We dodged a bullet not drafting this kid...

[gbrads_rants]

Alameda Ta’amu suspended two games by Steelers after arrest

By Brian McIntyre | Shutdown Corner – 20 minutes ago

(Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced that rookie defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu has been suspended for two weeks without pay, the first wave of punishment the fourth-round pick from the University of Washington will receive after leading Pittsburgh police on an alcohol-fueled chase early Sunday morning.

"Due to his actions this past weekend we are going to be suspending him for two weeks," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. "This suspension is without pay. He will not participate in any organized team activities, he won't be in meetings, he won't be on the practice field and obviously he won't be at our facility."

As the 109th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Ta'amu signed a four-year deal worth $2.565 million that included a signing bonus of $433,312 and a 2012 base salary of $390,000. Under the terms of his suspension, Ta'amu, who has yet to crack the Steelers' 46-man game day roster, will lose two paychecks totaling $45,882.

Ta'amu's road adventure began at 2:30 a.m. ET on Sunday morning when he was observed driving the wrong way down a South Side street. After ignoring several orders from law enforcement to pull over, Ta'amu reportedly steered his 2006 Lincoln Navigator in the direction of police officers, who had drawn their weapons, but did not fire. Ta'amu slammed into several parked vehicles, at least one of which was occupied, before disabling his own vehicle and attempting to flee.

According to the police report, Ta'amu registered a blood-alcohol level of .196 percent, more than twice Pennsylvania's legal limit.

"We deem his actions a detriment to our efforts and we are treating it as such," said Tomlin. "The other ramifications and so forth of this situation that I am not at liberty to discuss at this time, but we thought it was very important that we act and act quickly in terms of addressing this and we can focus our efforts on the men that are playing and getting ready to meet this week's challenge.

"Obviously it's a disturbing incident, one that we take seriously as members of this community and the organization which we are."

[betheafan41]

wow, who would have thought??? i actually had a bet going with a friend of mine that janoris jenkins would not be the first rookie to get into serious trouble off field that would result in suspension lol. looks like i won .

[gbrads_rants]

Smh....I know folks were high on him in this year's draft including me...but he was a bust before he got busted (wordplay).

[lollygagger8]

Sounds like we aren't the only who dodged a bullet.

[Gavin]

he is young and talented, I hope he learns from this

[JoKeR]

He's lucky he wasn't shot and didn't hurt anyone. 2 weeks suspension for this is laughable though, his punishment needs to be more severe.

[betheafan41]

He's lucky he wasn't shot and didn't hurt anyone. 2 weeks suspension for this is laughable though, his punishment needs to be more severe.

" the first wave of punishment the fourth-round pick from the University of Washington "

2 weeks isnt the only thing yet, i believe that is only from the steelers. now he has to deal with the NFL penalties. and it being a DWI he is prob going to face another 3 or 4 game suspension and a fine. so hopefully he did spend his whole signing bonus because he is going to need it to live off of for a few games on top of paying for his fines that are going to be handed to him lol.

[Vltrophy1]

He can't afford to many suspensions. 2.5M is a lot of $ to us regular folk but how stupid can u be? He should hoe stupid.

[gbrads_rants]

The crime itself seems like it would merit some jail time....he really is lucky he didnt get shot....I was mad when Pitt picked him up....lol #grateful

[FanFromtheWasteland]

If he was fleeing the police he has a lot more than fines and suspensions to worry about

[John Waylon]

He's lucky he wasn't shot and didn't hurt anyone. 2 weeks suspension for this is laughable though, his punishment needs to be more severe.

Once the NFL does something, I expect it will be.

[Jason_]

I'm glad we didn't draft him either but this isn't why. Never was impressed with him when I watched him at Washington.

[Tark The Shark]

Wow, that certainly isn't a good thing for him.

Hopefully he learns from this.

Hard to say that this guy is a total bust because his career is young.

Hopefully this will make him get back on track

[IndyTrav]

It's a good thing players just can't sit on there couch getting high while playing video games.

[PrincetonTiger]

He should be ready for further punishments