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Bell suspended

Steelerfan81 said:
Yeah since it's only the Steelers.

And since this country has proven that young people are so responsible and professional.
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Then obviously we're not teaching them how to smoke and not get caught. I don't see a lot of other teams #2 and #3 weapons getting busted.
 
As long as this was your stand when Bam Morris was arrested for selling pot then I will respect it. If you felt like a the coach of the Steelers then fostered a culture that made Bam Morris feel it was OK then I will respect your stance now. If not then I think you stance is full of ****..
 
In Ben We Trust said:
Don't kid yourself....there is a much better chance he missed the test because a positive result was on the way than he was so busy he just missed it. Sorry, love the Steelers, always will, but the days of being a true superfan are over. Let's face it....a few years back we blasted on the Bungles for their off field behavior and now our favorite team has become them. Pathetic.
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I respect your opinion but I really find it hard to believe that he'd start smoking again this close to the season after he JUST passed a couple months ago. If he did then he's a idiot but I just really doubt he'd really be that dumb.
 
Last edited:
Report: Bell facing four-game suspension
FEATURED
Posted by JASON MACKEY
BylinesJM_1-25-16
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, ESPN’s Dan Graziano is reporting. Per Graziano, Bell is appealing the suspension. It’s also for a missed test, not a failed one, although that’s the same thing in the league’s eyes.

Rumor of this surfaced during Steelers minicamp. I asked Bell about it then.

“I can’t keep talking about the drug tests because I probably already said too much about it,” Bell said. “I’m fine. I haven’t missed any drug tests. I haven’t failed any drug tests. I’m completely fine.”

Developing story. More to come. I’ve emailed Bell’s agent, Adisa Bakari, but have not yet heard back. The Steelers declined comment.


Bell was supposed to be suspended for the first three games of the 2015 season after he was arrested in August the previous summer for possession of marijuana and DUI. It was later reduced to two games. A knee injury ended Bell’s 2015 season after six games and 556 rushing yards.

That a four-game suspension is triggered means Bell has failed or missed four marijuana tests. The first fail puts you in the substance abuse program. There’s no suspension, but it opens the player up to year-round, random testing. The second offense nets a two-game fine, the third a four-game fine. A four-game suspension happens with the fourth failed/missed test.

The Steelers are already without Martavis Bryant in 2016 because of multiple violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. In Bryant’s case, one of his agent’s, Brian Fettner, told me the suspension dealt with a series of missed tests before they ultimately dropped their appeal.

If Bell is suspended, the signing of DeAngelo Williams takes on even more importance. Williams ran for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015, his best season since 2009. Williams, however, is 33 years old and the second-oldest running back in the league. Behind him would likely be Fitzgerald Toussaint.

Back in June, it was a weird exchange. I first approached Bell about a potential failed drug test after receiving a tip from a source, and he seemed confused.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bell said.

I brought it up later in his scrum, which produced the answer above. Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette asked Bell whether that bothered him — seeing stuff like that surface online.

“Not really,” Bell said. “People are going to say what they want to say on the internet. It’s people who don’t have anything to do. I don’t get upset. I don’t let it bother me. I just try phase everything out. If I do see something that may upset me, I try to not respond.

“Obviously you see some things on the internet, I’ll respond. Twitter or Instagram. I don’t let it get to me deeply or faze me. I know what type of person I am. I know I’m a good person.”
 
antdrewjosh said:
As long as this was your stand when Bam Morris was arrested for selling pot then I will respect it. If you felt like a the coach of the Steelers then fostered a culture that made Bam Morris feel it was OK then I will respect your stance now. If not then I think you stance is full of ****..
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Bam Morris didn't just fail a drug test. He was caught with 9 pounds of pot and cocaine in his car. He was charged with a felony. They released him almost immediately after the incident.

Was that Cowher's fault? Probably a bit. Not all but some. When you enable bad guys because of talent, bad stuff happens. I think coaches know who the bad guys are much more than you think. Especially the positional coaches. They know who's glassy eyed during film study. Who's coming in hungover. That goes all the way down the high school football. Coaches know.

It's what they do with that knowledge that we can critique. Most do nothing. That's the status quo. Most try to judge how many bad apples they "know of" on the team and keep that number under a watershed number so hopefully the professionalism of the team doesn't completely get lost. That's the critique of Marvin Lewis and Cincinnati. It's not just he has a few bad apples, his bad apples are so numerous that attitude starts representing the team and spills out on/off the field.

Are we headed that way? Who knows. I think we're a lot closer to that watershed moment right now under Tomlin than when he inherited the team in 2007.

I don't think that's the case for ALL teams in the league. You make choices as a coach/GM on how many bad apples you can tolerate in the name of talent.

