NFL insider ponders why the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't receive more criticism for signing Cam Sutton
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, character isn't always at the top of their list when it comes to who they draft, develop, and sign. That's not to say they don't have some of the highest-character players in the league like Cam Heyward (reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year), T.J. Watt, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. But when […]
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, character isn't always at the top of their list when it comes to who they draft, develop, and sign.
That's not to say they don't have some of the highest-character players in the league like Cam Heyward (reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year), T.J. Watt, and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
But when building a roster, the margins are tight, and some teams opt to look the other way on certain things. The Pittsburgh Steelers surely did that with Cam Sutton, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is questioning why they haven't received more criticism.
Steelers don't catch as much heat as Florio would have assumed
"I think the Steelers deserve to be scrutinized and criticized for making the decision to give Cam Sutton safe harbor," Florio said on Pro Football Talk. "When you look at the affidavits, the allegations are strong…
"…So far, the Steelers haven't gotten the kind of scrutiny that maybe they should. And of course, there are plenty of Steelers fans who get mad if you point that out," he said. "They want to bash the Browns for signing Deshaun Watson. At the end of the day, Sutton was suspended only three games fewer than Watson was suspended."
The Lions released Sutton this offseason following an alleged altercation that turned violent between Sutton and a woman. Sutton would go on to turn himself into authorities after a search warrant for his arrest in Florida was initiated. Originally charged with a felony, Sutton was officially charged with misdemeanor battery. He entered a pretrial diversion program and the state attorney agreed to defer prosecution if Sutton completes the program. The details surrounding the arrest may be disturbing.
During the argument, Sutton picked up the woman and slammed her into a wall, then bit her on the neck, leaving a quarter-sized abrasion that bled, the affidavit states. Sutton then grabbed the woman by the face and neck and choked her, causing her to briefly lose consciousness, according to the affidavit. – Tony Marrero, Tampa Bay Times
Pittsburgh already has a plan in place for his absence, as there will be a four-way battle for the starting spot given the players on the roster. And if that doesn't go well, they have a familiar face they can call on to play the nickel spot before Sutton returns in Week 10.
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