@ghoolie said:

Yes, for everyone but the Browns.

Are there some free agent players still out there that you think the Browns should sign?  Or that should go play with anyone?

@mjp28 said:

 

 

Adam Schefter

 

@AdamSchefter

 

Yes, for everyone but the Browns.

@vagitron said:

Absolutely but I don't expect the fall off anytime soon, certainly not before his next contract expires. Bell is different. His running style is more age proof than most but he himself understands their shelf life is different which is why he's pushing for so much money. 

OH and don't talk to me about pms'ing. You probably have stock in midol.

Why would you care about his next contract?  Under his next contract he won't be playing for the Steelers. 

And, OK,   I won't talk to you about pmsing.  You should see your gyneocologist  about that.  

@the-gipper said:

Generally, statistically, it is true.  The Shelf life of RBs is short...and he will be entering his 6th year when traditionally backs do fall off.  Now, of course, many have not. And I would not think that he would fall off...yet.  But, after this year....and another one or two...highly possible.  Its just history.  Yes, I am generalizing so don't go all menstrual over what I have said as you have a tendency to do.

Absolutely but I don't expect the fall off anytime soon, certainly not before his next contract expires. Bell is different. His running style is more age proof than most but he himself understands their shelf life is different which is why he's pushing for so much money. 

OH and don't talk to me about pms'ing. You probably have stock in midol.

@vagitron said:

Not true but not running behind our line IF he does leave is going to make him realize he's had a pretty peachy situation. His running style while insanely patient and his short area quickness will be exposed if his line is bad. Dude is a monster but you don't risk the roster to pay him like he seems to want to be paid. The Steelers aren't sitting on 80m in room. Frankly the teams that will have a ton of room next offseason won't be in need of running backs either.

Generally, statistically, it is true.  The Shelf life of RBs is short...and he will be entering his 6th year when traditionally backs do fall off.  Now, of course, many have not. And I would not think that he would fall off...yet.  But, after this year....and another one or two...highly possible.  Its just history.  Yes, I am generalizing so don't go all menstrual over what I have said as you have a tendency to do.

@nickers said:

Bell's best years are more likely behind him...No ones gonna lose sleep...

Not true but not running behind our line IF he does leave is going to make him realize he's had a pretty peachy situation. His running style while insanely patient and his short area quickness will be exposed if his line is bad. Dude is a monster but you don't risk the roster to pay him like he seems to want to be paid. The Steelers aren't sitting on 80m in room. Frankly the teams that will have a ton of room next offseason won't be in need of running backs either.

@jrb12711 said:

I've gone on a belligerent rant about this before, but I totally agree. The simple truth is that the NFL and any other sports league is going to defend their star players. In the case of the NFL, it means Tom Brady is gonna get that close roughing call, Antonio Brown the close PI, etc. It comes with the territory.

However, you can't overlook the Steelers organization and what they do outside this type of thing. They notoriously don't budge on contracts, stick to their guns, and just make good draft decisions (Ben, Bell, Brown, etc were all Steeler draft picks). Just like the Patriots, you don't stay relevant in the NFL for over a decade without some top brass holding the puppet strings. 

Actually,  they have hit on a few brilliant draft selections....like the ones you mention.  But those few exceptions aside, I don't think their drafting has been anything but mediocre beyond that. 

But where they have excelled at as an organization is in the coaching that they have chosen.  And I don't really mean their HC.  Tomlin and Cowher were good solid HCs in this league,   but  finger LeBeau may go into the HOF as the best Coordinator on either side of the ball either.  (though since he is already in as a player, I don't know that he would be considered to be inducted as an asst. coach).  And now they have Mike Munchak another HOF player, who, as an offensive line coach, I consider to be almost on par with LeBeau. 

@bob806 said:

I think you may be correct. Imagine if Tomlin was a better coach what they could have accomplished. 

Part of the "exceptionally run organization" is getting players' suspensions reduced, replays overturned in their favor, and a lack of penalties called against them. They're one of the chosen franchises in today's NFL, and hopefully that's coming to an end.

