Another week, another Bell no-show

That's a good way to destroy a franchise. Emotions and business decisions do not mix, period! The Steelers need to do the best thing for the team, both short term and long term. Sitting a guy making tens of millions just to screw with him would be one of the worst business decisions in NFL history

 

At this point, Bell has screwed himself. Leveon's antics have hurt his value. The fact that Conner came in and put up similar numbers has hurt his value. I doubt very highly the Steelers will offer Lev a contract anywhere near what they did this past offseason. Conner appears to be the future. Somebody is still going to pay Bell. But I doubt very highly he is going to get the numbers he was expecting to get a couple of months ago. At some point this saga needs to come to an end. I agree though. Once Bell reports, he should just remain inactive barring injury. I do not put it past him to fake injuries and short arm passes Mike Wallace style.

 

I would agree with this. But I have no faith in this coaching staff to effectively platoon Conner and Bell. Tomlin likes one lead back and the guy behind him dosent seem to play much. I can't see Bell quietly playing the backup role. It's not fair for Conner to do it either. The only way to avoid the distraction is to keep Bell inactive.

 

Sitting a guy, just to screw with him, even if it's justified is a bad business move. Other players will notice.
And will affect their trust of ownership. They'll also notice if the pain in the ass returned to work, that his playing time was commensurate with his skill and playing shape.

The Steelers generally have kept on good terms and dealt fairly with their players. Sure they negotiate hard, and have lines in the sand they don't cross, but they don't nickel-dime or play silly games withguys on the payroll.

Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn't, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to change the way I handled people just to be vindictive, no matter how much some of my customers might enjoy it.

 

I think a lot of it will come down to Bells attitude when and if he finally gets here. I know Tomlins tendencies in the past but feel this situation is different and with a new OC .We really don't know how it's gonna play out. I know Ben is ticked off and has been lobbying hard for Conner .I don't know how his relationship with Fichtner impacts the decision making. All I know is a committed Bell from this point on can be a game changer as far as this offense goes. Like I said his attitude towards the situation and his teammates and vice versa will probably dictate the results.....

 

who?

inb4glemm

 

F bELL. Rught where he eats I DON'T EVeR WANT TO SEE HIM IN BLAcK AND GOLD ever again.

 

The one thing I fear is they rotate the RBs so much that neither gets into a rhythm and the o-line is off by it too. Getting the offense comfortable with the rotation is not something you want to start trying late in the season. I would expect a week or two of sputtering.

 

I think I just found some practice footage to back up my claim...Bell, last in line, is clearly out of step...dude needs to get his mojo workin'

 

Fresh legs are good

 

I agree with this. But I cant think of a time where Tomlin was able to effectively platoon his backs. When we had Deangelo Williams, Lev still took nearly all the snaps. Tomlin even "ran the wheels off" of Willie Parker. Im not sure there is a way to do it without interrupting game flow. Im not sure there is a way to do it without Bell's ego becoming an issue.

 

Management is going to do what’s best for the team!We as fans can let our emotions get to us and say screw Bell but if he can add something to our offense and split time with Conner do it!By his thoughts this year I don’t know if he is willing to go all out when he comes back to the team.If his attitude is I don’t want to split time with Conner or be a backup as you stated than the answer is easy,he dosen’t play.The players and coaches will know if he’s going to go all out so it won’t be a problem if he sits because he’s not willing to go 100 percent.

 

Question: assuming bell comes back week 10? What are the options? Can they bench him , not play him?

Or is he coming back to play full time?

 

I make him return punts and kick offs, nothing more. If he complains or doesn’t try, I fine and suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team.

 

I think it’s a safe bet to say Bell is not playing full time after what Conner has accomplished this season so far.Doesn’t mean Bell can’t contribute but no way full time!!

 

I agree. He'd make an excellent punt returner.

 

Please Steelers cut a fair deal, and rid him of the organization. Hope he never wears a Steeler uniform again.

 

I hope the FO finds a way to sign and trade Bell.

• He isn't going to get the money he wants here.
• He's not going to be in game shape.
• He won't be happy being platooned.
• It's not fair to Conner who has put in the work.
• Who knows if he can pass the drug test.

 

I don't think Bells ego will be a problem in this instance. He doesn't want the wear and tear so I don't think he would complain about carries. His best bet is to be dynamic with the touches he does get so he can prove his value without getting beat up. I think his relationship with Conner helps and the way he plays is infectious even to Bell. If Bell is in shape I can see a pretty dynamic combo.

 

Another Bell thread. Looking at the stats they showed today we don't seem to miss him. He hurt himself and at this point is his own enemy.

 

I enjoy your optimism, and I wish I could share in it. But this is Leveon Bell we are talking about. Bell is a wild card. No one knows what he is going to do. He says one thing, and then he does another. He seems hell bent on sticking it to the Steelers. One thing I'm sure of is that LeVeon isn't going to do anything LeVeon dosent want to do.

Personally the way Conner is playing, I don't think Bell should touch the ball much. Just a quick change of pace here and there, and any time Conner needs a blow. Conner has earned his spot IMO. Conner is the future and Bell will be gone next season. The more Conner plays this year the better off he will be next year.