“I am glad they got problems”.
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Under the new policy passed in September 2014, a player’s first positive test for marijuana draws no suspension but it puts him into the National Football League substance abuse program, which allows for random testing year-round.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for missing a drug test, according to Pro Football Talk.
The suspension is now in the appeals process. What they need from Williams, at least through the first four games, is consistency, and that’s what he brought a year ago when he averaged 4.5 yards per carry.
Between a suspension and an injury, Le’Veon Bell was limited to six games for the Steelers last season.
If I’m Colbert and the Steelers, and Bell’s suspension is upheld on appeal, I’d be ready to cut him as soon as the decision is handed down. There is no excuse for blatantly missing a drug test, especially after what happened last season. The Steelers were one of the favorites to take the AFC North before the suspension and maybe even still after, but it definitely opens up for some more competition with the always hard Bengals and the rebounding Ravens.
Once Bell’s appeal is either accepted or denied we’ll have a better idea of the direction he and the Steelers will go into the future.
Bell was subject to the NFL’s intervention program as part of his previous violation, which results in more frequent testing.
MORE: Can you name Steelers’ most overrated player since 2000? Because his contract will be up after this year. Enter Ladarius Green, signed as a free agent from San Diego after spending four seasons as an understudy to Antonio Gates.
Bell is the best running back not named Peterson in the league. Not to mention, he’s young and can impact the game both on the ground and as a receiver. Rolando McClain was hit with that exact suspension this season, leaving a gaping hole at linebacker for the Cowboys. Bell insists the uncertainty about his future won’t be a distraction.
However, if the 2016 season ends with anything short of a seventh Super Bowl championship for the Steelers, it’s always going to be regarded as a “what-if season”.
“I feel like my luck probably, hopefully, should change this year and I’ll be on the field, nothing freaky”, Bell said. Bell later walked back that number in an interview with ESPN.com-“I’m not a real greedy guy”. Since his suspension and other discipline Bell had been in the clear before this most recent incident.
For the Steelers, the first four games are among the most hard on the Steelers’ schedule. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind bringing him with them to the postseason this winter. That would likely range in the $9 million to $10 million range rather than $11-plus million. He’ll do the same in 2016 as he’s a ideal one-cut back for the Steelers’ scheme.
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However, through his young career, Bell has two knee injuries.
