Le’Veon Bell - The hold out continues!

[Skinny_Bastard 157]

Maurkice Pouncy's brother Mike Pouncy refuse to take a pay cut from the Miami Dolphin. He requested to be released. Miami compiled.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2764628-mike-pouncey-to-be-cut-by-dolphins-after-requesting-release-from-team

 

Why isn't Maurkice Pouncy dissing his own brother? If he truly believes in what he is saying, i would think whatever he is preaching should be addressed at home first. I mean..Mike is his brother.

[brotherbock 349]

 

 

Why isn't Maurkice Pouncy dissing his own brother?

 

Likely because A) he's under no obligation to diss anyone, B ) he's under no obligation to diss everyone just because he dissed one person, C) his brother's actions don't affect his own team's chances at winning, and D) he would create a stressful situation for his entire family if he dissed his own brother.

 

Just sayin

[jimaveli 119]

Hehe. Asking for folks to be consistent from minute to minute is a tough one. And the Pouncey clan is a bit on the shaky side anyway.

 

Zoomed out, the CBA it is a weird system and some people get jobbed from it. Bell is one of those guys. It sucks that he and the Steelers could not work it out. And now it has gotten personal and ugly. It all sucks. It would be great if the players would communicate with each other and at least get that part right. They spend a lot of time together trying to be good at the game. They put their backs, knees, necks, and brains in peril constantly. And the luckiest ones play into their early 40s. Rbs are considered ancient at 32. Most of them are done before 30.

 

Hopefully the Steelers figure it out or get him traded elsewhere.

[We Tigers 71]

The linemen talking trash about Bell is at least a little funny to me. OL are on average paid quite a bit more than running backs. Yes, the superstar backs make a ton, but overall RB is the lowest-compensated position in the league. Well, aside from, like, long snapper.

[tanatastic 2,062]

The linemen talking trash about Bell is at least a little funny to me. OL are on average paid quite a bit more than running backs. Yes, the superstar backs make a ton, but overall RB is the lowest-compensated position in the league. Well, aside from, like, long snapper.

Nah, but your point is still made.

[Skinny_Bastard 157]

 

Likely because A) he's under no obligation to diss anyone, B ) he's under no obligation to diss everyone just because he dissed one person, C) his brother's actions don't affect his own team's chances at winning, and D) he would create a stressful situation for his entire family if he dissed his own brother.

 

Just sayin

 

lol

love option D)

[Drizzay 715]

Option E) he's a Pouncey. They aren't the brightest bulbs on the tree.

[jgcrawfish 232]

The Steelers should have given him the multi year contract after 2016.

 

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/leveon-bell-12329/cash-earnings/

 

He earned a total of 3.9 million during his first 4 season with the Steelers.

During 2 of those 4 seasons he PUT UP close to 2,000 total yards and 10 TD.

 

He was under paid and everyone knew it.

Did any of you knuckleheads here said BELL was under paid during those 4 years? No.

So shut the hell up. The man is doing what's best for him and his family. He's got 3 more years before the dreaded 30-year old running back label.

 

If you drafted him and stuck with him. Well tough luck. It's no different than an injury that occurs to 50% of all starting running back every damn year.

DEAL WITH IT.

He earned that because of the CBA and his status as a non-first rounder on his rookie contract. He got 12 MILLION last year and has 14 MILLION PLUS on the table this year. He was offered a 4 year deal at 14 MILLION a year and refused it because he believes he's worth 17 million. I'm sorry, but the illegitimate love child spawn of Barry Sanders+Emmitt Smith+Gayle Sayers+Jim Brown+Walter Payton would NEVER be worth that kind of money even in today's NFL. RB's are disposable, plain and simple. Take the 4 million you earned in 4 yrs, and the TWENTY FREAKING SIX MILLION for last last two seasons and STFU and go away!

 

I fockin hate this. As a Steelers fan, I can't stand the focking drama that seemingly goes with the team EVERY year recently. If it's not a Bell hold out it's a Ben retirement. It's why we can't seem to beat Patriots and get smoked by the Jags in the playoff because management/coaching won't tell the players to shut up and focus on ONE GD THING: The next freaking opponent. Stop freaking worrying about your grudge match with NE. Stop freaking talking about the QB you drafted that you think they didn't need. STOP FREAKING TALKING AND PLAY FOCKING FOOTBALL!!!

