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LATROBE, Pa. -- Mike Tomlin tried to sound resolute. The look on his face however, suggested otherwise. Asked if he was sending a message by having rookie running back LeVeon Bell take snaps with the first team at the end of his third practice as a professional football player earlier this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach failed to fight back a smile as he answered. "None," Tomlin said before quickly adding "but Im sure you guys will run with it so go ahead." Hey, why not? The battle for the right to replace the departed Rashard Mendenhall has been simmering since the moment the Steelers selected Bell with the 48th overall pick in the NFL draft. Even though the team signed restricted free agents Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman to one-year tenders, theres little doubt the 21-year-old Bell has a future lining up behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Redman and Dwyer are simply hoping to hold off that future for as long as they can. The duo combined for 1,033 yards while splitting carries with Mendenhall in 2012 but couldnt stay healthy, leaving their ability to become a true feature back in question. Each worked aggressively in the off-season to shed weight, hoping slimmer waistlines would lead to a heavier workload. Dwyer estimates he dropped 25-30 pounds while Redman cut 15 pounds off his 6-foot frame. "This is definitely the best shape I have ever been in since I have been in the league," Dwyer said. "I just want to continue to be like this the rest of my career." A career that will likely continue elsewhere next season if he fails to gain any traction this fall. The same goes for Redman, who rushed for a 121 yards in a loss to Denver in the playoffs two years ago and has shown flashes of brilliance but cant seem to stay out of the training room. The issue isnt necessarily production, but persistence. Every step forward for both players has been met by a step back. Dwyer posted consecutive 100-yard games last October only to go down with a hamstring injury. Redman responded by piling up a career-high 147 yards in a victory over the Giants but was ineffective a week later against the Chiefs and collected just 26 carries total over the final seven games. Dwyer wasnt the same after his hamstring healed. A pair of ill-timed fumbles didnt help matters. While the Steelers hardly batted an eye when the enigmatic Mendenhall opted to sign with Arizona in free agency, they also left little doubt Redman and Dwyer little wiggle room when they picked up Bell in the second round in April. Bell is younger, taller (6-2) and more versatile than either of the two players hes competing again. In addition to leading the nation with 383 carries last fall at Michigan State, he also caught 32 passes. After spending most of the last four years sending Mendenhall on the field on first and second down and bringing him out in true passing situations, Bell gives the Steelers a well-rounded option. One that is humble but well aware of the expectations. "Im just going to compete," Bell said. "Ive been competing from day one. Just make those other guys better, make the other running backs better, and at the same time theyre going to make me better. Im going to help this team the best that I can and get a Super Bowl." Bell played at around 245 pounds during his final year at Michigan State but arrived at Saint Vincent College more than a dozen pounds lighter. His height has him resemble something more akin to a safety than a feature back and theres more than a little bit of tenacity beneath his shoulder pads. Each year, in full gear includes a "back on backers" drill that pits a running back and a linebacker against each other designed to simulate what happens when a back is required to pick up a blitz. On Monday Bell found himself lined up against first-round pick Jarvis Jones. Four times Jones hurtled his 245-pound frame at Bell. The fact they fought to a draw didnt go unnoticed. "Im sure theyll continue to see more of each other," Tomlin said. At least in camp. Things could change in the regular season if Bell and Jones both work their way into starting roles since the guys at the top of the depth chart typically practice against the backups. While Tomlin appears to be impressed by Bells quick grasp of the offence, he is serious when he says hell wait to see how things play out before anointing a starter for Week 1 against Tennessee. Then again, if Tomlin has his way, he wont have to name one. Itll become self-evident. "You would like a known feature guy," he said. "I think everybody is of that mentality, but its got to be something thats taken by someone. "Grant Hill Suns Jersey ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. Steve Nash Jersey . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. https://www.thesunslockerroom.com/Kevin-Johnson-City-Edition-Jersey/ . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Ricky Rubio Jersey . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Devin Booker Suns Jersey . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No.RIO DE JANEIRO -- It turns out Rory McIlroy did watch Olympic golf. At least enough to know that Justin Rose was the winner and to congratulate the Englishman on capturing Olympic gold for Great Britain.McIlroy, who would have played for Ireland, elected to skip the Olympic Golf Tournament, citing several reasons, among them that he didnt feel golf had a big place in the Games.Im very happy with the decision that Ive made and have no regrets about it, he said last month at Royal Troon prior to The Open. Ill probably watch the Olympics, but Im not sure golf will be one of the events I watch.When asked what he would watch, McIlroy said: Probably the events like track and field, swimming, diving, the stuff that matters.That was given added bite by the fact that the top four players in the world skipped the Olympics.When Rose was asked Monday if he had heard from McIlroy, he said he had received a text.He was very, very proud and he said he was pulling for me, said Rose, who birdied the final hole Sunday to defeat Henrik Stenson for the gold medal. He said basically he could see how much it meant to me and congrratulations.ddddddddddddHe was very complimentary and obviously he made a point that he really wanted golf to succeed as an Olympic sport. He has his own personal opinions on it that are very personal to him and thats fine, but as a whole, hes very much behind golf succeeding in the Olympics. Like I said, he was very, very complimentary.And Rose said, Obviously, he watched.Rose was scheduled to leave Rio on Sunday night but ended up staying an extra day and has been overwhelmed by the attention back home and among sports fans in general -- including his 7-year-old son, Leo.Ive never seen my little boy in tears, might start crying myself, Rose said. Ive never seen it resonate so much with him. Hes just beginning to understand what sport is all about.He received a medal for a Winter Olympic soccer football camp this past week. And he got a medal and said to me: Ive got my medal, now its time for you to get yours. He was actually crying on the phone, and that was very, very special. ' ' '