First Call: T.J. Watt slips on list of top NFL edge rushers; NHL's top pick to start career vs. Pens; Carey Price's live draft gaffe

Steelers star T.J. Watt loses ground in one offseason ranking. Connor Bedard will make his debut in Pittsburgh against Sidney Crosby. The Pirates will square off against an old friend Wednesday afternoon. We know Duquesne’s Atlantic 10 opponents.

And an all-time goaltending great has an all-time televised mishap.

All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”

‘Watt’ gives?

T.J. Watt’s injury-tainted season seems to have cost him some prestige in the eyes of at least one website.

CBS.com had Watt rated as the top edge rusher in the NFL heading into 2022. That was no surprise after his NFL Defensive Player of the Year award to end 2021.

Now, coming off a ‘22 campaign in which Watt missed seven games, the outlet dropped him into a tie for second place with Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.

“Despite having a career low in quarterback hits (12) and pressure rate (11.1%), the Steelers defense was clearly better when Watt was playing,” said writer Jeff Kerr. “Watt is also the only player in NFL history with 75-plus sacks and six-plus interceptions in his first six NFL seasons — and the first player to accomplish the feat in his first 100 games. Even with the injury-plagued 2022 season, Watt still has the most sacks (77.5), quarterback hits (162) and forced fumbles (23) since entering the league in 2017. He’s one of the elite pass rushers in football and still on a historic start to an already excellent career.”

Reigning DPOY Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers was given the top spot. He and Watt will square off against each other in Week 1 at Acrisure Stadium when the 49ers come calling to open the season Sept. 10. Garrett and the Browns are in town for Week 2.

Garrett’s teammate, Za’Darius Smith, is ninth on the list. Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson is 10th, giving the AFC North four of the top 10 edge rushers in the league according to the rankings.

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Meeting Musgrove

The Pirates wrap up their series against the Padres on Thursday, looking for a three-game sweep. Former Pirate Joe Musgrove is pitching for San Diego.

The right-hander got off to a lousy start this year. As of May 20, he was 1-2 with a 6.75 earned run average. But since then, the 2022 All-Star hasn’t lost a decision in his past six outings. Musgrove now stands at 6-2 with 3.38 ERA.

In those six starts, he has yielded just eight earned runs, one home run and six walks. It adds up to a 5-0 record, a 1.98 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. His last outing was a 13-3 victory over the Washington Nationals, where Musgrove gave up just one earned run while striking out seven and walking none.

Joe Musgrove, Painted 82mph Curveball. ????️????

7th K pic.twitter.com/jnmLZRBhe3

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 24, 2023

In four career outings against the Pirates, Musgrove is 1-2 with an ERA of 3.44. He’ll be opposed by Luis Ortiz who is 2-3 with a 3.74 ERA.

A little help???

The Montreal Canadiens asked Carey Price to announce the franchise’s first-round pick at Wednesday night’s NHL draft.

It didn’t go very well.

The team drafted Austrian defenseman David Reinbacher from EHC Kloten of Switzerland’s National League. One problem. The goaltending great forgot the young player’s name before he announced it.

Carey Price is asked to announce the Montreal Canadiens' selection at No. 5, only to not know the player's name. pic.twitter.com/5FS3gslrLz

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 28, 2023

Ooof. That was awkward. I haven’t seen a goalie screw up that badly since Tristan Jarry in the 2021 playoffs against the Islanders.

BAILEY! IN OVERTIME! Tristan Jarry coughs one up to Josh Bailey who trickles one home past Jarry to win it in OT for the Islanders! What a wacky ending to a fantastic hockey game!#Isles pic.twitter.com/ak86Ur3Qme

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 25, 2021

At least Price made fun of himself on Twitter for the faux pas.

Boy that was embarrassing. Sorry David….. Reinbacher.

— Carey Price (@CP0031) June 29, 2023

OK. Price duffed it. But c’mon, Canadiens. Give the guy an index card. Write it down on a piece of paper. Put it in the teleprompter. Something!

Well, after what Price did to the Penguins in the 2020 playoff bubble series (.947 save percentage), it’s at least nice to know he’s human and can screw up from time to time.

Bedard’s ’Burgh debut

To the surprise of no one, Connor Bedard was the No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Windy City has been waiting for you, Connor Bedard! #NHLDraft | @NHLBlackhawks pic.twitter.com/IL7NYqcLl8

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 28, 2023

Perceived to be the best prospect to be drafted since Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, Bedard is entering the NHL with a world of hype. And it’ll all begin in Pittsburgh on Oct. 10. That’s Game 1 of the season for the Blackhawks.

#Blackhawks open the 2023-24 season on Oct. 10 in Pittsburgh.

In other words, Connor Bedard's NHL debut will likely be against his childhood idol Sidney Crosby. https://t.co/EAN4UQPr7o

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) June 27, 2023

Keep in mind, Bedard’s childhood hero is Sidney Crosby. So, barring something unforeseen, Bedard could take his first ever faceoff against No. 87 at PPG Paints Arena during the opening puck drop.

Connor Bedard on facing Sidney Crosby in his first NHL game:

"I was trying not to look at the schedule. People were telling me, I didn’t want to look too hard. Man, if I’m able to make the squad come October... That’s my idol ever since I can remember. That’d be unbelievable."

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) June 29, 2023

I don’t say this often, but … well planned, NHL. Kudos.

What’s up on the Bluff?

The Duquesne men’s basketball team now knows what teams it will be playing in the Atlantic 10 conference.

At home, Keith Dambrot’s Dukes will face Dayton, Fordham, St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph’s, Davidson, George Washington, La Salle, Richmond and Saint Louis.

On the road, the Dukes will visit Dayton, Fordham, St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph’s, George Mason, Loyola Chicago, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and VCU. The 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship will be at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center from March 12-17.

The Dukes tied for sixth in the A-10 last season with a 10-8 record. This will be DU’s 47th Atlantic 10 season and 108th season overall.