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There are Steelers fans that want Tomlin fired at every loss. Fortunately, well-run franchises aren't so fickle.

 helgrenze wrote:
So who got the better deal at the trade deadline?

Houston - 4th rd pick for Demaryius Thomas
Philadelphia - 3rd rd pick for Golden Tate
Dallas - 1st rd pick for Amari Cooper

I'd say Cooper.


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 gorgon wrote:
There are Steelers fans that want Tomlin fired at every loss. Fortunately, well-run franchises aren't so fickle.

Speaking of Tomlin - I wonder what is going to unfold with the Bell situation.

 Xenomancers wrote:

 gorgon wrote:
There are Steelers fans that want Tomlin fired at every loss. Fortunately, well-run franchises aren't so fickle.

Speaking of Tomlin - I wonder what is going to unfold with the Bell situation.

Seems to be more of a soap opera outside the locker room than inside. According to interviews, some players were miffed at him at the beginning of the season when they thought he'd report and he didn't. Seems like they're over that, though. I imagine they'll be just fine with him so long as he shows up to work with the right attitude. By most reports, Bell was a well-liked guy and a hard worker.

Of course, the multi-million dollar question is if he reports at all (he has rea$ons to, but who knows?), and if so whether the front office is going to create a big dispute over his pay during an expected two-week roster exemption period.

The Steelers FO has not handled this situation well, IMO. It's baffling to me why they tagged him with the exclusive franchise tag if they weren't prepared to meet his demands. Most teams use the non-exclusive tag, which lets the player and agent seek out offers and gives the team the right to match or receive compensation.

Anyway, assuming he reports and plays, he'll help the team for hopefully one last playoff run. Conner is playing great, but there are things that Bell does better.

 gorgon wrote:

 Xenomancers wrote:

 gorgon wrote:
There are Steelers fans that want Tomlin fired at every loss. Fortunately, well-run franchises aren't so fickle.

Speaking of Tomlin - I wonder what is going to unfold with the Bell situation.

Seems to be more of a soap opera outside the locker room than inside. According to interviews, some players were miffed at him at the beginning of the season when they thought he'd report and he didn't. Seems like they're over that, though. I imagine they'll be just fine with him so long as he shows up to work with the right attitude. By most reports, Bell was a well-liked guy and a hard worker.

Of course, the multi-million dollar question is if he reports at all (he has rea$ons to, but who knows?), and if so whether the front office is going to create a big dispute over his pay during an expected two-week roster exemption period.

The Steelers FO has not handled this situation well, IMO. It's baffling to me why they tagged him with the exclusive franchise tag if they weren't prepared to meet his demands. Most teams use the non-exclusive tag, which lets the player and agent seek out offers and gives the team the right to match or receive compensation.

Anyway, assuming he reports and plays, he'll help the team for hopefully one last playoff run. Conner is playing great, but there are things that Bell does better.

Bell has been out of the game for a long time and doubt he will just be able to step in. Nor do I think he deserves to play.

I find it very strange that everyone just thinks after what hes done he will just be reinserted and everything will be fine. He has seriously wronged the Steelers. Why would any coach play him after what he did?

Conner is going to get the bulk of the carries until Bell is in shape. At which point they'll share time. You better believe the coaches will want to use a guy considered to be a top 10 *player* before the season started. It's about winning.

It's odd that you would say that he 'wronged' them. He doesn't have a contract. The dispute is over guaranteed money -- Bell wants a big number, and the Steelers don't like giving out much guaranteed $$. So the Steelers tagged him with the exclusive tag for the second year in a row, even after Bell said publicly that he wouldn't play under the exclusive tag.

So obviously the Steelers were ready to meet his demands, right? But they weren't, which makes no sense. If they felt their offer was fair (and that they might have a worthy replacement in the wings), then the obvious choice was the non-exclusive tag...let Bell and his agent see if they can find a better offer, and retain the right to match or get picks. The non-exclusive tag is far more commonly used by NFL teams.

What it looks like is that the Steelers wanted to use up one more year of his prime with 400+ touches without giving him any long-term security. I can't blame him for saying feth that. How'd it work out for Earl Thomas? Neither side has behaved very well, IMO.

 gorgon wrote:
Conner is going to get the bulk of the carries until Bell is in shape. At which point they'll share time. You better believe the coaches will want to use a guy considered to be a top 10 *player* before the season started. It's about winning.

It's odd that you would say that he 'wronged' them. He doesn't have a contract. The dispute is over guaranteed money -- Bell wants a big number, and the Steelers don't like giving out much guaranteed $$. So the Steelers tagged him with the exclusive tag for the second year in a row, even after Bell said publicly that he wouldn't play under the exclusive tag.

So obviously the Steelers were ready to meet his demands, right? But they weren't, which makes no sense. If they felt their offer was fair (and that they might have a worthy replacement in the wings), then the obvious choice was the non-exclusive tag...let Bell and his agent see if they can find a better offer, and retain the right to match or get picks. The non-exclusive tag is far more commonly used by NFL teams.

