First Call: Antonio Brown faces $1.1M lawsuit from celeb jeweler; Jordan Addison to visit 2 Steelers rivals
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In Wednesday’s “First Call,” wide receivers are in the news as we examine the NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers and some of their hated AFC rivals. Meanwhile, a former Steelers receiver is facing a big lawsuit.
Take a wild guess which one.
Also, the Tampa Bay Rays are keeping up their historic pace, and a former Pirates pitching ace is off to a hot start in New York.
Business better be boomin’
Former Steeler Antonio Brown better hope that Arena Football team in Albany he recently bought turns a big profit. He may need the cash.
According to TMZ, Brown is facing a $1.1 million lawsuit from celebrity jeweler Shuki International. Jean Louis Shuki is claiming that he gave the former All Pro several pieces of jewelry last year. The bill was for $1,095,000. And he says Brown never paid up.
Among the items Shuki allegedly gave A.B. were a pair of “diamond fingers,” seen with Shuki here.
The jeweler is claiming the fingers cost $500K apiece. TMZ reports Shuki is also stating that “he hooked Brown up with a rose gold black diamond version of the finger piece, a white gold chain, and a ring.”
TMZ has multiple photographs of Mr.Big Chest with Shuki and says that Brown even has a song titled “Shuki Diamonds.”
There was no response from Brown or his representatives in the story.
From Pitt to purple?
Former Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison is getting some attention from two of the Steelers’ biggest AFC rivals.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, Addison’s draft visits include trips to Baltimore and New England. He’s also slated to visit the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.
Sources: USC @USC_Athletics standout wide receiver Jordan Addison’s visits include #Vikings, #Ravens, #Giants, #Patriots plus local visit with #Chargers @KPRC2 https://t.co/RnYFYKjlSz
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 3, 2023
After winning the 2021 Biletnikoff Award with Kenny Pickett as his quarterback at Pitt, Addison transferred to USC last year. The 21-year-old native of Maryland suffered a leg injury that caused him to miss three games last season, including the Trojans’ loss in the Cotton Bowl to Tulane. He ended the year with 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns.
In 14 games with Pickett as his QB with the Panthers in 2021, Addison totaled 100 catches for 1,593 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns. That has left many Steelers fans salivating at the idea of those two reuniting in Black and Gold this year via this month’s NFL Draft. The thought of returning to Maryland to wear Purple and Black wouldn’t go over big, nor would the thought of him playing with the Patriots.
During our “NFL Draft Prep 101” series, former pro and college scout Matt Williamson spoke about the prospect of the Steelers taking Addison at No. 17 in the first round.
“His tape wasn’t as good at USC as it was at Pitt,” Williamson said. “He’s playing with two first-round quarterbacks (Pickett and USC Heisman Trophy Winner Caleb Williams). But I don’t think you can discount the Pickett-Addison combination. … I’d be fine with it. I’d hope you could do better at No. 17. I don’t think there is any chance he is there at 32 (which the Steelers also have).”
What did you say about Zay?
Speaking of wideouts, in his latest mock draft ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. slotted Boston College’s Zay Flowers as Pittsburgh’s first-round pick at No. 17. Here was his rationale:
This ROUTE by Zay Flowers
The Boston College WR is one of the best route runners in this year’s NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/hBsVYMzb8d
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 19, 2023
“This is around where we could see a run on receivers,” Kiper posted. “Flowers is actually my top-ranked wideout. I love his explosion and ability after the catch. Pittsburgh’s wideouts had just five touchdown receptions last season, which ranked last in the league. The 5-9 Flowers is a dynamo out of the slot, but he had plenty of grabs lined up outside too. He could be a nice fit with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Quarterback Kenny Pickett had a special connection with former Pitt teammate Jordan Addison, but I think Flowers would be the better pick for the Steelers.”
I agree with a lot of that. I’m a huge fan of Flowers too. In fact, if it weren’t for the Pickett-Addison connection, I’d take Flowers first as well. I’d be very happy if they took either one at 32, but I wouldn’t select either player at No. 17.
Here’s what Williamson said about Flowers: “I think you can get Flowers at 32. I don’t think that you can get Addison at 32. … At Boston College, everyone in the stadium knew that they were throwing to Zay Flowers, and it didn’t matter. Clearly, the best player on their offense and people couldn’t slow him down. He would be a slot here. He’s small (5-foot-10, 172). But he’s dynamic. He’s tough. He can also line up outside the numbers.”
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Cool Cole
Even when Gerrit Cole doesn’t have his best stuff, he is still pretty good.
The ex-Pirates pitcher won his third game in as many tries Tuesday. He and his New York Yankees teammates beat up the Cleveland Guardians 11-2.
Cole gave up two runs in the first inning and only tallied three strikeouts, after totaling 19 in his first two starts against the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants.
But after that shaky first frame, Cole shutout the Guardians for the next six innings. He yielded just two more hits and two walks the rest of the way. One of his strikeout victims was another former Pirate, Josh Bell.
Big strikeout for Cole pic.twitter.com/YoVPD4KJNZ
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 11, 2023
Cole’s record is now 3-0 with an ERA of 1.40.
On a tear in Tampa
The Tampa Bay Rays still can’t lose. The franchise won its 11th game in a row Tuesday night, 7-2 at home against the Boston Red Sox.
The Rays hit four home runs in support of Shane McClanahan, who struck out nine and upped his record to 3-0. Isaac Paredes hit one of them.
Yea, he got all of that one. pic.twitter.com/hxDbdlr0cl
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 11, 2023
The Rays’ run differential is now a whopping plus-63. The 11-0 start is the best Major League Baseball has seen since the 1987 Brewers were 13-0.
The Rays play Boston for two more days before heading up to Toronto for a three-game series this weekend. Tampa Bay comes to Pittsburgh from May 2-4.