I think it's fair to question if that "line" has gone up a bit under Tomlin's regime.
 
Steelz said:
I respect your opinion but I really find it hard to believe that he'd start smoking again this close to the season after he JUST passed a couple months ago. If he did then he's a idiot but I just really doubt it.
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Ask yourself this: if you know that you are guaranteed to face a 4 game suspension if you fail to show up for a drug test, why on earth would you not show up?? Because you are on the weed, that's why. Also, this is one of the top players in the entire NFL. You don't think the Steelers organization have a vested interest in making sure he meets the demands of the testing?? C'mon man....I want it to be simple mistake too....not a chance. Dude can't lay off the weed.
 
A couple of things.

First, Bell is an idiot. Is it really that difficult to follow the rules set by your employer? Along with Bryant, these two had a chance to be two of the top playmakers in team history and Bell had an even greater legacy. Both of them are throwing it away because of weed. Absolutely pathetic.

Now when it comes to on the field, was Bell realistically going to be ready for the start of the year? I know he said his target was to be on the field for Week 1, but it was possible that he could miss a few games anyway to start the season.

Looking ahead, he certainly won't get a long-term extension, but I could see the team use the tag on him next offseason. I'm fine letting him go year-to-year for a season or two if he can clean up his act. However, I am tired of seeing the players in the news for this kind of crap. Play football and stay out of trouble.
 
deljzc said:
Bam Morris didn't just fail a drug test. He was caught with 9 pounds of pot and cocaine in his car. He was charged with a felony. They released him almost immediately after the incident.

Was that Cowher's fault? Probably a bit. Not all but some. When you enable bad guys because of talent, bad stuff happens. I think coaches know who the bad guys are much more than you think. Especially the positional coaches. They know who's glassy eyed during film study. Who's coming in hungover. That goes all the way down the high school football. Coaches know.

It's what they do with that knowledge that we can critique. Most do nothing. That's the status quo. Most try to judge how many bad apples they "know of" on the team and keep that number under a watershed number so hopefully the professionalism of the team doesn't completely get lost. That's the critique of Marvin Lewis and Cincinnati. It's not just he has a few bad apples, his bad apples are so numerous that attitude starts representing the team and spills out on/off the field.

Are we headed that way? Who knows. I think we're a lot closer to that watershed moment right now under Tomlin than when he inherited the team in 2007.

I don't think that's the case for ALL teams in the league. You make choices as a coach/GM on how many bad apples you can tolerate in the name of talent.

I think it's fair to question if that "line" has gone up a bit under Tomlin's regime.
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Like I said if this was your stance then OK I will respect it.. Don't know if you were posting then. And if you blamed the coach and was making posts like these no problem I will respect your opinion..
 
As Steelerfan448 stated, in a way, this could be a blessing in disguise for Bell to heal more. Now is Bell an idiot, absolutely, he probably cost himself millions because correct me if Im wrong, one more infraction is a year suspension? Look, Bell is 24 years old, probably not the brightest bulb either, as a Steeler fan I am disappointed because I want our team to be successful. But lets remember also he is probably in trouble for smoking weed (missing the test because he would know he would fail). It's considered an illegal substance in the NFL but we all know how perception of marijuana is changing in this country. Not trying to justify it all, he's still a moron, I'm just saying.

Additionally lets not forget, Bell is 24 yrs old, it took a certain future hall of fame QB #7 a few years to figure this **** out also. Bell is an incredible talent, no doubt, but if he cant stay away from the hippy lettuce for the good of his team and career I think it speaks volumes of his character. I hope he figures this **** out soon...
 
In Ben We Trust said:
Ask yourself this: if you know that you are guaranteed to face a 4 game suspension if you fail to show up for a drug test, why on earth would you not show up?? Because you are on the weed, that's why. Also, this is one of the top players in the entire NFL. You don't think the Steelers organization have a vested interest in making sure he meets the demands of the testing?? C'mon man....I want it to be simple mistake too....not a chance. Dude can't lay off the weed.
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I remember hearing a story a long time ago about Rod Woodson refusing to take a drug test after just taking one a week earlier, yet he never failed a test in his career. Players are just fed up with all the random back to back testing and previous offenders are tested at a even higher rate. Weed can be detected in your system for 1 month, if he keeps passing and misses 1 test in between then it's possible he's clean and thats all it really is, a missed test. He probably have a busier schedule than most players with his rehab factored in too. Don't want to make excuses for him but I can see it being lost in a to do list on a busy schedule.
 
