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Le'V Smell says the report on him returning by Labor Day is false.

I'm in year 2 of being completely over his antics. The sooner he's out of town the better the team's focus and chemistry becomes.

Regardless of what fans think there has never been any hint that Bell is not liked or isnt a good teammate.
 
Where did you find this nugget of info? I did not see that in my reading.

If they pull the tag, Bell becomes a street FA and the Steelers receive zero compensation in a compensatory draft pick because they will have forfeited any effort to retain him. They will have behaved like a spiteful 5 year old and Bell would immediately get his payday rather than having to work for it this season. Pulling the tag would be Bell's dream scenario, aside from the Steelers giving him the 17mil per season long term deal or whatever it was he wanted. Instead, we exclusively get another year of his services. He is under no obligations to be there before the season opener and risks a career ending injury otherwise by showing up early. It's business, not spite, that's motivating him.
 
Regardless of what fans think there has never been any hint that Bell is not liked or isnt a good teammate.

Same way with Harrison until he was released. So basically as a fan we know zip how players actually feel about each other.
 
With Ben's career winding down and this could be the last chance with this squad to get the SB, the FO will ride Lev out for the year. He is their best chance and they know it.
 
Bell would be happy if the tag was pulled. As mentioned above we get nothing if it happens. Look at Josh Norman a few years ago. Granted it was earlier in the off-season but he got a 14M tag yanked and got cut a check for 15M immediately by Washington and had another 20M or so fully guaranteed.
 
If they pull the tag, Bell becomes a street FA and the Steelers receive zero compensation in a compensatory draft pick because they will have forfeited any effort to retain him. They will have behaved like a spiteful 5 year old and Bell would immediately get his payday rather than having to work for it this season. Pulling the tag would be Bell's dream scenario, aside from the Steelers giving him the 17mil per season long term deal or whatever it was he wanted. Instead, we exclusively get another year of his services. He is under no obligations to be there before the season opener and risks a career ending injury otherwise by showing up early. It's business, not spite, that's motivating him.

But the business makes no sense.

They couldn't come to a long term agreement in 2017 at a lesser price - now he's played like a workhorse for an extra year, and he expects a HIGHER payday than last year. Now unless he's that rare human being that sees absolutely no physical deterioration over time - diminishing returns are in play here.

Some team will pay him a ridiculous amount next year for his services - maybe it will work out for them, maybe it won't.
 
Running backs with heavy workload do not get better over time. I think the peak of his ability has been reached. Another year on those tires after this season and it's on the downturn.
 
I would not pull the tag, then you lose him for nothing. Personally though, I give Connor a legit shot at taking some major playing time from Bell this year. If a trade can't be done, play him out and get the 3rd rounder for letting him walk after the season.
 
If Bell is not here for game one, pull the tag and let I'm sit out the season, or trade him if possible.

Bell could be angling ( again ) for a long term deal worth more money than the Steelers offered, and making them sweat it out about when he will report.
 
Same way with Harrison until he was released. So basically as a fan we know zip how players actually feel about each other.

Numerous teamates have spoken out during these negotiations and during his weed issues about him being a good team player and team leader. Also that they know he wont mail it in like wallace did in his last year.



Though Roethlisberger and Co. want Conner to be more involved in the offense, it doesn’t mean the team isn’t eagerly awaiting Bell’s return.
With Bell in the lineup over his career, the Steelers are 44-22 including the playoffs. That alone has the Steelers ready to welcome Bell back with open arms.
“We don’t hold any grudges here,” Heyward said. “We are just trying to put together the best team and try to put ourselves in the best position. We understand that he can help this team out. ”
There has been a vocal minority that has suggested that Bell’s impending big payday during free agency will tempt him from potentially playing through a nagging injury or even welcome limited touches.
The Steelers, to a man, dismissed that as even a remote possibility.
“That would be a disservice to him,” Heyward said. “Le’Veon doesn’t think like that. I respect Le’Veon as a player and a friend. When he is on that field, he’s going to give you everything he’s got.”
“I just don’t think he would want to do that to us,” tackle Marcus Gilbert said. “His presence alone — he’s a great locker room guy. A great teammate. People can say whatever they want about him, but he’s a really good teammate and works his behind off. Whenever he decides to show up, he will show up, and we will be here ready waiting for him. We just want him back so we can get this show on the road.”

https://theathletic.com/492045/2018...-playing-time-even-after-leveon-bell-returns/
 
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If Bell is not here for game one, pull the tag and let I'm sit out the season, or trade him if possible.

Bell could be angling ( again ) for a long term deal worth more money than the Steelers offered, and making them sweat it out about when he will report.

