Bell's Worth - a historical Perspective

MeanJustinBarlow · **Joined:** Thu Nov 13, 2014 3:44 pm **Posts:** 99

Bell wants to be the highest paid RB in history, and given inflation, the best back at any time deserves such... but Bell wants to be paid like a HoFer/dual threat as though hes a Ladanian Tomlinson or Marshall Faulk... That begs the question, is he really at that level??

I compared him to the top 5 opening 5 year runs for RBs in the last 20 yrs:

touches yards TDs
Tomlinson2044 9753 80
Edgerin 1755 8191 52
Faulk 1686 8124 51
Peterson 1543 8061 67
Bell 1541 7996 42
Forte 1529 7652 35
McCoy 1421 7600 67
Alexander1830 8800 98

He compares favorably in production to everyone except Tomlinson, especially favorable in mileage (touches), but kind of weak in TDs (maybe Haley's fault).

What is interesting here is he is only a few hundred yards ahead of Forte and McCoy... is he truly THAT much better than those guys?

Is he really on Peterson's level when Peterson scored 1.5x as many TDs in his first 5 years?

And how long do you sign him for? You have to think that at most, there is only 3 more years of this kind of production left in him. So 3 years for what? Are we really gonna pay this guy twice what Davontae Freeman makes? Getting cold feet here.

He definitely is no Ladanian Tomlinson (who only played at a high level for 3 more years after he hit Bell's age of 25).

jebrick · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:57 pm **Posts:** 3031

is that rushing or total yards?

Kodiak · **Joined:** Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:01 am **Posts:** 10532

Total yards....keep in mind, if Bell isn't hurt/suspended he picks up about another 16+ games.

But his efficiency fell off a cliff last year. Not random luck, either - for everyone who watched him, he's clearly lost a step.

Sure, argue he's worth $10M per year - 25% more than any other back. But huge risk his PRODUCTIVITY falls off a cliff in 2-3 years. I tend to agree the money is better spent elsewhere (in theory).

Lynch · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:36 pm **Posts:** 597

The fact that he has only finished one season is concerning.

BarryFoster · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:16 pm **Posts:** 6432

The fact he is slow and his longest run was 27 yards tells me everything I need to know

NOT WORTH THE MONEY

Lynch · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:36 pm **Posts:** 597

BarryFoster wrote:

The fact he is slow and his longest run was 27 yards tells me everything I need to know

NOT WORTH THE MONEY

Meh... That just makes it easier to calculate his real ypc, not having to take away the long runs.

steel · **Joined:** Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:26 pm **Posts:** 4117

here's a question ---

How many CHAMPIONSHIPS were won by any of their teams in any of those years for all those players combined?

I would say probably NONE

Jobus Rum · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:58 pm **Posts:** 6599

steel wrote:

here's a question ---

How many CHAMPIONSHIPS were won by any of their teams in any of those years for all those players combined?

I would say probably NONE

I think that’s kind of the point....

Jeemie · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:34 pm **Posts:** 22781

steel wrote:

here's a question ---

How many CHAMPIONSHIPS were won by any of their teams in any of those years for all those players combined?

I would say probably NONE

One- Faulk one one for the Rams in 1999.

Steelafan77 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:45 pm **Posts:** 12823

Bu.. Bu.. But I can run and catch like a wide receiver! I can block very well on 3rd downs. Matter of fact, I ain't ever allowed a sack as a 3rd down blocking RB. Isn't that worth $15Mil per? Com-awn!

Bell's Worth - a historical Perspective

Who is online