Bell a no-show

[Havoc]

Of course they don't, but rarely, outside of sports (and maybe politics), do we criticize people who do make career decisions based on money.

Not really. All the success gurus that I know are all about making career choices based on doing something you are passionate about.

[Stallworth16]

Whatever Bell has been doing last couple years hasn’t been an effective strategy. Bell should have signed the Steelers best contract offer and not missed training camp. If he had been on board with the team he could be opening up more doors on the endorsement income, since money is his biggest priority. Also good offensive lines are not easy to find.

SP had it right about RBs falling off the cliff at 29-31 years old. Bell thinks he’s going to be good till he’s 34 maybe. Which does happen occasionally with low mileage guys like DeAngelo Williams. Bell is the highest mileage guy in the league probably.

[Kodiak]

Let's say someone offered Bell....

I don't understand your point. Bell is not a FA, and cannot be a FA unless PIT cuts him. If he signs the tag and gets traded, he STILL has to play the year under the tag. Bell's only chance at a long-term deal this year - barring being cut - ended on July 15th.

There is no scenario where PIT can give him more money this year.

[K_C_]

Gotta admit, I thought Bell would report today.

Very, very concerned with what we have behind him.

Far from sold on Conner.

Gotta roll with these fellas and hope for the best, I guess.

I still believe Bell's successor is not currently on our roster.

He'll be drafted this April.

[Legacy User]

Cards on the table

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/leve ... ight-miss/

[Steelknife]

Let's say someone offered Bell....

I don't understand your point. Bell is not a FA, and cannot be a FA unless PIT cuts him. If he signs the tag and gets traded, he STILL has to play the year under the tag. Bell's only chance at a long-term deal this year - barring being cut - ended on July 15th.

There is no scenario where PIT can give him more money this year.

No one said he's an FA, but he is justified in trying to reduce the risk to him in the year he's being forced to play in order to get the big pay day next year.

[Havoc]

Cards on the table

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/leve ... ight-miss/

Turns out, Bell doesn't want the Steelers to grind him into dust this season, which is something they were probably planning to do. Asked what their plan is, Adisa Bakari said he wouldn't "discuss our plan publicly" but asked Quinn what he would do if he was Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin.

Quinn answered that he would "use [Bell] as much as possible" which is exactly what everyone would say. Bell's on a one-year contract and the Steelers want to max out their usage of him before he bolts for free agency.

Bakari declined to comment on the specific of Quinn's response, but he did say you can "read between the lines" which is essentially him confirming that, yes, the Steelers wanting to run Bell 40 times a game is why they don't want him there to start the season. Bakari then quoted Mike Tomlin saying that Bell will "get there when he's there."

Bell's argument and his supporters is largely based on overuse... inflated numbers.

So now, Bell doesn't want inflated numbers. Funny. This guy is a jackass.

[Kodiak]

No one said he's an FA, but he is justified in trying to reduce the risk to him in the year he's being forced to play in order to get the big pay day next year.

Not really. He could take out an insurance policy for at least $10M (at a cost of maybe $500k). And then he's leaving up to $10M on the table if he holds out the whole time. But in the former case, that's $24.5M guaranteed, so I don't see what risk he's managing he's just being a petulant child.

This is not a rational or "business" move. It's pure sour grapes.

[Steelknife]

Bell doesn't want to blow out his ACL being forced to play on a lowball contract (relative to the market, thanks to Gurley) and jeopardize the big payday we all know he'd get on the open market this year. I don't get why that's escaping you.

Even in your proposal of an insurance policy giving him $24.5m guaranteed, that's still roughly half of what he'll get guaranteed on the open market.

[Legacy User]

Bell doesn't want to blow out his ACL being forced to play on a lowball contract (relative to the market, thanks to Gurley) and jeopardize the big payday we all know he'd get on the open market this year. I don't get why that's escaping you.

Even in your proposal of an insurance policy giving him $24.5m guaranteed, that's still roughly half of what he'll get guaranteed on the open market.

Right. Bells eye is on the largest guaranteed contract ever for a RB.

In the meantime he’s got an ocean front view in Miami.

Me, I’m looking at what tomlin and fitchner do now. No reason we shouldn’t be a top 5 O. We’ll see what fitchner is all about.

[K_C_]

So, against the Browns and Myles Garrett, whoever is best in pass pro should see the vast majority of the action.

This game likely just got a little bit closer.

[Donnie Brasco]

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing RB Trey Edmunds to their practice squad, according to a report from Josh Katzenstein of the The Times-Picayune.


Josh Katzenstein
✔
@jkatzenstein
Former Saints RB Trey Edmunds is signing with the Steelers practice squad, per source. He'll join his brother Terrell Edmunds in Pittsburgh.

