Bell a no-show

[LakecrestSteeler]

The league should threaten to retire him indefinitely for violation of the terms of the collective bargaining agreement; then the players association should lean heavily on him!

Contract is a contract.

What contract? Bell hasn't signed anything.

The Players Association Agreement is a contract too. That is the contract he is violating. You don’t like the rules of the “game” wait until the NFL PA contract is up and change it or strike if you can’t change it. Meanwhile your organization that you belong to has negotiated in good faith and he should abide by the agreement within the constraints of the agreement and/or contract when he signs.

If I was the Steelers I wouldn’t let him sign until week 10. Then take that money saved and franchise tag his ass again next season and pay the $24,000,000. 10 weeks saved plus the 14 million contract equals roughly $24 million and it allows the Steelers to play hardball and in effect sabotage his career.

[Pabst]

Bob Ryan on Around the Horn just stated a pretty interesting fact.

When Ben, Bell and Brown are all on the field together, the Steelers are 41-19 over the past 4 seasons.

When ANY ONE OF THEM is missing, the Steelers are 15-12.

Bob Ryan is a motherfucking Pats homer, fuck him.

Did that jerkoff tell everyone the Steelers are 11-4 the last 3 seasons without Bell?

That's over the past 5 seasons (not sure if that's Bob Ryan's mistake or a KC typo). But if you actually look at that 15-12 record...

3 of those losses are the first 3 games of Bell's rookie season in 2013. I really don't know what kind of impact Bell would have had there.
1 loss was the Denver playoff game when both Brown and Bell were out.
3 other losses came when Ben alone was hurt (including the game Landry started vs New England)

Go back and look at 2015 - the Steelers were 3-3 in games that Bell played, and 8-4 in games where he didn't.

Are the Steelers a better team with Bell in the lineup? Absolutely.
Is Bell's absence a season killer? Absolutely not.

[Steelknife]

The league should threaten to retire him indefinitely for violation of the terms of the collective bargaining agreement; then the players association should lean heavily on him!

Contract is a contract.

What contract? Bell hasn't signed anything.

The Players Association Agreement is a contract too. That is the contract he is violating. You don’t like the rules of the “game” wait until the NFL PA contract is up and change it or strike if you can’t change it. Meanwhile your organization that you belong to has negotiated in good faith and he should abide by the agreement within the constraints of the agreement and/or contract when he signs.

If I was the Steelers I wouldn’t let him sign until week 10. Then take that money saved and franchise tag his ass again next season and pay the $24,000,000. 10 weeks saved plus the 14 million contract equals roughly $24 million and it allows the Steelers to play hardball and in effect sabotage his career.

There is just so much wrong with your post it’s overwhelming figuring out where to begin.

[rooneytunes]

[Kodiak]

There is just so much wrong with your post it’s overwhelming figuring out where to begin.

[Steelafan77]

The league should threaten to retire him indefinitely for violation of the terms of the collective bargaining agreement; then the players association should lean heavily on him!

Contract is a contract.

What contract? Bell hasn't signed anything.

The Players Association Agreement is a contract too. That is the contract he is violating. You don’t like the rules of the “game” wait until the NFL PA contract is up and change it or strike if you can’t change it. Meanwhile your organization that you belong to has negotiated in good faith and he should abide by the agreement within the constraints of the agreement and/or contract when he signs.

If I was the Steelers I wouldn’t let him sign until week 10. Then take that money saved and franchise tag his ass again next season and pay the $24,000,000. 10 weeks saved plus the 14 million contract equals roughly $24 million and it allows the Steelers to play hardball and in effect sabotage his career.

That doesn't make sense to me at all. Holding yourself hostage to a disgruntled employee only breeds more dissension within the ranks while setting a terrible example. Thank God the Steelers don't conduct business this way. All that does is, It proves to other players they are simply a commodity and not an asset. I know folks are mad at Bell as I am but we can't involve emotion in a decision like this. If I'm Pittsburgh I roll with the punches here. Expect to watch Bell sit out till week 10 and make the necessary changes preparing. I want Bell gone too but not at the cost of infecting my locker room with dissension and distractions. I believe Bell deserves to get paid. Bell needs to be playing for another team. Good riddance.

