There wasn’t a front-end loader or farm tractor driven by Brett Keisel this year but there were some nice cars and trucks as the Steelers’ veterans showed up for the opening of Training Camp 2016. The overwhelming highlight of this parade was Antonio Brown and his custom-painted Rolls Royce.
As much as that car was the focus, I thought there were two larger stories among several coming out of the first day in Latrobe.
First up were the comments by Le’Veon Bell who is quickly becoming my least favorite player on this team. First of all, we now know that Bell lied about his test issues after admitting he knew as far back as March that he’d be facing suspension. Despite that he continued to say otherwise via social media. Anyway, Bell took the microphone and once again proved that talking on social media is far different than getting up in front of the cameras.
“I have to handle it for what it is and keep moving forward,” Bell said. “I don’t want to be a distraction to my teammates and Steelers Nation, so I am going to move forward and let everything else handle itself.” (h/t Trib)
Ya, nice try Le’Veon. You’re already a distraction…. Obviously not one to learn from his mistakes, Bell then again turned to social media and tweeted the following.
#Juice (let the hating begin) pic.twitter.com/5qDnfLiHD0
— Le'Veon Bell (@L_Bell26) July 28, 2016
Did he really need to further antagonize fans? Maybe I’m taking that wrong but it sure seems like he’s pushing more buttons rather than just letting things be.
The other significant story yesterday came from a very strange and unlikely place. Steelers’ All-Pro Guard David DeCastro, himself dealing with a contract situation, was asked about the loss of Martavis Bryant for the year and the potential loss of Bell for four games. His response?
David DeCastro on not having Martavis Bryant and possibly Bell (4G): "It's tough. It's frustrating. Then again, we're used to it, sadly."
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) July 28, 2016
“Then again we’re used to it? Sadly?” Those comments were quite frankly music to my ears. I think as fans we are often under the impression that the players just “move on” and take care of business when their teammates make poor choices and get suspended. Clearly DeCastro showed that isn’t always the case.
I get the feeling he’s pissed and he has good reason to be. Your teammates are supposed to be guys you lean on and guys you rely on to reach the ultimate goal and then they aren’t there for selfish reasons. I don’t know about you but ya, that would irritate me a great deal.
I don’t think DeCastro is the only one feeling this way either. He’s just the one with the balls willing to say it.
Other notes:
Speaking of Bryant, it was revealed that he is living in Nevada and will be coaching high school football while serving his suspension. He reportedly has the right group of people around him and all I can do is hope for the best for the young man.
The Steelers and Lawrence Timmons are reportedly not close on a new deal. An extension seems to be the most logical thing here but it sounds like Timmons’ representatives think he should be paid like an every down linebacker. He just isn’t that any longer in my opinion.
Photo courtesy post-gazette.com
