First Call: Gene Steratore weighs in on 3 controversial calls from Steelers-Dolphins; Phil Kessel ties Ironman streak

Tuesday’s “First Call” offers up some analysis of a few controversial calls in the Steelers-Dolphins game from Sunday night. Phil Kessel is ready to set an NHL record. The Penguins have another tough test out west. And a former WPIAL star made a big play on “Monday Night Football.”

Gene, Gene the Review Machine

Western Pa., product and CBS NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore joined WDVE radio for his weekly “Zebra Talk” segment on Tuesday’s ‘DVE Morning Show. The former NFL official weighed in on three controversial calls from the Steelers game Sunday night.

Regarding the fourth-quarter illegal-shift call that wiped out a Kenny Pickett first-down quarterback sneak, Steratore supported the flag if, indeed, there was a second man moving while Miles Boykin was in motion before the snap.

“While that player is in motion — any minor adjustment that takes place — everybody else is (supposed to be) frozen. Even though that seems ticky-tacky to a lot of people, those are the rules,” Steratore said.

If you back up the game tape before the live snap, you can see right tackle Chuks Okorafor make a very slight rock backward into his stance as Boykin is in motion, and Boykin didn’t reset before the ball was snapped. On film, it seemed extremely immaterial to the play and highly picayune to call. But as Steratore explained, “The rules are the rules.”

In terms of a potential trip of Steelers receiver Chase Claypool that led to Pickett’s first interception in the first half, a flag wasn’t thrown. Steratore disagreed with the on-field crew there. (19:30 of the link to the broadcast)

“It’s a foul,” Steratore said, explaining that the defensive back was in “chase mode” at the time. “If he is just running and trying to close that gap (without playing the ball), and any type of contact that now materially affects that receiver’s ability to make that play, that’s a penalty.”

Both Steratore and NBC analyst Terry McAuley on the game broadcast pointed out that — at the time contact was made — Miami’s Justin Bethel had not yet turned his head around to play the ball prior to his interception. That is supposed to be an indicator to throw the flag.

Finally, Steratore addressed the interception by Noah Igbinoghene on Pickett’s last throw. It appeared to be an obvious interception right in front of an official who initially called it incomplete.

“This was just an interception. And you start seeing the official start waving incomplete. To me, in my nerdy world, that’s just a gigantic miss,” Steratore said.

Other officials conferred and overruled the call before it went to replay. Many have theorized that some real-time word from the league office got to the officials before a challenge or booth review was initiated.

“It’s deflating as an official to see that. I get the human element. But at some point this is just a miss. … Get it right,” Steratore said.

No let up

After losing a high-scoring, back-and-forth 6-3 game in Edmonton on Monday night, the Penguins have another test in Western Canada on Tuesday night.

The Pens (4-1-1) visit the Calgary Flames (4-1-0). Faceoff is at 9 p.m. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche are the favorites to win the Western Conference at +175 according to BetRivers.com. Calgary is listed next on the odds board at +500.

The Flames totaled 50 wins last year and claimed the Pacific Division before losing to Edmonton in the second round of the playoffs. The Penguins lost both of their games against the Flames a season ago, dropping their showdown in Pittsburgh 4-0 on Oct. 21, 2021. They fell in a 2-1 shootout in Calgary on Nov. 29.

While the Pens are playing on back-to-back nights, Calgary is well-rested. Their last game was Saturday, a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

It’s early in the NHL season, but the Flames are putting solid special teams on tape. Their power play is clicking at 30%, sixth best in hockey. The penalty kill is ninth at 85.7%.

More Steelers

• Ben Roethlisberger's latest 'Footbahlin' gives unique view of Steelers game-ending play in Miami
• Tim Benz: Chase Claypool wants more 'go balls' in Steelers offense — stats suggest he may be right
• Steelers' lack of splash afflicts offense, defense in loss to Dolphins

I am “Ironman”

Former Penguin Phil Kessel is scheduled to play in his 990th consecutive game Tuesday night against San Jose. That means the Vegas Golden Knights winger will pass retired defenseman Keith Yandle for the NHL’s all-time “iron man” streak of consecutive games played.

Kessel tied the mark Monday at 989 during a game against another one of his former teams — the Toronto Maple Leafs.

IT’S KESSEL TIME pic.twitter.com/obrKFuvk1u

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 25, 2022

Kessel also scored what appeared to be his 400th goal during the first period. But it was challenged and overturned. The Golden Knights ended up scoring 30 seconds later to take a 1-0 lead and then ended up winning 3-1.

???? Kessel: I thought I scored actually, but it is what it is... We ended up scoring right after and that's all that counts. pic.twitter.com/ZCfeEp4Qoa

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 25, 2022

Via the Sporting News, the streak dates back to Nov. 3, 2009. That was Kessel’s first season in Toronto. He spent seven seasons with the Maple Leafs. The streak stretched through the rest of his time there, his four seasons in Pittsburgh, three in Arizona and now this one with Vegas. So far in 2022-23, Kessel has two assists for the Golden Knights.

Frisky Brisker

Penn State product Jaquan Brisker had a highlight moment on “Monday Night Football.” The Bears rookie defensive back made an eye-catching, one-handed interception of New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.

One-handed!@JaquanBrisker gets the INT. ????

????: #CHIvsNE on ESPN
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2HQeNdaFPc pic.twitter.com/4r3PeOsdHe

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2022

That was the first pick of his NFL career. It occurred one play after Jones went into a slide and ended up kicking the Gateway High School alum right in … well … an uncomfortable area of the anatomy.

The Bears went on to win the game 33-14. Brisker added seven tackles along the way.