Bryant has proven his worth on the field. He changed the entire dynamic of the passing game last season when he finally broke into the lineup. He was the deep threat the team needed to complement Antonio Brown.
In his first game this season, he played a big role in last Sunday's home victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Overshadowed by the sudden outbreak of Landry Jones-mania, Bryant made two exceptional plays.
He made a difficult catch in coverage, then made sure he came down inside the end zone as he was being hit. The one that's been repeated all week is the catch and run (mostly the latter) that covered 88 yards, thanks to Bryant's ability to adapt and improvise on the fly.
Bryant is a gifted player, one who can do much more than just run fast and go deep the way Mike Wallace used to.
He's also very familiar to the people who enforce the NFL's drug policies.
Bryant missed the first four games this season because he was suspended for failing multiple marijuana tests.
This isn't the time or place for a debate about the decriminalization of marijuana, which is now legal in several states. The fact is it's a violation of the NFL drug policy, which has been collectively bargained by the Players Association.
Right or wrong, it's the law, at least as far as the NFL is concerned.
Bryant is only in his second NFL season, but he's a veteran of the process.
He was suspended for four games because he failed more than one test. Because of his past violations, he is tested more frequently than other players. If he fails another test, he could be suspended for 10 games.
If it got beyond that, he could be suspended for a minimum of one season.
The Steelers were vague about what treatment Bryant sought. There have been reports that his mother moved to Pittsburgh to help him manage his life.
Bryant has the opportunity to make millions of dollars. He's that good. He also the chance to become a cautionary tale that is cited often, a guy who had exceptional potential and blew it.
So what do the Steelers do? Can they count on Bryant going forward? Or are they better off planning for a future without him?
Supposedly they drafted receiver Sammie Coates this spring because they knew Bryant was facing a suspension.
The Steelers have been down this road before. They drafted Santonio Holmes in the first round because of his talent and despite some unfavorable reports about his life away from the field.
Holmes made some great plays in his time with the team, including the incredibly difficult game-winning catch in Super Bowl 43. But ultimately his off-field issues became too much of a burden and the Steelers gave him away.
Is that the fate ultimately awaiting Bryant?
---
--KEY LOSS
MLB free agency hasn't even started and the Pirates have lost a key player.
Jim Benedict, a special assistant to the general manager who coordinated pitching instruction, has moved to a bigger and better job with the Miami Marlins.
Benedict worked closely with pitching coach Ray Searage. Where Searage had day-to-day responsibility for all 12 pitchers on the roster, Benedict could focus more on individuals and also evaluate pitchers the Pirates were considering acquiring.
Benedict is good. Of course's he's not infallible -- Charlie Morton continues to be vexing while Jonathan Sanchez and Radhames Liz flopped. But Benedict was a major asset to the organization.
Do the Pirates have someone who can step up and fill the job he just vacated?
---
--SMILING DAN
The Penguins saluted Dan Potash the other night, noting his long tenure as an in-game reporter for Root Sports.
Potash has been covering the Penguins for 15 years.
Seems longer.
No comments:
Post a Comment