First Call: NFL villains abound; Ex-Pittsburgh players star in MLB, NHL, NBA
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Wednesday’s “First Call” has two themes. The first is NFL villains getting what they deserve. The second is former Pittsburgh athletes thriving in new places.
Everywhere.
Shake-gate
On Monday night, Richard Sherman made the claim that Baker Mayfield snubbed him in the handshake line before the coin toss.
Based on this video, it sure looks like the Cleveland Browns quarterback did shake the hand of the San Francisco 49ers cornerback.
So Richard Sherman claims Baker Mayfield refused to shake his hand at the coin toss. This video seems to indicate otherwise: pic.twitter.com/4CgOsLKLPL
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 8, 2019
Once the video surfaced, Sherman backpedaled like he was in coverage during a game.
Asked @R_Sherman25 about the video out there.
He said it was Baker Mayfield darting away after the toss that angered the Niners: "That’s it. They are making way too big of a story of a blowout. He pissed us off. We put a foot in his ass. End of story."
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 8, 2019
Since Sherman was so hot on lecturing Mayfield on “etiquette,” does lying count as proper etiquette?
And who is the “they” Sherman is referencing there? Isn’t he the one who put the story out for consumption in the first place?
Ease up, Sherm. Baker is going to do plenty to make himself look like a punk in his career. In fact, he has already. He doesn’t need you making stuff up. He’s doing just fine on his own.
Speaking of punks
Actually, Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict is way worse than that.
With all of his headshots, Burfict is a borderline maniac. From 2012-18, he served two three-game suspensions for hitting former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman. He was also fined more than $165,000 last year for illegal hits.
Now he’s been suspended for the rest of this year for blasting Jack Doyle of the Indianapolis Colts two weeks ago.
The Raiders are appealing. And Oakland coach Jon Gruden is asking this question: “Hasn’t poor Vontaze suffered enough?!”
"We want Burfict back. He has already been punished, and we hope he can return to playing soon.”
Raiders made case in support of linebacker Vontaze Burfict's appeal https://t.co/WBf4yveDRT pic.twitter.com/xoSWXrijWE
— Scott Bair (@BairNBCS) October 9, 2019
Yeah. Exactly Chucky. He’s been punished. Now it’s time for him to start serving it. And frankly, I wish it was forever.
James is jammin’
Playing with Connor McDavid in Edmonton seems to be agreeing with former Penguin James Neal.
During a 5-2 Oilers win against the New York Islanders Tuesday, Neal scored four times. Here are the first three for a hat trick — his first since March 14, 2016.
James Neal's last hat-trick?
March 14, 2016 against……… the #Oilers.
All is forgiven though. ???#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/J3PtS0sgnq
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 9, 2019
And here is the cherry on the sundae.
This is not a different angle of one of the other three. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/toILMIzaJh
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 9, 2019
The Oilers winger had eight shots on goal during the contest. Neal already has six goals this season. He only had seven in 63 games with the Calgary Flames overall last year.
McDavid assisted on two of Neal’s goals against the Islanders. Neal has eight points in three games so far, tying Mika Zibanejad for the league lead.
The Oilers have won all three of their games to start the year.
Meditate on this
The Tampa Bay Rays have forced a Game 5 in their ALDS matchup against the Houston Astros.
Tampa beat Justin Verlander and company Tuesday night 4-1.
A decisive Game 5 will be played Thursday in Houston. It’s an all former-Pirates matchup on the mound.
Cy Young favorite Gerrit Cole will pitch against Tyler Glasnow. Cole had 15 strikeouts in Game 2 for a victory. Glasnow started and lost Game 1.
Another former Pirate, Charlie Morton, won Game 3 for the Rays to stave off elimination. Take a look at this nugget about Morton’s clutch playoff pitching.
Charlie Morton won his fourth elimination game yesterday.
He's the sixth pitcher in MLB history to get the W in 4 elimination games pic.twitter.com/1LU7rA7Ufg
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) October 8, 2019
Morton is one of the great big-game pitchers of all time. Let that sink in, Pirates fans.
Outside the arc
I wonder what Jamie Dixon would’ve thought of Steven Adams chucking up NBA threes during his time at Pitt.
The former Panther is stretching his range for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Steven Adams with the … 3?! pic.twitter.com/0X7zPZbqY6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 9, 2019
Adams has never hit a three-pointer in a regular season game. He’s only tried seven. But it may happen now.
Steven Adams on if him stretching the floor is better suited for the three point guard lineup. I asked a follow up if he now has the green light to shoot when open from deep. pic.twitter.com/CHfJPHg3ik
— Brady Trantham (@BradyDoesSports) October 9, 2019
The Oklahoma City center has made 1,874 shots in his career. None of them has been a three.
Yet.