12:25 PM - Sep 5, 2018
73
61 people are talking about this
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Edmunds is the brother of Steelers’ safety Terrell Edmunds and Buffalo Bills’ linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Trey is the eldest of the three.

Trey Edmunds carried the ball three times for four yards this preseason. He chipped in one tackle defensively.

Standing in at 6’0 225 pounds, size for a back the Steelers like, he impressed at his 2017 Pro Day workout, running a 4.48 and jumping 35 inches in the vertical. He signed with the Saints as a UDFA in 2017.

The Steelers will need to make a corresponding move in order to fit Edmunds onto their practice squad. It’s possible Jarvion Franklin, who had an unimpressive preseason, is let go. We’ll update this thread when that move is announced.

[AirRescueFF]

Not that I would like them to, but I think the PS can pay Bell any amount more than the tag requires for the year.

[Legacy User]

I completely get it, and it's completely justified if he feels he is being undervalued.

How is it justified? PIT can't give him one more dime. The only way he gets more money this year is if he's cut. This is nothing but a temper tantrum.

I just have a hard time seeing how he's being screwed with $14.5M guaranteed.

Your confusing justification with efficacy. His strategy is dumb as fuck. If he feels he is being undervalued, that feeling is the justification.

I too think he's being an idiot. The Steelers would have ended up giving him 30 mill large. No doubt.

[Louis Lipps Service]

I completely get it, and it's completely justified if he feels he is being undervalued.

How is it justified? PIT can't give him one more dime. The only way he gets more money this year is if he's cut. This is nothing but a temper tantrum.

I just have a hard time seeing how he's being screwed with $14.5M guaranteed.

Your confusing justification with efficacy. His strategy is dumb as fuck. If he feels he is being undervalued, that feeling is the justification.

I too think he's being an idiot. The Steelers would have ended up giving him 30 mill large. No doubt.

He, and everyone else, needs to stop comparing himself to Gurley. Gurley is 2.5 years younger, has almost 600 fewer touches, has never been suspended for weed, and isn't coming off a season where he was noticeably less effective than previous years.

[Havoc]

So, against the Browns and Myles Garrett, whoever is best in pass pro should see the vast majority of the action.

This game likely just got a little bit closer.

Agree on the bolded.

It might cause the OC/Tomlin to put more on Ben and the vertical passing game than we usually do with Bell on the field which could make for a larger gap in the score with a chance to bury them.

The RB is going to have to hold his own in pass pro though for that to happen. And the coaches are going to have to run a wide open offense from the start of the game instead of waiting (easing in) and getting forced into it.

We shall see.

[Legacy User]

He, and everyone else, needs to stop comparing himself to Gurley. Gurley is 2.5 years younger, has almost 600 fewer touches, has never been suspended for weed, and isn't coming off a season where he was noticeably less effective than previous years.

Fair enough. But everytime someone complains Lev is not Fast Willie Parker, I start laughing. Lev is slow, no doubt. But he has been a beastly motherfucker. Wish we could keep him. Really do.

One poster was even making fun of him for juking people.

Many say he's been figured out.

Maybe. Not convinced that's true.

Mike Munchak should get Lev Bell royalty checks, though.

[Legacy User]

Bell's agent is basically saying Bell is saving himself. I hate this tag thing.

He's certainly not showing up any time soon.

[Legacy User]

So, against the Browns and Myles Garrett, whoever is best in pass pro should see the vast majority of the action.

This game likely just got a little bit closer.

Let's see how happy we are the first time Conner gets Ben pancaked.

[Louis Lipps Service]

He, and everyone else, needs to stop comparing himself to Gurley. Gurley is 2.5 years younger, has almost 600 fewer touches, has never been suspended for weed, and isn't coming off a season where he was noticeably less effective than previous years.

Fair enough. But everytime someone complains Lev is not Fast Willie Parker, I start laughing. Lev is slow, no doubt. But he has been a beastly motherfucker. Wish we could keep him. Really do.

One poster was even making fun of him for juking people.

Many say he's been figured out.

Maybe. Not convinced that's true.

Mike Munchak should get Lev Bell royalty checks, though.

Oh, I agree. I don't think he suddenly became slow or non-athletic. I think if he actually got himself 100% committed to a season, we'd see him go back to the All-Pro level guy he was two years ago.

But when you're asking for insane amounts of money, all that matters is immediate history, and his isn't particularly favorable.

[LakecrestSteeler]

I keep hearing about these insurance companies that would pay out $10,000,000.00 for $500,000.00. How does this business model work? There is no way there is a business model for insurance that allows a claim against the policy based completely on the insuree making a decision.

Sarcastic font on:

“Hello Mr. Bell, this is Lloyd London calling. The terms are as follows. You give us $500k and we will pay you $10,000,000 if you decide that not showing up for work is in your best interest. Our actuaries ran the numbers and it looks like the odds of you not showing up and collecting your $10,000,000 are very slim. As a matter of fact we have 100 other candidates that will pay $500,000 policy premium and we see no reason why they would not want to work and collect $10,000,000 too.”

