Bell is at it again

[Crimson's Ghost]

I think the character "Pittsburgh guy" thing is a farce. James Harrison was employed here for many years, same with Ben Roethlisberger. It's about winning at the end of the day. The Steelers don't do anything different than any other team, there's not a higher standard here for personal conduct. It's been a myth that makes Steeler fans feel better.

If character really mattered, Martavis Bryant would have been dumped.  They held onto him and waited out a year suspension because he's really talented and can help them win. 

[footballguy99]

7 playoff teams had top 10 quarterbacks.  The Eagles would have been an 8th if Wentz stayed healthy.  Cam is cam and runs as well as throws, so he is just a top 20 guy.

Bortles was 11
Keenum was 12 and would have been top 10 had he started all year. 

If Jimmy G was the qb in San Fran all year long, they may have been a playoff team.  Mariota, Cam, and Tyrod Taylor are dual threat guys that use their legs for yards so they aren't top 10/12 qbs in yardage.  Cam has been to the Super Bowl.  Most dual threat guys in the NFL aren't taking you there though based on the history of the league.  QB and defense has been the name of the game for the dominant teams.

[footballguy99]

Martavis can take a hike too.  People loved Harrison because of his hard working weight room ethic persona and the idea that he went to a small school and made himself.  

[Crimson's Ghost]

I know why people loved Harrison, but in the process they forgot he beat his girlfriend. So again, character doesn't matter.

[12HankQB]

I know why people loved Harrison, but in the process they forgot he beat his girlfriend. So again, character doesn't matter.

Exactly! People love when you're just bad squat crazy on the field, but leave that anger on the field. Taking it home makes you just another jerk. Ray Lewis gets a lot of respect for how he played the game. He would've gotten a lot more had he not..ya know..murdered someone n'at

[abpk2903]

Why is it that athletes get so much criticism for wanting to get paid what they earn?  Lets say someone in your office place was the best at his/her job in the world and one of the few reasons that your managers and owners were making a lot money, but was being paid on a 3 month contract with no guarantee for work or pay beyond that.  Would you blame him/her for walking out or telling the boss that he may not return?  


Remember as much as money as you feel these athletes are making their window is very short.  Bell has had at least 2 major knee injuries and is amongst the league leaders in touches almost every year.  The best doctors in the world make a lot of money, the best attorneys in the world make a lot of money, the best accountants in the world make a lot of money, the best artists in the world make a lot of money, and so forth.  It is not unreasonable for the best football players in the world to expect to make a lot of money.  The only difference is their window to make money is  10-15% of the length of any other profession.
Using the media coverage of the postseason is just really good negotiations on Le'Veon's part.  If he makes this announcement mid season, there are 31 other teams with headlines and it just gets lost in the shuffle.  But now there are 4 games being discussed and this will be a headline and part of talk radio for the next few days.  Then to top it all off he gets to be on National TV next week (and hopefully the few weeks following) to showcase why he deserves to get paid.  This was very smart business.

[woninthetrenches]

Why is it that athletes get so much criticism for wanting to get paid what they earn?  Lets say someone in your office place was the best at his/her job in the world and one of the few reasons that your managers and owners were making a lot money, but was being paid on a 3 month contract with no guarantee for work or pay beyond that.  Would you blame him/her for walking out or telling the boss that he may not return?  


Remember as much as money as you feel these athletes are making their window is very short.  Bell has had at least 2 major knee injuries and is amongst the league leaders in touches almost every year.  The best doctors in the world make a lot of money, the best attorneys in the world make a lot of money, the best accountants in the world make a lot of money, the best artists in the world make a lot of money, and so forth.  It is not unreasonable for the best football players in the world to expect to make a lot of money.  The only difference is their window to make money is  10-15% of the length of any other profession.
Using the media coverage of the postseason is just really good negotiations on Le'Veon's part.  If he makes this announcement mid season, there are 31 other teams with headlines and it just gets lost in the shuffle.  But now there are 4 games being discussed and this will be a headline and part of talk radio for the next few days.  Then to top it all off he gets to be on National TV next week (and hopefully the few weeks following) to showcase why he deserves to get paid.  This was very smart business.

You make very valid points. That being said. Does this job have a salary cap where you can only have 53 employees under that cap? Bell should be paid, but at what price is he too expensive over return? If you pay him the 17 or 18 million he wants, what other players are being cut or choose to go elsewhere because 1 player, not the qb is taking up that cap space? For 16 million a year, the steelers could draft another running back, sign the current 2nd highest paid running back and still save money. This year you have 2 rookies whom have been as good if not better than Bell. If the steelers could trade Bell at the end of the season for the draft pick of Barkley I would be all for it, That's a saving of at least 10 million a year for 5 years. So in context of the salary cap system, is his production as a running back worth the price? At 14 to max 15 million I would say yes. If bell could make 25 million a year he would and I wouldn't blame him. On the other hand the Steelers would be making a big mistake if the did.

[konjo78]

Just saying Im not surprised there was talk of retirement of a star player for the steelers coming into the post season. Just figures itd be the 35 year old qb and not the 25 year old running back

[Manfred]

And now, #84 coming off his injury, has come down sick. Thats not good to start the playoffs, but they have enough firepower w/o him. I may actually watch this week.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Big distraction by Bell to grab that touchdown there.  

How many running backs can make that play?