That's what we did with Blount, and it was also the wrong move then. I wonder if Bryant is somehow drawing inspiration from that?
It also strikes me as no coincidence that our three guys with failed drug tests over the past couple years are also the only three guys who have been bitching publicly about playing time and contracts. Perhaps there's a certain me-first mentality that lends itself to both. At any rate, it would be wise not to feed it.
There is no benefit to the team if we dump Bryant for pennies on the dollar, and it is no skin off our back to deactivate or suspend him; he's not producing anyway. Not to mention, letting him sit on the bench and be mad is better than having him catch touchdowns for the Patriots, where he would be pretty much guaranteed to end up no matter what we did. Once he's out of our hands, we have NO control over it.
See you Space Cowboy ...
Puts in perspective Bryant missing several other practices this month
It’s not the first time Bryant called in “sick.” Two weeks in a row he missed practices with what the Steelers said was an illness. They also came after he or his camp had asked for a trade.
Ramon Foster clearly has heard enough
“He can’t leave us here to answer, is how I feel about it,’’ Foster said. “I feel like last week we kind of pushed it aside and then you double down on it? Not cool from a teammate perspective.”
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201710230145
The focus has been on Bryant's comments about JuJu but this play for sympathy/victim status also is noteworthy
ain’t nobody did nothing to get me back I worked my ass off to get myself back with no help and little support period
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201710230102
This is more than a player management spat - Bryant appears to have lost the locker room if Foster is calling him out
Todays "sick out" is a game changer. Your options are now more clear. Suspend him ( wont be easy with the NFLPA to consider) take away his helmet ( deactivate) or release him. Given his history you wouldn't get a bag of used kicking tees for him in a trade. So that's off the table. If it hasn't happened already you can bet an NFL tester is on his way to Bryant's house. Even if he passes that test given his history of mental health issues he's a huge question mark from the standpoint of off field stability. As far as cutting him. No way. If this is a calculated move to get released ala LaGarrette Blount, don't reward him. He's only getting 700k, deactivate him for the season if need be. If he's willing to apologize to his teammates and coaches and promises to fly right the rest of the way give him another chance in a couple weeks. But you can't play him next week! Wouldn't be fair to his teammates.
"A man's got to know his limitations."
Wouldn’t be difficult to suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team. He’s “skipping” practice and meetings. He’s bitching publicly about the team and teammates. The only thing he hasn’t done yet...sit ups in the driveway.
You can’t just outright release him.
A. Its what he wants.
B. You don’t want him to go to a contender to help them.
He’s got talent, we’ve all seen it. His head just isn’t on straight at the moment and you don’t want to see him land on a team like KC and help them over the hump.
Well Bryant might be in Tomlin's doghouse now!
Forget KC - Sean Gentile of the P-G gives everyone's nightmare scenario
The Steelers shouldn’t cut him, unless they’re cool with him catching two touchdowns for the Patriots in the 2018 AFC championship. That’d be inevitable.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201710230127
Cowherd was right when he said that steelers have a lot of ego in their locker room, but no one is at the level of Martavis Bryant.Suspend him!
But at least Tomlin is very good at managing the egos!
Here's the plan:
- Sit him on the bench / play him sparingly for the rest of the regular season
- If we play the Patriots in the postseason, outfit him with a $30,000 bong the Friday before the game, and modify his contract to include a lifetime supply of weed
- (Popeye spinach power-up music plays)
- Bryant has 800 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, and we win 128-16 and advance to the Super Bowl
- He fails a drug test the following Monday and isn't anybody's problem anymore
Brilliant!
See you Space Cowboy ...
I'm officially done with Bryant now. And to think that I was excited to have him back this season. So much talk about how he was bigger, faster, etc. and he comes back expecting everything to just be handed to him as if he hadn't missed any time.
“I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play!” - Jack Lambert
Bryant is an addict and cannot handle the pressure which he used to glide through in a cloud of smoke. He is irritable and his timing is off. He cannot develop social relationships. He needs a vacation and a couple of drinks.
All Defense!
The other thing is: Bryant has done whatbtimshiw he’s better than anyone in this team? Without looking, is Bryant Top-4 in receiving on this team? He’s probably behind Brown, Bell, JuJu and James?
Really what he needs to do is just shut up, work hard and make plays. People like him aren’t capable of it though. They live off the drama.
I realize you want to like him thats obvious, but the guy doesn't have IT. He is a natural stud athlete who doesn't understand to stay on top or in his case get to top you have to work your ass off as well has have phenomenal skills. IMO its a waste to even give him touches. He is not going to be number one option on this team ever. He might be happy every few games but not on a consistent basis. Heyward Bey or Hunter could be the deep threat. Its not like any of the three have great hands. I would trade him for a Tight End. I know thats not gonna happen with the acquisition of MCdonald, but a good TE would be better than whining third option receiver. Its a good problem to have, to many guys with talent and not enough touches to go around, unfortunately he doesn't understand that concept. I get he wants a big contract but his time will come. Shit Kenny Britt is making 8-9 mill I think. Look what miami payed Wallace. I hope every time I log on to espn website I will see he has been traded.
Just keep jim off the Pats roster