I've gone on a belligerent rant about this before, but I totally agree. The simple truth is that the NFL and any other sports league is going to defend their star players. In the case of the NFL, it means Tom Brady is gonna get that close roughing call, Antonio Brown the close PI, etc. It comes with the territory.

However, you can't overlook the Steelers organization and what they do outside this type of thing. They notoriously don't budge on contracts, stick to their guns, and just make good draft decisions (Ben, Bell, Brown, etc were all Steeler draft picks). Just like the Patriots, you don't stay relevant in the NFL for over a decade without some top brass holding the puppet strings. 

@jrb12711 said:

Oh come on. Browns aside the AFC North has arguably been the best conference in football for the past decade. The Bengals and the Ravents have been to the playoffs 5 times since 2009 and the Ravens won the frikin Super Bowl in that time frame. In fact, the Ravens have only had one season below .500 in that time frame.

I don't like the Steelers as much as any Browns fan, but they have been an exceptionally run organization making great moves for years. It's the simple truth.

I think you may be correct. Imagine if Tomlin was a better coach what they could have accomplished. 

Part of the "exceptionally run organization" is getting players' suspensions reduced, replays overturned in their favor, and a lack of penalties called against them. They're one of the chosen franchises in today's NFL, and hopefully that's coming to an end.

The steelrz team building will be challenged in the next few years. 

@jrb12711 said:

Oh come on. Browns aside the AFC North has arguably been the best conference in football for the past decade.

That was then, this is now.  Now, other than the Steelers, the AFCN teams were average or worse.

The Bengals and the Ravents have been to the playoffs 5 times since 2009 and the Ravens won the frikin Super Bowl in that time frame. In fact, the Ravens have only had one season below .500 in that time frame.

In 2015 the Kansas City Royals won the Super Bowl.  Now they will lose over 100 games.  In 2015 the Broncos won the Super Bowl, last year they went 5-11.  Just because the Ravens won that title in 2012 does not mean they will be worth a shite in 2018

Data also clearly backs this up (from 2015, to be fair): https://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/08/nfl-most-wins-per-division-afc-north-nfc-east-best-divisions-in-football-most-playoff-appearances

Again...in NFL terms, 2 years ago is ancient history.   The Browns once appeared in 11 consecutive Championship games.  That history is no less relevent now than what the AFCN did in 2015.

I don't like the Steelers as much as any Browns fan, but they have been an exceptionally run organization making great moves for years. It's the simple truth.

They have been well run...not disputing that....but the difference between them and being mediocre is still those 3-4 players/coaches.

@the-gipper said:

They are only the best by default....because none of the other teams in this division have even been mediocre. So, the barely above average Steelers take the division crown.

Let me correct that:  Most of the Steeler team is barely above average, if that.  However, they have the exceptional talent at 4 spots:   QB/BR  RB/Bell WR/Brown, and OL coach/Munchak.     So, yes, I believe that parity is such in the NFL that superior talent in just a few places can make a difference.

I will even agree with you to a certain point...that Tomlin is not an exceptionally talented HC.  But he is a good solid HC that by no means should be terminated.  But...if the Steelers didn't have the 4 assets mentioned above...perhaps you would really see how good Tomlin would be as an HC if he did have this exceptional talent to work with. 

(that said, even with these exceptionally talented assets....other teams are better overall).

Oh come on. Browns aside the AFC North has arguably been the best conference in football for the past decade. The Bengals and the Ravents have been to the playoffs 5 times since 2009 and the Ravens won the frikin Super Bowl in that time frame. In fact, the Ravens have only had one season below .500 in that time frame.

Data also clearly backs this up (from 2015, to be fair): https://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/08/nfl-most-wins-per-division-afc-north-nfc-east-best-divisions-in-football-most-playoff-appearances

I don't like the Steelers as much as any Browns fan, but they have been an exceptionally run organization making great moves for years. It's the simple truth.

@boo-fagley said:

Bad karma.

The Steelers are the top dog to beat. To be the best you must beat the best.

They are only the best by default....because none of the other teams in this division have even been mediocre. So, the barely above average Steelers take the division crown.