[We Tigers 71]

He earned that because of the CBA and his status as a non-first rounder on his rookie contract. He got 12 MILLION last year and has 14 MILLION PLUS on the table this year. He was offered a 4 year deal at 14 MILLION a year and refused it because he believes he's worth 17 million. I'm sorry, but the illegitimate love child spawn of Barry Sanders+Emmitt Smith+Gayle Sayers+Jim Brown+Walter Payton would NEVER be worth that kind of money even in today's NFL. RB's are disposable, plain and simple. Take the 4 million you earned in 4 yrs, and the TWENTY FREAKING SIX MILLION for last last two seasons and STFU and go away!

 

You've gotta think about it in terms of percentage of the overall cap, not just raw numbers. When Sanders retired, he was in the middle of a 6-year, $36M contract, but the NFL salary cap was only $57M. At $6M/year, he was making 10.5% of the cap.

 

This year's cap is $177M, and $17M is 9.6% of the cap. What Bell wants is actually a steal compared to what Barry Sanders made!

 

I also think Bell would have gladly taken the Steelers' 5 years/70M offer if around $40-$50M of it was guaranteed. They only offered him $10M guaranteed. They are of course entitled to do that, but what Bell is asking is not out of line with what the top running backs of the NFL have received in their respective eras.

[Frozenbeernuts 2,239]

 

You've gotta think about it in terms of percentage of the overall cap, not just raw numbers. When Sanders retired, he was in the middle of a 6-year, $36M contract, but the NFL salary cap was only $57M. At $6M/year, he was making 10.5% of the cap.

 

This year's cap is $177M, and $17M is 9.6% of the cap. What Bell wants is actually a steal compared to what Barry Sanders made!

 

I also think Bell would have gladly taken the Steelers' 5 years/70M offer if around $40-$50M of it was guaranteed. They only offered him $10M guaranteed.

That's pretty insulting, to only guarantee $10 mil. At least guarantee two years worth of pay.

[We Tigers 71]

That's pretty insulting, to only guarantee $10 mil. At least guarantee two years worth of pay.

 

I imagine they did it because they wanted the franchise tag to be his only option. Pittsburgh seems to have no interest in signing Bell to a long-term deal resembling anything like market value. They knew he wouldn't take their offer, but they could still get headlines that read "Bell rejects $70M contract!" and win the PR war.

[Brutal Brutus 182]

I'm sorry, but the illegitimate love child spawn of Barry Sanders+Emmitt Smith+Gayle Sayers+Jim Brown+Walter Payton would NEVER be worth that kind of money even in today's NFL.

Isn't that who Saquon is supposed to be?

[Frozenbeernuts 2,239]

 

I imagine they did it because they wanted the franchise tag to be his only option. Pittsburgh seems to have no interest in signing Bell to a long-term deal resembling anything like market value. They knew he wouldn't take their offer, but they could still get headlines that read "Bell rejects $70M contract!" and win the PR war.

I know why they did it, but they should have just left the offer off the table then, imo. Why waste everyone's time? Unless there was a real reason I don't know about

[seafoam1 2,937]

 

I imagine they did it because they wanted the franchise tag to be his only option. Pittsburgh seems to have no interest in signing Bell to a long-term deal resembling anything like market value. They knew he wouldn't take their offer, but they could still get headlines that read "Bell rejects $70M contract!" and win the PR war.

Pittsburgh has paid Bell almost $30 million to play football (if you include this year's $14.5 million)

 

And they don't want to give him a long term deal.

 

They don't owe him anything more. If someone doesn't want to spend big dollars on you, that doesn't make them evil.

 

What does that have anything to do with PR? I am a Bears fan and would not want the Bears to give him a long term deal with like $40 million guaranteed at this stage of his career.

[Phil Simms 11 133]

The franchise tag eliminates market competition for him, he would get the same money but more guaranteed elsewhere if he wasnt screwed by the franchise tag.

[We Tigers 71]

Pittsburgh has paid Bell almost $30 million to play football (if you include this year's $14.5 million)

 

And they don't want to give him a long term deal.

