First Call: Respect between T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett; Kenny Pickett's praise from Philly; eventful day for Chase Claypool

Monday’s “First Call” features some mutual respect between Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. Kenny Pickett appears to be working out well in Philadelphia so far. Chase Claypool had an eventful day in Buffalo Bills camp.

We will also preview Paul Skenes’ latest start in Houston.

Props from Cleveland

Fans of the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers love to pit Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt against each other. But Garrett isn’t afraid to admit that he studies Watt’s game.

During a recent interview with Cleveland media members, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year was asked who else he watches on tape from his own position group.

Watt was a name he mentioned along with Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby, San Francisco’s Nick Bosa, Dallas’ Micah Parsons and Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson.

During an NFL Network interview Sunday, Watt said that he’ll “take it as a compliment” and said he analyzes Garrett’s game too.

.@_TJWatt ???? @Flash_Garrett

Two of the last three DPOYs are always watching each other to get better. @MikeGarafolo

????: Back Together Weekend on @NFLNetwork
????: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/oaneLsnnAC

— NFL (@NFL) July 28, 2024

Watt led the NFL in sacks with 19 a year ago. Garrett was tied with Parsons for seventh at 14.

Tussle Time

Chase Claypool had an eventful day at Buffalo Bills training camp. The former Steelers wide receiver got into it with cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram.

That’s according to Josh Reed of WIVB-TV in Western New York.

Our 1st camp scrap:
Chase Claypool and Ja'Marcus Ingram getting after it following the whistle. Helmets ripped off.

— Josh Reed (@4JoshReed) July 28, 2024

Shortly thereafter, Claypool injured a foot/ankle during a team drill and was unable to finish the session.

After washing out with the Steelers, Bears and Dolphins, Claypool is hoping his fourth team is the charm. The former second-round pick out of Notre Dame is trying to fit in on a revamped Bills receiving core that lost Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.

Other new receivers along with Claypool on the Bills’ roster include Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and draft pick Keon Coleman.

More sports

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• Tyler Matakevich happy to be back with Steelers, knows his role on special teams, new kickoff rule

Brother can you spare a ‘dime?’

One of the questions surrounding Kenny Pickett when he was in Pittsburgh was if he truly had a big enough arm (or hands) to be a long-term winner in the NFL.

So far in Philadelphia, it sounds like he has been showing off a pretty good gun. At least that’s according to ESPN Eagles/NFL reporter Tim McManus.

The throw of the day, though, belonged to Kenny Pickett. He threw a dime down the left sideline that somehow dropped over Quinyon Mitchell, who was tight in coverage, and into the arms of Britain Covey.

Pickett has been pretty solid. He has a bigger arm than I was anticipating.

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) July 27, 2024

Last year, Pickett’s average yards per pass attempt was 6.4. That was good for only 28th in the NFL.

Hello, Houston

After barely holding off a late charge from the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Pirates hope to build on the momentum of their 6-5 extra-innings win on Sunday.

They start a series against the Astros in Houston on Monday night with rookie sensation Paul Skenes on the mound. The All-Star is looking to rebound from his first career loss Tuesday night. That’s when Skenes nearly pitched a complete game but ended up yielding the game-winning run in the ninth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals walked away with a 2-1 victory at PNC Park.

The Astros will counter with a rookie of their own, 23-year-old right-hander Jake Bloss. The Georgetown University product has started three games so far in his career. He is 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA. Skenes comes in at 6-1 with an ERA of 1.93.

The Astros begin the series atop the American League West at 55-50. That’s a .524 winning percentage, .001 better than the second-place Seattle Mariners (56-51). Houston is 5-4 since the All-Star break. A 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday snapped a three-game winning streak.

The Astros took two of three games in Pittsburgh in April of last year.

The Pirates begin play Monday at 53-52, two games back of the final National League wild-card spot. The Mets, Diamondbacks and Cardinals are all between the Pirates and that slot.

All three of those teams are playing at home Monday. The Cardinals host the Texas Rangers, Arizona welcomes Washington, and the Mets take on the Minnesota Twins in New York.