Foster team has to ‘give more’ if Bell holds out

stillthere · **Joined:** Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:11 pm **Posts:** 2026

https://clutchpoints.com/steelers-news-ramon-foster-says-rest-of-team-has-to-give-more-if-leveon-bell-starts-slow-again/

I know it is clutchpoints but it is a slow news cycle and a little something is better than nothing.

Quote:

Steelers’ Ramon Foster says rest of team has to ‘give more’ if Le’Veon Bell starts slow again

by Brad Taningco
June 18, 2018

It’s deja vu all over again for the Pittsburgh Steelers with regards to Le’Veon Bell. The star running back is once again holding out this offseason as he continues to push for a new long-term contract.

Steelers guard David De Castro has recently noted how similar this year has been compared to last year. And now, his fellow starting guard Ramon Foster has pointed out that the team must learn their lesson in the wake of their early-season struggles after Bell’s holdout last season.

“I think we did learn something,” offensive lineman Ramon Foster said via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I learned we have to give a little bit more, and I’m OK with that. The guys are OK with that. Coach [Mike] Tomlin said whatever you gave last year; expect to give a little bit more. … As great as Le’Veon is, we have to supplement what he does also. … He might take time to get going, but we have to be better prepared for that.”

Despite having one of the best seasons of his career upon his return from his holdout, Bell still needed some time to get up to speed last year. As a result, the Steelers were 3-2 in their first five games, and were even pushed all the way by the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, Bell had a season-low 32 rushing yards in that game.

It’s not impossible for something similar to happen again in this campaign. The team will have to go up against an improved Browns team again in Week 1, as well as two playoff teams (Chiefs, Falcons) and their two other division rivals (Ravens, Bengals) within the first five weeks. That’s why the Steelers must take Foster’s words to heart and be more prepared to step up if Bell isn’t quite at his best right away.

Jeemie · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:34 pm **Posts:** 23719

I hope Tomlin learns to give more as well.

As in...find ways to generate offense without forcing Bell out there.

If he's not producing...pull him and put someone else in there.

stillthere · **Joined:** Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:11 pm **Posts:** 2026

Nobody is flat out saying negative stuff about Bell but from the quotes it could almost be interpreted as "We know we won't be able to count on him to start the season off". Bell may be wearing his own teammates out with his self centered behavior. I may be wrong, only the players really know.

Kodiak · **Joined:** Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:01 am **Posts:** 12232

Hmmmm.....seems kind of like he's saying it's ok to give less than 110% when Bell is rolling.

That maybe is an attitude I've felt the team (and coaches) have had a long time - the stars will carry us, so I can skate by with less effort.

bradshaw2ben · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 11:33 pm **Posts:** 16871

“Despite having one of the best seasons of his career upon his return from his holdout“

Uhhh... What? No way.

Kodiak · **Joined:** Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:01 am **Posts:** 12232

bradshaw2ben wrote:

“Despite having one of the best seasons of his career upon his return from his holdout“

Uhhh... What? No way.

Typical lazy reporting. If you look at pure production, then yes - tied a career high in TD's, 2nd best rushing yards, 2nd best receiving yards, career best in receptions........it just ignores his efficiency dropped considerably with his averages about the worst of his career.

steelmann58 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:43 pm **Posts:** 4506

more carries for guys who been with the team during training camp hope to see Conner getting more touches early this season.

Jobus Rum · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:58 pm **Posts:** 7110

Not gonna happen...Aviators loves him some Lev.
Run the wheels off baby!

Scunge · **Joined:** Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:14 pm **Posts:** 1970

bradshaw2ben wrote:

“Despite having one of the best seasons of his career upon his return from his holdout“

Uhhh... What? No way.

And with all of those touches, carries and catches the past two seasons, he has become more prone to fumble. 27 regular season games the past two seasons, 7 fumbles, 3 were lost fumbles, 2 luckily went out of bounds before they could be recovered. Teams have adjusted and are limiting him. They have learned to be patient too, and they are making him cough it up, forcing turnovers.

I am all for him holding out, wait until September to sign that tender. Just gives Samuels more time to get acclimated. Would love to finally have a RB that can actually score some TDs in the passing game.

stillthere · **Joined:** Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:11 pm **Posts:** 2026

Kodiak wrote:

Hmmmm.....seems kind of like he's saying it's ok to give less than 110% when Bell is rolling.

That maybe is an attitude I've felt the team (and coaches) have had a long time - the stars will carry us, so I can skate by with less effort.

That makes me wanna puke in my mouth a little.

alancac98 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

I disagree with Foster completely. If Bell wants to hold out, that is his prerogative. However, he should be sure he comes back in the best shape of his life! I know that much of his slow start was due to no touches of the ball, so Tomlin needs to get his head out of his ass and get other backs on the field as they have had the touches to make the Steelers more successful. Our first 5 games are brutally important, and Lev is going to screw this team if Tomlin doesn't handle him right. Slowly work him in to get acclimated. Why should all of the other players have to bend over and "give more", so that piece of shit can lollygag it and cost his team. Just maybe, the young kids will display their skills enough that the Steelers will work on saying bye bye once the season begins. I honestly wouldn't care if they just outright cut his ass and got nothing in return! Good-fucking-riddance...

Havoc · **Joined:** Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:47 am **Posts:** 4498

I do not care if Bell holds out or not.

More reps for the young guys especially Samuels (hopefully) if Bell is out which could be more beneficial in the long run.