What it looks like is that the Steelers wanted to use up one more year of his prime with 400+ touches without giving him any long-term security. I can't blame him for saying feth that. How'd it work out for Earl Thomas? Neither side has behaved very well, IMO.

He has a contract essentially - he is refusing to play under the franchise tag which would pay him 14.4 million if he played all his games. Almost double what the next guy makes at RB. I get what you are saying but this is too much. The main sufferer here is Bell. There is no way that the money he has cost himself with be rendered in any kind of future deal. He's already lost 8.8 million this year.

I thought the point of contention was Touches.
Bell wanted a guaranteed number that wouldn't overstress his body to avoid injury which would lower his value as a free agent.

Had he signed the Franchise tag, which he has not done, he would have been available for trade before the deadline. Since he didn't sign it, he is stuck in Pittsburgh until cut or the end of the season.
Also, if he doesn't report by the 13th, he's not playing period. This is due to the CBA. So he has a week to figure things out.
Unfortunately, the only one he is really hurting is himself and his "value" going forward.

No team would have traded for him, since they wouldn't be allowed to extend him (under the current CBA) until after the season, when he'd be a free agent. This CBA needs a major overhaul - lockout almost certainly coming the year it expires, I think...

I'm a Steelers fan and I'm ready for Bell to leave. I loved having him on the team, I've got his bumblebee jersey and everything but Conner is clearly our future. Not to say Bell's bad, his hands make him a dual threat and he deserves every cent he'll get from another team. I just hope our front office lets him walk instead of going through the process of designating him with a third tag and going through arbitration.

The CBA is awful for the players. But the players need to stop rolling over and accepting these lousy deals. They're an incredibly weak and ineffective union.

I don't think the Steelers are going to keep Bell. But I do think there's a chance that they put the transition tag on him rather than just letting the man become a free agent. I don't agree with it and it'd darn near confirm that they're just trying to mess with his career, but then nothing about their approach to Bell this offseason made sense.

Some observations from the few games I watched:

Baker Mayfield, Offensive Rookie of the year.

Lamar Jackson looking pretty damn decent at QB, if he keeps it up guaranteed QB controversy in Baltimore late this season or in the offseason. With Flacco still out next week most likely, Lamar’s performance will tell us alot. He showed his passing game this week and looked adequate. His two interceptions were fluke tipped balls and not the result of bad throws.

Scuttlebutt around B-more press and locker room is that Harbaugh will resign at close of season, regardless of playoff berth or not. “Mutual parting of ways” one headline reported. Doesn’t seem like he wants to be here to head a team without General Manager Ozzie Newsom, who is stepping down after this season. I’d also think if Lamar gets the job, he’d not want to be here to start over on another rookie QB. USC is apparently banging on his door as well. Maybe follow his brother into College Football? Highly unlikely, but you never know.

With Hue Jackson canned, is Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis now the worst coach in the NFL? The Bengals aren’t out of the running completely, but it just seems like Marvin squanders talent. Probably an ownership thing, as the Bengals owner seems to revel in mediocrity.




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I don't think Lewis is a bad coach. He's had some strong teams. The main issues have been:

1) Steelers are their kryptonite.
2) Dalton isn't a guy who can elevate his play/put his team on his back.
3) Brown is cheap.
4) Waaaaay too many lunkheads on the squad.

They like drafting guys with character concerns because they get them for pennies on the dollar in terms of draft position. Nothing wrong with a few crazies on the team, and in fact it might help keep things spicy.

But the Bengals seemed like they were trying to corner the market on nutjobs a few years back. And that will catch up to you...see the meltdown(s) that cost them that playoff game against the Steelers (and cost the Steelers a good shot at a SB after Burfict forearm bashed AB in the head and knocked him out of the playoffs). They seem to be a better-behaved bunch now, but they've lost a lot of talent and the window seems to be closing fast.

Do you think Baker Mayfield is better than Jared Allen in Buffalo?

 Easy E wrote:
Do you think Baker Mayfield is better than Jared Allen in Buffalo?

The defensive end? Thought he was retired.

Assuming you mean Josh...you're kidding, right?

Do you mean Josh Allen?

Currently, Mayfield has the better QB rating, completion percentage, Y/att, and Td/Int than Josh Allen. True Mayfield has 2 games more but Allen has 3 TDs and 5 Ints over his 7 games... Not exactly looking like a Rookie of the Year.

 gorgon wrote:

 Easy E wrote:
Do you think Baker Mayfield is better than Jared Allen in Buffalo?

The defensive end? Thought he was retired.

Assuming you mean Josh...you're kidding, right?

I think he was one upping my "Rookie of the Year" hot take.

He did good, because I went and looked up Josh Allen's stats(like Helgrenze did as well, apparently) and realized I may have gotten trolled.

Well played Easy E!

I live in Oklahoma, nels1031, can barely watch the local news without hearing about Mayfield. Local channels even petitioned to get Browns games shown on Sundays.

90% certain Jerry Jones called in a few "favors" thursday.