[fractalsteel]

If I was the Steelers I wouldn’t let him sign until week 10. Then take that money saved and franchise tag his ass again next season and pay the $24,000,000. 10 weeks saved plus the 14 million contract equals roughly $24 million and it allows the Steelers to play hardball and in effect sabotage his career.

The Steelers aren't in the business of being spiteful. And the thought of another year of this drama is not something I want as a fan, to deal with.

[Legacy User]

If Bell holds out until week 6 or even 10, can he still be placed on a two-week designated to return deferral?

Because if he shows up in week 7 and the Steelers decide to dock him two game checks on top of it, that would be funny as hell.

[Legacy User]

If Bell holds out until week 6 or even 10, can he still be placed on a two-week designated to return deferral?

Because if he shows up in week 7 and the Steelers decide to dock him two game checks on top of it, that would be funny as hell.

Yes they can, and yes, that would be great.

[Steel Ubaldo]

Glad to see Tomlin has control of the locker room again this year. Players speaking out like this against each other happens all of the time in New England .

Tomlin must love the drama or simply can’t control it. Either way, it’s not a great look for the team.

[Legacy User]

Sure would be nice if bell were to swoop in week 12 for stretch run.

Problem is if he’s committed to his position even one play is too many without the contract he wants.

I kind of wish they could have turned his dead money into a late summer signing.

Any rate the O is in 7s hands like it should be. I happened to catch a bit of cowherd and he thinks one of the Big 4 qb (Ben included) will win sb this year. Said Steelers have a top roster even without bell. So let’s go get it

[Legacy User]

If Bell holds out until week 6 or even 10, can he still be placed on a two-week designated to return deferral?

Because if he shows up in week 7 and the Steelers decide to dock him two game checks on top of it, that would be funny as hell.

Yes they can, and yes, that would be great.

What happens if he shows up in week 9, signs the tag, and they implement the two week deferral? He would not start playing until week 11? What does that do to his status and the team's financial obligations?

[Scunge]

I remember one year Josh Gordon was thinking he would be smart and try to game the system. I think this was in 2014?, he did miss 10 games because of a suspension but then he thought hot damn I can still play 6 games and it will count as a year accrued. Then he is suspended in the last game by the team for violating team rules and he only officially played in 5 games that season. That was hilarious!

This is just about what I expected from Bell, just revealing who he is which is a piss poor team mate and a narcissistic asshole.

For all the talk about the Killer B's, it is telling that they never won a Super Bowl because two of those B's, Bell and Bryant were just distractions and ultimately cancers to the team.

I still for the life of me don't understand the love that some have for Bell. Or how they can be so blind to his declining game, funny how when I bring up that he has fumbled 7 times in his last 24 regular season games, that nobody wants to respond to that. Defenses have literally caught up to his patient style that is proof of it right there. Not to mention his dwindling yards per carry, yards per catch, his declining explosive plays, etc.

[Legacy User]

he has fumbled 7 times in his last 24 regular season games, that nobody wants to respond to that. Defenses have literally caught up to his patient style that is proof of it right there.

I'll respond. (Full disclosure, I'm inclined to agree to an extent, but let's see if you can respond to some pressure being placed on your account.)

Setting aside the irony of you calling Bell a narcissistic asshole while at the same time praising yourself in your own post (you're a great poster and I rather doubt you are a narcissistic asshole, but you it's grounds for a wee bit of a chuckle), why does Bell fumbling 7 times in 24 rs games mean that defenses have figured out his patient running style? The reason I ask is that any number of things could be the cause of the fumbling. Why is the cause you put forward the truth and not a mere guess?

