'm saying, let's separate the argument whether he's worth 15+ million a year versus the statement that he is "garbage" or "average" when he's putting up yards that only maybe 5 players in the league can match.

[R_S]

so the steelers end up saving 14.5 mill in salary this year? Is that how it works? Essentially they are that much under the cap and can't really capitalize on that money?

[Steelperch]

so the steelers end up saving 14.5 mill in salary this year? Is that how it works? Essentially they are that much under the cap and can't really capitalize on that money?

Unused cap space can be rolled forward into the next year. They can take that money and tag Bell again or spend it in other free agents

[stillthere]

so the steelers end up saving 14.5 mill in salary this year? Is that how it works? Essentially they are that much under the cap and can't really capitalize on that money?

Yes they save the 14.5 and yes they cannot capitalize on the money they are under the cap. But they will have that money next year to mix into the team. Which as big of a disadvantage it is this season is a pretty big boon next year that we essentially get a bonus of 14 million over the cap.

[steelmann58]

What pisses me off is he failed to talk to the team or FO which makes me think he a prick for leaving his team in the dark hole. But he a talented player but Conner has put up big numbers and something bell didn't seem to have speed to take it to the house.

[Minkah'n History]

What's the point in the transition tag? Don't we lose him for nothing if we don't match the offer he gets (Why would we want to bring him and drama back here)? Wouldn't we be better off lettin him walk and gettin a comp pick?

Their are fans that just want production but don’t care about him being a malcontent.

Who cares about that right Swiss? As long as the guy produces.

And Malba his 7 yards a catch you can have. I don’t care if he caught 185 of them.

Don’t you guys look at other opponents? Teams weren’t scared of Bell last year. When he was on the field it usually would take an 8 minute drive with his 4 yard runs to kick a FG.

[swissvale72]

What's the point in the transition tag? Don't we lose him for nothing if we don't match the offer he gets (Why would we want to bring him and drama back here)? Wouldn't we be better off lettin him walk and gettin a comp pick?

Their are fans that just want production but don’t care about him being a malcontent.

Who cares about that right Swiss? As long as the guy produces.

And Malba his 7 yards a catch you can have. I don’t care if he caught 185 of them.

Don’t you guys look at other opponents? Teams weren’t scared of Bell last year. When he was on the field it usually would take an 8 minute drive with his 4 yard runs to kick a FG.

Had he signed the tag, I'm not assuming he comes in as a malcontent...or affects the team negatively. Clearly, he was a guy that his teammates liked.

I just hope it's not the Divisional Playoff game, and we're starting Stephen Ridley at RB, and we're here saying, "Oh fuck...wish we had Bell." The 2014 debacle against the Ravens, the Saturday Night Massacre at Heinz Field, is still fresh in my mind.

That's all. Doesn't fuckin' matter now...it's done.

[R_S]

so the steelers end up saving 14.5 mill in salary this year? Is that how it works? Essentially they are that much under the cap and can't really capitalize on that money?

Unused cap space can be rolled forward into the next year. They can take that money and tag Bell again or spend it in other free agents

OK wow. Didn't know it could be rolled. So they'll have that plus the money the would have spent on Bell. Essentially having 20 some million in money they aren't used to having

[Thrillsseeker]

What's the point in the transition tag? Don't we lose him for nothing if we don't match the offer he gets (Why would we want to bring him and drama back here)? Wouldn't we be better off lettin him walk and gettin a comp pick?

Yes!

[Kodiak]

Basically, PIT can use what they saved on Bell this year to transition tag him.

But, assuming if they do a sign & trade, decline to match, rescind the tag or he sits out....then they can just shift money on Ben's extension to offset it. They're never going to pay Bell, so basically they can structure Ben's extension in such a way as to make tagging Bell a free option.

Then PIT will have some options with Bell, getting both compensation and controlling where he goes by matching any lowball/reasonable offers. If CLE wants to pay him $800M, then PIT can just not match the deal.

The absolute worst-case scenario is Bell signs the tag, and then gets a season-ending injury jet skiing the next day. Otherwise, PIT may have to sweeten the deal to move him, basically trading some cap space to get a high draft pick for Bell. With the money from Bell and Shazier, PIT probably won't get a comp as they figure to be net gainers in FA.

[jebrick]

I think they let him walk. If they use the transition tag and do not match they get nothing. Letting him walk nets at least a 3rd round comp.

BSPN had an article where they interviewed some NFL executives about Bell and they though that one desperate GM who needs to make a splash will offer him 5year/$60M. But they were pretty dismissive about it.

[Scunge]

With the money from Bell and Shazier, PIT probably won't get a comp as they figure to be net gainers in FA.

And if this team wants to be a true 'player' in free agency you don't go about that by tying up $14.544 million in some foolish transition tag on Bell. If they want to sign a big name free agent, an ILB or a CB, etc, the window for that is in the first few days of free agency.

If I am Colbert and the Steelers I let Bell walk and use that $14.5 million towards getting that impact free agent. I really don't see how they can waste anymore time with Bell, or try and get cute and clever and try to somehow do both, transition Bell and pursue a defensive free agent.

The Steelers have to rise above this, let him go, forget about getting value, that just isn't going to happen. The Rooneys have to see that this media circus needs to end, to continue it next offseason is counterproductive and not in the best interest of building your team and winning championships.

[R_S]

I think they let him walk. If they use the transition tag and do not match they get nothing. Letting him walk nets at least a 3rd round comp.

