Blount upset, leaves field before game is over

[hawaiiansteel]

Blount upset, leaves field before game is over

By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
November 18, 2014



Backup halfback LeGarrette Blount, apparently upset because he had just three carries against Tennessee, left the field before the game was over.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Steelers won a game but have a new problem, a rare one for them. Backup halfback LeGarrette Blount, apparently upset because he did not have a carry against Tennessee, left the field before the game was over.

He dressed and left the locker room, apparently headed for the team bus that would take them to the airport. At least one player thought they should leave him in Nashville.

Blount has been an internal problem for at least a month for the Steelers and sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he is dragging down star halfback Le’Veon Bell, even though that obviously was not the case Monday night when Bell ran 33 times for 204 yards.

The Steelers signed Blount as a free agent this year and they are his fourth NFL team in five years. He was suspended for most of his final season at Oregon for punching an opposing player.

There was no immediate indication what, if any, discipline coach Mike Tomlin might take against Blount but some players have been pushing for them to release him because of his poor attitude. Several weeks ago, Blount had complained to a reporter from 93.7 The Fan about his lack of carries with the Steelers.

Blount has 266 yards rushing this season on 65 carries. Bell has 951 yards on 195 carries.

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/11/18/Blount-upset-leaves-field-before-game-is-over/stories/201411180148[/URL]

[JoshBroski]

I'm not sure what Blount expected his role to be when he signed. Le'Veon was playing lights out today. There was no need for Blount to take any carries away from him.

[SS Laser]

This sucks. Want B&B to be another great Steelers tandem. Time to move on I guess and find a good late rd draft pick to pair with Bell. Steelers don't need Bell to be infected by a bad weed. I don't figure Blount will ever get it after being with 5 teams. Wonder why or how he lost his kickoff duties to Wheaton now seeing this? Hate to see this from a gifted player who's head is not screwed on right. Now I also get why the Pats let him walk.

[JDSteeler]

27 has been an internal problem for a month?? This has to dealt with quickly, if not sooner.

27 has looked like a dump-truck anyway. He's got no speed, no power, and runs friggin backwards...

When we let him go...who's the next man up?? Archer??

JD

[bostonsteeler]

Blount upset, leaves field before game is over

By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
November 18, 2014



Backup halfback LeGarrette Blount, apparently upset because he had just three carries against Tennessee, left the field before the game was over.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Steelers won a game but have a new problem, a rare one for them. Backup halfback LeGarrette Blount, apparently upset because he did not have a carry against Tennessee, left the field before the game was over.

He dressed and left the locker room, apparently headed for the team bus that would take them to the airport. At least one player thought they should leave him in Nashville.

Blount has been an internal problem for at least a month for the Steelers and sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he is dragging down star halfback Le’Veon Bell, even though that obviously was not the case Monday night when Bell ran 33 times for 204 yards.

The Steelers signed Blount as a free agent this year and they are his fourth NFL team in five years. He was suspended for most of his final season at Oregon for punching an opposing player.

There was no immediate indication what, if any, discipline coach Mike Tomlin might take against Blount but some players have been pushing for them to release him because of his poor attitude. Several weeks ago, Blount had complained to a reporter from 93.7 The Fan about his lack of carries with the Steelers.

Blount has 266 yards rushing this season on 65 carries. Bell has 951 yards on 195 carries.

Blount has played well when called upon. I hope this is not true. We need a great RB tandem, and these guys look legit.

[SS Laser]

Johnson, Archer, PS Josh Harris are the RB's on the roster if no Blount.

[JDSteeler]

If 27 wants the friggin ball, he better start showing me something!!

He's looked soft, and slow.

Put something on tape, 27, and then maybe you might get the rock a few more times.

In the mean-time, stop being bitchass!!!

JD

[Iron City Inc.]

2 years 3.85 mil perhaps has bought to much weed. On field as a back up rb back up ko returner I have no issue. 4.1 yds a carry is good however if the locker room gets fractured do to distraction then drop the ax and move on. Perhaps we don't have the entire story yet but if he walked out how can he stay?

[AxnJxn]

Blount has played well when called upon. I hope this is not true. We need a great RB tandem, and these guys look legit.

Agreed. I don't think his frustration is a bad thing - it can been seen as a positive thing that a guy wants to be on the field and playing. But, there are better ways of handling the situation.

The concerning thing are teammate(s) saying he is a problem off the field.

[kindlecatsb'ng]

Ed Bouchette, on the FAN, stated that the players are concerned about how his behavior is affecting Bell's preparation and practice habits and some want him gone.

Not good when your teammates are ready to kick you off the team. They see the real deal day in/day out.

On Chat last night, it was mentioned about Blount being absent.

Kindle

[Sword]

This is not being a team player...let him go now!

[RobinCole]

No way this is a good thing. Outside of the Carolina game he has not showed much. He is NOT a kick returner. He does have some power but only after he is under way; the problem is he seems to take about seven yards to get under way. If his carries have lessened it's his own fault. And he surely cannot think that he should have been getting carries ahead of Bell last night.

Looks like we'll have to raid somebody's practice squad. Can't keep this guy.

[Ghost]

Like to see some of the veterans step in and see if they can turn this situation around. Players may have a better shot than coaches. Early this season people were loving him coming in to spell Bell. He runs hard and got some tough yards. Bell was on fire last night but between the hits he was dishing out and taking, 33 carries a game is a ton. You have to have a legitimate second RB and the Steelers don't have one after Blount. Archer has been a wasted roster spot through 11 weeks. Did you hear Ben screaming at him last night?

Maybe it's not too late, but then maybe we're now seeing why New England let him walk after a mostly productive season last year.

[Eich]

I forget who they were talking about, but in the pre-game show, Ditka, Ray Lewis and others were ROASTING a player for leaving a game early in protest, calling it totally unacceptable and unprofessional. Never thought we'd have someone doing something similar in this game.

If he's been a problem for a month and PLAYERS want him gone, it seems like there isn't much of a decision here. Straighten up immediately or use the door.

[7 UP]

Theres only one way to cure cancer and thats to cut it out. Blount needs to be released immediately. I was wondering why he was getting so many touches in recent weeks. Now I know its because he was whining about his carries. Now I know why New England didnt bring him back.