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Just disappointed for him, the team and us the die hard fans who support the team but once in a while get knocked down with this type of news. Thought after the draft we would be in the hunt for another World Championship. Now with this and MB lost not so much. But I'm going to be at Latrobe a week from today just the same. Hell Steelers r in my dna so if ya get knocked down then you just pick yourself back up.
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Le'Veon Bell Suspension Begs Question: What's Happening in Pittsburgh?
By Mike Freeman, NFL National Lead Writer Jul 22, 2016
On April 20—that date will resonate with some—Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell tweeted something prescient. Actually, it wasn't prescient. It was basically the same as stamping "idiot" on his forehead.
Tweeted Bell: "Of course I get a 'random' drug test on 4/20...good luck with that sample."
You know how the TSA says don't joke about bombs at a security checkpoint because that joke will be taken seriously? No player with a history of drug suspensions should joke about drug testing. The league watches these things closely. I can tell you for certain that after Bell tweeted that, the NFL wasn't pleased, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. These league sources felt Bell wasn't taking his past problems seriously.
It was ESPN that first reported on Friday that Bell faces a four-game suspension, pending appeal, for missing a drug test. It's important to note the NFL considers a missed test the same as a positive test. There's a reason for that. Because almost all of the time, damn near 100 percent, players who miss tests only miss them because they know they're going to test positive. Duh.
It's also important to note that in order to be suspended for missing a test, you must have previously missed multiple tests, not just one.
Maybe Bell allegedly missed the test because his flight was delayed. Or maybe he had a tummy ache. Or maybe his system was so full of marijuana he would have been followed into the drug test by a pack of drug-sniffing dogs. Or maybe he has a legitimate excuse. That could also be possible.
It is fair, however, to not give Bell the benefit of the doubt. It is also fair to ask this question: What in the hell is going on in Pittsburgh with its stars and drug tests?
"If what's happening in Pittsburgh was happening in New England, there would be multiple league investigations," said one NFC East team executive, who asked not to be identified. "But because the Steelers are so liked by the media and league, they get a pass."
I can tell you that is not a lone sentiment across the NFL. It's wrong, but it's not a singular belief.
It's wrong because the Steelers haven't gotten a pass from the league. They have, however, gotten an image pass. They aren't generally seen as a drug team, but clearly, something is seriously wrong there.
This would be Bell's second suspension. Last season he was suspended three games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy following a marijuana possession and DUI arrest. Bell appealed and got the suspension reduced to two games.
Bell has always been described to me as someone who lived on the edge. He pushes the boundaries off the field, and we're starting to see that.
Yet Bell isn't the only Steelers star to face drug issues. Martavis Bryant, one of the brightest young players in football, is out for the year due to multiple violations of the league's substance-abuse policy.
So you have Bell, the best running back in football, possibly gone for four games, and Bryant, who has emerged as maybe a top-10 receiver, gone for the season. So, yes, it's fair to ask what's happening in Pittsburgh.
Drug suspensions happen, but it's incredibly rare for two stars from the same team to face suspensions within the same year (and yes, Bryant is a star). This is like the Patriots facing the simultaneous loss of Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman because of drug issues.
The Steelers have long been one of the best organizations to both cover and watch. The team is run by incredibly smart people, both in the front office, on the coaching staff and in the public relations department. They are often honest and forthright. The Steelers are one of only a handful of organizations that has never lied to me or even exaggerated anything. The team is the gold standard in sports.
Still, this is troubling as hell. Something has gone wrong inside that locker room. Maybe that's not a fair statement. It's two guys on a team of many, after all. But it's two offensive stars, in trouble multiple times, who didn't seem to either get, or care, about the message they were receiving from the Steelers coaches, players and front office trying to change their behavior.
"We are very disappointed that Martavis Bryant has put himself in this current situation of being suspended by the league," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement last season. "He is at a crossroads of his professional life, and he needs to understand significant changes need to occur in his personal life if he wants to regain his career as a Pittsburgh Steeler. We are hopeful that Martavis will take the necessary steps to develop the discipline in his personal life to become a successful player and a good teammate."
Why didn't Bell get this message? Why didn't Bell say: I don't want that to be me?
There's a disconnect, and that had better get fixed. Bell is in the testing program, meaning he is subject to dozens of random tests a year. If he does anything, he will get caught.
This is a key time for Bell, and not just for him. It's an important time for a proud franchise. A great, historic franchise. A franchise that may have more problems than we know.Last edited by Captain Lemming; 07-22-2016, 08:36 PM.sigpic
In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:
TCFCLTC-
The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than CowherComment
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Man, we have a logo on one side of our helmet...
We like to make things interestingSteelers 27
Rats 16Comment
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it's just mind numbing that we have two of the most impact players in the NFL and they miss games because they'd rather numb their minds with weed.
if this crap happened in cincy we'd say 'of course' - that's what they do down there.
that it's happening here is a disgrace. I don't know what the Rooney's will do - but when you're sitting on 6 Lombardi's you have the luxury of not hanging on to low quality character guys.2014 MNF EXEC CHAMPION!!!Comment
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Last edited by Captain Lemming; 07-22-2016, 09:50 PM.sigpic
In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:
TCFCLTC-
The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than CowherComment
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YES I KNOW we tend to win wearing it.
My theory is that our offense explodes because people dont want to tackle for fear the UGLY might rub off.
Even the defense scores with this uni because BOTH sides of the ball are "OFFENSIVE" units.sigpic
In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:
TCFCLTC-
The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than CowherComment
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Goes to show.how much control tomlin has over the team...
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Yeah, let's blame the coach and the organization for the actions of grown men in the offseason...Actually, my post was NOT about you...but, if the shoe fits, feel free to lace that &!+€# up and wear it.Comment
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2019 Mock
1. ILB
2. CB
3. ILB
4. S
5. CB
6. ILB
7. SComment
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The team suspending them on top of any NFL punishment is a pipe dream...the CBA doesn't allow for that...
You can also demote them to second or third string...but, this isn't high school. If missing games isn't going to stop someone from smoking weed, why in the world would they care about being 3rd string? How is that more of a deterrent than the NFL suspending them? If they're third string, they still get paid...
The Steelers' only choice is between cutting them loose or letting them play...in the NFL, talent is what wins games and talent is what Bryant and Bell have...I can see the Steelers letting Bell play out his contract and then allowing him to test free agency...as for Bryant, we'll have to see what effects a year off have on him...hopefully, he pursues actual treatment over the long term...Actually, my post was NOT about you...but, if the shoe fits, feel free to lace that &!+€# up and wear it.Comment
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