Le’Veon Bell wow.

[arrwheader]

I just cut out the parts in the article about Bell.

Holy shit what a douchebag.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201801180124

Bell performed as well as expected in 2017 and made All-Pro again. But he also threatened to sit out the year if they put the franchise tag on him for the second time. That tag will be 20 percent higher than last year’s $12.12 million, so make it $14.57.

It’s probably an idle threat, but the Steelers have to be reaching a point where they ask, is he worth it? He turned down their offer last year of a contract that would have paid him more than $12 million on average per year and more than $30 million in the first two. The next highest-paid backs earn $8.5 million per year. His agent wanted to take it, Bell did not.

So what’s to make anyone think they can come to terms on a multiple-year deal this time? If they can’t, using that franchise tag would stress their salary cap because it all would count against it in 2018. Over The Cap pegs their cap room at $2.7 million, pending a rise in the cap, for their top 51 contracts (the only ones who count in the offseason). That does not include Bell.

If they do reach the breaking point, they could use that $14.57 million elsewhere — or not make moves to find the room — and draft another halfback in the first or second round. If Bell leaves as a free agent, the Steelers would receive a compensatory draft pick in 2019, perhaps in the third round.

It’s possible Le’Veon Bell will not play for the Steelers in 2018.

Nevertheless, there is another elephant in the room that Rooney, Tomlin and Colbert must address. Are the Steelers’ disciplined enough?

Tomlin never lost the locker room, he had it under control and his players respect him. However, there were many instances in which he could have taken better control, including the fiasco for the national anthem in Chicago.

As another example, Tomlin wants players and coaches to report to the locker room two hours before kickoff for games. That was continually ignored by both players and a coach or two.

Not only did Bell arrive much later than that for the playoff game against Jacksonville (as well as one coach), he missed practically the entire Saturday walk-through the day before, showing up about five minutes before practice ended.

Tomlin’s reaction to Mitchell supposedly yelling at the Jaguars outside their locker room before the playoff game?

“That’s part of what I was talking about in today’s climate,” he replied. “That’s really kind of irrelevant to me.”

[notorious]

His agent has to be frustrated.

[Chiefnj2]

Never a good sign when one side tries to negotiate the contract through the media.

[Sassy Squatch]

He can always fall back on his rapping career.

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

He can always fall back on his rapping career.

Aren't they all rappers now?

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Mark my words, the Steelers are melting down... slowly but surely

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Mark my words, the Steelers are melting down... slowly but surely

Ben should have retired.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Ben should have retired.

I think he's a big part of the problem in this case. Great player obviously and they can't win a title without him, but he just doesn't carry himself like a QB and franchise leader should. All of the blame that he throws around, never just takes responsibility or blows off questions... his injury sequences have always been overly dramatic as well.

That franchise is a soap opera and he's the lead man.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

I think he's a big part of the problem in this case. Great player obviously and they can't win a title without him, but he just doesn't carry himself like a QB and franchise leader should. All of the blame that he throws around, never just takes responsibility or blows off questions... his injury sequences have always been overly dramatic as well.

That franchise is a soap opera and he's the lead man.

Dude was a piece of shit during his early years in the NFL. For him to throw shade at any of his teammates would make him a hypocrite.

[Bwana]

He's starting to remind me of Leon from the old Bud Light commercials.

[OmahaChief]

Destined to be a Raider.

[DRM08]

Good RB’s are a dime a dozen and don’t cost $15-20m per year. Kareem Hunt proved it this year as a rookie who wasn’t drafted in the first round. Steelers are fools if they give in to Bell’s demands.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by Bwana

He's starting to remind me of Leon from the old Bud Light commercials.

Perfect comp

[A8bil]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yeah, he's the next Trent Richardson if the Steelers don't keep him and continue holding.

Not sure what that means....but if you're saying Bell sucks...can't agree. His running style is almost exactly like Frank Gore's. It relies on vision, balance, small creases, quick bursts. He absolutely needs the line to create those creases, but so does every back. His running style can keep him relevant for 5 more years, IMO.

[BWillie]

Huge locker room issues with Pittsburgh. That is why I didn't find it unexpected for them to lose to the Jags. They are better, but everyone on that team hates each other.

[arrwheader]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

I think he's a big part of the problem in this case. Great player obviously and they can't win a title without him, but he just doesn't carry himself like a QB and franchise leader should. All of the blame that he throws around, never just takes responsibility or blows off questions... his injury sequences have always been overly dramatic as well.

That franchise is a soap opera and he's the lead man.

Exactly what I was trying to say in an earlier post. Just doesn't seem like most of the star players have a great attitude. A bunch of individuals on that team. Either all of them have unmanageable personalities or Tomlin just sucks ass at keeping them in check.