 

They don't owe him anything more. If someone doesn't want to spend big dollars on you, that doesn't make them evil.

 

What does that have anything to do with PR? I am a Bears fan and would not want the Bears to give him a long term deal with like $40 million guaranteed at this stage of his career.

 

PR or thinking Bell and his agent are idiots are the only reasons they would even bother to make the 5/$70M offer. It guaranteed Bell less money than taking the franchise tag, so of course you know he's not actually going to take it. The only reason the organization makes that offer is so that they can then float to ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, everyone, that Bell rejected their "offer" of "$70M."

 

Now, WHY they felt the need to go through all that is a bit of a mystery to me, and seems awfully petty. Are they trying to impress their fans? Humiliate Bell? If you just want to keep business as business, you just tell Bell there will be no long-term offer and that he's getting tagged again, not taunt him with some fake contract.

[seafoam1 2,937]

The franchise tag eliminates market competition for him, he would get the same money but more guaranteed elsewhere if he wasnt screwed by the franchise tag.

How many RBs in the NFL are making $14.5 million this year? How is he "screwed"?

[jgcrawfish 232]

Isn't that who Saquon is supposed to be?

Gawd I hope so...

[tanatastic 2,062]

How many RBs in the NFL are making $14.5 million this year? How is he "screwed"?

He’s screwed because he’s a top talent and watching others get windfalls of guaranteed money while he is missing his window to get it himself. 14 mil barely covers gold teeth, cars and child support payments.

[listen2me 23 1,858]

How many RBs in the NFL are making $14.5 million this year? How is he "screwed"?

You still seem confused about guaranteed money and what it is.

[seafoam1 2,937]

 

PR or thinking Bell and his agent are idiots are the only reasons they would even bother to make the 5/$70M offer. It guaranteed Bell less money than taking the franchise tag, so of course you know he's not actually going to take it. The only reason the organization makes that offer is so that they can then float to ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, everyone, that Bell rejected their "offer" of "$70M."

 

Now, WHY they felt the need to go through all that is a bit of a mystery to me, and seems awfully petty. Are they trying to impress their fans? Humiliate Bell? If you just want to keep business as business, you just tell Bell there will be no long-term offer and that he's getting tagged again, not taunt him with some fake contract.

Maybe that's what they thought he was worth? At least they offered. Noone really cares but the team and the player. I see why they didn't want anymore of him. He is only about money, not team. And I have no problem if he rejects it. I have rejected offers before and went elsewhere. I have also worked at places where I really liked what I was doing and the people I worked with at less money than other offers I received. Why is this such a special case in life? Why is Bell any different than any other person out there who has talent at what they do?

[seafoam1 2,937]

You still seem confused about guaranteed money and what it is.

 

How many RBs will be getting paid $14.5 million this year?

[tanatastic 2,062]

I will also say he’s silly for turning down the generous contract they offered him already. He did so because there was not enough guaranteed money. Bell doesn’t want to bet on himself. That’s not a guy I want on my team.

[tanatastic 2,062]

How many RBs will be getting paid $14.5 million this year?

Irrelevant.

[jgcrawfish 232]

 

PR or thinking Bell and his agent are idiots are the only reasons they would even bother to make the 5/$70M offer. It guaranteed Bell less money than taking the franchise tag, so of course you know he's not actually going to take it. The only reason the organization makes that offer is so that they can then float to ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, everyone, that Bell rejected their "offer" of "$70M."

 

Now, WHY they felt the need to go through all that is a bit of a mystery to me, and seems awfully petty. Are they trying to impress their fans? Humiliate Bell? If you just want to keep business as business, you just tell Bell there will be no long-term offer and that he's getting tagged again, not taunt him with some fake contract.

All the NFL guys know the drill, all the top players know that the contract #'s are just for publicity...it's the guaranteed $ that counts. And as a fan of the team, it's pretty chicken to offer. How many of us would take a job if we know that only 15% (or less in this case) of what was being offered we would actually see? I read somewhere a while back that 40% guaranteed was kind of a standard, with 50% going to the elite players. I'm fairly sure that 14 million a year with 50% guaranteed would have gotten the deal done with Bell.

 

but...

