“Squeaky Wheels” traditionally don’t do well in Pittsburgh
Wikipedia defines the old proverb of the “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” as an “idea that the most noticeable (or loudest) problems are the ones most likely to get attention”.
The adage is so well known and adhered to that many fans (myself included) inserted Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant into our fantasy football lineups last Sunday, days removed from rumors swirling that Bryant was unhappy with his lack of production in Pittsburgh’s offense.
Rather than receive grease, Bryant received next to nothing: one catch for three yards in a 29-19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Following the game, the receiver who fell from grace over the last few seasons for run-ins with substance abuse related suspensions took to social media to snap back at an Internet troll who poked Bryant with a comment about “JuJu [Smith-Schuster] is better”.
Once posted to the Internet, comments such as those made by Bryant cannot be taken back. Criticism flowed, and Martavis apologized but has also been wishy-washy on whether he, in fact, requested a trade.
This morning, Josina Anderson broke news that she spoke with the receiver and he is looking for an increased role, or he wants out of Pittsburgh:
On @SportsCenter, @JosinaAnderson reports she spoke with Martavis Bryant, who says if role in Steelers O doesn't change, he wants out, citing need to support family. If nothing changes and no trade, according to Anderson, he's prepared to play out contract and leave after '18.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 24, 2017
The irony in all of this, as I pointed out in an article yesterday, is that Bryant’s role has been larger than nearly anyone else in the Steelers offense not named Antonio Brown or Le’Veon Bell. While the emergence of second-round rookie receiver Smith-Schuster appears to have cut into Bryant’s production, that’s a bit of a smoke screen as number 10’s snap totals have been consistent and he’s third in pass targets behind Brown and Bell. The Steelers have also played solid pass defenses, five of them in fact, over their first seven games of the season.
All of this leads to a wheel that doesn’t really need much grease. In fact, I coyly made a comment that 2017 Martavis Bryant is 2016 Sammie Coates without five big catches to start the season. Of course, Martavis doesn’t have the stigma of dropping passes, but the production is on par. However, the opportunities are there and should increase in the coming weeks. Now is the time Bryant should build a Fortress of Solitude from social media and be patient, or he too can find out what others already have about how the Steelers organization handles “squeaky wheels”.
Santonio Holmes
Bryant isn’t the first receiver the Steelers have had to handle off-field issues with. Holmes, a former Super Bowl MVP, had several run-ins with the law including possession of marijuana, domestic violence, and failing to comply with airline regulations.
While he wasn’t necessarily a squeaky wheel in regard to his playing time or production on the field, those instances outside of the stadium prompted the Steelers to part ways with the receiver following the announcement of a four-game suspension in 2010. He was traded to the New York Jets for a fifth-round draft pick (which was later swapped for another pick that helped them select Antonio Brown).
Mike Wallace
Drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Mike Wallace became an overnight sensation for his ability to break free down the field. In his first three years with the Steelers, Wallace gained 3,206 receiving yards and scored 24 touchdowns. He was heading into a contract year before he too decided it would be a good idea to become vocal over wanting a new contract. Rather than sign Wallace to a long-term deal, the Steelers instead invested their money in the young and little-known Antonio Brown.
Wallace sat out training camp before rejoining the team and playing in 15 games, gaining 836 yards on 64 catches; compared with his previous seasons, a disappointing one.
Wallace would leave for a big money deal with the Miami Dolphins the next season and disappear into obscurity. He has yet to match his two best seasons in Pittsburgh.
LeGarrette Blount
Blount was a headache as soon as he joined the Steelers back in 2015. Knowing he was signed to be a backup for Le’Veon Bell, he was damaging to the Steelers in more ways than one.
First was the infamous marijuana incident before traveling to a preseason game, which saw Bell get suspended for the first time in his career.
Blount then pouted later in the season when Bell had a career game against the Tennessee Titans, leaving the game, and the locker room.
The Steelers released the running back almost immediately after.
Brandon Boykin
The Steelers had been searching for ways to fix their secondary for several seasons when their newly drafted cornerback Senquez Golson was lost with a season-ending injury during the 2015 preseason.
Boykin, a highly-regarded slot corner during his time in Philadelphia, was traded to Pittsburgh during the tumultuous Chip Kelly era in Philly. Having been a standout with the Eagles, most assumed Boykin would be the savior of the Steelers secondary.
Instead, he became a vocal opponent in the locker room due to his severe lack of playing time. He only lasted one season in Pittsburgh.
