TALK » when the Patriots asked Blount to come back home.In a

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 notes In 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-NFL Giants Jerseys China .ca. 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INVERNESS, Scotland -- Alex Noren of Sweden birdied the last two holes to extend his lead to two shots at the Scottish Open on Saturday after a third round that ended in heavy rain at the Castle Stuart links.Noren shot a 4-under 68 to move to 12-under 204, two clear of Tyrrell Hatton of England (66) and Matteo Manassero of Italy (68).The top 15 players are separated by six shots in the last event before the British Open at Royal Troon next week. With the weather turning nasty for the final few hours of the third round, this could be good preparation for the third major of the year.Noren -- the second-round leader by a shot -- defied the conditions by hitting a 219-yard tee shot to 3 feet at No. 17 and then getting up and down at the par-5 18th for another birdie.Im really satisfied because it was one of the toughest days this year, said Noren, who is seeking the fifth European Tour victory of his career.Im hoping for better weather (on Sunday) so its not a grind.Manassero kept up his resurgence to stay in with a good chance of winning his first event in more than three years, since the BMW PGA Championship in 2013. That victory lifted him to No. 25 in the rankings but the one-time prodigy arrived in northern Scotland ranked No.dddddddddddd. 596.After birdies at Nos. 1 and 2 and an eagle at No. 6, Manassero wound up taking the lead thanks to a run of three birdies on Nos. 14-16, including chipping in from just off the green at the 15th. A bogey at No. 17 and a missed short birdie putt at the last dropped him behind Noren, just as the Swede was making his strong finish.Justin Walters, among the earlier starters when the sun was out and the wind wasnt so strong, shot 65 to tie for the lowest round of the day and share fourth place with Danny Lee (70).Former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell was in a two-way tie for sixth place after a 69, which included four birdies in his last eight holes as the weather turned.When the weather got bad, I managed to dig in and get some birdies, McDowell said. This is great preparation for next week.Phil Mickelson shot 70 and is 11 strokes behind Noren.Four places in the British Open are available for those not already qualified and who finish in the top 12 plus ties. Hatton, Manassero, Walters and Romain Wattel would currently qualify. ' ' '