Le'veon Bell did not report to the Steelers, done for the year

[bbobbo]

Someone explain to me how the CBA works. How does Bell attain UFA status sitting this year out? In 2010, I thought Mankins showed up by the deadline to accrue his year towards UFA status and if he didn't, he would not be a UFA at the end of the year.

I'm sure the details between Mankins and Bell differ, so please educate me. Thanks.

Regards,
Chris

bell was a free agent after the 2016 season. he played the 2017 season under the franchise tag. 2018 would have been his second season playing under the FT.

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[lillloyd]

He is truly the most overrated player in the NFL since he gets an unworthy “superstar” billing.. He’s a good player. There isn’t a single thing he does well enough to be considered a superstar. He has good vision (though arguably his ability to hold and wait for holes is a tribute the Pittsburgh line.). He is a good backfield receiver. He is elusive (probably his best skill). He is fairly, but certainly not notably, explosive with speed/breakaway ability.

But he isn’t elite at any of those things, just all-around above average.

His reputation is built on being the only running back besides Gurley (who is way better) that gets a very high usage rate in a higher scoring offense with an elite passing game. Put a good three-down RB in an offense like New England or Green Bay, with a strong run blocking line, give him 25 touches, and you’ll see similar numbers.

As for his idea that he should be paid like a running back PLUS wide receiver, well that’s idiotic. Cam Newton then should get paid like a QB plus running back and Rob Gronkowski should be paid like a receiver and left tackle, if you want to go down that road. In the end, his versatility doesn’t do that much. I’d take Michel and White over just Bell, or at least it’s close, and a lot cheaper.

IMO this goes a bit too far.

Bell is an *outstanding* receiver at the RB position; he can split out and effectively run a full WR route tree. In the right offense with the right playcaller, this attribute can be a devastating weapon that can force mismatches all over the field, without tipping your hand they way you might with a specialized platoon of backs.

You're correct that he doesn't have explosive long speed, and is definitely not a gamebreaker the way a Barkley or Gurley might be. But he's a powerful runner with excellent vision and terrific quickness (all attributes I'd value over long speed in a RB).

That all said, I agree that Bell has had the benefit of a terrific OL and offense his entire career, and that part of his production can be attributed to that. But this is a slipperly slope; Spencer Ware looked pretty good before Kareem Hunt came along, and Gurley looked pretty pedestrian before McVay overhauled the L.A. offense. There are many great backs that befenefit from an excellent system around them.

In the end I still think Bell is a top-5 or even top-3 back, and will get paid accordingly.

 

[PatsFan2]

Good for us too...A Bell + Conner kombo would hv been an headache...

Yeah really hope the Gronk man can stay healthy for at least The Steelers and Vikings games. Both Teams can bring it Offensively we have to keep up the Steelers more so. The Steelers can hang a 50 spot on this D easily.

 

[PatsDeb]

Curious tactics my dear Watson (er...I mean Bell).

 

[Deus Irae]

Good for him.

He's made money. He'll make more money. He didn't cave to Pittsburgh. He's saved a year of wear and tear on his body, and gotten to enjoy himself.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Someone explain to me how the CBA works. How does Bell attain UFA status sitting this year out? In 2010, I thought Mankins showed up by the deadline to accrue his year towards UFA status and if he didn't, he would not be a UFA at the end of the year.

I'm sure the details between Mankins and Bell differ, so please educate me. Thanks.

The difference is that Mankins was under contract and Bell is not. Bell is a free agent who was franchise-tagged by the Squealers.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

The difference is that Mankins was under contract and Bell is not. Bell is a free agent who was franchise-tagged by the Squealers.

Thanks. Could Bell have done the same sit-out last year had he chosen so, allowing him to be a UFA this year?

Regards,
Chris

 

[supafly]

Thanks. Could Bell have done the same sit-out last year had he chosen so, allowing him to be a UFA this year?

Regards,
Chris

The main difference is that there’s no concern about PIT tagging him again next season, since it would mean that a 3rd tag would cost QB money (around 25m).

This was just recently discovered a week or two ago, and was actually leaked by the Steelers on NFLN. Prior to that, everyone had pretty much assumed that he’d either need to show by week 10, or risk having PIT re-tag him again at this year’s salary (14.5m).

 

[Fatmancryin]

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Stealers

Regards,
Chris

 

[JarOfMayo51]

I thought if a player didn't report by week 10, they don't get an accredited season and are therefor subject to the same franchise tag the following year?

Have the rules changed about that?

 

[Wheelman]

I don't get Bell's thinking. The guy walked away from $14.5 million this year guaranteed. I think he was far less likely to have a devastating injury that would hurt his market value next offseason than him getting a contract that will recoup that $14.5 million in the offseason.

You know what though, seeing how the squealers have been using Bell as a bell cow. He was getting a LOT of miles on his treads. So I don't blame him for holding out for a long term contract that would yield more guaranteed money. Plus other teams might give him less snaps. I personally think he made a smart decision keeping his body fresh.

 

[Wheelman]

I thought if a player didn't report by week 10, they don't get an accredited season and are therefor subject to the same franchise tag the following year?

Have the rules changed about that?

Adam Schefter said that idea about not being a free agent if he didn't report was incorrect. They can either franchise tag him at QB level franchise tag level or slap a transition tag on him like we did with Blount.

 

[supafly]

Adam Schefter said that idea about not being a free agent if he didn't report was incorrect. They can either franchise tag him at QB level franchise tag level or slap a transition tag on him like we did with Blount.

Even the transition tag would be insanely expensive since he didn’t play any games this year.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Adam Schefter said that idea about not being a free agent if he didn't report was incorrect. They can either franchise tag him at QB level franchise tag level or slap a transition tag on him like we did with Blount.

Unless the Steelers get some sort of clarification on this rule. Everyone is working of assumptions of what the CBA means in this. What if the Steelers leaked this because they didn’t want him back, knowing that he is probably not in game shape and would most likely pull a hamstring.

In the off season they get “clarity “ and it turns out that the league says if he doesn’t sign the tender it doesn’t count as the second tender, meaning the Steelers could tag him again at 14.5 million and then work out a trade! That would be the ultimate screw job to Bell because he would again have to work out a trade and then a new contract or be stuck playing in the tag.

The Steelers will apply the transition tag to him which gives them the option of matching whatever contract he signs.

 

[supafly]

The Steelers will apply the transition tag to him which gives them the option of matching whatever contract he signs.

The transition tag would be 14.5m, or the same as this year’s franchise tag. This is due to him not having played any games this season.

The Steelers could transition tag Le’Veon Bell and drag this saga into 2019

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Wouldn’t that cripple their cap if they tag him and he just sits out again?

 

[varjao]

The transition tag would be 14.5m, or the same as this year’s franchise tag. This is due to him not having played any games this season.

The Steelers could transition tag Le’Veon Bell and drag this saga into 2019

The owners will certainly make pressure on the Steelers to do just that.

Some are saying that this (Bell holding out the season) can become a tendency. I doubt a lot of players will leave 15 mi guaranteed on the table but anyway until there is a new CBA addressing this issue the owners will strong arm the players and the league will look the other way because they want star players on the field.

 

[Adam Seward]

Wouldn’t that cripple their cap if they tag him and he just sits out again?

The exact leverage he applied to become a free agent.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Does Pitt now regain a bunch of cap space, the amount they are not paying Bell this year?