Sarcastic font off:

I know there are policies that protect against injury, but there is no way there is a policy that would guarantee Bell’s being made whole depending on his hold-out strategy.

[Legacy User]

So, against the Browns and Myles Garrett, whoever is best in pass pro should see the vast majority of the action.

This game likely just got a little bit closer.

Possibly. I expect to see more no huddle now. Faster pace, tire out their defense, get rid of the ball quicker etc.

[Louis Lipps Service]

I keep hearing about these insurance companies that would pay out $10,000,000.00 for $500,000.00. How does this business model work? There is no way there is a business model for insurance that allows a claim against the policy based completely on the insuree making a decision.

Sarcastic font on:

“Hello Mr. Bell, this is Lloyd London calling. The terms are as follows. You give us $500k and we will pay you $10,000,000 if you decide that not showing up for work is in your best interest. Our actuaries ran the numbers and it looks like the odds of you not showing up and collecting your $10,000,000 are very slim. As a matter of fact we have 100 other candidates that will pay $500,000 policy premium and we see no reason why they would not want to work and collect $10,000,000 too.”

Sarcastic font off:

I know there are policies that protect against injury, but there is no way there is a policy that would guarantee Bell’s being made whole depending on his hold-out strategy.

I think you're confused on how that insurance policy would be structured.

It wouldn't be taken out against against the prospect of him losing money while sitting out, it would be taken out against the prospect of him playing and potentially suffering a career-altering injury.

ie, he decided he's going to play, but to mitigate the risk, he takes out a high interest loan. Should he suffer a severe enough injury that could affect his long term earning potential, he could then file a claim and try and recoup the amount of money he'd potentially lose out on due to the injury.

With such a policy in place, he could theoretically play while also mitigating the risk of a major injury.

The debate a few pages back was about whether or not he could get a policy with a dollar amount high enough to make it worth it to Bell.

[Pabst]

Even in your proposal of an insurance policy giving him $24.5m guaranteed, that's still roughly half of what he'll get guaranteed on the open market.

Maybe....but that's a gamble he's taking.

What I haven't seen brought up in this thread are the other free agent RBs next year: David Johnson, Jay Ajayi, and Latavius Murray are all UFAs. Alex Collins and Peyton Barber will be given starting opportunities this year, and they will be RFAs after the season. Plus, there is a bonafide blue chip RB that will be coming out in 2019.

There's a deep market in 2019 (at least as of right now).

[Steelknife]

Even in your proposal of an insurance policy giving him $24.5m guaranteed, that's still roughly half of what he'll get guaranteed on the open market.

Maybe....but that's a gamble he's taking.

What I haven't seen brought up in this thread are the other free agent RBs next year: David Johnson, Jay Ajayi, and Latavius Murray are all UFAs. Alex Collins and Peyton Barber will be given starting opportunities this year, and they will be RFAs after the season. Plus, there is a bonafide blue chip RB that will be coming out in 2019.

There's a deep market in 2019 (at least as of right now).

Fair enough. I can understand disagreeing with his calculations more than I can disagreeing with his decision.

[Kodiak]

With such a policy in place, he could theoretically play while also mitigating the risk of a major injury.

The debate a few pages back was about whether or not he could get a policy with a dollar amount high enough to make it worth it to Bell.

And every week he sits out only adds to it. If he sits out 6 weeks, it's not $24.5M it's north of $30M. If he sits the whole 11 weeks, you're over $35M.

It's not rational or defensible. Bell may believe otherwise, but he's being an idiot. Not to mention, career ending injuries are very, very rare. If he blows out a knee then HE has an injury history issue, but in most cases even blowing out a knee doesn't significantly affect a player's value.

[Ice]

Jerome Bettis 29
Steven Jackson 29
Edgerrin James 29
Chris Johnson 28
Marshall Faulk 28
Ladanian Tomlinson 29
Maurice Jones Drew 26
Ray Rice 25
Adrian Peterson 30

Something else lost in this is that, unlike the rest of the folks on this list, Bell also has a year long substance abuse ban hanging over his head.

[K_C_]

Gonna be weird.

If we go out and play well offensively, people won’t give a shit when or if Bell reports.

If we look like shit and even worse, lose because the offense struggles.....oh fuck, then folks are going to want to kill Bell.

[955876]

Bell's agent is basically saying Bell is saving himself. I hate this tag thing.

He's certainly not showing up any time soon.

If that is the case, how hard can we really expect him to play once here?

Too bad he wasn’t traded too...

[Ice]

I'd rather "this tag thing" than overpaying for an aging, declining player.