First Down
There’s still time for this to be completely wrong but all signs are pointing to Le’Veon Bell sitting out the entire season.
BREAKING: @LeVeonBell NOT expected to report to the @steelers by Tuesday's deadline according to Adam Schefter, therefore forfeiting the ENTIRE season. By sitting out, the 26-year-old Bell will miss out on $14.5 million. https://t.co/N0dYVFiktm pic.twitter.com/u3zubyteSX
— Chase Williams (@chasepwilliams) November 11, 2018
The $14.5 million is A LOT of money to forfeit but the issues Bell has with the Steelers go way beyond money. Well, it’s always about the money but Bell is suffering from the most basic human needs; the need to feel wanted. Yes, he wants to get PAID but he also wants the Steelers to publicly show how much they appreciate him. It may sound stupid but if Pittsburgh just showed their love for him, along with a massive raise, he’d probably be in the black and gold now.
James Connor has had a magnificent rookie season and his numbers are actually better than Bell’s this time last year. Many fans have jumped on the Connor bandwagon, and rightfully so, but let’s not forget that kind of plays Bell can actually make.
Simply put: Bell is special and has proven he can be the focal point of an offense. Can Connor say the same thing?
The elephant in the room is that Bell plays the most devalued position in the NFL: running back. The notion is that running backs that also catch passes aren’t that hard to find and that it’s best to get one while they’re young and cheap. Bell is 26 and by the end of any contract extension he’ll be, traditionally speaking, way out of his prime. The Steelers are also paying AB and Big Ben. It’s not wise to tie big bucks to three offensive players.
As for Bell? He’s making the right decision. He’ll never get that $14.5 million back but it’s well worth it if he can miss a season’s worth of carries and receptions. The Steelers were going to run him into the ground this year and why let them do that to you without and job security? Earl Thomas is the best cautionary tale on why Bell should sit the season out.
Bell will be a free agent at the end of the year and I’m willing to bet that whatever team shows the most appreciation of his skill set will be the team he signs with.
He just wants to be loved, man.
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Second Down
One theme throughout 4DT this year is the 5-4 Titans and their ability to beat good teams. Sunday that theme kept going as Tennessee throttled New England 34-10. The Titans’ defense dominated Brady and held him to 254 yards and zero touchdowns. If the playoffs started today the Titans would be the first team out but luckily for them the Bengals are in the last spot and free falling to the draft. The Titans not only made the playoffs last year but beat the Chiefs. They ended up losing to the Patriots but don’t be shocked if they make it in and find themselves in the AFC title game. They have the same ingredients as Jacksonville last year but Mariota can do major damage with his legs.
This Titans team is legit and should be feared.
After saying all that after Sunday’s game former Patriot and current Titan, Dion Lewis, had something to say to his old team.
Is it personal, Dion Lewis? ‘hell yeah it’s personal. That’s what happens when you go cheap. You get your ass kicked.” The #Titans RB very happy about beating his former team #patriots
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) November 11, 2018
A few things:
- He had 20 carries for 57 yards. That’s an average 2.8 yards per carry.
- The only reason we know Dion is because the Patriots “went cheap” and signed him.
- HE AVERAGED 2.8 YARDS PER CARRY.
I understand the need for vengeance but you at least have to crack 100 yards from scrimmage and score a touchdown. Just take the W and move on in this case.
I can totally see him signing to the Patriots later in his career only to have Belichick bench him for the entire season. Bill is the ultimate troll.
Third Down
After making the media rounds and blaming everyone but himself Hue Jackson has found himself a job on the Bengals staff. He will be the Special Assistant to the Head Coach or as Dwight Schrute calls it, Assistant to the Regional Manager. He made a name for himself as the Bengals offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015 so he’ll probably dabble on that side of the ball. Jackson was fired from the Browns earlier this year after going 2-6-1. It would’ve made more sense to fire him after, ya know, going 0-16 but this is the Browns so…yeah.
This is definitely Marvin Lewis looking out for an old friend but the Bengals are at the bottom of every offensive category. One more offensive mind can only make them better, right? If not it’ll be fun watching Hue go to the podium and blame Joe Mixon for not converting a 4th and 7 after running a counter to the near side of the field.
Fourth Down
California has been hit with devastating fires that have burned through Malibu and other parts of the state. The NFL claimed that they would monitor the situation but still decided that it was okay for the Raiders/Chargers and Giants/49ers to play even though the air quality was not safe.
This likely wasn’t what the #NFL had in mind/hoped for coming into tonight. #Giants #49ers pic.twitter.com/FokmHrATMO
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) November 13, 2018
We understand that it’s hard for the NFL to reschedule games, especially ones that are primetime, but this is just another example of how player safety is a joke. The NFL has to do better, but they won’t because cash is king.
Since you’re here; if you want to help those who have been affected by the wildfires click here.
Extra Points
- Sunday Tyreek Hill one-upped Michael Thomas in the celebration department.
“I’ll get you on TV fam!”
– @cheetah (probably) https://t.co/dyk6E8BxM9
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 11, 2018
Thomas was fined $30,000 for his Joe Horn cell phone tribute. I can’t imagine how deep Hill will have to go in his pockets for using a TV camera. The NFL should embrace this instead of punishing it. As long as it doesn’t harm anyone then who cares?
- Dez Bryant tore his achilles during practice and is done for the year. He hasn’t been in NO long but the Saints still gave a shoutout to their teammate.
Throw up the X! @MarkIngram22 gave a shoutout to @DezBryant with his TD celebration. #NOvsCIN pic.twitter.com/vL3WAok1k0
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) November 11, 2018
By the way; the Saints hung 51 on the Bengals which led to their defensive coordinator getting fired. They are unstoppable and will win the Super Bowl.
- This is an NFL piece but Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said something that can’t be glossed over.
Mike Gundy blames transfers on "liberalism" and "the snowflake": https://t.co/PVb3ZvVKYg pic.twitter.com/yBkPa6VyPA
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) November 12, 2018
I hope Gundy keeps that same energy when his colleagues decide to leave for another job after promising those young men they’d be there to help shape them into men. Also, I’ll be damned if a man WITH A MULLET lectures me about anything. Nah.
@ me :madads14
As always, thanks for reading.
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