RB Le'Veon Bell, FA (5 Viewers)

[GroveDiesel]

Per Jeremy Fowler he will decide today between KC, MIA and BUF.

Guess who the next three Jet opponents are?

 

[SoBeDad]

He couldn't beat out 37 year old Frank Gore. But he can do it all. I could see a contender wanting him for depth. 

 

[GroveDiesel]

Does this really make the Bills better? They currently rank 26th in YPC and 28th in rushing yards. Sure, it gives them a veteran and gives them a little more depth. If Bell couldn't do much running behind the Jets OL (NYJ are ranked 20th in YPC), would he do much better moving upstate?

Yes, yes it does make them better.

The Jets o-line is awful and their passing game is just as bad.

And Buffalo could use a guy who is good at it all. Singletary is a good runner, but a below average blocker. And Moss hasn’t shown much in general outside of being a good blocker. Bell is absolutely an upgrade IMO.

 

[The Frankman]

He couldn't beat out 37 year old Frank Gore. But he can do it all. I could see a contender wanting him for depth. 

To be fair; Le'Veon Bell could absolutely beat out Frank Gore. Like other talented RBs before him, Le'Veon Bell couldn't beat out the incompetence of Adam Gase.

 

[steelwind]

Does this really make the Bills better? They currently rank 26th in YPC and 28th in rushing yards. Sure, it gives them a veteran and gives them a little more depth. If Bell couldn't do much running behind the Jets OL (NYJ are ranked 20th in YPC), would he do much better moving upstate?

With Bell's veteran experience I would think his vision is better than Singletary and Moss at the pro level.  His pass blocking is superb as he has always been a dual threat.  So yes he is an upgrade for Buff.

He is 28, a little past his prime.  But it isn't about the player.  It's about the scheme with a QB playing at a pro ball level (except for week 5) with Diggs, Davis, Brown taking off the top to allow running lanes.  They also do not have much talent for TEs.  So Bell would be in line for passes too.

Anyway, this is all speculation.  Need to see where he signs.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Here is some juicy gossip for the Miami Dolphins from Barry Jackson...

-Adisa Bakari is the agent for Jordan Howard and Lev Bell so it's possible Miami could make 1 phone call and solve two problems at once. 

"Hi, we'd like to add one and subtract another please"

 

[I-ROK]

Can’t be encouraging news for CEH owners to be seeing KC spend a 1st round pick on a guy “better than Brian Westbrook” after “Mahomes specifically said he wanted him” and now they are one of the last 3 teams making a significant push to land Bell

 

[Anarchy99]

Here is some juicy gossip for the Miami Dolphins from Barry Jackson...

-Adisa Bakari is the agent for Jordan Howard and Lev Bell so it's possible Miami could make 1 phone call and solve two problems at once. 

"Hi, we'd like to add one and subtract another please"

You know the Dolphins better than I do . . . would they be adverse to shelling out $4.75 million for 18 carries of Howard and then just cut him?

 

[Capella]

Florida has no state income tax, but is Miami a contender?

For the Super Bowl? No, but there are 7 playoff teams now. They could slip in there as a 7 seed for sure imo. There’s value to making the playoffs even if you don’t advance. 

 

[BigJim®]

And Buffalo could use a guy who is good at it all. 

Agreed. But, is Bell that guy? Gase is an easy scapegoat, but the jury is out whether Bell has the drive to be a premier RB now that he's paid. That's a real thing... and JMHO the current version of Bell has a stink about him. 

 

[Anarchy99]

Can’t be encouraging news for CEH owners to be seeing KC spend a 1st round pick on a guy “better than Brian Westbrook” after “Mahomes specifically said he wanted him” and now they are one of the last 3 teams making a significant push to land Bell

We are assuming that Fowler has things entirely accurate. Schefter reported last night that MIA, NE, and LV were involved in trade talks with the Jets. Several people tweeted there were 5 teams in the running. The point being, there could be other suitors.