Not to downplay Dallas's defence; they did an amazing job at man coverage.


If anyone goes and reads the Play-by-Play and tells me that game isn't rigged I'd call them an idiot though.


Overall the loss doesn't really change much for the NFC playoff picture, but now NO is relying on Chicago to beat the Rams for a guaranteed Super Bowl showing.



P.S. Fun fact: Louisiana is required every year to throw one major sports event to Texas because of the casino industry (Texans have to travel to Louisiana to play legally). I thought it was the LSU game at first, but I think they were just demoralized and tired from the fact that the game was stolen in the 4rth quarter from them.

Eihnlazer
Actually, this one falls on the refs. That squad is well known for calling holding on the O-line which the squad in the Eagles game vs Nola wasn't. The coaches knew that and told their players to avoid it.
They also missed several calls, like one that gave the Cowboys a first down instead of a fourth. Probably because they were paying so much attention to the line of scrimmage.
The Saints used both of their challenges early, losing one and winning the other so they couldn't challenge later when it would have helped.

So... About my previous Mayfield/RotY statement.. maybe a bit hasty.

GB Packers head coach fired! Not sure if that was the main problem up there, tbh. Though I don’t pay much attention outside of the AFC east and North though, but seems kind of shocking. I know they are stuck in a rut, but I don’t see how a shakeup now will help matters. But thats Football.

Ravens still in the mix! Kind of hard to bench Lamar Jackson at this point, unless he tanks hard next game. If he was filling in for a true elite QB, sure, put him back on the bench, but its Flacco he’s replacing. Its not a Brady/Garappolo situation by any stretch.

 nels1031 wrote:

GB Packers head coach fired! Not sure if that was the main problem up there, tbh.

I don't follow them closely either, but watching some post game coverage, and most of the former players behind the desk were pointing out the signs that the players no longer respected the HC, and how he'd "lost" the team, which most definitely is a product of the professional game

A month ago I would never have guessed that the Ravens and Steelers would have the same number of wins now! The Steelers should still take the division, but it's not guaranteed.

Nice to see Jackson motivating the team, even if the passing numbers aren't there yet. He's doing what it takes to win. With his cap number, even if he faces a slump there's no way we can go back to Flacco, imo. Time to turn the page and start fresh!

I have always felt flacco was overblown tbh. Hated the guy from the start.

This season has to be the most off the wall topsy turvy, vegas rigged season ever. Chicago had no business loosing to NY.

Some surprising results this last week in the NFL. Any given Sunday and all that.

I was a bit surprised how quickly Mike Holmgren got thrown under the bus in Green Bay. It's not like he has had a ton of losing seasons under his belt. That's the Packers though. 'Sconies take their Packers very, very seriously.

 Easy E wrote:
Some surprising results this last week in the NFL. Any given Sunday and all that.

I was a bit surprised how quickly Mike Holmgren got thrown under the bus in Green Bay. It's not like he has had a ton of losing seasons under his belt. That's the Packers though. 'Sconies take their Packers very, very seriously.

You mean Mike McCarthy?? Holmgren was so last century

Dang Gub it, I am so bad with names in this thread it is embarrassing. It is from being alive too long.

 Eihnlazer wrote:
I have always felt flacco was overblown tbh. Hated the guy from the start.

Although he doesn't fall into the "elite" category, I think he's better than average and gets more hate than he should. When he had weapons, he was Super Bowl MVP. When he doesn't, he struggles but even then you can still see flashes of that great 2013 campaign. Egregious drop passes and and questionable play calling at the Coach/OC level has to factor into his struggles as well, but that never shows up in stats.

 Eihnlazer wrote:
I have always felt flacco was overblown tbh. Hated the guy from the start.

This season has to be the most off the wall topsy turvy, vegas rigged season ever. Chicago had no business loosing to NY.

Upside: The Giants are now out of the top 5 picks in the Draft. If they beat Washington and other things go right they could play themselves out of the top 10.

Brutal 2 weeks for the Steelers - makes the AFC playoff picture a little chaotic, and, after talking to a big Stellers fan here, could potentially even see them missing the playoffs?!?

Wow!

 Mysterio wrote:
Brutal 2 weeks for the Steelers - makes the AFC playoff picture a little chaotic, and, after talking to a big Stellers fan here, could potentially even see them missing the playoffs?!?

Wow!

Its possible, I think.

Next week will probably be a wash for the AFC North. Steelers play the Raiders(2-10) and the Ravens play the Chiefs(10-2).

After that, things may get tense up for the black and yellow. Pitt has Patriots, Saints, and a listless Bengals team with nothing to lose and looking to spoil it for a rival, like they did against the Ravens last year.

Ravens have Tampa Bay, Chargers, Browns. Although B-more lost to the Browns (lol?) one this season, I doubt it happens again and Tampa Bay should be a W, Chargers will give the Ravens some trouble, as they have pretty much split their 11 games against each other. I fully expect the Ravens to play down to their opponents level for 2/3rd of those final 3 games, and make it unnecessarily tense.