[Steelperch]

What happens if he shows up in week 9, signs the tag, and they implement the two week deferral? He would not start playing until week 11? What does that do to his status and the team's financial obligations?

I’ve been asking the same thing. Getting different responses. Some say he can sit the entire year and still be a FA at the end of the season. Others say he has to be here by week 10. I’m wondering how the 2 week roster exemption plays in.

[Scunge]

I talked about this in length in one of the Todd Gurley threads.

When Bell first came on the scene and before the injuries started to take their toll on him, he was quick and yes he was beginning to use that patient running style.

In his first 38 games as a pro, Bell had 867 touches, that is combined carries and catches and he fumbles just one time. Once in 867 touches!!

Contrast that with his last 24 games as a Pro (again this is just regular season games) he has 674 touches, combined carries and catches.

And he has fumbled 7 times, with 3 of those being lost fumbles and 2 as I remember that went out of bounds before they could be recovered. Still, 7 times in 674 touches, which comes out to 1 fumble for every 96 touches.

Again, before the injuries, that more explosive Bell was daunting, he rarely fumbled, 1 fumble in 867 touches!!

But now that he has been slowed down due to those injuries, and defenses have had years of film study and preparation, now Bell's yards per carry, yards per catch are declining, the 20+ yard explosive plays are dying up, the 40+ yards plays are fewer still. And the one thing that is increasing is the fumbling, 7 fumbles in 674 touches, once every 96 touches.

That to me Still Lit is pretty compelling. Is that not indicative of defenses getting Bell's number, figuring out how to limit him, how to neutralize him?

What other reason could there be for Bell's declining play and fumbles? Are we to blame the offensive line? James Conner, yes, in a small sample size but still, James averaged 4.5 yard per carry to Bell's 4.0 last season. Is Nix a piss poor fullback? Why did we give him a lucrative extension and make him one of the highest paid fullbacks? Why did Nix make the Pro Bowl? When McDonald was on the field he was a very, very good blocker, even dominant at times. JuJu was exceptional in blocking. I am having a hard time figuring out why a RB like Bell this once-in-a-generation talent, can't average more than 4.0 yards per carry. Or fumble as much as he has of late.

Again, just my opinion but the talent around Bell is getting better and better and yet his play is not it is going in the other direction, I do think defenses have figured out how to play his patient game. To me the declining yards per catch and carry and the increased fumbles prove it.

[Legacy User]

I talked about this in length in one of the Todd Gurley threads.

When Bell first came on the scene and before the injuries started to take their toll on him, he was quick and yes he was beginning to use that patient running style.

In his first 38 games as a pro, Bell had 867 touches, that is combined carries and catches and he fumbles just one time. Once in 867 touches!!

Contrast that with his last 24 games as a Pro (again this is just regular season games) he has 674 touches, combined carries and catches.

And he has fumbled 7 times, with 3 of those being lost fumbles and 2 as I remember that went out of bounds before they could be recovered. Still, 7 times in 674 touches, which comes out to 1 fumble for every 96 touches.

Again, before the injuries, that more explosive Bell was daunting, he rarely fumbled, 1 fumble in 867 touches!!

But now that he has been slowed down due to those injuries, and defenses have had years of film study and preparation, now Bell's yards per carry, yards per catch are declining, the 20+ yard explosive plays are dying up, the 40+ yards plays are fewer still. And the one thing that is increasing is the fumbling, 7 fumbles in 674 touches, once every 96 touches.

That to me Still Lit is pretty compelling. Is that not indicative of defenses getting Bell's number, figuring out how to limit him, how to neutralize him?

What other reason could there be for Bell's declining play and fumbles? Are we to blame the offensive line? James Conner, yes, in a small sample size but still, James averaged 4.5 yard per carry to Bell's 4.0 last season. Is Nix a piss poor fullback? Why did we give him a lucrative extension and make him one of the highest paid fullbacks? Why did Nix make the Pro Bowl? When McDonald was on the field he was a very, very good blocker, even dominant at times. JuJu was exceptional in blocking. I am having a hard time figuring out why a RB like Bell this once-in-a-generation talent, can't average more than 4.0 yards per carry. Or fumble as much as he has of late.

