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PITTSBURGH -- The phone calls and texts between LeGarrette Blount and LeVeon Bell havent stopped.Not after the embarrassing traffic stop in the summer of 2014 that ended with both running backs being charged with drug possession and -- eventually -- suspensions for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy. Not after the talented but enigmatic Blount walked off the field and ostensibly out of a job when he headed to the locker room with time still on the clock during a Monday night win in Tennessee later that year, a silent protest for a lack of touches on a night Bell ran for 204 yards.Not even this week, with Blount prepping for his first visit to Pittsburgh since the Steelers (4-2) cut him for insubordination when New England (5-1) visits Heinz Field.Hes still one of my closest friends, Bell said. I still talk to him. He watches my game. I watch his. We still critique each other, tell each other what we do good, what we do bad. Hes definitely a good guy.Maybe, though the image of Blount already dressed and practically sprinting for the bus by the time his teammates walked into the visitors locker room in Nashville, remains fresh.Its nothing that you take personally, but football player to football player, thats something you dont do, Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats said.The Steelers cut Blount less than 48 hours later, though the ink on the transaction wasnt even dry when the Patriots asked Blount to come back home.In a way, Blounts performance over the last two years with the Patriots has only validated Blounts assertion that he deserved to be more involved in the game plan. He won a Super Bowl in New England two months after re-signing with New England and is currently seventh in the league in rushing (439 yards) and tied for second in touchdowns (six).And his good friend has noticed.Hes a monster, Blount said. I think hes one of the best running backs in this league. I think hes an underrated guy. I think hell start getting the respect he deserves once hes consistent and on the field a lot.Something that didnt happen nearly enough in 2014. Brought in to serve as a veteran presence behind Bell, Blount ended up seeing his role diminish as Bell became one of the best all-around backs in the league, his potential on full display as he practically carried the Steelers on the back of his No. 26 jersey in a 27-24 escape against the Titans.Obviously he might have been a little frustrated because he didnt play as much and being a competitor you want to play, Bell said. But he understood that he kind of made the wrong decision. He wasnt mad at me for the game I had. He just wanted to play and show the team hes able to help contribute.Blounts departure plays in stark contrast to Pittsburghs current backfield setup. Where Blount eventually chafed when left on the sideline, DeAngelo Williams has embraced his role as the 1B to Bells 1A. The all-time leading rusher in Carolina Panthers history has played remarkably well at times when filling in for Bell. Williams even led the NFL in yards rushing through the first two weeks of this season while Bell sat out a suspension.Yet when Bell returned, there was no question about who should top the depth chart.L. Bell is so dynamic when he plays the game that I dont want him to come off the field, Williams said in September.Bell likely wont have much of a choice this week anyway. Williams is out with a knee issue, as is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, meaning backup Landry Jones will likely rely heavily on Bell to help carry the load. He averaged 25 touches during Roethlisbergers four-game absence in 2015 and earned an admirer eager to get a close-up look on Sunday.When asked about Bells talent, New England coach Bill Belichick uncharacteristically blurted out, Oh, my god.He can do it all, Belichick said. However he gets the ball hes really dangerous.Blount remains plenty dangerous in his own right, though his carries have dipped slightly since Tom Bradys return from his four-game Deflategate suspension. The typically reticent Blount has kept quiet this week, saying hell talk after the game. There may be boos Sunday the first time he takes a handoff from Brady. Just because the Steelers are over Blounts exit doesnt mean the city is, particularly one that doesnt take rejection well.He may have more animosity about it than we do, Moats said. No matter whos lining up there on Sunday, theyre going to have to pay.Game notesIn addition to Williams and Roethlisberger, wide receiver Markus Wheaton (shoulder), right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle) and defensive end Cam Heyward (hamstring) are also out.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLRollie Fingers Jersey .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Ray Fosse Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/3075m-dick-williams-jersey-athletics.html .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Glenn Hubbard Jersey . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. Sheldon Neuse Athletics Jersey . Pedro scored from a pass by Lionel Messi in the 33rd minute and added two more goals in the 47th and 72nd after Valdes saved his second penalty in four days following his stop in Wednesdays 4-0 over Ajax in the Champions League.Canterbury players have wasted no time throwing shade at former teammate Trent Hodkinson, with prop Sam Kasiano saying he cant wait to make a beeline for the Newcastle halfback.In what will be Hodkinsons first match against his old club since moving to the Knights, Kasiano is one of several Bulldogs keen to re-acquaint themselves with their former general.Hodkinson, who was part of Canterburys 2012 grand final side, spent five years at Belmore before taking a lucrative three-year contract to switch to the Hunter.Its going to be very weird. I miss that guy and I cant wait to run at him, Kasiano said on Tuesday.I will warn him on (social media application) Whatsapp.Centre Josh Morris said the banter had already begun with the Knights co-captain.Its going to be a little bit different, Im going over his house on Friday to have dinner with him, Morris said.Hes obviously missed here by a few of the boys but I think all the boys are looking forward to getting into him. Theres been a bbit of chat already and Im sure hes looking forward to it as well.ddddddddddddHalfback Moses Mbye, who now wears the No.7 jersey previously owned by Hodkinson, said he felt for his former teammate in what has been a trying season in Newcastle.The Knights have won just one game all season and will break a club-record 13-game losing streak with another loss at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.Hodkinson was also axed from the NSW State of Origin team this year.Hes doing a fantastic job, hes in an experienced side and a side that is rebuilding. Hes doing a good job, taken a lot on his shoulders, Mbye said.I do keep in touch with him every now and again. Hes doing well, hes upbeat and happy and the clubs going in the right direction.Hes not getting the results he probably wanted to going up there but hes continuing to keep his head down. Hes not kicking stones. ' ' '