Steelz said:
I remember hearing a story a long time ago about Rod Woodson refusing to take a drug test after just taking one a week earlier, yet he never failed a test in his career. Players are just fed up with all the random back to back testing and previous offenders are tested at a even higher rate. Weed can be detected in your system for 1 month, if he keeps passing and misses 1 test in between then it's possible he's clean and thats all it really is, a missed test. He probably have a busier schedule than most players with his rehab factored in too. Don't want to make excuses for him but I can see it being lost in a to do list on a busy schedule.
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Schedule wasn't too busy to put out some terrible tracks.
 
I liked Cowher, I didn't LOVE Cowher. There were some thing I didn't like about Cowher and it had nothing to do with his skin color.

Like Tomlin, I wasn't a fan of his emotional outbursts (both good and bad). I like reserved coaches that keep a very even keel during the game. That are cerebral and are looking ahead. The only time to celebrate is when the game is over.

My "favorite" coaches are probably Noll, Walsh, Belichick, Gibbs. When/if a black coach comes along that's reserved, smart, a stickler for details and is forward thinking/innovative.... I'll like them too. I don't like the "cool" guys. I don't like coaches that yuck-yuck it up with the team. You treat the game professionally and that professionalism should permeate down to the players. You treat the game like a game too much and that "free wheeling" attitude can get young adults in trouble.

This isn't high school football anymore. This is professional football. It's a job. It's a business. And it's a PERFECTION business. The goal is perfect. Perfect execution. Perfect conditioning. Perfect health. Perfect eating. Perfect preparation. That's the only attitude that matters.

You can demand that from players without being their friend or "relating to the cause" by being honest and listening. And be aware of the locker room and what is going on and address problems forthright and up front.

In my experience the guys that try too hard to "be a friendly boss" are also the ones most likely to be dishonest and not tell you the truth. We already have reports Tomlin wasn't really "honest" with Bruce Arians. It wouldn't surprise me it he does that same thing with players.

So I can not like Tomlin 100% and it's not just based on skin color unless you think a black coach can't be like Noll, Walsh, Belichick or Gibbs. If you think that than YOU are racist, not me. I'm just waiting for the right kind of black coach to like.
 
antdrewjosh said:
I definitely think this is a unfair way to look at this when the league and player union set up the drug testing so that these can smoke. This isn't a Steelers issue this is league wide. What does Tomlin relationship have to do with guys doing what they are allowed to do?? That doesn't make any sense
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Some coaches can control or work with players with off the field issues better than others. Arians and Belichick are noted for taking troubled types and getting them to perform well.

Tomlin's track record on troubled players is not a good one. Blount, Rainey, Bryant, Bell, ect...and I would not be surprised if Pouncey's name is in there. Tomlin did not like Pouncey's twitter activity either.
 
Supersteeler said:
Why don't you guys at least be honest and instead of ***** footing around all the time? Admit that you won't be happy until an old white guy is coaching the team.
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Age or skin color does not matter for me... unlike the Rooney's.
 
Bell just sucker punched his team in the gut and the fans are feeling it too.

My thoughts were Bell's embracing the hip hop culture provided with his past history was a dangerous combination.

I was thinking this was an 11-5 to 12-4 type to team prior to Bryant and Bell's problems. Now it's on Williams, who I felt played almost as well last season.

The thing I just can't understand is Bell was going to make serious money. 12-15 million a year. For 3-5 years. All he had to do was pass drug tests. But he values the drugs over the money and his teammates.

Sad but true.


antdrewjosh said:
Coach for the millionth time please stop equating hip hop with smoking.. bell smoked cause he wanted too had nothing to do with the Hip Hop culture. Asfar him being a idiot I totally agree.

If anything this lowers his contract demands and gives his knee more time to heal. And when he comes back I don't immediately give him back his job. Tomlin can control that.
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Antdrewjosh,

I like Biggie Smalls and LL Cool J's stuff. Rob Base as well.

But when you talk about the culture and lyrics of the hip-hop community, and the overall message, it's not something you want one of your star players to embrace in the NFL. Bell not only likes it, he performs and acts like one, and that's my concern.

Pro drugs, pro-gang, anti cops, degradation of women...stuff that can get an NFL player in trouble.

If this was the NBA, it would matter less.

All right, I'll try not to mention this again. No offense meant to those who appreciate the music.


PS: I do not think Tomlin will bench Bell when he comes back. He's one of the best players on the team. You play those types.
 
deljzc said:
I liked Cowher, I didn't LOVE Cowher. There were some thing I didn't like about Cowher and it had nothing to do with his skin color.

Like Tomlin, I wasn't a fan of his emotional outbursts (both good and bad). I like reserved coaches that keep a very even keel during the game. That are cerebral and are looking ahead. The only time to celebrate is when the game is over.