[Facepalm] Coach, this whole site understands the rules of moving players, yet you fail to read or retain that info:

1) Steelers can't trade Bell if he doesn't sign his tag
2) if the Steelers pull the tag, Bell is not forced to sit out, he is a FA and can sign with anyone.
3) Steelers can not sign him to a long term contract this season. That opportunity expired in July.
 
If the injury factor is so huge ? Why doesn't he come in early and practice without pads ? He would be able to participate in meetings and walk throughs. That way he may be able to get up to speed in three games instead of four.
 
If the injury factor is so huge ? Why doesn't he come in early and practice without pads ? He would be able to participate in meetings and walk throughs. That way he may be able to get up to speed in three games instead of four.
If I was a fortune teller with gold loop earings, a glass ball and a bandana on my head, I'd predict Bell gets injured early in the season and is IR'd. All this negative karma and bad energy he's giving off is bound to bite him in the *** at some point.
 
Numerous teamates have spoken out during these negotiations and during his weed issues about him being a good team player and team leader. Also that they know he wont mail it in like wallace did in his last year.



Though Roethlisberger and Co. want Conner to be more involved in the offense, it doesn’t mean the team isn’t eagerly awaiting Bell’s return.
With Bell in the lineup over his career, the Steelers are 44-22 including the playoffs. That alone has the Steelers ready to welcome Bell back with open arms.
“We don’t hold any grudges here,” Heyward said. “We are just trying to put together the best team and try to put ourselves in the best position. We understand that he can help this team out. ”
There has been a vocal minority that has suggested that Bell’s impending big payday during free agency will tempt him from potentially playing through a nagging injury or even welcome limited touches.
The Steelers, to a man, dismissed that as even a remote possibility.
“That would be a disservice to him,” Heyward said. “Le’Veon doesn’t think like that. I respect Le’Veon as a player and a friend. When he is on that field, he’s going to give you everything he’s got.”
“I just don’t think he would want to do that to us,” tackle Marcus Gilbert said. “His presence alone — he’s a great locker room guy. A great teammate. People can say whatever they want about him, but he’s a really good teammate and works his behind off. Whenever he decides to show up, he will show up, and we will be here ready waiting for him. We just want him back so we can get this show on the road.”

https://theathletic.com/492045/2018...-playing-time-even-after-leveon-bell-returns/

And what exactly do you think they would say when a Mic is shoved in their face and asked about Bell? The truth? Lol

Maybe all of Bell's teammates love him and think he is the bestest teammate ever, but I am not going to read every article about Bell and believe everything that the players and coaches are quoted on. If I was 12 yo I might..
 
If I was a fortune teller with gold loop earings, a glass ball and a bandana on my head, I'd predict Bell gets injured early in the season and is IR'd. All this negative karma and bad energy he's giving off is bound to bite him in the *** at some point.



So what you're saying is.......... You need a bandana, I'll borrow yaz one...............


Salute the nation
 
If they pull the tag, Bell becomes a street FA and the Steelers receive zero compensation in a compensatory draft pick because they will have forfeited any effort to retain him. They will have behaved like a spiteful 5 year old and Bell would immediately get his payday rather than having to work for it this season. Pulling the tag would be Bell's dream scenario, aside from the Steelers giving him the 17mil per season long term deal or whatever it was he wanted. Instead, we exclusively get another year of his services. He is under no obligations to be there before the season opener and risks a career ending injury otherwise by showing up early. It's business, not spite, that's motivating him.

Assuming there is some injury before Game 1. if Bell signed the tag and got injured in practice, or whatever, we are screwed and have to pay him. Since he has not signed and gets injured (either working out or otherwise) such that he can't play, aren't the Steelers better off? They can then pull the tag, he gets no big payday and we are not stuck with $14m cap hit?
 
And what exactly do you think they would say when a Mic is shoved in their face and asked about Bell? The truth? Lol

Maybe all of Bell's teammates love him and think he is the bestest teammate ever, but I am not going to read every article about Bell and believe everything that the players and coaches are quoted on. If I was 12 yo I might..

Yeah they can just say No comment
 
Yeah, because THAT wouldn't be interpreted as negative at all............

Probably would. But if i didnt like someone im not going to lie about it
 
[Facepalm] Coach, this whole site understands the rules of moving players, yet you fail to read or retain that info:

1) Steelers can't trade Bell if he doesn't sign his tag
2) if the Steelers pull the tag, Bell is not forced to sit out, he is a FA and can sign with anyone.
3) Steelers can not sign him to a long term contract this season. That opportunity expired in July.

Just bumping and quoting this so that the next page doesn't go off on another contract tangent
 
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