 

Bell believes he should be paid like the best RB in football and one of the better WR's as well. He's essentially set his price point as RB1 + WR2, which is absurd. One of the steelers local reports mentioned that the Steelers should have anticipated this and let him walk, then take the $14+ million and bring in a good replacement for Shazier, maybe another veteran back and spend a higher draft pick on another RB. Seems to me he's right. I think I'd much rather have a 7 million LB + 7 million other player (to fill in any other hole) and a rookie RB over tying up 14+ on a disposable position filled by a guy that way overvalues himself.

[seafoam1 2,937]

He’s screwed because he’s a top talent and watching others get windfalls of guaranteed money while he is missing his window to get it himself. 14 mil barely covers gold teeth, cars and child support payments.

Maybe he needs gold molars? I think those cost a pretty penny.

[seafoam1 2,937]

Irrelevant.

It's not. I get the whole "get what you can get" thing, but he is being paid top dollar for 16 games of service.

 

On Monday, he could wake up $855,000 richer.

[jgcrawfish 232]

He’s screwed because he’s a top talent and watching others get windfalls of guaranteed money while he is missing his window to get it himself. 14 mil barely covers gold teeth, cars and child support payments.

So, this is somewhat true. But if he signs the franchise tender and plays, and get's hurt in 1st game...it's HIGHLY likely he still gets every penny of the 14+ million...it is essentially guaranteed because there would never be another FA to sign with the Steelers if they did their best player that way. They'd never find any other talent who would come play for them. And it would send a horrible message to the guys on the team coming up for contract negotiations.

[tanatastic 2,062]

The 14mil is irrelevant because he can go out there, get hurt and gets nothing. He wants guaranteed money to set him and his family up for life and won’t step on the field willingly or enthusiastically without it.

[We Tigers 71]

Maybe that's what they thought he was worth? At least they offered. Noone really cares but the team and the player. I see why they didn't want anymore of him. He is only about money, not team. And I have no problem if he rejects it. I have rejected offers before and went elsewhere. I have also worked at places where I really liked what I was doing and the people I worked with at less money than other offers I received. Why is this such a special case in life? Why is Bell any different than any other person out there who has talent at what they do?

 

I bolded the part that makes the difference. He doesn't have the option to go elsewhere! Meanwhile, Devonta Freeman, Jerick McKinnon, Todd Gurley, and more are all banking mad money from other teams with an arguably less impressive record of production. I understand his frustration completely. He happened to be drafted by perhaps the stingiest organization in the NFL. It's entirely within the Steelers' rights to be like that per the CBA, but I think his response is also perfectly valid.

[Phil Simms 11 133]

The good news is franchise has to go up every year.

 

Next year its going to be too much and he can go get more guaranteed from the Raiders or someone else.

[seafoam1 2,937]

The 14mil is irrelevant because he can go out there, get hurt and gets nothing. He wants guaranteed money to set him and his family up for life and won’t step on the field willingly or enthusiastically without it.

He would still get his 14.5 million even if he got injured.

[seafoam1 2,937]

 

I bolded the part that makes the difference. He doesn't have the option to go elsewhere! Meanwhile, Devonta Freeman, Jerick McKinnon, Todd Gurley, and more are all banking mad money from other teams with an arguably less impressive record of production. I understand his frustration completely. He happened to be drafted by perhaps the stingiest organization in the NFL. It's entirely within the Steelers' rights to be like that per the CBA, but I think his response is also perfectly valid.

 

 

Bell works for the NFL, he can go work for any company that wants him if he doesn't like the NFL. These are the rules that all players live under. He is not the first to put money before playing for his team. Like I said, it doesn't matter that much to me, but I think he should finish out his stint with Pittsburgh and then go on to whomever will pay him $100 gazzilion or whatever he thinks he is going to get. If he doesn't like the collective bargaining agreement, then just quit the league, and stop screwing his teammates.

[brotherbock 349]

If my job came with a substantial risk of not being able to remember my wife or children when I was 50, and if a bunch of old white dudes were making billions off of my performance (without giving me the respect of allowing me freedom of expression to not stand up for a flag and a song without punishment), I wouldn't feel bad at all about trying to get the most money I could out of what, compared to most human careers, is going to be a short career.

