Running back Le'Veon Bell said last night that he’s “so torn” regarding “decisions” he needs to make. Presumably Taylor Rapp Jersey , he’s talking about two or more teams from which to choose for 2019 and beyond and not what he was planning to have for dinner.Wherever he ends up going, the biggest question will be whether his new contract will justify skipping all of 2018 and giving up the $14.54 million he would have made from the Steelers. While many will look to the average value of his next contract to answer that question, the real question will be how much of the deal will be fully guaranteed at signing and (given the position he plays) how much will be guaranteed for injury.Ultimately, that’s what Bell was trying to preserve: The guaranteed money that he would make on a multi-year deal negotiated on the open market, with no restrictions or other devices that would reduce his overall haul. So then the question becomes whether the $14.54 million that was sacrificed in 2018 in the name of preserving Bell’s body will be outweighed by whatever he gets now.It won’t be an easy analysis to perform, and reasonable minds will differ on whether he gets enough to make missing a full year, and the money that went along with it, worthwhile. Besides, the naysayers likely will be inclined to focus more closely on the average value of the deal — and the closer it is to $14.54 million, the more ammunition they’ll have to say the missed season was a failure for Bell. Even if that’s really not the way to look at it.Regardless Shareef Miller Jersey , he could still get significantly more than $14.54 million per year. Look at some of the deals that already have been done (or at least that unofficially will be done). The money is flowing; without naming names, plenty of guys who aren’t nearly as potent or effective as Le’Veon Bell have cashed in. Bell should, too, and don’t be surprised if he’s north of $17 million per year. ATLANTA (AP) — Defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel described safety Ricardo Allen’s season-ending torn Achilles tendon as “another devastating blow” to the Atlanta Falcons‘ defense.Unfortunately for the Falcons (1-2), Manuel has made similar comments too often in the first month of the season. Every week, it seems, the Atlanta defense has to adjust to another jarring injury .After already placing four players on injured reserve, including three top starters on defense, the Falcons will attempt to regroup when they face quarterback Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.Allen was hurt early in overtime of last week’s 43-37 loss to New Orleans . The Falcons gave up 32 first downs and 534 yards as Saints quarterback Drew Brees took advantage of a depleted defense that already has lost safety Keanu Neal for the season and linebacker Deion Jones for at least eight weeks.Defensive ends Takkarist McKinley and Derrick Shelby also were held out against New Orleans with groin injuries. McKinley is expected to play this week.Players and coaches often recite “next man up” statements of hope, but that jargon carries little weight when that next man doesn’t play like the starter he replaced.“This time the next man has got to be ready to tackle Germaine Pratt Jersey ,” Manuel said. “We all saw that. It was nowhere near our standard a week ago.”The defensive woes have overshadowed Atlanta’s offensive revival. The Falcons lost last week despite Matt Ryan’s first career game with five touchdown passes, including three to rookie Calvin Ridley .Atlanta also has lost left guard Andy Levitre for the season with torn triceps.The Bengals (2-1) have ample weapons to take advantage of replacement starters, even with running back Joe Mixon missing his second straight game following knee surgery.Giovani Bernard is expected to start against an Atlanta defense unable to cover running backs out of the backfield for two straight weeks. Alvin Kamara (15 for 124 yards) and Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey (14 for 102 yards) each had big receiving days against the Falcons.The Falcons rank 27th overall on defense. The Bengals, only one spot better at 26th, have their own defensive concerns, especially on third down . Cincinnati has allowed opponents to convert 52 percent of third downs, worst in the NFL.New Bengals defensive coordinator Teryl Austin saw indications of improvement against Carolina, when Cincinnati allowed only 2 of 7 conversions on third down in the second half.“Believe it or not, I thought we were really close to fixing it this week,” Austin said. “I think we’ll have an opportunity to fix that. I think we’ll be better next week.”Here are some things to look for in only the 14th meeting between the Bengals and Falcons:GIO’S MOMENTThe Bengals will rely heavily on Bernard for a second straight game. Bernard had 12 carries for 61 yards in the loss to Carolina http://www.bengalsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ryan-finley-jersey , and caught five passes for 25 yards. One of Bernard’s best games came in 2014 against the Falcons, when he had 169 scrimmage yards — 90 rushing, 79 receiving — during the Bengals’ 24-10 win.RYAN’S OPTIONSWith the Saints devoting extra defensive attention to Julio Jones last week, Ridley ripped man coverages to set a franchise rookie record for touchdown catches in a game. Now the passing game looks more balanced with Jones, Ridley, Mohamed Sanu and tight end Austin Hooper among Ryan’s options.“It feels good to see all of us involved and we’re moving the ball like we want to move it,” Ridley said.HELP COMINGThe Bengals get back linebacker Vontaze Burfict after the Atlanta game. He was suspended for the first four because he violated the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.NEW STARTERSDamontae Kazee and Jordan Richards will be Atlanta’s starters at the safety spots. Wes Schweitzer took over for Levitre last week. Rookie linebacker Foye Oluokun moves into the lineup in Atlanta’s base defense, though nickel back Brian Poole started last week.‘BAMA BRAGGINGThree former Alabama players will be lined up in the passing game with a little nostalgia and pride on the line . Atlanta receiver Julio Jones was the sixth overall pick in 2011 out of Alabama, where cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick guarded him in practice. Kirkpatrick went to Cincinnati with the 17th overall pick a year later. Ridley also is from Alabama.Kirkpatrick said “Bragging rights and everything” will be on the line.