Again, just my opinion but the talent around Bell is getting better and better and yet his play is not it is going in the other direction, I do think defenses have figured out how to play his patient game. To me the declining yards per catch and carry and the increased fumbles prove it.

It is compelling. I was responding narrowly to the fumbling in particular.

Other reasons could be defenses are more actively trying to strip him as opposed merely to tackling him.
Or he could have simply gotten too complacent about ball control.

My other question would be whether his recent fumbling numbers are higher than the average. Perhaps he was exceptionally good and has reverted to a more realistic mean.

I, like you, am of the opinion that if Bell cashes in, he needs to send Munchak royalty checks.

[Scunge]

I like you thought that maybe defenses were selling out in trying to strip the ball from him but then I thought wouldn't that mean his yards per carry and yards per catch would be healthier?

If teams aren't trying to form tackle, wrap him up, and merely going for the ball wouldn't he be able to have more explosive plays?

It just doesn't add up.

Again just my thoughts here but the past two seasons it just seems like this patient style is becoming more of a hinderance to him. I at times see him with the ball in his hands and he comes to a complete stop and more and more seems unaware of a defender behind him or to the right or left of him. Hard to defend yourself or have great ball security when you do that too much throughout the game.

One thing is for sure, yes, all RBs fumble and James Conner is sure to fumble too at some point, but what made Bell special, before the injuries and suspensions and bullshit/circus, was that he was like Marshall Faulk and he rarely fumbled, once in 867 touches?? That is unheard of and yes, if he were still that player he would be worth that huge contract.

But that Bell is gone, what we have is a shadow of that player, yeah, still good enough to get 1,000 yards and catch 80 passes if you feed him enough but where are the touchdowns? The explosive plays?

If you give Jame Conner 300 carries and throw 100 targets in his direction he will probably catch 75 of them, what Bell does now is not special, any decent back with some talent can do it behind this offensive line and with this offense and supporting cast. That is the issue and what the Steelers have in the back of their minds.

[Stosh-67]

Glad to see Tomlin has control of the locker room again this year. Players speaking out like this against each other happens all of the time in New England .

Tomlin must love the drama or simply can’t control it. Either way, it’s not a great look for the team.

Yup.
Same way he let the situation with Martavis fester........
as Ben and MB went back and forth.
MB and Coates went back and forth after they drafted JuJu.

Back and forth bantering between teammates.
The dopey Mike Mitchell taunting the Jags.
Thought Vince Williams was taunting some opponent last year.

Just creates distractions.

1. Bell is a ding bat and has used the media to try and drum up support / leverage over the years.
2. Tomlin should not be making comments about player contracts and how the PS should just give him an unsigned check. Nice help trying to sign Lev Bell to a good deal for both when his head coach is one of his biggest cheerleaders.
3. The PS players should have been given an order similar to what the Pats players may have been given on another players contract situation........ "I have no comment on a player that is not a PS" Next question.

On that note, the word war between teammates does nothing but negative for the PS come kickoff.
Takes focus away from game at hand.
Takes focus off opponent.
Got to believe, if the players are complaining to the media........that on the practice field, in the locker room in their off time.................they are most likely also bitching, complaining pre-occupied with this situation.
Far too long this team has had too much to say and has been far too distracted with things other than what happens between the lines.
Starts at the top.
Things will not change.
We do not learn from mistakes and distractions of previous years.

[Stosh-67]

What happens if he shows up in week 9, signs the tag, and they implement the two week deferral? He would not start playing until week 11? What does that do to his status and the team's financial obligations?

I’ve been asking the same thing. Getting different responses. Some say he can sit the entire year and still be a FA at the end of the season. Others say he has to be here by week 10. I’m wondering how the 2 week roster exemption plays in.

Also, wonder if playoff games count towards the minimum number of games required to become a FA.

