First Call: James Harrison, Hines Ward snubbed for Hall of Fame again; did Mason Rudolph jab Big Ben?
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Thursday’s “First Call” has some unfortunate news for Steelers Super Bowl heroes James Harrison and Hines Ward. There are some key injury updates for the Seahawks as they prepare to play the Steelers on Sunday. Ex-Steeler Devin Bush could start against his old club.
Mason Rudolph appears to take a little dig at Ben Roethlisberger. And we look deeper at Kris Letang’s record night against the Islanders.
No dice
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 15 finalists for the class of 2024 on Wednesday night. Former Steelers Hines Ward and James Harrison didn’t make the cut.
Ward has been one of 25 semifinalists the past eight years. Harrison has made that round the past two years. Both men have 25 years from when they retired to be considered for induction. From there, they’ll be placed in the seniors pool.
Two first-year eligible players — tight end Antonio Gates and defensive end Julius Peppers — are among the 15 finalists.
Harrison had 84.5 sacks with five Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pros. Peppers had 159.5 (fifth in NFL history) with nine Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pros. Harrison was Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. Peppers was part of the NFL’s All-Decade team for both the 2000s and the 2010s.
However, it’s not a direct comp as Harrison was an outside linebacker and Peppers was a true defensive end. So they had different responsibilities against the run and in coverage. Plus, Harrison’s career was one remembered for dominance in a five-year burst, whereas Peppers’ was marked by consistency over a 17-year career.
Three receivers are finalists in front of Ward: Andre Johnson (third year as a finalist), Torry Holt (fifth year) and Reggie Wayne (fifth year). Ward’s 1,000 catches are more than Holt’s 920. Ward’s 85 career touchdowns are more than Wayne’s 82, Holt’s 74 and Johnson’s 70.
I used to be one who thought that Ward was a great player whose numbers may not be enough to get him into the Hall. Upon further review, his numbers measure up just fine with those who are getting stronger consideration than him and others who are already in. Plus he was a Super Bowl MVP.
Others on the finalist list include defensive backs Eric Allen, Rodney Harrison and Darren Woodson, defensive linemen Jared Allen and Dwight Freeney, offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans, running back Fred Taylor, linebacker Patrick Willis and kick returner Devin Hester. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be revealed Feb. 8.
The modern-era finalists will join seniors finalists Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell along with coach/contributor finalist Buddy Parker (Steelers, Lions, Chicago Cardinals) on the ballot. As many as five modern-era players will be enshrined.
Diving in on Devin
A subplot when the Steelers play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday will be how former Steeler Devin Bush plays against his old team.
Bush, a 2019 first-round washout, has a chance to play a lot of snaps this weekend. After signing a free agent contract this offseason in Seattle following his four forgettable years in Pittsburgh, Bush has had 13 tackles in 11 games and just two starts with the Seahawks.
However, starting linebacker Jordyn Brooks is injured and may not play. That means Bush could be elevated to the starting lineup.
“He’s got a great chance to play a lot this week. He’ll be fired up for that,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said during a news conference Wednesday. “There’s something to that that just kind of juices guys up. And I totally respect that, and I like honoring that because it’s meaningful. It means something.”
Brooks was injured early against the Tennessee Titans last week. Bush stepped in and finished with six tackles (one TFL).
Throwing darts
On Wednesday, Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph was asked how the interactions have been between himself, Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky as he went through last week as the third QB to start.
“They were very helpful. I’ve got a lot of respect and enjoy their company very much,” Rudolph said. “No matter who has played, there’s been great communication. Everyone is truly trying to make the other person better. Find a nugget if they see something. Suggest something that’s truly going to help us out as opposed to other times where there’s not as cohesive of a group, and people aren’t as forthcoming with, ‘Hey, how do we help?’”
Gee? Who could Rudolph possibly mean?
And all this time, I thought Big Ben was the top of the mountain when it came to passive
Related
• Penguins rout Islanders as defenseman Kris Letang sets scoring record
• Kenny Pickett believes he’s physically ready to return but defers to Steelers’ trainers, coaches
• Tim Benz: Kenny Pickett’s injury provides cover more than it does strategy for Mike Tomlin
While we are at it
Back to the Seahawks defense, they might get veteran safety Jamal Adams back. He was in a limited role at practice Saturday.
“He was in walkthrough also, bouncing around,” Carroll said via the team’s website. “It’s the first time in a while we got a chance to get him out. He’s had a good break, and we’ll see what that means. I can’t conclude anything about that, but I’m happy for him. I know he’s pumped up to be back out there.”
Adams missed the past two games with a knee injury. Julian Love has started in his absence. Carroll didn’t guarantee that Adams would return as a starter if he suits up.
Meanwhile, Seattle’s standout rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon was limited in Wednesday’s practice. He has missed two games with a hip pointer.
Letang lights it up
Kris Letang set an NHL record Wednesday night when he tallied five points in the second period during the Penguins’ 7-0 win over the New York Islanders. No defenseman in the history of the NHL had ever done that in one period of play.
But Letang added a sixth assist in the third period. That also tied a franchise record.
With six helpers tonight (so far), Kris Letang has tied the NHL record for assists by a defenseman in a single game.
The blueliner has also tied the team record for assists in a game by any @penguins player in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/1fLDx1WfmI
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) December 28, 2023
Mario Lemieux, Ron Stackhouse and Greg Malone were the other Penguins to hit that mark. Lemieux did it four times.
“It’s one of those periods where it seems like every time you pass it to a player, he ends up shooting it in. So it’s the good thing of playing with great players,” Letang said.
Jake Guentzel (twice), Evgeni Malkin (twice), Radhim Zohorna and Valtteri Puustinen were the recipients of Letang’s passes.
By the way, Wednesday was also the 23rd anniversary of Lemieux’s return to hockey after his first retirement in 1997.