 

There are a ton of people in this country who looooove the free market economy. And in the free market economy, the worth of an item, or a person, is determined solely by what someone will pay for it. If someone will pay you $X for your services, then you are worth $X, and you 'deserve' (economically speaking) to make that money. If no one will pay you that, you aren't worth it, and you don't deserve it. I wonder how many people who complain about these players asking for more money also support supply-side (trickle-down) economics and the free market.

 

In the free market, Bell is worth whatever he can get someone to pay him.

[listen2me 23 1,858]

All of what is being said. For a minute there I thought I was walking down the twilight zone by myself.

[tanatastic 2,062]

He would still get his 14.5 million even if he got injured.

Ok my mistake. Then he is just trying to preserve his value while he has it for a guaranteed payday close to Gurley. He might not ever get that, but he knows more miles on his tires wont help. Bird in hand is my motto, Id have taken the Steelers first offer.

[seafoam1 2,937]

If my job came with a substantial risk of not being able to remember my wife or children when I was 50, and if a bunch of old white dudes were making billions off of my performance (without giving me the respect of allowing me freedom of expression to not stand up for a flag and a song without punishment).

Ok so you don't like successful white people. That's fine. And businesses that have rules that apply while you are at work. So you don't like old people, white people, and businesses that have rules of behavior. Good start there champ.

 

And on top of that, you think these players are doing their job with the knowledge that they will turn 50 and not remember who their wife and kids are. So you think they are giving up their very minds for 20 years of happiness with money in their pockets. And screw the wife and kids later in life. Sounds pretty selfish to me. You made my point for me.

[We Tigers 71]

Ok my mistake. Then he is just trying to preserve his value while he has it for a guaranteed payday close to Gurley. He might not ever get that, but he knows more miles on his tires wont help. Bird in hand is my motto, Id have taken the Steelers first offer.

I dont think the Steelers first offer made any sense for Bell. If I understand correctly, it was essentially five one-year deals that he would not be able to get out of, while the Steelers could cut him after any given season with no future money lost. Basically, hed be signing for something worse than 5 straight franchise tags, and getting paid less than the franchise tag this season.

 

Instead, Bell will play somewhere between 6 and 16 games this year, make between $5M and $14M, and then sign a free agent deal somewhere in 2019, probably getting at least $30M guaranteed and perhaps as much as Gurleys $45M. As long as he doesnt get seriously injured this year, he comes out ahead in the long term regardless of how many games he plays.

[seafoam1 2,937]

I dont think the Steelers first offer made any sense for Bell. If I understand correctly, it was essentially five one-year deals that he would not be able to get out of, while the Steelers could cut him after any given season with no future money lost. Basically, hed be signing for something worse than 5 straight franchise tags, and getting paid less than the franchise tag this season.

 

Instead, Bell will play somewhere between 6 and 16 games this year, make between $5M and $14M, and then sign a free agent deal somewhere in 2019, probably getting at least $30M guaranteed and perhaps as much as Gurleys $45M. As long as he doesnt get seriously injured this year, he comes out ahead in the long term regardless of how many games he plays.

I don't really know the details of what he was offered, but after turning it down, I think he is out if his mind not to take this $14.5 million and run. ☺

 

Do you really think if he stays healthy that he would get $30 million guaranteed? I don't think he gets that much offered but maybe? The oline in Pitt has been steller in holding blocks for Bell to pick and choose his lanes. Not many teams have that. Bell stands in the backfield longer than any back I have ever seen.

[We Tigers 71]

I don't really know the details of what he was offered, but after turning it down, I think he is out if his mind not to take this $14.5 million and run. ☺

 

Do you really think if he stays healthy that he would get $30 million guaranteed? I don't think he gets that much offered but maybe? The oline in Pitt has been steller in holding blocks for Bell to pick and choose his lanes. Not many teams have that. Bell stands in the backfield longer than any back I have ever seen.

I do. I think there are plenty of NFL teams with a lot of cap space who will pay big bucks to a 2x All-Pro back whos still in his 20s. He might only get a 3-year deal instead of Gurleys 4-year deal because hell be a little older, but I could definitely see it including $30M guaranteed over years 1 and 2.