He shows after 10 games. 6 games to play.
Steelers playing well, record is good, use the 2 week deferral to get him up to speed.
He is down to 4 games. Does his plan back fire and he is in the same boat next year.

How bout he shows up after 10 games.
6 weeks to play.
Steelers sit him just one week.
Steelers have nothing to play for in week 17 and like usual, sit the starters ( Ben, AB, Bell, JuJu )..........

Screwed again?

[Stosh-67]

One last thing on this Bell matter.

The OL and this team sounds like they are so pissed at Bell,
that they want Connor to do so well,
that they would really love to run the ball like men possesed.........
that they are pre-ocupied with running the ball well, running connor, proving they do not need Bell..........that they lose focus on creating success for a well balanced game plan and offense.

That they are trying to shape the game plan, chew on coaches ears, campaign for the running game to be a huge part of the game plan on Sunday......
That the PS go back into the tunnel vision offensive game plan.
Pound the shit out of the Browns on the ground in the first half.
Ben only throws 7-9 times in first half. Ben and the passing game never gets in rhythm
Steelers dominate the first half.
And only lead 13-6.
We have seen this before.

Browns start stacking the box. Passing game looks like they just opened the box and started reading directions.
Game is a nail bitter. Someone needs to win by a FG in the end on a sloppy wet field.

[Legacy User]

One last thing on this Bell matter.

The OL and this team sounds like they are so pissed at Bell,
that they want Connor to do so well,
that they would really love to run the ball like men possesed.........
that they are pre-ocupied with running the ball well, running connor, proving they do not need Bell..........that they lose focus on creating success for a well balanced game plan and offense.

That they are trying to shape the game plan, chew on coaches ears, campaign for the running game to be a huge part of the game plan on Sunday......
That the PS go back into the tunnel vision offensive game plan.
Pound the shit out of the Browns on the ground in the first half.
Ben only throws 7-9 times in first half. Ben and the passing game never gets in rhythm
Steelers dominate the first half.
And only lead 13-6.
We have seen this before.

Browns start stacking the box. Passing game looks like they just opened the box and started reading directions.
Game is a nail bitter. Someone needs to win by a FG in the end on a sloppy wet field.

I don't see this happening. The linemen aren't gameplanning. They can petition all they want, but nothing will change. There is 0 chance of this team using the Browns as a statement game about Bell, other than the OL opening holes you could drive a bus through for Conner.

[Legacy User]

What happens if he shows up in week 9, signs the tag, and they implement the two week deferral? He would not start playing until week 11? What does that do to his status and the team's financial obligations?

I’ve been asking the same thing. Getting different responses. Some say he can sit the entire year and still be a FA at the end of the season. Others say he has to be here by week 10. I’m wondering how the 2 week roster exemption plays in.

Week 10 is the deadline for him to sign and play this season. If he misses the deadline or plays doesn't change his status for next season.

[Legacy User]

One last thing on this Bell matter.

The OL and this team sounds like they are so pissed at Bell,
that they want Connor to do so well,
that they would really love to run the ball like men possesed.........
that they are pre-ocupied with running the ball well, running connor, proving they do not need Bell..........that they lose focus on creating success for a well balanced game plan and offense.

That they are trying to shape the game plan, chew on coaches ears, campaign for the running game to be a huge part of the game plan on Sunday......
That the PS go back into the tunnel vision offensive game plan.
Pound the shit out of the Browns on the ground in the first half.
Ben only throws 7-9 times in first half. Ben and the passing game never gets in rhythm
Steelers dominate the first half.
And only lead 13-6.
We have seen this before.

Browns start stacking the box. Passing game looks like they just opened the box and started reading directions.
Game is a nail bitter. Someone needs to win by a FG in the end on a sloppy wet field.

You're playing a completely reset Brown's team. Score early and often. Pound the ball when you have the lead to chew clock.

[jebrick]

Week 10 is the deadline for him to sign and play this season. If he misses the deadline or plays doesn't change his status for next season.

