Is the Le'Veon Bell signing over-hyped?

[Peace Frog]

Mods, please merge this thread if you feel it necessary.  

I was watching this video about which non-Paytoilets team will win the AFC East this year and the reasoning for the Jets chances are mainly because of Le'Veon Bell.  I agree that he posted some nice numbers in the past but he didn't play at all last season.  There's a big difference between being 'in shape' and being 'in game shape'.  Call me crazy but I don't think he'll be lighting it up for the Jets this season.  He'll put up decent numbers but I don't see any breakout year from him.  Having the threat of Big Ben throwing the ball to AB probably had more to do with his numbers then his actual running ability.  Your thoughts?

[John from Riverside]

1 minute ago, Peace Frog said:

Mods, please merge this thread if you feel it necessary.  

I was watching this video about which non-Paytoilets team will win the AFC East this year and the reasoning for the Jets chances are mainly because of Le'Veon Bell.  I agree that he posted some nice numbers in the past but he didn't play at all last season.  There's a big difference between being 'in shape' and being 'in game shape'.  Call me crazy but I don't think he'll be lighting it up for the Jets this season.  He'll put up decent numbers but I don't see any breakout year from him.  Having the threat of Big Ben throwing the ball to AB probably had more to do with his numbers then his actual running ability.  Your thoughts?

I think that the jets will have not done enough to strengthen their OL.....and that is going to hurt Bell

[aristocrat]

If he got fat it might be

[Stank_Nasty]

go watch highlights of an old DeAngelo Williams, a young james conner and a rookie jaylan samuels producing similar results behind an elite offensive line over the last 4-5 years and you'll have your answer.

[Shaw66]

I think LeVeon Bell is way over-hyped.   I mean, the guy is obviously a very talented back, but I don't think he turns a loser into a winner.  Why?

 

1.  You don't need a great running  back to win.  He's a luxury.   You need a great QB and a great line.   Where the Jets are in those categories is certainly an open question.

 

2.  Bell was great in Pittsburgh in his last couple of seasons because the Steelers' line was great.  Bell held the ball, danced, looked, sometimes just stood still, while the offensive line held their blocks, held their blocks and eventually moved someone in the right direction to create a hole.   I'd watch it and wish the Bills could block for Shady like that, because Shady is great at waiting for the hole and then bursting into.   I think that unless the Jets can block like that, Bell is going to look like an ordinary human being.   

[MJS]

I think he'll improve their team. The question is by how much. The oline is obviously more important, but Bell can cover up some of that problem to a certain extent, I think.

 

But their success is tied to one guy, and that's Darnold.

[Rc2catch]

As with us, if they make the jump it’ll be because of Darnold taking his game to a new level. That’s the only way Bell is having some monstrous year is if Darnold is winging it around the field opening up the box for running lanes 

[ProcessAccepted]

For sure he's a really good and talented running back. That said I'd be concerned about his temperament. One of his major issues with the Steelers was his pay check, and moving to the Jets didn't get that addressed. When the season starts if he or the Jets are struggling then I'd bet he'll be back whining and complaining. 

[BuffAlone]

If we can upgrade our run defense, yes..he's overhyped. And costly. Which is good for us

[Jerome007]

31 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I think LeVeon Bell is way over-hyped.   I mean, the guy is obviously a very talented back, but I don't think he turns a loser into a winner.  Why?

 

1.  You don't need a great running  back to win.  He's a luxury.   You need a great QB and a great line.   Where the Jets are in those categories is certainly an open question.

 

2.  Bell was great in Pittsburgh in his last couple of seasons because the Steelers' line was great.  Bell held the ball, danced, looked, sometimes just stood still, while the offensive line held their blocks, held their blocks and eventually moved someone in the right direction to create a hole.   I'd watch it and wish the Bills could block for Shady like that, because Shady is great at waiting for the hole and then bursting into.   I think that unless the Jets can block like that, Bell is going to look like an ordinary human being.   

Exactly! He IS very good but the Steelers line was exceptional. He'll upgrade the Jets for sure but I'd be surprised he makes that much of an impact. It does seem the Jets have improved quite similarly as the Bills during offseason so overall they might be much better, and that will help Bell. But in a salary cap sport? I'm glad the Bills passed him up. 

 

And I'd still take Josh over Darnold any day.

[Teddy KGB]

That boy good 

[Plano]

I mean, I haven't heard a word about it since the day it happened, so maybe overhyped isn't the term.

 

However, he's a very good player, who just had his body rest for a year, in the prime of his career, I'd certainly say that he upgrades their offense as an explosive playmaker....but is he going to turn the team around? Absolutely not.

[auburnbillsbacker]

It was a decent contract from the Jets perspective.  They have him less guaranteed money than we gave Morse.

Edited March 28, 2019 by auburnbillsbacker

[Reader]

I expect him to be similar to Shady for us when we first acquired him. Has to be accounted for and can take over games at times, while also not being able to do enough on his own to make the team a serious contender.