 

[SoBeDad]

Here is some juicy gossip for the Miami Dolphins from Barry Jackson...

-Adisa Bakari is the agent for Jordan Howard and Lev Bell so it's possible Miami could make 1 phone call and solve two problems at once. 

"Hi, we'd like to add one and subtract another please"

I don't see the value of Bell to a non-playoff team? Unless its an incentive laden multi-year deal. 

 

[Ministry of Pain]

For the Super Bowl? No, but there are 7 playoff teams now. They could slip in there as a 7 seed for sure imo. There’s value to making the playoffs even if you don’t advance. 

1st Person to acknowledge my Phins as being in the chase for the #7 spot. You can see some things starting to come together quickly for this team.  Soft schedule ahead until Dec, if they don't make the playoffs, they shouldn't be eliminated until much later in the season. 

If I were Bell I would sign with the Chiefs, you are going to get touches, produce good stats and win a ring or two, but I can't predict what Bell is thinking. I know Miami has some real appeal to him but it has nothing to do with the things I associated with Kansas City, let's be clear about that . 

 

[steelwind]

1st Person to acknowledge my Phins as being in the chase for the #7 spot. You can see some things starting to come together quickly for this team.  Soft schedule ahead until Dec, if they don't make the playoffs, they shouldn't be eliminated until much later int he season. 

If I were Bell I would sign with the Chiefs, you are going to get touches, produce good stats and win a ring or two, but I can't predict what bell is thinking. I know Miami has some real appeal to him but it has nothign to do with the things I associated with Kansas City, let's be clear about that . 

MOP, CEH is not going away.  How much opportunity will Bell have with the Chiefs??

 

[I-ROK]

We are assuming that Fowler has things entirely accurate. Schefter reported last night that MIA, NE, and LV were involved in trade talks with the Jets. Several people tweeted there were 5 teams in the running. The point being, there could be other suitors.

There are of course other suitors, but there is a lot of smoke around KC being seriously interested, and Bell in KC. 

Just isn’t a vote of confidence that they are even mentioned as interested
 

 

[I-ROK]

MOP, CEH is not going away.  How much opportunity will Bell have with the Chiefs??

CEH has been pretty underwhelming and can’t pass block. Bell could get plenty of opportunity there

 

[Capella]

1st Person to acknowledge my Phins as being in the chase for the #7 spot. You can see some things starting to come together quickly for this team.  Soft schedule ahead until Dec, if they don't make the playoffs, they shouldn't be eliminated until much later in the season. 

If I were Bell I would sign with the Chiefs, you are going to get touches, produce good stats and win a ring or two, but I can't predict what Bell is thinking. I know Miami has some real appeal to him but it has nothing to do with the things I associated with Kansas City, let's be clear about that . 

Of course they are. They just tattooed a good Niners team and have been fairly competitive. Great coach, vet qb, and the 7 seed may only need to be 8-8. Not saying it’s likely but it’s possible especially if they add Bell and he’s still has value. 

 

[Ministry of Pain]

You know the Dolphins better than I do . . . would they be adverse to shelling out $4.75 million for 18 carries of Howard and then just cut him?

Excellent question, it costs them nothing to cut him in the off season so I guess they are just delaying the inevitable or these are simply 2020 sunken costs, I don't think there is any 2021 impact if they release or cut Howard. 

 

[Anarchy99]

CEH has been pretty underwhelming and can’t pass block. Bell could get plenty of opportunity there

CEH is 6th in the league in YFS. I can't speak to his pass protection, but that doesn't seem to reflect "pretty underwhelming."

 

[steelwind]

What is the expected FAAB ($100) if Bell is on waivers?  Sorry if this thread isn't the place for that kind of question.  But yes he was in fact dropped this morning.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

MOP, CEH is not going away.  How much opportunity will Bell have with the Chiefs??

