Le'Veon Bell

[Yo Tee]

So if the Steelers lose Bell, they wouldn't be capable of drafting a replacement? And don't go telling me what some scouts tell you about the 2018 draft class because we all know scouts aren't fullproof.

Like I said before, the 2018 draft class isn't RB friendly like this year's was.

 

[Yo Tee]

The Steelers have almost $50 mil in cap space invested on the OL...Terry seemingly doesn't think that matters much in Bell's production...also the fact on this team with AB, Bryant, Juju, etc...teams have to defend him in coverage with a LB or S.

Connor obviously is a different type runner...I would want another RB to share the load with, but I have no problem going into 2018 with Connor and ________ as a RB1/2 duo with maybe a 65/35 workload split.

That 2nd RB. We sign him, draft him or is he currently on the roster now? And who is the best option as our RB2?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Don't see how you can say he's effective after 32 touches.

Averaged 4.5 ypc, and never fumbled the ball once. Seems effective to me.

 

[Psych-Ward]

Once again, the game of football has changed. Especially for the RB position.

Yes it has, but in Pittsburgh they still are not the team you demand or bully your wants......

Never has and never will work out well.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Like I said before, the 2018 draft class isn't RB friendly like this year's was.

They say the same thing every year for different positions and somehow elite level talent is still produced.

 

[Yo Tee]

They say the same thing every year for different positions and somehow elite level talent is still produced.

Okay so who is the 2nd RB option with Conner? Do we draft him, sign him or is he on the roster already?

 

[Psych-Ward]

In a perfect world we keep Bell, AB, Ben, the o-line.......

But not in the world of over inflated salary and the salary cap.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Okay so who is the 2nd RB option with Conner? Do we draft him, sign him or is he on the roster already?

If Bell is out of the equation then...

1) I'd shop Bryant as soon as the 2017 season ends. I wouldn't discriminate by age either. Whether that means simply "bridging the gap" or gambling on a younger prospect. Hell if they have enough faith in the draft they could even get a draft pick for him. But even if a Bryant trade doesn't happen I still think they bring in a FA or 2.
2) Since Conner is the only RB under contract next year, I'd say a draftee is almost a 100% guarantee regardless. To a coach or GM its always a numbers game. The more talent provided, the better chance of success.

It's a gamble no matter how you dice it, but there's always options.

 

[RobBase]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Steelers are expected to assign the franchise tag to Le'Veon Bell this offseason.

This comes days after Bell threatened to retire if franchise-tagged for the second straight year. "I know what I do and what I bring to the table," said Bell, who waited until September 4 to sign his $12.1 million franchise tender this past season. "I'm not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I'm not getting what I feel I'm valued at." The 25-year-old previously turned down a two-year deal worth $30 million. Despite his resistance, Rapoport notes the Steelers rarely budge on contract demands, making it unlikely Bell would win a stare-down with Pittsburgh's front office. The franchise tag for running backs in 2018 carries a $14.5 million salary.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

In a perfect world we keep Bell, AB, Ben, the o-line.......

But not in the world of over inflated salary and the salary cap.

Omar Kahn would have his work cut out for him this offseason in that perfect world. But it is achievable!

 

[Yo Tee]

If Bell is out of the equation then...

1) I'd shop Bryant as soon as the 2017 season ends. I wouldn't discriminate by age either. Whether that means simply "bridging the gap" or gambling on a younger prospect. Hell if they have enough faith in the draft they could even get a draft pick for him. But even if a Bryant trade doesn't happen I still think they bring in a FA or 2.
2) Since Conner is the only RB under contract next year, I'd say a draftee is almost a 100% guarantee regardless. To a coach or GM its always a numbers game. The more talent provided, the better chance of success.

It's a gamble no matter how you dice it, but there's always options.

Give me a name.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Steelers are expected to assign the franchise tag to Le'Veon Bell this offseason.

This comes days after Bell threatened to retire if franchise-tagged for the second straight year. "I know what I do and what I bring to the table," said Bell, who waited until September 4 to sign his $12.1 million franchise tender this past season. "I'm not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I'm not getting what I feel I'm valued at." The 25-year-old previously turned down a two-year deal worth $30 million. Despite his resistance, Rapoport notes the Steelers rarely budge on contract demands, making it unlikely Bell would win a stare-down with Pittsburgh's front office. The franchise tag for running backs in 2018 carries a $14.5 million salary.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Christ, Rapaport loves making himself look like an ass. He's has it out for the Steelers, always has. Releases a report that Haley won't be the OC next year because of turmoil between him & Ben, and now this?

Loved when he said AB was holding out a year or 2 ago because he missed 1-2 VOLUNTARY practices, only to find out he was at the hospital during the birth of his child. Rapaport is a schmuck.

 

[Psych-Ward]

Omar Kahn would have his work cut out for him this offseason in that perfect world. But it is achievable!

But somewhere we would lose someone....

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Give me a name.

Really? Are you so hell bent on proving me wrong that you cannot even admit that there's the slightest chance any of the options could produce what they need? You really aren't being productive to this discussion if that's the case. Why bother?

 

[Ojb81]

Okay so who is the 2nd RB option with Conner? Do we draft him, sign him or is he on the roster already?

absolutely we draft him. it sure as hell better not be fitzgerald toussaint or stevan ridley

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

But somewhere we would lose someone....

Yep. As I stated 5-6 pages ago I would primarily go after the DB group and save the team north of $13mil. Mike Mitchell, JJ Wilcox, Coty Sensabaugh, & William Gay are very replaceable.

Then there are vets that have talent in-waiting behind them... Foster, DHB, etc.

I dont think any of those names would be missed, and that would put them in the ballpark of Bell's contract demands.

 

[Yo Tee]

Really? Are you so hell bent on proving me wrong that you cannot even admit that there's the slightest chance any of the options could produce what they need? You really aren't being productive to this discussion if that's the case. Why bother?

I'm not trying to prove you wrong, relax. You're not the only person I've asked this of. I want to know who your solution is if Bell is not our RB. James Conner, who's had 2 knee surgeries on the same knee in the last 2 years, but he had 4.5 ypc this year before the injury so he's 1/2 of your solution. I am curious as to who you would want as the other half of the duo.

 

[Yo Tee]

absolutely we draft him. it sure as hell better not be fitzgerald toussaint or stevan ridley

Do you have a RB in mind or no?

 

[Ojb81]

Do you have a RB in mind or no?

no. did i have a running back in mind when the steelers took bell in 2013? no, not really. i don't actually work for the team, terry. i have faith in the front office to acquire talent, and then the coaching staff to develop that talent

 

[Yo Tee]

Yep. As I stated 5-6 pages ago I would primarily go after the DB group and save the team north of $13mil. Mike Mitchell, JJ Wilcox, Coty Sensabaugh, & William Gay are very replaceable.

Then there are vets that have talent in-waiting behind them... Foster, DHB, etc.

I dont think any of those names would be missed, and that would put them in the ballpark of Bell's contract demands.

Also Hubbard and Moats will be FAs next year so their contract won't his us anymore. Hunter is probably gone too. There's another mil.