[KD in CA]

58 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I think LeVeon Bell is way over-hyped.   I mean, the guy is obviously a very talented back, but I don't think he turns a loser into a winner.  Why?

 

1.  You don't need a great running  back to win.  He's a luxury.   You need a great QB and a great line.   Where the Jets are in those categories is certainly an open question.

 

2.  Bell was great in Pittsburgh in his last couple of seasons because the Steelers' line was great.  Bell held the ball, danced, looked, sometimes just stood still, while the offensive line held their blocks, held their blocks and eventually moved someone in the right direction to create a hole.   I'd watch it and wish the Bills could block for Shady like that, because Shady is great at waiting for the hole and then bursting into.   I think that unless the Jets can block like that, Bell is going to look like an ordinary human being.   

 

This. 

[mjt328]

The Jets clearly upgraded the running back position. 

But they did virtually nothing on the offensive line, which was one of their weak points last season. 

 

So at the end of the day, how much did they truly upgrade their rushing attack?  How much does that marginal improvement in the run game actually help the offense?  And will it be enough to make the team better in the win column?  FYI - I do realize the draft has not happened yet.

 

Just like us with Josh Allen, the biggest difference will ultimately be how much Sam Darnold improves in his second year.  I liked Darnold a lot as a prospect, and I thought he showed a lot of promise last season.  So although I do anticipate the Jets improving in 2019, very little of that is due to Le'Veon Bell.

 

When it comes to building a roster, I definitely prefer Brandon Beane's approach.  Instead of making a huge splash on ONE guy, we spread our dollars out and brought in solid starters/competition at multiple places.  At the end of the day, I think Morse, Gore, Brown, Beasley, Nsekhe, Long, Feliciano and Waddle will be a bigger boost than... Bell.

 

 

 

[Mr. WEO]

I posted this in the other thread discussing the Bell signing:

 

https://deadspin.com/did-leveon-bell-make-the-right-decision-1833381292 

 

"Yes, he secured more full guarantees than any non-rookie running back. But Bell also left a lot of money on the table—money he was very, very, very likely to earn had he taken the Steelers’ offer, and money that ironically went straight back into the Steelers’ pockets."

 

"Bell essentially paid $19 million to gain an additional $7 million in full guarantees."

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

We just need 5 Samoan O-Lineman and Shady and Gore will rush for 2,000 combined yards.

 

After rewatching a lot of games from last year Shady looks like he lost some top end speed but not any of his agility or shake and bake. That delayed foot drag followed by that double move will still turn defenders into statues. Gore also has lost a step but he might be the best downhill runner in the NFL even at his age. With Allen, Shady, Gore and a improved O-Line I will not be surprised if we lead the NFL in rushing this year.

[Romie]

All good points so far.  I also think he's at a huge risk for injury this year especially if he's still fat.  

 

He doesn't have the three B's the strectch the defense anymore either.  He absolutely benefit from having those guys on his team.  Do the Jets have any receivers?

[fansince88]

Just by people that keep bringing it up. 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

His running style is unique.  He hesitates and waits for holes...  if the line struggles to keep the gaps plugged while he is finding his hole it may be a problem. 

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

His running style is unique.  He hesitates and waits for holes...  if the line struggles to keep the gaps plugged while he is finding his hole it may be a problem. 

 

Was literally just coming in to post this exact thing.

 

I do not think he will live up to the contract for the Jets.  I think his most value will be as a receiver for Darnold, which is great but you don't need to pay a RB a gazillion dollars to do that.  He has already dealt with injuries, and missing this much time makes hamstring issues a real threat and those things linger all year.  I feel like Bell will miss a few games and is going to struggle to average higher than 4 ypc, at least this next year.  I mean even in his last season in Pitt he only averaged 4.0 ypc and that was on a talented team with a good OL.  

[akm0404]

He is good. He won’t stop being good because he signed with a hated rival. Don’t overthink it. 

[H2o]

Bell is top tier NFL RB. The person this helps the most is Darnold. Having a guy like that in which defenses scheme against will open up the field more for their signal caller. If Bell is having a solid game it will make Darnold look even better off of play action. Is he going to be the same Bell as before? We will have to wait and see. He was the best 3 down back in the league for 3 or 4 straight seasons in Pittsburgh though. 

[buffalo2218]

I honestly believe that with Gase running the show, were gonna be seeing a lot more drama with Bell. Gase ran off Ajayi in Miami, apparently mistakenly thinking Tannehill was the focal point of that offense. If he pulls that same trick on Bell, I'll be suspecting a lot of dissention in the ranks in that roster

[aceman_16]

Of course his signing is overhyped....we didn't get him.

[klos63]

7 hours ago, ProcessAccepted said:

For sure he's a really good and talented running back. That said I'd be concerned about his temperament. One of his major issues with the Steelers was his pay check, and moving to the Jets didn't get that addressed. When the season starts if he or the Jets are struggling then I'd bet he'll be back whining and complaining. 