Another good question, I understand your POV or where you might be coming from here. I believe there is enough touches to go around. CEH can have 15 carries between the 20s, etc but Bell can be a guy on specific weeks to close games out or be the thumper down and around the goal line, he also catches the ball extremely well and is almost like adding a WR into the group. He had packages in Pitt where he was a WR on the route, he has excellent hands. I can't predict his carries but he would immediately assume 3rd down and I believe in games where they have a lead in the 2nd half you would see a lot more of him to close games out in the 4th. 

 

[I-ROK]

CEH is 6th in the league in YFS. I can't speak to his pass protection, but that doesn't seem to reflect "pretty underwhelming."

How has he been inside the 10? He looks good between the 10s, for the most part. I can name a lot of other underwhelming backs who were the same. Bell would be much better on the GL

 

[Anarchy99]

Excellent question, it costs them nothing to cut him in the off season so I guess they are just delaying the inevitable or these are simply 2020 sunken costs, I don't think there is any 2021 impact if they release or cut Howard. 

IIRC, Howard is getting paid $4.75 million $3 million guaranteed, the rest in salary) for this year. I believe MIA is taking a $4.75 million cap hit this year no matter what they do with him. (I am not sure if there is offset language that might negate some of that should he sign with another team). I believe there is a team option for next season, but there shouldn't be any salary cap hit for 2021 if they move on after this year. So based on that, it looks like Howard is getting $4.75 million even if the Fins cut him tomorrow. I don't know if they would look at it as a sunk cost and just eat the money and move on from him or not.

 

[The Frankman]

How has he been inside the 10? He looks good between the 10s, for the most part. I can name a lot of other underwhelming backs who were the same. Bell would be much better on the GL

They have a back in Darrell Williams who is a bigger back. Again, if he goes to KC it's not because Clyde Edwards-Helaire did something wrong per se.

 

[Boston]

Can’t be encouraging news for CEH owners to be seeing KC spend a 1st round pick on a guy “better than Brian Westbrook” after “Mahomes specifically said he wanted him” and now they are one of the last 3 teams making a significant push to land Bell

Gotta remember they had Damien Williams when they drafted CEH so in many ways if he goes there it reverts back to the situation when he was drafted...while this doesn't help CEH's value the other RBs for KC don't show much so they could use another quality RB...the big question is just how much does Bell have left and you're not gonna know until he plays.

 

[Anarchy99]

How has he been inside the 10? He looks good between the 10s, for the most part. I can name a lot of other underwhelming backs who were the same. Bell would be much better on the GL

Since 2017, Bell has produced 79-214-12 TD (2.7 YPC) and 15-591-1 on 23 targets in the red zone. I have a hard time determining if that is good, bad, or indifferent without knowing what other RBs have done in the same situation, but if I had to guess I would lean towards that being either below average or mediocre. More than 3/4 of those touches came with the Steelers (which many consider a strong offense), so that would only serve to solidify my guess that Bell has been fair to midland in recent years in the red zone.

 

[Don Hutson]

I don't see the value of Bell to a non-playoff team? Unless its an incentive laden multi-year deal. 

They are probably scared to put Tua in at quarterback behind that offensive line.  Having a stud pass blocking running back would help prevent Tua from getting slaughtered.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

IIRC, Howard is getting paid $4.75 million $3 million guaranteed, the rest in salary) for this year. I believe MIA is taking a $4.75 million cap hit this year no matter what they do with him. (I am not sure if there is offset language that might negate some of that should he sign with another team). I believe there is a team option for next season, but there shouldn't be any salary cap hit for 2021 if they move on after this year. So based on that, it looks like Howard is getting $4.75 million even if the Fins cut him tomorrow. I don't know if they would look at it as a sunk cost and just eat the money and move on from him or not.

