You're absolutely right. He had about 25 touches a game at Indiana--the dude was outstanding. He can't handle the ball 18-20 times a game for the Jets?
I think Crowell was signed to be the workhorse in a league that really doesn't have work horses anymore and I never thought he was that explosive. I don't hate Bell--I'd be amped as hell if we got him--but I'm REALLY nervous about his mileage, his suspension risk, the massive $$ he's going to want, whether his patience behind the LOS will play behind our line (not because of the scheme we run but because of the talent) AND because he's a dumb fuck asshole. I loved Coleman at Indiana and I think he'd be a really really nice piece of a RB committee. Never thought Crowell was.
Most of Bell's teammates speak highly of him....he's not a locker room problem (See Antonio Brown). If you asked Sam, he'd probably donate his left testicle to have Bell in the backfield.
Instead of trying to convince ourselves that Coleman is a better option, let's celebrate win after win with Bell in the backfield.
If even Bell would struggle behind our O-Line, can you imagine the career year an average RB would have? Yikes.
I want him, but I also agree that your concerns are valid. Still, I want to see the Jets become aggressive in building an elite offense which is the best way to contend in the modern NFL.
The Jets have to try to sign him, but there obviously will be a limit to how much they spend. $18m/year is the absolute max.
Good questions. For 1, I think Conner did do well this season, but the Steelers clearly were not as explosive or tough to face without Bell. For 2, I just think they don't want to pay that much for a RB. They offered him like $15 million a year, right? That is more than fair. Him leaving and holding out is on him, not the Steelers. My one concern is him taking a year off. You assume he will be keeping himself in shape, but football shape is a different animal. I just hope he doesn't get injured if he is signed.
Exactly--I don't think anyone here thinks that Coleman is a better RB than Bell-Bell is an other worldly running back and probably the most talented RB we would ever have. The question is whether Coleman and a draftee or some other combination of FA and draftee would be a better option given the massive $$, the suspension risk, the mileage and the asshole factor. Wait, whut? EIGHTEEN MILLION? Gurley averages $14.5 mill David Johnson averages $13 mill and no other back averages more than $8.25 million.
NFL history has shown that: 1- You can count on RBs to decline quickly especially if their workload has been heavy 2- You can find Mid-Round RBs in almost every draft that can impact your team 3- Having the BEST or a top 3-5 RB in the league is NOT necessary to winning a Superbowl. None of these dudes won a Superbowl: (Earl Campbell, Thurman Thomas, Curtis Martin, OJ Simpson, Adrian Peterson, Eric Dickerson, Ladainian Tomlinson, Barry Sanders, Shaun Alexander) I know that Bell is better than Coleman and that he has been great, but remind yourself that as great as Bell is, he has never been to a Superbowl. The Jets have to do better with their transactions (Draft, Free Agents, Trades) or else it won't matter who is in the backfield.
Yes and it shouldn’t even be a question. Future HoF talent in his prime hits FA. 100M in cap. Bell will help facilitate Darnold’s development, it’s a no brainer.
You’re just looking at numbers and not watching him play. I’ve watched him play since he was a rookie because he’s one of my favorite players. He has not showed any signs of slowing down and just took a year off. Stop it.
Ok. I haven't watched him play...in fact, I don't even watch football. All players show signs of slowing down before they actually slow down...
Its okay we can sign that scrub Ingram or Coleman who can’t hold Bell’s jockstrap or we can hope another late round Jets offensive pick turns into the next the Bell.
What has Bell won with the Steelers? If his value is so superb, why haven't the Steelers advanced to a Superbowl? You misunderstand why myself and others do not want Bell. It isn't because he isn't a great player. It is because the position (RB) does not have to be great to win a chip. Teams can get to and win a Superbowl without having a dominant running back. That's just one of the reasons I don't want him, but there are many more. I can understand why you would want him on the Jets, but I just don't think it will pan out the way you envision it.
You’re right, you don’t need a star RB to win a SB but this offense is talent starved. We’re not winning with Enunwa Anderson and Herndon. Bell is the most talented player to hit FA in the last 5 years and there is no excuse to not sign him when we don’t have anybody on our team that needs to be resigned. If it turns out to be a bad move then so be it, but it’s time for this team to start focusing on offensive and Bell should be the focal point of this offseason.