My "favorite" coaches are probably Noll, Walsh, Belichick, Gibbs. When/if a black coach comes along that's reserved, smart, a stickler for details and is forward thinking/innovative.... I'll like them too. I don't like the "cool" guys. I don't like coaches that yuck-yuck it up with the team. You treat the game professionally and that professionalism should permeate down to the players. You treat the game like a game too much and that "free wheeling" attitude can get young adults in trouble.

This isn't high school football anymore. This is professional football. It's a job. It's a business. And it's a PERFECTION business. The goal is perfect. Perfect execution. Perfect conditioning. Perfect health. Perfect eating. Perfect preparation. That's the only attitude that matters.

You can demand that from players without being their friend or "relating to the cause" by being honest and listening. And be aware of the locker room and what is going on and address problems forthright and up front.

In my experience the guys that try too hard to "be a friendly boss" are also the ones most likely to be dishonest and not tell you the truth. We already have reports Tomlin wasn't really "honest" with Bruce Arians. It wouldn't surprise me it he does that same thing with players.

So I can not like Tomlin 100% and it's not just based on skin color unless you think a black coach can't be like Noll, Walsh, Belichick or Gibbs. If you think that than YOU are racist, not me. I'm just waiting for the right kind of black coach to like.
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I didn't once mention anything about race. So maybe you're directing this to someone else. I compare Tomlin and Cowher because what else am I going to do. They are the only two coaches since 92. They could of both been white or both been black. Doesn't makes a difference. Like I said if you felt the same way then as you do know on similar situations I have no problem with your stance
 
Weed stays in your system longer than a month. Hair tests can go back as far as six. If you are a regular user, you need at least 90 days MINIMUM to be clean.
 
Steelerfan81 said:
He's a ******* idiot, no doubt. But I'll welcome him back with open arms after week 4. We need him and I don't care what he did if he's hoisting the Lombardi in Feb
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Yep. Then run him until his wheels fall off and let him move on. Then draft your new RB.

Also. While I am neither a Tomlin lover nor hater(he is our coach now so I live with it) I can only conclude "maybe" he is just too coach friendly. Maybe he needs to tighten the reigns up. Make every player accountable for every action on and off the field. No more STUPID celebrating TD's that result in a penalty. No more celebrating a tackle 20 yards down field. A culture has been started where these player know they will not be penalized by our HC for doing selfish acts on the field...now off the field also. While a HC can not control every aspect of his players...... he can control what his OWN actions are toward a player who's actions directly hurt the team he is coaching.
 
Coach said:
Bell just sucker punched his team in the gut and the fans are feeling it too.

My thoughts were Bell's embracing the hip hop culture provided with his past history was a dangerous combination.

I was thinking this was an 11-5 to 12-4 type to team prior to Bryant and Bell's problems. Now it's on Williams, who I felt played almost as well last season.

The thing I just can't understand is Bell was going to make serious money. 12-15 million a year. For 3-5 years. All he had to do was pass drug tests. But he values the drugs over the money and his teammates.

Sad but true.




Antdrewjosh,

I like Biggie Smalls and LL Cool J's stuff. Rob Base as well.

But when you talk about the culture and lyrics of the hip-hop community, and the overall message, it's not something you want one of your star players to embrace in the NFL. Bell not only likes it, he performs and acts like one, and that's my concern.

Pro drugs, pro-gang, anti cops, degradation of women...stuff that can get an NFL player in trouble.

If this was the NBA, it would matter less.

All right, I'll try not to mention this again. No offense meant to those who appreciate the music.


PS: I do not think Tomlin will bench Bell when he comes back. He's one of the best players on the team. You play those types.
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I personally am hoping he has Bell regulated to 2nd string and a 3rd down roll, but I agree with you. Tomlin will have him starting. How long would I have Bell in this position? The rest of the season or if an injury happened. Tomlin needs to stop being a players friend. Will it hurt the team? Not anymore than Bell hurt it by getting suspended for the first 4 games. Will it?
 
steelbush said:
As Steelerfan448 stated, in a way, this could be a blessing in disguise for Bell to heal more. Now is Bell an idiot, absolutely, he probably cost himself millions because correct me if Im wrong, one more infraction is a year suspension? Look, Bell is 24 years old, probably not the brightest bulb either, as a Steeler fan I am disappointed because I want our team to be successful. But lets remember also he is probably in trouble for smoking weed (missing the test because he would know he would fail). It's considered an illegal substance in the NFL but we all know how perception of marijuana is changing in this country. Not trying to justify it all, he's still a moron, I'm just saying.

Additionally lets not forget, Bell is 24 yrs old, it took a certain future hall of fame QB #7 a few years to figure this **** out also. Bell is an incredible talent, no doubt, but if he cant stay away from the hippy lettuce for the good of his team and career I think it speaks volumes of his character. I hope he figures this **** out soon...
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Best post right here.
 
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