Direct answer is YES, I think Miami can cut their losses. Other than the signing bonus and the fact he has not worked out or matched what they had hoped he would with their offensive scheme is an indictment for sure on the FO and perhaps coaching but honestly nobody here, not the fan base will give two spits if they release Jordan Howard and bring in another guy, to me this organization has done a poor job over the years of not moving along fast enough so it would be exciting actually if they just release him. He got paid, no harm done to him and none to us, we spent a ton in the off season, the Phins were able to get almost anyone they wanted, they brought in a bunch of guys that are all flourishing on defense, their street cred is pretty good at the moment. 

 

[tricky92]

Go Dolphins, go Chiefs!

I can't lose Singletary. 

Team in my league has Moss, Singletary, and Bell...

I can't stand the guy, so naturally I'm hoping Bell goes to the Bills

 

[-jb-]

They are probably scared to put Tua in at quarterback behind that offensive line.  Having a stud pass blocking running back would help prevent Tua from getting slaughtered.

Hopefully one will come on the market in a few weeks. 

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I don't see the value of Bell to a non-playoff team? Unless its an incentive laden multi-year deal. 

Some of us think Miami could turn into a potential playoff team for the last spot. NYJ x2, CIN, Den, Chargers, Cards and the Rams, that's the next 7 weeks and while I can put the Rams down as a loss, the rest I see a few wins and at the least close games. I could make a case for Miami to go from 2-3 to 8-4, maybe 7-5 with a month left in the season. 

 

[menobrown]

Guess who the next three Jet opponents are?

He can't play this week so if he chooses the Dolphins that will have to wait.

If I'm a Jets fan I'd be hoping when they face Bell the catches 10 passes, runs for 100 yards and whatever team he is on destroys the Jets. That might be to much for even Gase to overcome.

 

[Anarchy99]

Just another data point . . . PFF RB grades.

Bell
2020 - 73.7
2019 - 73.8
2017 - 71.0
2016 - 75.1

Singletary
2020 - 63.3
2019 - 66.1

Moss
2020 - 63.4

CEH
2020 - 69.9

Gaskin
2020 - 68.0

Breida
2020 - 63.8
2019 - 73.2
2018 - 75.8
2017 - 63.9

So PFF's metrics would indicate that even with an underwhelming Bell performance with NYJ, he still would be an upgrade to any of the main suitors said to be interested in him.

 

[spodog]

He is a good RB but has shortcomings. Not going to overpower anyone and has been below average in short yardage and go alone situations. Great between the 20s but Bell would be a good compliment that offers a little power in situations that require it.

He most certainly has been dynamic, which was your original comment.    He doesn't have the build to be a short yardage back, wasn't really a short yardage back in college, and wasn't drafted to be a short yardage back.      Agree that having a power back in the mix would be beneficial, but pretty hard to say CEH hasn't been dynamic as a rookie. 

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Since 2017, Bell has produced 79-214-12 TD (2.7 YPC) and 15-591-1 on 23 targets in the red zone. I have a hard time determining if that is good, bad, or indifferent without knowing what other RBs have done in the same situation, but if I had to guess I would lean towards that being either below average or mediocre. More than 3/4 of those touches came with the Steelers (which many consider a strong offense), so that would only serve to solidify my guess that Bell has been fair to midland in recent years in the red zone.

It is impossible to overstate how bad Gase is. I have no idea what Bell has left.

 

[Shutout]

Seems like aside from Miami, anywhere he goes he is going to muddy some waters. 

In KC, he may be nothing more than what Shady was there last year (although I still think Shady could have been more productive and it just came down to choices by the staff). 

In Buffalo...man...sorry Singletary owners. It will likely be just enough to take all the shine off Devin.

I am sure there are some surprise destinations that could pop up and cause some issues also. 

 

[menobrown]

They have a back in Darrell Williams who is a bigger back. Again, if he goes to KC it's not because Clyde Edwards-Helaire did something wrong per se.

I've said this already in this thread but Chiefs, wanted to bring Peterson in before the season and had reported interest in Fournette before the season. Just pointing out they've been on the RB market for a bigger back before CEH ever played a down so not really an indication of anything he's done.