BSPN had an article where they interviewed some NFL executives about Bell and they though that one desperate GM who needs to make a splash will offer him 5year/$60M. But they were pretty dismissive about it.

Not when they use all that saved money to sign Free Agents of their own. From what I understand.

[R_S]

With the money from Bell and Shazier, PIT probably won't get a comp as they figure to be net gainers in FA.

And if this team wants to be a true 'player' in free agency you don't go about that by tying up $14.544 million in some foolish transition tag on Bell. If they want to sign a big name free agent, an ILB or a CB, etc, the window for that is in the first few days of free agency.

If I am Colbert and the Steelers I let Bell walk and use that $14.5 million towards getting that impact free agent. I really don't see how they can waste anymore time with Bell, or try and get cute and clever and try to somehow do both, transition Bell and pursue a defensive free agent.

The Steelers have to rise above this, let him go, forget about getting value, that just isn't going to happen. The Rooneys have to see that this media circus needs to end, to continue it next offseason is counterproductive and not in the best interest of building your team and winning championships.

Agree 100%. Focus on being aggressive with that extra cash. Not dicking around with dickface.

[Legacy User]

There's also the possibility that the transition tender doesn't even get matched and we're stuck with him. One third rounder, if we even ended up with that as compensation, doesn't make our break us. Let the compensation go and let bell go.

[Steelafan77]

With the money from Bell and Shazier, PIT probably won't get a comp as they figure to be net gainers in FA.

And if this team wants to be a true 'player' in free agency you don't go about that by tying up $14.544 million in some foolish transition tag on Bell. If they want to sign a big name free agent, an ILB or a CB, etc, the window for that is in the first few days of free agency.

If I am Colbert and the Steelers I let Bell walk and use that $14.5 million towards getting that impact free agent. I really don't see how they can waste anymore time with Bell, or try and get cute and clever and try to somehow do both, transition Bell and pursue a defensive free agent.

The Steelers have to rise above this, let him go, forget about getting value, that just isn't going to happen. The Rooneys have to see that this media circus needs to end, to continue it next offseason is counterproductive and not in the best interest of building your team and winning championships.

Exactly. Would be a foolish waste of time to transition tag Bell. I hope they walked away for good yesterday at 4 eastern....

[DP39]

With the money from Bell and Shazier, PIT probably won't get a comp as they figure to be net gainers in FA.

And if this team wants to be a true 'player' in free agency you don't go about that by tying up $14.544 million in some foolish transition tag on Bell. If they want to sign a big name free agent, an ILB or a CB, etc, the window for that is in the first few days of free agency.

If I am Colbert and the Steelers I let Bell walk and use that $14.5 million towards getting that impact free agent. I really don't see how they can waste anymore time with Bell, or try and get cute and clever and try to somehow do both, transition Bell and pursue a defensive free agent.

The Steelers have to rise above this, let him go, forget about getting value, that just isn't going to happen. The Rooneys have to see that this media circus needs to end, to continue it next offseason is counterproductive and not in the best interest of building your team and winning championships.

Exactly. Would be a foolish waste of time to transition tag Bell. I hope they walked away for good yesterday at 4 eastern....

The problem with Scunge's FA hope (and many of ours), is that that's not how the Steelers operate. They really don't spend big in FA. Haden was the exception. He was a very unique situation. Tomlin/Colbert knew him very well and the Browns were dumb enough to hand him over to us. I see them using that extra cap space - that they're not used to having - and spending it on their own. Ben, Bud, JJ, Finney and others will get most of it. Sure, they may go out and get a few guys on the second level shopping days, but they're just not going to go get a top 10 FA guy. They'll add a few cheap, smart pieces and go about their business of drafting their future stars at real positions of need - CB, ILB, RB, WR, DL probably.

[Legacy User]

The problem with Scunge's FA hope (and many of ours), is that that's not how the Steelers operate. They really don't spend big in FA. Haden was the exception. He was a very unique situation. Tomlin/Colbert knew him very well and the Browns were dumb enough to hand him over to us. I see them using that extra cap space - that they're not used to having - and spending it on their own. Ben, Bud, JJ, Finney and others will get most of it. Sure, they may go out and get a few guys on the second level shopping days, but they're just not going to go get a top 10 FA guy. They'll add a few cheap, smart pieces and go about their business of drafting their future stars at real positions of need - CB, ILB, RB, WR, DL probably.

This is exactly what I expect to happen. Except I think that rather than bargain basement closeout final sale guys, they'll pick up someone merely on sale.

[drmalba]

Then PIT will have some options with Bell, getting both compensation and controlling where he goes by matching any lowball/reasonable offers. If CLE wants to pay him $800M, then PIT can just not match the deal.

If this is true and the comp pick is still in play, I am with this strategy. I do not want Deebo part II, to see Bell in a Patriots (or hell, Ravens) uniform.

[jebrick]

My bet is that the Steelers use the transition tag and the NFL brokers a back room deal with another team for a trade. Everyone saves face and no threat of arbitration.

[Havoc]

No more dumb Bell centered inferior offense. No more Todd Haley.

Our offense is currently #1 in the RZ.

The offense started slow in Pts/Dr with the Cleveland hurricane opener (25th), but it has climbed to #7 in the league in Pts/Dr... and still climbing.

Unlike the low football IQ RS bullshit overrated Bell centered offense, this offense actually has a chance to be the best in the league in the post season.

I am enjoying this team more than I have in many years. To me, this is a great time, an exciting time to be a Steelers fan.

[Baltostiller]

I hope they let this shitheel walk and trade a 1st round pick for a legit corner. God knows they can't draft one.