Can I be honest?

The ONLY reason I'll be rooting for Bell's success is because it contributes to overall team success. But honestly I think I'm going to have a difficult time rooting for the guy this season. I'm fed up with his "it's all about me" attitude and the fact that he thumbed his nose at what appears to be a most generous contract offer by the Steelers and one in which his agent apparently agreed to in principle. His idiotic rap crap and his insistence on negotiating through his stupid lyrics is getting under my skin as well. If I had my druthers, I'd like to see Conner step up and have a banner rookie season and show Bell that he's not as crucial as he thinks he is. I know that's probably unrealistic and the fact is that we're a better team with a healthy Bell running the ball, but I've gotten to the point that I really dislike the guy. I know contract disputes are not uncommon, but I don't remember a player as self-centered and narcissistic as this guy. In my mind he's not a Steeler, he's a greedy free agent who happens to be wearing the black and gold for the next two years until he gets his mega payday from a team who will overpay for the pot smoking, test skipping, oft injured (at least come playoff time) running back!

 

it goes with the times jack.

 

I know, mac, and Mikey Wallace was sort of that way too. So the Steelers went with AB and thank goodness they did! I'm really rooting for Conner's success. He has Steeler written all over him.

 

It does and it doesn't.

In 1977 Lambert held out, and Blount sued Noll for 5m and demanded a trade (while still under contract). Both are fairly solid "steelers" types, I'd say. Not sure how Lamberts demands (think it was 200k) matched the market at that point mind.

At the same time, Bell isn't presenting a sympathetic position on social media (compare to Revis on Hard Knocks a few years back), and that social media aspect never does well for making players more likeable...

 

The "I" in team is very prevalent in today's athlete, and that goes for most sports imo. Social media is definitely a big player in that. I'm sure it would have been prevalent with players in the past like Michael Irving, Deion, T.O., etc if those platforms existed back then.

That's why I've always rooted for players like Mark Bruener (who seemed to ALWAYS try to help the RB up after a tackle), Miller, etc. They exhibited class. A lot of current players like that today, they just aren't hyped by the media or themselves. Bell's antics don't bother me, but I can understand how it may rub others the wrong way.

 

Lambert and Blount had both contributed to two Super Bowls by that time. Bell has been suspended twice for violating the league's substance abuse policy and has been injured and out at the most critical times of the past few seasons...but he still wants his 15 mil or 17 mil or whatever the crap it's up to in his latest rap. At this point, he's in the same category as Wallace, a category with the heading of "I, Me, My before TEAM". I don't wish for the guy to be injured, but I hope Tomlin runs ALL of the flipping tread off of his tires the next two years so he has nothing left when he goes out there to get paid!

 

Another question I have is how long will it be before he starts complaining that Tomlin and Haley are running him too much? He held out all of camp to preserve himself so it's not an unreasonable question I don't think.

 

I dunno. Thoughts on Bell's antics aside, so far he's not shown any past record of speaking out against his coaches. His main comments around the contract have basically been him messing around on twitter.

That could all change, of course...

 

I read an article where he said he didn't want the coaches to hold him back any. If I can find the link I will post it.

 

I wouldn't call him a rapper for sure. He has the skill set to help this team to a 7th Lombardi. Personally I believe they will not franchise him next season. With the signing of Tuitt, Shazier up for a contract as well as Boswell their is only so much to go around. And the sure fact that he doesn't want to be in Black & Gold, he wants to be wherever the Green is. And wanting some 17 mill per and i'm sure would holdout beyond what he did this season it's time to move forward. I will enjoy his efforts this season, he is electric. But the antics as Jack mentioned and what he is asking for, declining a contract already I feel he will be defiant to the point of hurting the team next season. Conner as well as some over the top running backs coming out of college I feel we will be alright.

GO Steelers...

 

I have no issue with Bell's actions. I get it. The only option the players have is to not play and make noise. The union screwed the players. If he didn't want to remain a steeler he would not have been as vocal as he was. He would have demanded a trade. We can all argue about what we think he's worth financially but it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what Bell and the FO think he's worth. So Bell has earned the right to demand more if he wants to. Yea it sucks for the steelers but IMO the FO should have taken care of this a year or two ago. IMO they have mismanaged Bell and Timmons and we will have lost them both because of it.

There's no doubt Bell wants to be a steeler. For what ever reason he's taking this stance. IMO he's making a big financial mistake but my opinion doesn't matter. A RB''s career is short. He needs to make it when he can. He might be correct. Maybe a team with deep pockets writes him a check much more than anyone of us thought. I could see the Bengals, Redskins, Bears, Lions, and Cowboys breaking the bank to sign Bell. If he has a huge year this year, I have no doubt he will sniff $17mill per.

 

The Cowboys have Zeke Elliott, they have no need for Bell. The Bengals drafted Joe Mixon, and have Hill and Bernard on their roster. I don't see Bell getting 17 million from any team, but another team may pay him more than the Steelers like the Browns or 49ers.

 

If he helps us get to the Superbowl this year and win it, we have the best chance to repeat pay him!!!

 

I never liked Bradshaw but still rooted for him. As long as their in black and gold they are Steelers and I will root for them but it stops when the uniform comes off that's for damn sure.

 

Well said, Jack.

 

Crowell had 33 yards Rushing
Bell had 32

Maybe the Browns don't need him

 

What he raps next will be key...

 

Well, social media works both ways and the Bell contract situation is a prime example. He is using the platform to list his demands, and we use it to point out that, although talented, he's an immature punk. I'LL root for him while he's a Steeler, but I'LL never own his jersey, same way I felt about Mendenhall and Wallace.

I don't think he gives a damn whose jersey he wears, either, as long as it's jammed with cash. Great OP, btw.

 

Yeah we had the same thing with AB. "Oh no! Me first! Diva! Wahhhh" And now crickets.

I know a lot of you on here are Pitt Panthers fans... do you say the same about Aaron Donald? He was going to hold out into the season until his coaches begged him and finally got him to sign the tender and play. Is he a selfish, me first type of player who you can no longer root for? Doubt it. As a fan base we rooted for (and still talk well about) Greg Lloyd, a guy who
plead no contest to battery in beating his ex-wife and pointing a gun as her, and was accused of pointing a gun at his son... but we just can't get over the fact that Bell smoked pot a few years ago and held out for a few million bucks? That makes no sense.

Not every player has to take less than what he's worth to show loyalty. Their careers could be over in an instant and only the truly lucky even make it to thirty. He's allowed to hold out, allowed to want to get paid, and allowed to do everything within his power to get his.

I thought he handled the hold out fine. Hopefully we can lock him up long term next season.

 

But he didn't hold out for a few million bucks.

 

RB's aren't a dime a dozen, but I certainly believe it might be the easiest position to hit on in the draft.

 

Given today's structure of both College Football and the NFL, you are indeed correct.



That being said, Bell really needs to blossom his maturity as well as his talent and fast. He is running out of time to do so.

 

How so?