Home Player Spotlight Will the Steelers Regret Letting Blount Go?

Will the Steelers Regret Letting Blount Go?

by Steeldad

Earlier today the New England Patriots brought back running back LeGarrette Blount who was released Tuesday morning by the Pittsburgh Steelers. His release followed his early exit from Monday night’s game in which Blount apparently wasn’t happy about his lack of playing time.

While the vast majority of Steelers’ fans welcomed Blount’s release, now that the AFC rival Patriots have him the question must be asked; will the organization regret letting him go?

Throughout the week we’ve heard that many players were finding Blount’s act to be a problem. They claimed his influence on Le’Veon Bell was negative and certainly their arrest on marijuana charges during the preseason provides support for this opinion.

Based on everything I’m reading and hearing, many of the Steelers younger players didn’t have a huge issue with Blount. It was the older players who were the ones who took issue with Blount’s behavior.

Most of you know how I feel about “The Steeler Way” when it comes to disciplinary issues so there’s no need to re-visit that, but this is once again a situation where it’s subjective because players’ walking off the field for the Steelers prior to the end of a game has happened before.

Jerome Bettis and Hines Ward once did it and they weren’t released. This is why I say every case is subjective…

Blount had a positive experience in New England as he pummeled the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Playoffs last year but the Pats chose to let him walk rather than re-sign him.

My biggest concern with Blount’s absence is the wear and tear on Bell. While his performance was a true classic, he can’t take that kind of punishment every week. Dri Archer is most definitely not the answer and Josh Harris, now up from the practice squad, is 100% unproven.

None of this will matter if Blount does little for the Patriots. It will matter even less if the two teams avoid each other in the playoffs. Where it will matter is on the field for the next five weeks for the Steelers.

As the weather turns colder, Blount is exactly the type of guy you want getting a few carries each game but if he indeed has been a locker room cancer than the move had to be made. I just hope the lack of depth behind Bell doesn’t make us regret it.

Marc Uhlmann writes for and co-owns www.steelcityblitz.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteelDad and the website @SCBlitz. Check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/steelcityblitz and on Fancred.com. You can hear him weekly during the season on game day on the Trib-Live Radio Steelers Pre-Game

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7 comments

Mario Lopez November 20, 2014 - 4:18 pm

losing Blount is moot point, IF Steelers make playoffs I’m not holding my breath for a SB run to Arizona with passing attacks of Peyton & Brady to deal with. Bigger regret will be if Colbert is allowed to oversee this offseason & the 2015 draft. Bet the house that Harrison, Kesiel, Ike are sure goners @ season’s end, & i’m not least bit sold on Worilds being brought back for what he’ll ask for after making $9+ mil.

Vittorio Di Stazio November 20, 2014 - 8:02 pm

Oh for crying out loud Mario Lopez you honestly know nothing about the Steelers Draft War Room. Colbert is not the only guy involved with the draft. Tomlin is also involved with the process and please understand the way you want the Steelers to draft and the way they draft are completely different. I just wish everybody would understand that, sadly I highly doubt that will ever happen.

steeldad November 20, 2014 - 11:11 pm

Here’s the problem guys; yes, there are many voices involved in selecting players for the draft but when those selections don’t work out they fall on Colbert and Tomlin. No matter how bad the scouting department is, they are under the leadership of Colbert.

As for Keisel, Harrison, Ike and Worilds, I would agree they are all highly likely to be somewhere other than the Steelers locker room in 2015.

Vittorio Di Stazio November 21, 2014 - 12:57 am

Kiesel and Harrison will retire until they are called upon for another year of service which is fine. I ask you people if Ike goes who takes over? If I hear you pinheads say a CB taken in the early rounds of the draft I will severely ticked off. There is not 1 CB in the 2015 draft that is going to start from day 1 for the Steelers. Ike comes back on a 1 YR deal and my advice to all who think differently: DEAL WITH IT.

steeldad November 21, 2014 - 5:27 pm

C’mon Vittorio. Ike hasn’t been the same since he was burned by Tebow. Just because he is the best option they have at CB doesn’t mean he’s as good as he once was. Whether this team makes the playoffs or not there needs to be serious turnover with the roster especially defensively.

Vittorio Di Stazio November 21, 2014 - 8:43 pm

Where did I ever say in my comment he was the best option? I said Ike would start for this team next season. You assumed I said he was the best option I didn’t and I would never say that. for augment’s sake let’s say this team does draft a CB in the 1st round of the 2015 draft does that mean he gets the nod to start from Day 1? Now do I feel that the CB they pick should get big playing time on the D next season of course I do, I’m not dumb or foolish to even think that. If you want a young CB to start then you better hope he shows the coaches in training camp and Pre-Season that he is the man for the job.

steeldad November 24, 2014 - 12:42 am

If the Steelers bring back Ike then the only reason would be he was the best option. Time to move on and go with new guys in the secondary.

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