 

[-jb-]

Seems like aside from Miami, anywhere he goes he is going to muddy some waters. 

In KC, he may be nothing more than what Shady was there last year (although I still think Shady could have been more productive and it just came down to choices by the staff). 

In Buffalo...man...sorry Singletary owners. It will likely be just enough to take all the shine off Devin.

I am sure there are some surprise destinations that could pop up and cause some issues also. 

He even muddies the waters in Miami. 

 

[zamboni]

In Buffalo...man...sorry Singletary owners. It will likely be just enough to take all the shine off Devin.

Agreed. His value is already greatly diminished with a healthy Moss. The addition of Bell would totally torpedo any value.

 

[jtd13]

Some of us think Miami could turn into a potential playoff team for the last spot. NYJ x2, CIN, Den, Chargers, Cards and the Rams, that's the next 7 weeks and while I can put the Rams down as a loss, the rest I see a few wins and at the least close games. I could make a case for Miami to go from 2-3 to 8-4, maybe 7-5 with a month left in the season. 

On top of that, they aren't out of it for the division. They'll probably be a game back of Buffalo by Monday night.  The fins played buffalo to within 3 despite no Jones and a hobbled Howard at CB. Miami has gotten more healthy and Buffalo has gotten less healthy since then.

Now does he have any chance to get a ring with Miami? No. Not this year.

 

[jtd13]

I've said this already in this thread but Chiefs, wanted to bring Peterson in before the season and had reported interest in Fournette before the season. Just pointing out they've been on the RB market for a bigger back before CEH ever played a down so not really an indication of anything he's done.

Great call with the earlier post, meno.

 

[Faust]

Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Thursday that the team has "looked into" signing free agent RB Le'Veon Bell. 

Bell seems particularly interested in teams slated to play the Jets in the coming weeks. Buffalo will face off against New York in Week 7. Bell signing with the Bills would throw Devin Singletary's workload -- which has been hefty with rookie RB Zack Moss (toe) out -- into some question. Bell is expected to sign with a new team today at the earliest. 

RELATED: 

Devin Singletary

, Zack Moss

, Buffalo Bills

SOURCE: Joe Buscaglia on Twitter 

Oct 15, 2020, 10:50 AM ET

 

[dmac37]

Per Jeremy Fowler he will decide today between KC, MIA and BUF.

I hope this holds true, signed a Montgomery owner that does not want him to lose passing down work

 

[Shutout]

He even muddies the waters in Miami. 

THE DOLPHINS HAVE A RUNNING GAME? 

 

[Jed]

THE DOLPHINS HAVE A RUNNING GAME? 

Gaskins has been serviceable in real life and fantasy, so yes.

 

[Shutout]

Gaskins has been serviceable in real life and fantasy, so yes.

I honestly didn't know that.  I am not a dialed in to the NFL right now as I used to be. I seriously thought Fitzmagic was just slinging that ball on every play.  Thanks

 

[Dizzy]

If it is truly down to KCC, BUF, and MIA...

Strictly for fantasy purposes I would like to see KCC because the Owner in my primary league has both Bell and Eclaire.

But for watching football purposes, I would like to see him in a Bills uniform.

 

[zamboni]

Strictly for fantasy purposes I would like to see KCC because the Owner in my primary has both Bell and Eclaire.

I guess CEH would get his just desserts.

 

[kittenmittens]

KCC would be an odd choice.  Their line has sucked so far and he has the patient running style.  There is more competition for carries and targets as well.  

If he just wants a ring that makes sense, but he doesn't seem like that type of player.   His motivation seems more linked to enjoying the Miami way of life than to winning football. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Ahhhhh, MIA, BUF or KC. Music to my ears. 

BUF fans should be happy to get a bruiser. I think that’s a great fit if he goes there.

KC also makes sense. 

MIA probably just means he wants to party.