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Ray Fittipaldo's noon Steelers chat: 7.16.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
He was around the team in an unofficial capacity this spring. I wouldn't be surprised if that continued this fall, but I wouldn't expect any title to be associated with it.
jim
12:21
Is it just me or is Bell just giving us lip service. I don't think he really wants to be here, wants a big payday in LA, NY. If he wanted to be here taking double the pay of any other RB should be enough.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
He likely wants both. But we'll find out for sure by 4 p.m.
FR
12:21
If Bell does not accept the Steelers' offer, do you think he will sit out of training camp again?  How do you think his teammates will view Bell if he skips camp a second time?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Right now, I would expect a similar approach to last summer. Skip camp and all four preseason games, report a week or so before the opener. I know other scenarios have been floated, but I think this is the most likely.
David
12:22
This Bell situation is getting ridiculous. It's obvious he wants to play elsewhere. Why else ask for the moon? Look, I'm more than fine with players trying to get all they can get, but he's overreaching, IMO. Now it's "reported" he may sit out half the season? What's to stop the Steelers from yanking the tag at that point, especially if the RB's they have are getting the job done?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
I wouldn't read too much into Schefter's comments. He's serving as the mouthpiece for Bell's camp. They want to hold something over the Steelers in the final hours of the negotiation. The Steelers can hold the "we'll pull the plug on the tag" too. I just don't believe either scenario serves either side very well.
William Porter
12:26
Why don't the Steelers and Bell come to an agreement in the Range of $15.5 year with incentives to entice him. By both sides failing to reach an agreement it only hurts the fans, remember, We the fans are the reason both sides can make money. Consider that!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
Because the Steelers don't believe he is worth $15.5 million over a long-term deal. They'd pay that in the first two years, but not over five years.
Mike
12:26
I’m worried about bell being a distraction if he isn’t signed to a long term deal. Do you think the Steelers will allow him to explore a trade with another team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
Again, I don't think they'd get a great return in a trade.
jim
12:27
So, if rumors that Bell sits out first half come to fruition, do you think we have capable backs to make it to the playoffs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Sure. They've proven they can win without him in the past.
Dan
12:27
Do you believe the Steelers actually has legitimate optimism he would agree to a Steelers contract?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
I don't know what Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are thinking, but I do know Tomlin said almost the exact same thing a year ago at his camp. He's doing an interview to promote his camp. What's he going to say? "I'm not very hopeful..."
pres-ham from Port Arthur Tx
12:29
hey ray have you met anyone out there named Pittsburgh? im thinking of naming my son that..
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
No, but I do believe there is a 7 out there. I believe his last name is Costanza.
David
12:29
Why not pull the tag now and save money and a huge headache ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
I suppose because they believe Bell can help them win a Super Bowl.
Chris
12:30
Do you think Steelers sign another inside linebacker?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Perhaps but not likely before camp begins next week.
Mark from Sauquoit N.Y.
12:30
I'm sticking to my thoughts that we need a NT similar to Big Snack, that will help stop run game. I don't care how many snaps he would get. Do Steelers feel same as I do?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
I think the defensive linemen have to do better against the run than they did last year, but I'm not totlaly on board with finding and paying big $ to someone who might play 25 percent of the snaps. It's not a smart way to spend your salary cap.
jim
12:31
I am excited to see Rudolph and Washington in camp, anyone else to keep and eye on?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Bostic and Matakevich at ILB, Okorafor at tackle. The new RBs if Bell doesn't sign.
William Porter
12:32
Bell, should accept the offer and the Steelers should guarantee up to half of it.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
They did that last year. If you do the math, they offered $60 million over five years with more than $30 million in the first two years. The Steelers don't guarantee that much, but they also never cut guys one year into a five-year deal. There has to be some trust on the other side.
jim
12:33
If Bell sat out first half, do you think us fans would welcome him back for 2nd half? I wouldn't.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Emmitt Smith sat out the first two games in 1993. He reported and the Cowboys repeated.
Greg
12:35
Any part of you wish Blount was still on the team (instead of starting for Detroit) so he could take the reins next year and Bell could walk?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Nah. He was a distraction and a bad teammate.
JerseySteel
12:35
Hi Ray - another item inspired by watching the Jags playoff replay - do you think our new OC will limit those quick WR screen plays that always seemed to lose 3 yards?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Those screens can work, but it's tougher against good defenses. The Jaguars had a very good defense last year.
@steelernut88
12:36
Why can't both sides just stop being stubborn and figure this out. It's on the hitting the product.!!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Because it's not a simple negotiation. It's very complicated. The RB market is in flux and Bell is the player who wants to reset it.
PG Blitzer
12:37
So if Bell and Steelers don’t come to an agreement today can they still reach one even when Leveon hits free agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
Yes they'll have that small window between the end of the season and early March. But at that point, Bell would see the $$$ that free agency would bring.
Cody
12:38
Do you think Bell is dumb? Almost every player that’s left doesn’t have anywhere near the success. The Bus told him that too, thanks Ray
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Bell isn't dumb. He wants to reset the RB market. He believes he is worth more than the Steelers are willing to offer. I wouldn't call him dumb.
Michael
12:38
Schefter reporting Bell might sit out half the season. I think this is probably a negotiating tactic on Bell's part, but still. For my money, not parting ways with Bell is the worst personnel decision I've ever seen the Steelers make during Colbert's tenure. They could have signed Dion Lewis, Tyrann Mathieu, and Morgan Burnett with that money. Am I wrong?
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