Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back LeGarrette Blount is no stranger to misconduct off the field.
Though his recent altercation was a bit more subdued. Blount and fellow Steelers starting running back Le’Veon Bell were stopped in Ross Township, Pennsylvania prior to Pittsburgh’s trip to Philadelphia for the team’s third preseason game.
The vehicle being driven by Bell had reportedly had strong odor of Marijuana, and was stopped and subsequently searched by detective Brian Kohlhepp. A third female passenger along with both rushers claimed ownership of a bag of marijuana found inside Bell’s Camaro. Bell was then taken to the hospital to give blood, the results of said test will determine if Bell will be charged with DWI for marijuana.
It seems as if we have all heard this story before. Everyone from Josh Gordon to Dwayne Bowe has been accused of smoking marijuana, with Gordon facing a year-long ban and Bowe having to sit out for the first game of the 2014 season. While players are widely accepting of the drug’s use, the fan reaction is a mixed bag.
2 Steelers RBs were arrested for marijuana yesterday. Which means they'll both probably rush for 100 yds each vs Browns in week 1 #NFL
— Scott Gleine (@ScottGleine) August 21, 2014
https://twitter.com/billbarnwell/statuses/502329704171712512
https://twitter.com/A1GFootball/statuses/502256112205586432
Fans of both the Steelers and the NFL lament the loss of competitors despite a convoluted opinion on the expected suspensions, but there is growing excitement about the pairing’s expected replacement, Kent State’s Dri Archer.
Archer is a pint-sized ball of energy who has the potential to take it to the house on every play. His status as a polar opposite to the bruising rushing styles of Bell and Blount will bring a change of pace when needed to Pittsburgh’s offense when the team’s starters return, but Archer will get the opportunity to shoulder the load in the absence of the team’s starters.
Archer played 47 games at Kent State, rushing 325 times for 2,342 yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding 99 catches for 1,194 yards and 12 scores. From Scrimmage, Archer accrued 3,536 yards and 36 touchdowns on 424 touches, averaging 8.3 yards every time the ball was in his hands. The transition to the NFL can be difficult, but Archer’s speed and elusiveness gives him a leg up on the competition.
Blount and Bell will pay for their offenses, but it remains to be seen if that will come in suspension form. If so, Archer could very well continue to make a name for himself after what has been a strong preseason performance.
Photo: Steelers.com