From the Post-Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/stee ... 1601060165
One day after his quarterback publicly called him out for his recent lackluster performances, Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant admitted he was coming back to balls a little harder Wednesday in practice. “Just trying to get back to basics,” he said.
In other words, the message got through loud and clear.
“It was good for him to challenge me, and I’m going to accept it,” Bryant said. “He’s the leader of the team. If he feels like you need to step up your game, it’s his job to call you out. I’m happy he did it. He woke me up, and I’m going to get back to work.”
Ben Roethlisberger talks to the media about this weeks playoff game against the Bengals, his comments about Martavis Bryant and the backup running backs. (Video by Andrew Rush; 1/6/2016)
Bryant is second on the team behind Antonio Brown in receiving yards (765) and receiving touchdowns (six), but he struggled at the end of the regular season. He did not score in the final four games and caught just two passes.
Four days before the Steelers’ AFC wild-card playoff game against the Bengals, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger challenged Bryant to “tough it up” Tuesday on his weekly radio show. Roethlisberger said he also talked to Bryant the same day about some of his shortcomings.
“I just felt like we need him,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “I love that guy like a little brother. I just wanted him to know we need him to step up. It was nothing more than a challenge. That’s all.”
Roethlisberger wasn’t the only one to confront Bryant. All-Pro receiver Brown also took Bryant aside after practice for some extra work and had a talk with him.
“I talk with him a lot,” Brown said. “I grabbed him after practice to catch some off the JUGS [machine]. I asked him, ‘Hey, do you want to win a Super Bowl?’ The season that we just embarked on is over. It’s a new season, and we have an opportunity to create a new identity.”
Former Steelers running back Merril Hoge, now an analyst for ESPN, called Bryant “sloppy” and “lazy” Wednesday morning on his weekly appearance on 102.5 WDVE-FM.
Bryant missed two days of practice last week with an illness and was listed as questionable for the Browns game. He dressed and played in the first quarter, but did not play much after Roethlisberger threw an interception on a pass play that targeted him.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Bryant did not get back in the game because of his illness and a minor neck issue. Bryant went through a full practice Wednesday and said being able to practice will help with his preparation for the Bengals.
“Practice always makes perfect,” Bryant said. “Last week, I missed a couple of days because I was sick. This week, my body feels great and I feel great.”
Ben calls out Bryant
If you're not going to sign Bryant, then I wouldn't sign Wheat to be my #2. - he was invisible in that role while Bryant wasn't here.
Me too, but it's curious. I just don't think Wheaton got the targets earlier in the season. BR's read seems to be AB or one v one long ball first, then Bell or Williams in the flat, HM if he's out in the seam, then Wheaton. I think people underestimate both AB's desire for the ball and BR's predilection for feeding it too him. Same goes with Bell. Play your best players, I guess.when ben was dealing all over the field to like 6-7 guys he was unstoppable and all the receivers were wide open.. last few games bens been locked and zeroed in on 3 guys over the rest.. and they are covered well..
like to see that wide distribution again; it was great!
Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are, the pigeon is going to shit on the board and strut around like it won anyway.
