Leveon Bell to the Bucs. Its almost time to get on board that train. If the Bucs beat the Steelers, then its time. I'm not predicting that to happen, just saying that if this happens it might create the conditions to make a trade possible. Here's why.
STEELERS:
They say that the Steelers won't trade players to reward them for holding out. But I don't see them having a firm and fast rule about it. If they lose they are 0-2-1. They have Rothliesberger, despite his pronouncements otherwise, nearing the end of his career. He has played 15 years and his QB rating has declined to 86.5 last year. They need to take advantage of his presence while they can. If they could trade for Brate or Jones and a high pick of some sort that would give them a boost. They have already moved on from Bell, and they can still win a division that is led by the Bungles. It doesn't sound like enough, but they will have a limit on what they can get because Bell wants a big contract.
The Steelers do make trades. In 2009 the Steelers traded Santonio Holmes. That trade led to an additional trade which included a 6th round pick which they used to select Antonio Brown. So they came out pretty sweet on that one. They have traded players before. They would never make a deal when the Bucs are coming up on the schedule, but what about after?
BUCS:
In this HYPOTHETICAL scenario, the Bucs are 3-0, having just defeated three of the supposedly best teams in the league, and not squeezing by with a miracle play or something either. Doesn't this HYPOTHETICALLY put you in the conversation for going all the way HYPOTHETICALLY knock on wood and all that? The Bucs attack, though potent, is not balanced. They can't run out the clock in the 4th quarter. If they are serious, they have to be able to do that. They would have to pay Bell, perhaps not 100% of what he's asking, but he's going to get paid. Its a big risk that could backfire. Big risks tend to do that from time to time.
BEARS:
The Bears went from a middle of the road team to a contender by getting one player. They gave up two first round picks and paid the player, and threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the league. Are you picking against the Bears now? I don't think so. The Bucs aren't giving up two first rounders, but they should be able to put something together to get Bell. This is almost like baseball. One team makes a move. If you are serious you need to make a move too.
RAMS:
The Rams had the NFL's No. 1 offense in each of Marshall Faulk’s first three years
The addition of Faulk gave the Rams the league’s best offense. With Kurt Warner and two stud receivers already in the mix, St. Louis needed a versatile back who could do everything. Faulk could.He helped lead the Rams to the No. 1 ranking in each of his first three years with the team. It was a remarkable feat, becoming the first team ever to score more than 500 points in three straight years. Previously, they used a 1st round draft pick on Lawrence Phillips, who as we know was a bust. Did that stop them? No they made the move for Faulk. Should this be a cue to the Bucs to make a move for a RB?
I don't want to jinx the Bucs. If they lose to the Steelers, then we are still in the realm of "Lets try to make the playoffs." I don't think you are trying to hit a home run. If they beat the Steelers, the storyline changes for both teams. The Steelers brain trust will be here. People don't have to be in the same town to talk, but face-to-face is still the best way to do things. It may be time to have a conversation.
