First Call: A new Steeler has draft advice for the franchise; local MLB star signs big contract
Share this post:
A new Pittsburgh Steeler is giving out draft advice to the franchise. A Penn State alum is unhappy with his franchise tag. A local baseball star just hit it rich. And college hockey is catching on with ESPN viewers.
All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”
Pat Pete playing GM?
Appearing on the NFL Network, new Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson was asked to give his choice for the Steelers draft choice at pick No. 17.
Peterson went with a massive offensive tackle out of Ohio State.
“I’ll go with Dawand Jones. A 6-(foot)-8 prospect at 362 pounds. This guy played in the Big Ten against great competition. So he’s a proven talent,” Peterson said.
Here is what pro and college scout Matt Williamson said about Jones — and his Ohio State teammate Paris Johnson — during our recent series of “NFL Draft Prep 101” podcasts.
“Dawand Jones looks like a prototypical pure right tackle,” Williamson said. “He is the biggest human being you have ever seen. Paris Johnson is on the other side, the light-footed pass protector. But if you draft Dawand Jones — and I’m thinking more 32 than 17 — incorporate him as the extra tight end a lot, you can live with Dan Moore. It may not be perfect. But semi-red shirt Dawand Jones. Put him in goal line (situations). Put him 10 snaps a game as a sixth offensive lineman as he learns left tackle.”
The Steelers visited with him at the Buckeyes’ pro day. Many others have mocked Jones to the Steelers. I think that is a decent idea.
Personally, I’d hope the Steelers go in a different direction at pick No. 17, and maybe take Jones with the top pick of Round 2, if he is still on the board. Or if they really want Jones, in Round 1, perhaps they can trade back to get him.
More sports
• Penguins’ postseason hopes finally extinguished
• Tim Benz: Plenty of worthy goats, sacrificial lambs after Penguins’ elimination — but no room for sacred cows
• Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: With JT Brubaker out, Pirates starting to sweat starting pitching depth
Heard this routine before
A star running back doesn’t want to sign his franchise tag tender. I feel like I’ve read this story somewhere before, haven’t I?
Saquon Barkley has been given the franchise tag by the New York Giants. According to Kim Jones of Newsday, the Penn State product will not be signing the franchise tag tender before the team’s upcoming offseason program begins Monday. As a result, that means he won’t be participating in it.
I’m told Saquon Barkley will not be signing the franchise tag & therefore will not be eligible to participate when the #NYG offseason program begins Monday. More to come on @NewsdaySports.
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) April 12, 2023
If the Giants and Barkley do not agree to a long-term deal by July 15, the 26-year-old will make $10.091 million in 2023 under the one-year franchise tender — if he eventually plays on it.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Barkley finished fourth in the NFL with 1,312 rushing yards in 2022. ESPN previously reported that Barkley wanted $14 million annually.
Happy Happ
Mt. Lebanon’s Ian Happ has plenty of reasons to celebrate. The 2022 All-Star and Gold Glove winner just signed a three-year, $61 million contract extension with the Chicago Cubs.
— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2023
“This is the place I wanted to be,” Happ said Wednesday via ESPN.com. “I’ve been pretty clear about that for a long time. Just the fact that I wanted to wear this uniform for as long as I can made it pretty easy.”
The 28-year-old was going to be a free agent after this season if a deal wasn’t signed. The new contract begins next year, so he’ll be with the Cubs through 2026.
With that new contract, Happ may actually be able to afford property in Mt. Lebanon now. Maybe. Perhaps a small two-bedroom on the border of Dormont or something.
Frozen Four doing fine
The compelling overtime game between Minnesota and Quinnipiac during the NCAA men’s hockey championship did well in the TV ratings.
According to Sports Business Journal, that event delivered “808,000 viewers on ESPN2, which is up 100% from last season, as Quinnipiac won its first title over Minnesota. That’s also the best hockey championship viewership since 2011. Combined with Thursday night’s semis, the three games delivered the most-watched Frozen Four since 2011.”
The @NCAAIceHockey championship game b/w Quinnipiac and Minnesota drew 808K viewers on ESPN2, per @AustinKarp, doubling viewership for last year's final. Both the final and the three-game Frozen Four were the most-viewed since 2011.
More in @SBJ Colleges: https://t.co/w52C6lcnIk pic.twitter.com/l2oZ0GRGIU
— Alex M. Silverman????⚽️ (@AlexMSilverman) April 12, 2023
That 2011 Frozen Four in Minnesota featured Minnesota-Duluth, Michigan, North Dakota and Notre Dame. In the final, UMD topped Michigan 3-2 in overtime to win its first NCAA title.