First Call: Ben Roethlisberger gets pushback on Lamar Jackson comments; Devin Bush on leaving Steelers for Seattle
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Friday’s “First Call” features fallout from Ben Roethlisberger’s critique of Lamar Jackson. Ex-Steeler Devin Bush discusses his move to Seattle. And there will be a Pittsburgh influence in the new ownership group of the Washington Commanders.
Ruffling Raven feathers
During the latest episode of his “Footbahlin’ with Ben” podcast, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was discussing Odell Beckham Jr.’s signing with the Baltimore Ravens.
“If you’ve got (Beckham) on the outside, you better put a safety back or it’s one on one, you could just throw it to him,” Roethlisberger said. “It definitely creates some potential opportunities for that offense and for Lamar to run if he has to— or to take those big shots down the field if he needs to if they bring the safeties down.”
But it’s how Roethlisberger set up that analysis that has Baltimore fans in a snit.
“You don’t really fear Lamar’s accuracy all the time. He’s got a huge arm, he can make things happen when he scrambles, but you don’t fear him just sitting in the pocket and picking you apart,” Roethlisberger said. “You can bring safeties down because you do fear him running because he’s a different level runner. So you fear that, so you bring safeties down.”
Jackson’s former backup turned ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III had a terse response.
Career Passer rating in the pocket
-97.9-Lamar
-94.2-Big BenCareer QBR in the pocket
-64.9-Lamar
-63.4-Big Ben— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 13, 2023
Many Ravens fans are quick to point out that Big Ben never won an MVP, and Jackson did.
Fair enough. Allow me to respond by saying Roethlisberger has been to three Super Bowls and won two. Meanwhile, Jackson’s playoff record is 1-3.
Diving deep with Devin
Frequent visitors to this page know the name Ian Furness as a guest on our podcasts. He’s a former colleague of mine from our days at 1320-KFNZ in Salt Lake, and he’s now a successful sports media personality in Seattle.
Furness had former Steelers linebacker Devin Bush on his 950 KJR radio program this week. Bush had some interesting things to say about signing with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.
“It had a lot to do with the culture,” Bush said. “Talking to Coach (Pete) Carroll on frequent occasions, I feel like it was a good fit. … He is extending that culture he is familiar with and trying to get those guys in there that just love football.
“They are looking to make this thing long term and build a team that can be a contender.”
Why did Devin Bush choose the #Seahawks?
“It had a lot to do with the coaching…talking to Coach Carroll on occasions, I felt like it was a good fit.”
Listen to his full interview with @IanFurnessSea right here:https://t.co/igcuolBlLi pic.twitter.com/yfOhZMDYHY
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynMcIntyr) April 13, 2023
Furness asked Bush to compare the Steelers and Seahawks. Bush seemed to compare Tomlin to Pete Carroll in a less than favorable way.
“It’s way beyond the X’s and O’s. (Carroll) obviously cares a lot about his team,” Bush said. “(A) 180 completely.”
Gee. And I have been told for how many years now that Tomlin’s culture is what makes the Steelers unique?
In Bush’s opinion, I guess not.
But then again, consider the source and take it with a giant grain of salt. This is Devin Bush we are talking about. King of the cat video. Duke of disinterest when it came to his fifth-year option last summer.
Self-awareness is not exactly his strong suit. Consider this comment about why the Steelers didn’t pick up his fifth-year rookie contract option.
“I wish I knew. But to this day, I have no answer,” Bush replied.
Oooh! Oooh! Mr. Kotter! I’ve got it!
How about an inability to get off blocks, lack of evidence that you have recovered from your ACL injury, spotty coverage against bigger receiving targets in the pass game, and a failure to make big plays frequently?
Think that might be it, Devin?
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Yinzer double down
There will be a significant amount of Pittsburgh influence if the reported Washington Commanders sale goes through.
Multiple national outlets are confirming an original story from Sportico that Commanders owner Daniel Snyder is selling the team for $6.05 billion to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris.
In 2020, Harris became a minority owner of the Steelers. The rest of his ownership group to purchase the team includes fellow billionaire Mitchell Rales and NBA legend Magic Johnson.
Rales also has Pittsburgh ties. He was born in the city before growing up in Bethesda, Md.
Via Yahoo.com, the $6.05 billion price would be the highest in NFL history, topping the Denver Broncos’ purchase for $4.65 billion by the Walton-Penner group last year.
Hurricane force
A Frozen Four star is joining one of the Penguins’ Metropolitan Division rivals.
Quinnipiac goaltender Yaniv Perets has signed an NHL contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s a two-year, entry-level contract.
The sophomore goalie helped Quinnipiac win the school’s first national championship with a 3-2 win over Minnesota in the NCAA title game Saturday in Tampa Bay. Perets was a Hobey Baker finalist after compiling a 34-4-3 record this season. He finished as the Bobcats’ all-time leader in goals-against average (1.34), save percentage (.935) and shutouts (21).
Via the Hartford Courant, the deal will pay $775,000 in the NHL in 2023-24 and 2024-25 and $82,500 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level for both seasons. A signing bonus of $60,000 is attached as well.
In an interesting twist, Rod Brind’Amour is the head coach of the Hurricanes. Bobcats forward and Perets’ teammate Skyler Brind’Amour’s is Rod’s son.