Bell has “confidence” he will sign ...

Somewhat encouraging. And he didn’t say anything dumb which was also encouraging.

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers...as-confidence-he-will-sign-deal-with-steelers

I take it they are at least talking.

 

So there is a first time for everything, nice.

 

I'll believe it when I see it. I hope Washington turns out to be a good replacement for Bryant. The Steelers FO made me look stupid last year with JuJu... a pick that I didn't like at all. I was hoping they would get a RB in the second round, this year, and let Bell hit free agency.

 

Now there is a hanging curve ball.

 

I thought it was an awful pick at the time. JuJu turned out to be great as a rookie. I hope he continues with his level of play and doesn't fall off with a sophomore slump... or pull a Santonio and disappear for a few games at a time.

 

He seemed pretty positive. But, when you have 2 players in the Top 5 of the Top 100 NFL players. You can see why it's hard to afford everybody with cap space.

 

Biggest take away from this story is that he acknowledged that last year was a mistake and he wasn't ready and doesn't necessarily want a repeat. Very different from I'm working out I'll be ready.

 

At least he admits missing training camp was the cause he got off to a slow start, having said that, even if he doesnt get a new contract by the deadline, wouldnt it be in his best interest to sign his tag and show up for training camp ???

 

fixed it for you. lol

 

That is true. This is the best group of talent we have had that seemingly can't get the job done. Sadly, we just don't have a good enough defense. The 2005 and 2008 Super Bowl teams we had some great defensive players.

 

And an average offense. Maybe I'm old school... but defense, IMO, is key to winning Super Bowls. Even the mighty Patriots won most of their Super Bowls with good defensive play. Only recent teams I can think of who won Super Bowls with overwhelming offense was '99 Rams and '09 Saints. The rest of them had good to great D's.

 

yup. great defense, offense capitalizing on scoring when the defense gifts you the field, and coaching.

From 2012-13 was rebuilding, from 2014 now all I see are stat diva's, smoke and mirror defenses, and tail between the leg coaching in the playoffs lol.

you don't need the best defense to win, but you have to score sometimes when you need to, and get stops sometimes when you need to.

We had guys that did it. Hines, Bettis, heath, shazier, troy....

I may sound bitter but I am pretty excited to see what these guys have this year

 

Yep... Steelers are outstanding "on paper" and on Madden video games, thanks to Bell and AB. But when the rubber hits the road, the team folds like a cheap tent when it really matters. I don't expect 19-0... but I do expect the team to be prepared and make adjustments on both sides of the ball to exploit the weaknesses of the opposing team. I'm tired of watching the Steelers "do what they do."

 

"impose their will"

lol we should just make a thread on tomlin-isms

 

LOL... I guess if their "will" is to be humiliated by the Patriots every year and being owned by the Jaguars in their home stadium... they are doing a great job!

 

I have been reduced to a smiley for a response. Never thought I would see the day!

 

what do you guys think Bell is worth? being a small decline showing. I don't think he is worth 14.5. 11m seems better.

 

I was looking at current/past running backs that were/are considered great. Lot of them had up and down ypc numbers. So Bell seeing his ypc dip is a trend not an anamoly.

Only thing I worry is that defenses have learned to be patient with Bell now. Can he adjust? as a RB I would mix both straight in the hole running and patient. keep defenses guessing.

 

Honestly at this point since they aren't walking away and still trying to get a deal I'd give him the 14.5 and front load the contract so they can run him into the ground for two years and cut him for minimal cap penalty and be done with it.

 

" Every blade of grass " " we acknowledge that " " we embrace that " " hostile environment " blah blah blah...I talk like I'm smart, But I coach like I'm dumb as ****!

 

If no deal, sign the tender and get to camp.

 

Not to mention find a way to pay a legit franchise QB too. I know currently Ben's deal doesn't seem all that high but that's only because it is relatively old. They will have to find a way to pay him to in a year (he has 2 years left but they will have to re-do his deal in one year, as is the norm). So you have the leagues top RB and WR (both voted top 5 over all) and then have to pay your franchise QB. And if you're in hunt for a ring, you got to keep Ben until he can no longer play. Hey, there are worst problems to have.

 

Progress is progress; how much being irrelavent.


Glad to hear that, at the absolute least, both sides are communicating.

 

more money, more problems

14.5 million and join the team, I mean there are people starving in Africa

 

That's not happening; if he doesn't sign, he ain't showing.