Is Le'Veon Bell Still Worth the Attention

Yesterday, a few days after being released by the Jets, Le’Veon Bell signed with the Chiefs.

On paper this is a solid signing. He is a decent enough back still, doesn't have as many miles on him as he maybe should, and he wanted out of a bad situation and ended up in a great situation. This also adds, in theory, a ton more firepower to an already loaded offense. I don't exactly know how Bell will fit in, and the rookie they have, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, has been really solid so far, but if you can get Bell on a deal like the Chiefs did, why not take a half a year chance on him. So kudos to the Chiefs for taking a chance on a guy that can make them even more lethal than they already are. But, has anyone in a long time had further of a fall than Bell did after sitting out a whole year due to contract stuff?

For those that may not know, Bell sat out an entire year because he felt he was underpaid and overused. In both cases he was right, at the time. And, I agreed with his decision. He was making the best decision for himself, the team was essentially abusing him and running backs' shelf lives in the NFL are so short now, why not get paid the most you can when you can? Bell made the correct financial decision. But, was it the right career move? That is a loaded question. Bell did get paid, eventually. He also sat out a whole year of his prime. This was good and bad. It was good because it helped him preserve his body and possibly prolong his career. It hurt because he was one of the best, if not the best overall back in the league at the time, and he took off a full season. He just sat there and waited. Pittsburgh was never going to trade him or pay him that year, and they found a suitable player to take over, James Connor. The Steelers called his bluff, and unfortunately for Bell, he did not win. They eventually traded him to the Jets, and the Jets paid him. They gave him pretty much what he wanted, and it all seemed rosy at first. I remember people praising the deal, and people saying this was going to put them over the top, and that they could contend soon. I even liked the move at the time.

Then the Jets hired Adam Gase as head coach, and it all went down from there. The two of them did not get along. They constantly butted heads and aired stuff publicly. Gase told the media that everyone except Sam Darnold was available for trades last year, and this rubbed Bell the wrong way. And then Bell's play on the field suffered. He did nothing, at all, for the Jets. I don't know if it was play calling, if he lost a step, if he didn't try because he disliked the coach and already got paid, but the Jets version of Le’Veon Bell was so far removed from the Pittsburgh version. He was a forgettable player. I honestly forgot he was still playing until the Jets released him. I did see that they were trying to trade him, but they couldn't even get a 7th round pick for him. Then he had a list of teams that he would play for, but some, including the 49ers, said stuff like, "we are good with our guys". Bell wasn't even wanted now. And whenever a player puts out a list of teams they will play for, that is a sign to me that they are grasping at straws, trying to stay relevant. When Bell whittled his "list" to three teams, some reporter noted it was the Jets next three opponents. That is such a childish move in my book. And now that he has signed with the Chiefs, I just kind of shrug my shoulders.

I know it looks good on paper, but what really is he going to bring them? He isn't the runner he used to be, he is not as good a pass catcher, and the Chiefs already have better, younger talent at the position. This kind of feels like late Lesean McCoy. McCoy was supposed to be the "guy" for Buffalo, but he just kind of faded. The Bills went with the younger players, and they were better, and stayed healthy. I kind of see that happening with Bell. I think he will come in this season, not do much, Edwards-Helaire will cement his spot as the number one back and Bell will be gone as soon as the season is over, looking for another new team.

I feel for Bell because I fully supported and understood why he sat out a year. But his bluff was called, and more than answered, and now he is a nomadic, has been running back. He had those early good years, but now, he just seems like a guy that will take one year deals, until he is out of the league in the next two to three years. At least he got his though. That cannot be taken away from him. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Le'Veon Bell Lost

Before the season started I wrote about how I agreed with LeVeon Bell’s holdout. I felt like he was doing the right thing, and the best thing for his life after football. I’m all for athletes, but especially professional football players, getting their money while they can. There is such a short amount of time, and I feel like they need to seize that chance when /if they can. The career span in football is so short too, so get yours.

With the news that he didn’t sign yesterday, Bell is now ineligible to play for the rest of this season. I don’t think a decision like this has blown up more in anyone else’s face like it has to Bell. As I said, I fully supported him, but it is painfully clear that the Steelers do not need him to be a threat.

Who could have seen this coming from James Connor? I’ve liked this kid since I saw him in college at Pitt, and I felt like he’d be a great back up running back and perfect for third down. He seemed like the perfect back to bring in behind Bell. Well, he has been every bit as good, in some statistical categories better, than Bell has been his whole career. Connor averages as many yards per carry as Bell did. He goes for 100 yards seemingly at will. I know he didn’t eclipse it last week, but he still went for 60 plus and a TD before leaving a blow out win with a concussion. He is just as good a pass catcher as Bell. He gets the ball and goes. He catches pretty much everything that comes his way, and he usually turns those into big gains or TD’s. He is also a great team player. Everyone loves this kid, and it’s not just that he beat cancer and still plays. He beat cancer and has made Steelers fan comfortable with him taking over the running back role. I picked him up in fantasy football the moment I knew Bell was going to sit, and he’s one of my most efficient and effective players. He’s so perfect for fantasy football. He does it all.