He did indeed get it addressed. He got the long term deal with much guaranteed money.  That's what he wanted, he said he's happy with it.

[Success]

No.  He’s awesome.

 

I’m more worried about the Jets this year than the Pats.

[ExWNYer]

9 hours ago, Teddy KGB said:

That boy good 

 

 

[Nelius]

1 hour ago, Success said:

No.  He’s awesome.

 

I’m more worried about the Jets this year than the Pats.

 

Same here. More worried about their defense than Bell to be honest, but Bell is a top 2 back in the league. I don't think it's over-hyped at all. If Darnold put it all together before Allen does, the Jets become really scary.

[Doc Brown]

They'll have a better offense because of him.  He's a very good running back and Gase will find a way to get him heavily involved in the passing game.  I don't think it elevates them to a championship contender, but they're definitely a more formidable offense.  The price wasn't astronomical compared to what people were speculating (it didn't come close to Gurley's).

[mjt328]

7 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Virtually nothing?

 

They traded for one of the best Guards in football and gave up next to nothing for him.

 

I wish Beane made that trade.... along with the one for Quinn.

 

You are right.  I was thinking about free agent signings and completely forgot about the trade for Osemele.

[oldmanfan]

He'll make them better, especially in the passing game.  Will he make them a top offense?  Doubtful.  But they'll be better with him.

[ProcessAccepted]

10 hours ago, klos63 said:

He did indeed get it addressed. He got the long term deal with much guaranteed money.  That's what he wanted, he said he's happy with it.

Oh a pro athlete saying that they are happy with their deal so all is well ?

 

Just because it was the best deal he could get doesn't mean that he's happy about it. Let's revisit this at the end of the season and see if he's happy.

[Captain Hindsight]

9 hours ago, Nelius said:

 

Same here. More worried about their defense than Bell to be honest, but Bell is a top 2 back in the league. I don't think it's over-hyped at all. If Darnold put it all together before Allen does, the Jets become really scary.

I think they screwed the pooch hiring Gase. Thats one of those hires that just makes you wonder what they were thinking, or more accurately, who turned them down

[Just Joshin']

10 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Virtually nothing?

 

They traded for one of the best Guards in football and gave up next to nothing for him.

 

I wish Beane made that trade.... along with the one for Quinn.

If one of the best Guards was PFF's #61 in 2018.  Not a good year.

 

Granted he was a two time pro bowler before that but would Oakland have traded him if they thought he was going to regain that form?  He is not a sure bet to be a high performer next year.

[JBacks]

14 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Was literally just coming in to post this exact thing.

 

I do not think he will live up to the contract for the Jets.  I think his most value will be as a receiver for Darnold, which is great but you don't need to pay a RB a gazillion dollars to do that.  He has already dealt with injuries, and missing this much time makes hamstring issues a real threat and those things linger all year.  I feel like Bell will miss a few games and is going to struggle to average higher than 4 ypc, at least this next year.  I mean even in his last season in Pitt he only averaged 4.0 ypc and that was on a talented team with a good OL.  

The thing is Darnold is no Ben. Alot of his passes we're late dumpoffs after Ben surveyed the field. Darnold is not there yet. Think teams will put a spy on him. Jets don't have the WRs to give Darnold that luxury.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

He's a sneaky good player and a good running back who fits any scheme, and he's also an excellent fantasy player due to high volume.  But how much is a product of that offense?

 

1946 yards on 396 touches - 11 TDs ---- Bell in 2017
1925 yards on 352 touches - 16 TDs ---- Conner/Samuels in 2018

[Gugny]

19 hours ago, Peace Frog said:

Mods, please merge this thread if you feel it necessary.  

I was watching this video about which non-Paytoilets team will win the AFC East this year and the reasoning for the Jets chances are mainly because of Le'Veon Bell.  I agree that he posted some nice numbers in the past but he didn't play at all last season.  There's a big difference between being 'in shape' and being 'in game shape'.  Call me crazy but I don't think he'll be lighting it up for the Jets this season.  He'll put up decent numbers but I don't see any breakout year from him.  Having the threat of Big Ben throwing the ball to AB probably had more to do with his numbers then his actual running ability.  Your thoughts?

 

I wouldn't call it "over-hyped," as much as I'd call it asinine. 

 

You don't pay a RB that much money when you have that many holes.  And Bell will not be happy there.  The fact that he took less money than he would have made if he'd taken the Steelers' original offer is going to eat at him while he watches (hopefully) the Steelers playing games in January from his couch.

[klos63]

1 hour ago, ProcessAccepted said:

Oh a pro athlete saying that they are happy with their deal so all is well ?

 

Just because it was the best deal he could get doesn't mean that he's happy about it. Let's revisit this at the end of the season and see if he's happy.

you're right. Saying he is happy with his deal means he isn't happy with his deal.