If he does not sign by week 10 he does not get an accrued season which would mean nothing for him in the FA area.

[Havoc]

Leveon Bell turned his back on Steelers Nation. He turned his back on his teammates, his coaches, the FO, the fans.

Bell wanted the football in his hands as much as possible to inflate his stats making it appear to the non discerning that he is better than he really is sans his 2014 season.

And now he and/or his agent are whining about too many touches.

Unbelievable.

Jackasses. Both of them.

Bell is free to make these choices but the consequences come with it. He has turned himself into a Steelers Nation pariah.

[stillthere]

What happens if he shows up in week 9, signs the tag, and they implement the two week deferral? He would not start playing until week 11? What does that do to his status and the team's financial obligations?

I’ve been asking the same thing. Getting different responses. Some say he can sit the entire year and still be a FA at the end of the season. Others say he has to be here by week 10. I’m wondering how the 2 week roster exemption plays in.

Also, wonder if playoff games count towards the minimum number of games required to become a FA.

He shows after 10 games. 6 games to play.
Steelers playing well, record is good, use the 2 week deferral to get him up to speed.
He is down to 4 games. Does his plan back fire and he is in the same boat next year.

How bout he shows up after 10 games.
6 weeks to play.
Steelers sit him just one week.
Steelers have nothing to play for in week 17 and like usual, sit the starters ( Ben, AB, Bell, JuJu )..........

Screwed again?

Not playing as a coaches decision does not affect the total # of games accrued for the season. being suspended for a game would count against him though. Just because you don't play or dress vs team X in week 17 has no bearing.

[Jobu]

What happens if he shows up in week 9, signs the tag, and they implement the two week deferral? He would not start playing until week 11? What does that do to his status and the team's financial obligations?

I’ve been asking the same thing. Getting different responses. Some say he can sit the entire year and still be a FA at the end of the season. Others say he has to be here by week 10. I’m wondering how the 2 week roster exemption plays in.

Also, wonder if playoff games count towards the minimum number of games required to become a FA.

He shows after 10 games. 6 games to play.
Steelers playing well, record is good, use the 2 week deferral to get him up to speed.
He is down to 4 games. Does his plan back fire and he is in the same boat next year.

How bout he shows up after 10 games.
6 weeks to play.
Steelers sit him just one week.
Steelers have nothing to play for in week 17 and like usual, sit the starters ( Ben, AB, Bell, JuJu )..........

Screwed again?

I’m pretty sure that as long as he’s on the 53, that counts. He doesn’t have to actually get on the field. Now as far as the two week thing...I’m not sure how that works. But my guess is that as long as he shows up by week 10 and signs, then his season counts.

[Scunge]

Week 10 is the deadline for him to sign and play this season. If he misses the deadline or plays doesn't change his status for next season.

If he does not sign by week 10 he does not get an accrued season which would mean nothing for him in the FA area.

Seems to be a lot of confusion on this matter, I don't see how the accrued season means anything. Bell has already met the criteria for free agency, has already put in the time, that is why the Steelers have put the franchise tag on him two straight years. If they hadn't he would have been able to sign with any team last season or this season, the franchise tag prevents that obviously.

I just see this erroneously reported on NFL.coma (purposely left in that misspelling, it fits) and other media outlets, accrued season, etc, means nothing. Say Bell was still on a rookie contract and he was in the 4th and final year of that contract, yeah, if he held out for 10 games and played the last 6 games, that would count as an accrued season, his contract would be up and he would qualify for free agency.

But that ship has long since sailed! Bell was drafted in 2013 he played out his rookie contract, was a UFA and then had the franchise tag placed on him for 2017 and then again for 2018. Accrued seasons means nothing anymore.

[K_C_]

NFL Network on Sirius just said the Steelers expect Bell in Saturday, but that he obviously won't play in the Browns game and he'll miss a paycheck.

Might be horseshit, but that's what they just said.