First Call: Ravens CB hurt by Patrick Queen’s exit for Pittsburgh; Steelers visit top center in NFL Draft
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Wednesday’s “First Call” features Baltimore’s reaction to Patrick Queen’s departure for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Patrick Peterson is angling for a return. The Steelers are looking at potentially the top center in the draft.
And the Yankees are worried about Gerrit Cole’s arm.
Ruffling Raven feathers
Apparently Patrick Queen’s decision to leave the Baltimore Ravens and join the Steelers is leaving a sour taste in the mouth of at least one of his ex-teammates.
That’s cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
This actually hurts me https://t.co/4LAdZ3nJ3h
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) March 12, 2024
The combination of this high altitude atmosphere I’m in and what PQ just did has my chest hurting.
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) March 12, 2024
For however upset Humphrey may have been about the news of Queen’s decision, it seems to have been balanced out by the news of star running back Derrick Henry joining the team on a two-year agreement after walking away from the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
No way we was texting yesterday and you didn’t even say nothing about this lol @KingHenry_2 https://t.co/NgQzCeJ6g9
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) March 12, 2024
Henry and Humphrey overlapped in college at Alabama.
Watching Queen and Henry bang heads twice a year for at least the next two seasons will be interesting.
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Pat Pete and J.Peezy
There has been some belief that Patrick Peterson and the Steelers may reunite, even though the club released the veteran defensive back on Friday. He signed a two-year deal last offseason but was let go in advance of a roster bonus that was due.
Peterson is leveraging the prospect of a return by way of highlighting his mentorship role for Steelers second-year corner Joey Porter Jr. During the latest edition of his “All Things Covered” podcast with fellow ex-Steeler Bryant McFadden, Peterson said it’s his hope the Steelers will see his value as a guide for Porter.
“I want to be able to help Joey to help his career to continue to flourish,” Peterson said. “Joey can be so special. But he has no one there that can help him get to where he wants to go.”
Porter ended his first season as a finalist for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“I know free agency is coming up,” Peterson added. “Obviously, they have decisions to make. At the same time, what other guy would you want to have around teaching the young pup? I’ve done everything that (they) want him to be.”
Peterson had some up and down moments with the Steelers in his one year in Pittsburgh. He seemed to be better when he was in a hybrid safety-corner role and wasn’t being relied upon to be an every down player running with receivers outside the numbers.
The club acquired Carolina Panthers corner Donte Jackson in a trade for receiver Diontae Johnson on Tuesday.
Another JPJ?
Having been unable to secure a center in advance of the open free-agency period, the Steelers may have to lean on the draft to address that hole.
One player certainly capable of filling that void is Oregon’s Jackson-Powers Johnson. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer was at the Ducks’ pro day putting him through drills.
Similar to yesterday at Oregon State for Fuaga, #Steelers Pat Meyer, #Jaguars Phil Rauscher, and #Bears Chris Morgan are leading position drills for Jackson Powers-Johnson pic.twitter.com/nI0X20xBv5
— Mike ???? footballiance.com (@DraftMaverick) March 12, 2024
Powers-Johnson has been perceived by many as the top center on the board. Zach Frazier of West Virginia and Georgia’s Sedrick Van Pran are often second and third.
Stopping the Cole train
Former Pirate Gerrit Cole has been remarkably durable. Aside from missing six weeks over two injured-list stints with elbow inflammation with Pirates in 2016, his arm has been very healthy.
But now there is some concern about discomfort in the right elbow of the reigning Cy Young winner. Cole had an MRI on Monday, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that the right-hander is set to undergo more tests.
Boone claims it would likely be “a couple of days until everybody weighs in on” Cole’s injury. Boone said the Yankees have started to consider other options for who could start Opening Day if Cole is on the shelf. After Cole in the Yankees rotation, New York has Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightingale, the Yankees are trying to pry Dylan Cease away from the Chicago White Sox. He finished second in Cy Young balloting in 2022.
Also, defending National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell remains unsigned.