Should we feel sorry for Le'Veon Bell?

... whether marijuana is addictive is questionable 

[Updates at the end].

Correction Bell is in the final year of his rookie contract.

Some athletes believe that they can rule the universe. Put Steeler running back Le'Veon Bell into that category.

Bell is going to miss the first four games of the NFL regular season, after missing two games last year [instead of four because of his appeal]. ESPN's Ian Rapoport tweeted on July 22, "For the past several weeks, the #Steelers had known Le'Veon Bell likely wouldn't be on the field when the season began. He missed drug tests for not failing a drug test, but failing to show up for a drug test."

Bell is talented but …

Bell is one of the most talented players in the league, but he is coming off MCL surgery. So, he should be behaving himself and working hard to get himself ready for the 2015 season.

Instead, as Post-Gazette writer Paul Zeise wrote last week, he is demonstrating how worthless a human being he really is. "This isn’t about players lacking character or morals. It’s about players lacking intelligence and not caring about their teammates. In other words, players getting suspended for smoking weed (or missing a mandatory drug test) is a really dumb, selfish act," Zeise wrote in the PG.

Is marijuana addictive?

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) said that while marijuana is not addictive, recent research indicates that it can result in addictive behavior. "Marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, known as a marijuana use disorder, which in severe cases takes the form of addiction … Recent data suggest that 30 percent of marijuana users may have some degree of marijuana use disorder."

The NIDA notes that "Marijuana use disorders are often associated with dependence—in which a user feels withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug."

So, technically no, but yes.

Inflated ego

Bell had said over the summer that when he signs his next contract -- he is with the Steelers for this year and next -- he will be the highest paid running back in history.

Now, Zeise is arguing that the Steelers should save their money and give it to their top receiver, Antonio Brown, rather than waste it on a guy who will eventually be suspended again. "Remember those discussions about whether the Steelers should sign Le’Veon Bell or Antonio Brown to a big contract extension? Yeah, well, that is no longer a discussion given [the recent suspension]," Zeise said.

Do coaches have any influence?

With the money that players make versus what coaches make, the influence is not the same as it had been in the past. In addition, the old argument that the Steelers expect more out of their players' behavior has gone out the window over the last decade. Character is not what it used to be.

That has led to some calling for current president Art Rooney III to step aside, something that will not happen.

That influence of coaches and those above him is not there any more.

2014 incident

Bell received the four-game suspension last year because of being caught with former teammate LaGarette Blount smoking in his car. That was reduced to two on appeal. Add in the three games that he missed because of injury his first year, the playoff game in 2014, and his playing just six games last year, and Zeise is right: Bell is undependable and he is expendable.

After this four-game suspension, which is now being appealed because he said that he missed the text message, Bell will need time to work himself back into shape for the season.

Bell has played only one almost full season, but it was a superb one. He ended up an All-Pro, Pro Bowl Player, and AFC Co-Offensive Player of the Year after finishing second in rushing yards (1,361), yards from scrimmage (2,215), and all-purpose yards.

Super Bowl team?

While the Steeler offense is going to be what it hopes to take it to the Super Bowl, I am more reticent. My concern is not with the offense -- Bell can be replaced with DeAngelo Williams and Fitzgerald Toussaint,

The defense? They drafted some CBs, but whether they can stop anyone is an open book.

Conclusion

As for Bell, they are better off letting him go. Great talent, terrible attitude. He may not be addicted to a drug, but it may be affecting his brain.


From Ed Bouchette of the PG: 9:00 p.m.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize to Steelers Nation, all the fans, all my players, coaches for being a distraction to this whole situation,” Bell said during a late afternoon interview after the Steelers reported to training camp at Saint Vincent College. “I don’t obviously want to be a distraction, but this whole situation, the appeal, is going to take its course, run its course, so I’m going to let everything handle itself.”


http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/07/28/On-The-Steelers-Le-Veon-Bell-offers-little-defense-in-first-interview-since-word-of-possible-suspension/stories/201607280200