Let me correct that:  Most of the Steeler team is barely above average, if that.  However, they have the exceptional talent at 4 spots:   QB/BR  RB/Bell WR/Brown, and OL coach/Munchak.     So, yes, I believe that parity is such in the NFL that superior talent in just a few places can make a difference.

I will even agree with you to a certain point...that Tomlin is not an exceptionally talented HC.  But he is a good solid HC that by no means should be terminated.  But...if the Steelers didn't have the 4 assets mentioned above...perhaps you would really see how good Tomlin would be as an HC if he did have this exceptional talent to work with. 

(that said, even with these exceptionally talented assets....other teams are better overall).

@the-gipper said:

Screw him then.  Sure, he has been a hell of a back.  But as far as I am concerned he can tear his achilles, or his MCL/ACL...ACLU/UCLA...all of the above.

Why is everybody talking so much on here about the Shittsburg Squealers?  

Bad karma.

The Steelers are the top dog to beat. To be the best you must beat the best.

@mld-woody said:

Look, I don't like the Steelers, and I hate MSU, but Bell is a hell of a back. The risk of injury he puts himself at with the workload at his position probably warrants a lot of compensation. Now is it what he wants, the market will decide.

And the sad part of it is that "bell cow" RB's really get screwed in this proposition. Basically any other position on the field a healthy 26-27 year old would be considered in their prime. However, RB's (fairly) don't get that benefit of the doubt, at all. 

With that being said, if there's even a whiff of truth he got that 5 year offer, he was a moron to turn it down.

@jcam222 said:

In all likelihood this is Bells last year as a Pittsburgh Steeler.  He is going to sit out the entire off-season and not report until game one. Would you trade Carlos Hyde and a third round pick  To the Steelers conditional on #BAL agreeing to a long-term contract with the Browns.

No way in hell, as others have said. He wants double what any other RB is making this year. He wants more than a bunch of QBs, and every top DE\pass rusher. I'll give you a different scenario. Think the Texans would trade Clowney or Watt to the Steelers (who both make far less) for Bell straight up? Heehee. 

@the-gipper said:

Screw him then.  Sure, he has been a hell of a back.  But as far as I am concerned he can tear his achilles, or his MCL/ACL...ACLU/UCLA...all of the above.

Why is everybody talking so much on here about the Shittsburg Squealers?  

Just fun to talk about a guy who has an extremely inflated value of what he thinks he's worth. The Steelers problems should make you very happy Gip. 

@canton-mike said:

Answer: No way in hell!! Keep the prima dona in Pissburgh & ruin THEIR salary cap.

Mike 

Yes, along with big ticket guys big ben and a. brown......many die hard steeler fans totally agree.

GO BROWNS! 

Why is everybody talking so much on here about the Shittsburg Squealers?  

Why risk injury and jeopardizing your shot at a big contract? Bell may not get the crazy money he wants, but the new contract signing bonus alone will be a nice chunk of change. I see him coasting at times saving himself for his new team.

@jcam222 said:

In all likelihood this is Bells last year as a Pittsburgh Steeler.  He is going to set out the entire off-season and not report until game one. Would you trade Carlos Hyde and a third round pick  To the Steelers conditional on #BAL agreeing to a long-term contract with the Browns.

Answer: No way in hell!! Keep the prima dona in Pissburgh & ruin THEIR salary cap.

Mike 

@the-gipper said:

At most I think he may have 1 or 2 more good years in him. 

This is from ESPN earlier in the year Gip- MHO Le'veon has an extremely inflated notion of his "value".   

Last July, Bell turned down a long-term contract that reports said was worth up to $30 million in the first two years because he felt the team didn't value his full skill set.

Asked what the Steelers should do this off season, Bell said simply: "Value me."

"Just get the numbers straight, exactly where we want them. I'm not going to settle for anything," Bell said. "I know what I do and what I bring to the table. I'm not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I'm not getting what I feel I'm valued at."

Looking at those Spotrac salaries, there's probably at least 10 guys making less than Bell I'd pick for my roster if given the chance. 

PS- maybe the Steelers should have signed him to that cap busting salary- a plus for the Browns when they get in cap hell.