Aug 21, 2014 3 min read

The Steelers signed right tackle Marcus Gilbert to a contract extension and re-signed longtime and popular defensive end Brett Keisel Tuesday.

On Thursday, the Steelers played their third preseason game – typically the most important of any preseason because the starters see their most action – in Philadelphia.

Those three things were supposed to be the narrative this week.

Instead, all anyone wants to do is talk about the running back situation.

What was supposed to be a position of strength became one of embarrassment Wednesdsay afternoon, when Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount, the Steelers’ new tag-team running back duo, were busted on McKnight Road on their way to the team flight to Philadelphia.

Apparently, re-enacting a Cheech and Chong movie scene.

At this point, nobody can be sure what the fallout will be from Bell and Blount being cited for possession of marijuana.

Any suspension – at least from the NFL – won’t be handed down until the legal issues are resolved, which could take months. And because punishment for possession of and/or a positive drug test for marijuana is explicitly spelled out in the league’s collective bargaining agreement, the Steelers don’t have a lot of options.

They have to wait for things to play out in court before any sanctions can be made. By that time, it will probably be up to the NFL to administer any punishment.

The punishment could be making the two watch replays of Thursday night’s game against the Eagles.

Bell started at running back and he and Blount played extensively.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, Bell and Blount might have been the lone bright spots.

They combined for 43 yards on 10 carries in the first half and added a reception each for seven yards.

The rest of the team played as if it had started smoking what was left of Bell and Blount’s stash.

The Eagles outgained the Steelers 251-96 in total yards, building a 17-0 lead. To say it was ugly would be an understatement. Pathetic would be more appropriate.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had been so sharp in the first two preseason games, completed just 8 of 17 passes for 60 yards and an ill-advised throw that was intercepted as he put up a 31.5 passer rating.

The defense, in addition to allowing what once was considered a decent game’s worth of yardage in two quarters, couldn’t get off the field, allowing 5 of 8 third-down conversions. Even when a good play was made, it was typically followed by a penalty flag.

Pittsburgh had 10 penalties in the first two quarters, seven of which were enforced.

It was so bad that Tomlin, who typically would have pulled his starters at the half, left them in the game.

Is a poor performance in a preseason game troubling? Sure, especially since it was the third preseason game, when the starters see their most extensive playing time.

But it was no less troubling than what occurred with Bell and Blount Wednesday afternoon.

Their poor decision-making came off the football field. The rest of the team made poor decisions and looked completely distracted and disinterested on the field.

The actions of Bell and Blount were more disappointing, but not by much.

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.