Tuesday’s “First Call” features some support for a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman from former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The Raiders may try to get a familiar face back in the mix against the Steelers.

We check the TV ratings to see how the Backyard Brawl did compared to the huge numbers put up by Colorado-Colorado State. And two former Penguins are traded for one another.

Praise from Big Ben

Dan Moore didn’t grade out well at Pro Football Focus against the Cleveland Browns despite the fact that All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett registered just one tackle and no sacks.

Moore earned a 3.5 passing grade out of 100. It is the worst of the week from PFF. It is now the second straight week Moore is graded as the worst left tackle in the NFL.

But former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has Moore’s back. During his “Footbahlin’” podcast, Roethlisberger praised Moore’s play against Garrett.

“I talked to him last night, and I said, ‘Dude, I’m so happy for you, I’m proud of the way you’re playing, keep it up,’” Roethlisberger said. “Dan Moore, keep it up, dude. You are absolutely killing it, and I’m very proud of you.”

Meanwhile, former Steelers lineman Kevin Dotson called for a full boycott of PFF.

stop using pff and don’t critique a position you don’t ever watch!!!????????‍♂️

— ???? 6’4 Nightskin???????????? (@kdd7696) September 19, 2023

The Steelers also kept Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa quiet in Week 1 during the loss to San Francisco. Next up, the line faces another standout pass rusher in Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Due to bust out?

One player for the Raiders who has yet to make a positive impact is receiver Hunter Renfrow. He has just one reception for 23 yards over the first two games. That was on his lone target of the season.

“Hunter was a big part of the game plan in Week 1 and Week 2, and every player in a skill position will be in Week 3,” offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi said via ProFootballTalk. “He’s not deterred, we’re not deterred, we’re just gonna go out there and keep going and try to get some production. And really, at the end of the day, we care about team production not individual production.”

Renfrow had a 1,000 yard season in 2021 but dipped to just 330 yards last year after missing seven games due to injury. He had four catches and a touchdown against the Steelers last year.

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All eyes on Deion

Former NFL star Deion Sanders certainly is drawing eyes toward the University of Colorado.

Even if those eyes are covered by sunglasses.

According to ESPN, Saturday’s Colorado vs Colorado State game was the most watched late-primetime game in ESPN history and the fifth-most-watched game on ESPN overall. It was also the most-streamed college football game of all time in the regular season. The viewership reached a peak of 11.1 million with 9.3 million on average.

In terms of ratings, SportsmediaWatch.com says that contest drew a 4.9 rating, almost double the next-best game of the weekend, South Carolina and Georgia. By comparison, the Pitt-West Virginia Backyard Brawl on ABC got a 1.3, the ninth-best game of the day.

On the move again

Former Penguin Casey DeSmith has been traded again already. Back in August, the goalie was part of the three-way Erik Karlsson trade with the San Jose Sharks and was shipped up to Montreal.

On Tuesday, word came that DeSmith was being dealt to Vancouver for another ex-Penguin, Tanner Pearson.

The Canadiens have acquired forward Tanner Pearson and a 3rd-round pick in 2025 from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for goaltender Casey DeSmith.#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/SflSJrF6Hm

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 19, 2023

That means DeSmith has been acquired by former Penguins executives Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin in Vancouver. He’ll join other former Pens Teddy Blueger and Ian Cole as the backup to Thatcher Demko.

DeSmith posted a 58-44-15 record over six seasons with the Penguins. Pearson registered nine goals during 44 games in Pittsburgh during the 2018-19 campaign.

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