Gonzo · **Joined:** Sat Jul 26, 2014 6:11 pm **Posts:** 2207

alancac98 wrote:

I disagree with Foster completely. If Bell wants to hold out, that is his prerogative. However, he should be sure he comes back in the best shape of his life! I know that much of his slow start was due to no touches of the ball, so Tomlin needs to get his head out of his ass and get other backs on the field as they have had the touches to make the Steelers more successful. Our first 5 games are brutally important, and Lev is going to screw this team if Tomlin doesn't handle him right. Slowly work him in to get acclimated. Why should all of the other players have to bend over and "give more", so that piece of shit can lollygag it and cost his team. Just maybe, the young kids will display their skills enough that the Steelers will work on saying bye bye once the season begins. I honestly wouldn't care if they just outright cut his ass and got nothing in return! Good-fucking-riddance...

Tomlin pullIing his head out and doing anything other what he has put on tape ain't gonna happen
Fat and happy

Laying the Wood · **Joined:** Sat Aug 16, 2014 7:58 pm **Posts:** 815

stillthere wrote:

Kodiak wrote:

Hmmmm.....seems kind of like he's saying it's ok to give less than 110% when Bell is rolling.

That maybe is an attitude I've felt the team (and coaches) have had a long time - the stars will carry us, so I can skate by with less effort.

That makes me wanna puke in my mouth a little.

lol

It seems kind of like he's saying their franchise RB is holding out, so they really need to pick it up and pull out all the stops to win games while he's getting back into the swing of things.

God do you guys just read articles and think of ways to twist them into being something negative?

Do you also give 110% during every waking minute at your job?

Kodiak · **Joined:** Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:01 am **Posts:** 12232

Laying the Wood wrote:

Do you also give 110% during every waking minute at your job?

I work more than 16 days a year for a lot less money.

I don't know how we're twisting or spinning it into something negative. Foster literally said they've got to raise their game if Bell struggles. How does anyone argue that is not symptomatic of a team that takes weeks off and routinely plays down to its competition?

Ice · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2018 2:46 pm

Two things:

1) I am currently not giving 110% at my job. I am giving 110% to disproving a reddit Westworld theory, which I am crushing it at.

2) NFL players work way more than 16 days a year. In fact, Ray Lewis pretty famously said that those were the days he gave you for free.

FC · **Joined:** Wed Jul 09, 2014 10:10 am **Posts:** 1269

The Bell situation is going to be real fucking ugly.

I fully expect he holds out until week 10...If he was my client I would advise him to hold out to week 10. Any money he loses this season I believe he will recoup during free agency 2019(Less miles on his body)/ He drops another level in the NFLDP(Drug program)

If he holds out until week 10 the Steelers should place the transition tag on him next season...Let the market determine his worth.

With several backs looking for extensions after this season I think Bell is going to be real surprised at his lack of value

I honestly believe no NFL team will break 11 million dollars annually for a back...I don't think any NFL team will break 10 million annually for Bell

Poltargyst · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:35 pm **Posts:** 8315

Laying the Wood wrote:

stillthere wrote:

Kodiak wrote:

Hmmmm.....seems kind of like he's saying it's ok to give less than 110% when Bell is rolling.

That maybe is an attitude I've felt the team (and coaches) have had a long time - the stars will carry us, so I can skate by with less effort.

That makes me wanna puke in my mouth a little.

God do you guys just read articles and think of ways to twist them into being something negative?

That is my impression.

Poltargyst · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:35 pm **Posts:** 8315

Kodiak wrote:

Laying the Wood wrote:

Do you also give 110% during every waking minute at your job?

I work more than 16 days a year for a lot less money.

I don't know how we're twisting or spinning it into something negative. Foster literally said they've got to raise their game if Bell struggles. How does anyone argue that is not symptomatic of a team that takes weeks off and routinely plays down to its competition?

So you're not counting OTA's, mini-camp, training camp, all days of practice during the season, preseason games, playoff games then? Okay.

This really doesn't sound any different than if Sidney Crosby goes out with an injury and the rest of the Pens say "well, now we need to really pick up our game while he's out." There really doesn't have to be a negative connotation to the comment.

Scunge · **Joined:** Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:14 pm **Posts:** 1970

FC wrote:

The Bell situation is going to be real fucking ugly.

I fully expect he holds out until week 10...If he was my client I would advise him to hold out to week 10. Any money he loses this season I believe he will recoup during free agency 2019(Less miles on his body)/ He drops another level in the NFLDP(Drug program)

If he holds out until week 10 the Steelers should place the transition tag on him next season...Let the market determine his worth.

With several backs looking for extensions after this season I think Bell is going to be real surprised at his lack of value

I honestly believe no NFL team will break 11 million dollars annually for a back...I don't think any NFL team will break 10 million annually for Bell

I think Colbert and the Steelers handled this about as poorly as they could. Putting the exclusive tag on him, holding all the rights, how did that work out for them? It didn't, it was a monumental disaster. If they had put the non-exclusive tag on Bell, then Bell and his agent could have shopped his services, they would have seen what other teams were offering, perhaps signed an offer sheet and the Steelers could have matched it. Or the Steelers could have worked out a trade. But the way it worked out, Bell will have waited until the very last second to sign his tender, two years in a row, effectively eliminating any opportunity for a trade.

I bet Bell secretly is hoping that the Steelers franchise him a 3rd year in a row. It would be 144% of last year's 14.544 million, so we are talking almost $21 million to tag him a 3rd time. At that point the Steelers will have paid him almost $48 million over 3 years. Enough of that, they need to get off this merry go round.

If only they had drafted Guice, we wouldn't be going through all of this.

Poltargyst · **Joined:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:35 pm **Posts:** 8315

Scunge wrote:

If only they had drafted Guice, we wouldn't be going through all of this.

In the first round instead of Edmunds?

Foster team has to ‘give more’ if Bell holds out

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