Now, Bell has to realize that he may not be as important to the Steelers as he thought. I mean, how can he not. Connor is going to get award mentions at the end of the year. The Steelers are going to give him what he’s worth, which is less than Bell. He’s younger, which is just another notch in his belt. As for Bell, he’s going to be a free agent, which he wanted, but I don’t think he will get the money he could have gotten had he played this year. Also, he just wasted a year of his prime to try and prove a point, and it magnificently backfired.

What title contender is going to sign him to the huge deal he wants? The Patriots just drafted a running back who’s pretty solid. The Packers have found their guy in Aaron Jones. The Panthers have Christian McCaffery. The Saints have Alvin Kamara. The Rams, Todd Gurley. The Chiefs have 2 young and solid backs. The Vikings have Dalvin Cook. The Bears have Tarik Cohen. All these guys are younger and more important to their teams than Bell could ever be. He’s going to have to settle for a team like the Raiders or Jets or Dolphins or Lions. He destined to play for a mediocre team that will sign him so they can sell tickets. He won’t be a mainstay in the playoffs anymore. He won’t be the threat he once was. He will just become another guy.

This should upset Bell. He should have signed yesterday if only to get his money. He shouldn’t have wasted a year. He should have done what Earl Thomas did. I know Thomas got hurt, but the fact that he played will get him paid next year. This was a misstep and I’d be scared if I were Bell. He is just going to be another name. All because he wanted to prove a point. What a bummer for him. And good for James Connor. Way to secure your spot when you got your chance.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is afraid to hold out because the head editor may get the the DJ 3000 to replace Ty on the podcast. It worked on Bill and Marty.

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Le'Veon Bell Deserves to Get Paid

With the NFL season kicking off last night, and pretty much all of the other games kicking off Sunday afternoon, I feel the need to weigh in on the Le'Veon Bell holdout. I've done my whole preview and picks and all that stuff, so I do not need to touch on that again. Today is all about one player.

This Bell holdout has become a very hot topic issue. His lineman are calling him out. Others are in support of what he is doing. He is going to miss out on a big chunk of money if he misses multiple games. His coaches are frustrated. This is what he has done the past couple seasons, but he has always showed up right before the season starts. That doesn't seem to be the case this year though. It looks like he is more than willing to miss upwards of 10 games to prove his point.

Now, I have 2 different thoughts on the holdout. My first one is short. I feel like he is letting his teammates down just a bit. He wouldn't be the running back he is without the help of his O line, and Antonio Brown. Those dudes give him many opportunities that other running backs can only dream of. If he owes anything to anybody, those are the 6 guys that deserve to know what he is doing.

Now, for my biggest point, and, I cannot believe I'm siding with Bell here, he is doing the right thing. He has been the do it all back for the Steelers for the past 4 years now. He carries the ball 250-300 times a year. He also makes multiple catches out of the backfield and makes things happen. He is as patient a runner as I have seen. He is the only current back that helps his line by waiting for them to get in position to block. Some guys are a bit too fast when they see a hole, or too slow to get to an open hole. Bell waits on it, then makes something happen. He has prolonged their sexual assaulter of a QB career much longer than it should have been. That rapist, alleged, can just turn around and hand the ball off to bell 30 times a game and save himself from getting hit. Bell has taken some licks over the past 4 years. When he does get hit, he gets hit hard sometimes. He falls forward a lot, but that still takes a toll on a player that is used as much as him. He helps Antonio Brown, Ju Ju Smith Schuscter, and whoever they have at tight end, face single coverage when he goes out for a pass. The fact that a player like Brown can face single coverage when Bell goes out for a pass, that is enormous for this team. He is the best wideout in football, and single coverage on him is a death sentence for the corner that has to deal with that. That only happens when Bell is out there, going out for a pass. So his plan to holdout, and wait for free agency, I have absolutely no problem with him doing this.

It is a widely known fact that the NFL is toughest on its players. They use you up, and when you are no longer of use to your first team, they cut you or trade you. They will get rid of you the moment you show a slip, or someone younger comes along. Coaches are, in fact, praised for doing such things. So for Bell to holdout, and try and get his, I have zero issue. He deserves to get paid. He has done a ton for the Steelers franchise. He has help to make them relevant and a perennial playoff contender when he is out there. But, the moment he gets hurt, or shows signs of slowing down, they will cut him. He needs to get his money, hopefully guaranteed in his case, right now. His positon, running back, is a dying position in the NFL. LeVeon Bell might be the best of the new era of backs, guy that can rush for 1,200-1,500 yards and catch 50 plus balls. So the fact that the Steelers won't pay him, I say continue your holdout. Wait until some team, be it the Steelers or another team pays you. You deserve a big contract Mr. Bell. The NFL is a brutal, brutal business, and you should get your money however, and whenever you can.

I know if Bell sits 10 games, the Steelers will have to pay him franchise money. I'd say do that, unless they give him what he wants. He can do the same if the Steelers want to continue this stupid game of chicken next season. So, while I think he owes his line and Brown a reason why, I do not think he owes the Steelers a god damn thing. They will just use him and spit him out. So, wait and get your money Le'Veon Bell. You deserve to get paid.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is the franchise player for us here at SeedSing. We will not tolerate a holdout. Hopefully Ty knows this.

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