Quote:Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell wasn’t interested in finalizing a long-term deal based on the team’s artificial deadline for doing so. So the team wisely has abandoned, at least for now, the concept of setting artificial deadlines.

Steelers G.M. Kevin Colbert, speaking to reporters at the league meetings in Florida, made it clear that the Steelers have tabled contract talks with Bell, for now.

“Once you make the tag, you move onto other business that’s more pertinent at this point,” Colbert said, via Steve Wyche of NFL Media. “Then we’ll address it at the appropriate time.”

The most appropriate time continues to be the deadline created by the Collective Bargaining Agreement: July 16. Anything before that isn’t a real deadline, and Bell’s past refusal to get a deal done suggests he’s not interested in doing a deal based on anything but a real deadline.

The Steelers previously wanted to get something done before the two-week tag window opened. When that didn’t happen, the Steelers eventually tagged Bell for a second straight year, putting a one-year, $14.56 million offer on the table. Unless and until Bell accepts it, the Steelers can rescind it.

Last year, Bell accepted the franchise tender as late as possible, showing up on Labor Day and collecting his full $12.1 million salary. But he did so without participating in the offseason program, training camp, or the preseason, to the obvious chagrin of the team.

(03-25-2018, 04:44 PM)Go Cards Wrote: Think part of his contract states that Burfict has to be suspended when he is scheduled to play Bengals.

(03-25-2018, 03:59 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: The Steelers set an artificial deadline to get a contract done, but Le'Veon Bell just laughed at them and said "you're my bitches," and called their bluff because the entire organization has lost its sense of pride.

Bell is, once again, holding them by the balls:


I still wonder what this has to do for team morale and if they're ok with just being like "ok, we're here working our asses off, but Bell won't show up for 14 million dollars," especially when they know he'll likely be hurt as soon as he signs a long-term deal (if the Steelers ever fold and give him one).

Bell's a *****.

(03-25-2018, 04:44 PM)Go Cards Wrote: Think part of his contract states that Burfict has to be suspended when he is scheduled to play Bengals.

(03-26-2018, 12:29 AM)Tama Wrote: This is exactly the same crap you parroted last year. How'd that work out for ya? Let's see....he had the most carries, by far, of any back in the entire league...no injuries. Morale was so bad, they went 13-3 and were a few seconds away from playing in the AFC championship game. The whole "he's afraid of Burfict" thing is so overplayed and laughable that Bell doesn't even bother with him. It took a pimply-faced rookie...the youngest kid in the NFL...to take care of Burfict.

The Steelers won't cave. They'll pay him under the tag, just like last year, run his wheels off into the ground, just like last year, he'll be top 3 in carries and yardage, just like last year, he'll help them go far into the playoffs, just like last year, have at least 200 yds and a 4.0 avg in 2 games against the Bengals, just like last year. 

The only thing that will be different this year is that after this season, the Steelers will hold the door open for him and let him walk to some other team stupid enough to pay him what he wants....and not a single Steeler fan will be upset. Most wanted him gone this year to free up more money for the defense. The only thing in question, and still remains to be seen, is whether they let the door hit him in the ass as he leaves. 

(03-26-2018, 12:49 AM)Tama Wrote: Funny, that's what they're saying about Burfict. This time, he went the PED route to stay home. 

You have to give him credit though....he pioneered the concept of an NFL player being a work-from-home occupation. 
He watched more games last season from his livingroom than many Bengal fans.

(03-26-2018, 11:48 AM)michaelsean Wrote: I just don't understand Bell.  A ton of money for a perennial winner.

(03-26-2018, 11:48 AM)michaelsean Wrote: I just don't understand Bell.  A ton of money for a perennial winner.

(03-26-2018, 11:55 AM)BFritz21 Wrote: Ego and he knows that he's so injury-prone that he needs to get paid now.

(03-26-2018, 02:51 PM)JS-Steelerfan Wrote: Yes, this is an unprecedented situation that has never occurred with any other team than the Steelers

(03-26-2018, 02:51 PM)JS-Steelerfan Wrote: Yes, this is an unprecedented situation that has never occurred with any other team than the Steelers

(03-26-2018, 11:48 AM)michaelsean Wrote: I just don't understand Bell.  A ton of money for a perennial winner.

(03-25-2018, 04:44 PM)Go Cards Wrote: Think part of his contract states that Burfict has to be suspended when he is scheduled to play Bengals.

(03-25-2018, 03:59 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: The Steelers set an artificial deadline to get a contract done, but Le'Veon Bell just laughed at them and said "you're my bitches," and called their bluff because the entire organization has lost its sense of pride.

Bell is, once again, holding them by the balls:


I still wonder what this has to do for team morale and if they're ok with just being like "ok, we're here working our asses off, but Bell won't show up for 14 million dollars," especially when they know he'll likely be hurt as soon as he signs a long-term deal (if the Steelers ever fold and give him one).

Bell's a *****.

(03-26-2018, 04:42 PM)StrictlyBiz Wrote: They did the same thing last year at this time. It's standard operating procedure and only common sense. But following the Bengals you wouldn't know about common sense when it comes to personnel decisions. 

Personally, I'll be pissed off if this assbag is on their opening day roster.  

(03-26-2018, 12:29 AM)Tama Wrote: This is exactly the same crap you parroted last year. How'd that work out for ya? Let's see....he had the most carries, by far, of any back in the entire league...no injuries. Morale was so bad, they went 13-3 and were a few seconds away from playing in the AFC championship game. The whole "he's afraid of Burfict" thing is so overplayed and laughable that Bell doesn't even bother with him. It took a pimply-faced rookie...the youngest kid in the NFL...to take care of Burfict.

The Steelers won't cave. They'll pay him under the tag, just like last year, run his wheels off into the ground, just like last year, he'll be top 3 in carries and yardage, just like last year, he'll help them go far into the playoffs, just like last year, have at least 200 yds and a 4.0 avg in 2 games against the Bengals, just like last year. 

The only thing that will be different this year is that after this season, the Steelers will hold the door open for him and let him walk to some other team stupid enough to pay him what he wants....and not a single Steeler fan will be upset. Most wanted him gone this year to free up more money for the defense. The only thing in question, and still remains to be seen, is whether they let the door hit him in the ass as he leaves. 

(03-26-2018, 04:43 PM)michaelsean Wrote: But slightly relieved.  

(03-26-2018, 05:03 PM)StrictlyBiz Wrote: Not at all. I think they'll be okay without him. Obviously not as good, but still a damn good offense. He was offered a very generous deal last year (50% more money than the next highest paid RB) and turned it down. F-that. Negligently overpaying for a guy who's a shittalking, injury prone, one hit from a joint away from suspension, self centered, egotistical asshole, when you have glaring needs on defense (Shazier is DONE) is financial suicide. 

He's a great athlete and really fun to watch, but to pay him what he thinks he's worth is asinine. I say let him walk. Guaranteed whatever team will pay him what he wants wont have a HOF QB, a studly O line, and a top 3 WR to help him. He'll be the biggest focus on the offense he goes to and his numbers will plummet. He won't be able to dance around waiting for hole to open because a lesser O line WONT open a hole. His numbers will fall dramatically. He helps the Steelers offense for sure, but don't think that their offense doesn't benefit him almost as much.