First Call: Tennessee is newest suggested trade spot for Chase Claypool; Phil Kessel, Marc-Andre Fleury make history
Share this post:
Wednesday’s “First Call” reveals the latest trade idea surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool. The Browns may deal a skill position player too. We look at the gambling odds for all of the AFC North games this week.
And Phil Kessel hits two milestones in one night.
Another name in the hopper
Chase Claypool is being linked to yet another team as a trade target.
First, it was the Chicago Bears in August. Then it was the Buffalo Bills before Claypool and the rest of the Steelers went to Western New York for a Week 5 game.
And last week, the Green Bay Packers popped up as a potential destination.
Now Pro Football Focus is suggesting the Tennessee Titans make a run at Claypool. According to PFF’s Michael Renner, the Steelers wideout could be seen as a Band-Aid to offset the loss of A.J. Brown and the slow development of rookie Treylon Burks.
“At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Claypool also fits the ethos of the Titans’ offense. He’s a big-bodied, big catch-radius receiver who can work the middle of the field while also stretching the field. That’s what Tennessee hoped Treylon Burks could be out the gate, but the rookie has taken a while to get going,” Renner said.
The only problem with this idea — just like the ones posited about Green Bay, Buffalo and Chicago — is that the Steelers need to be interested in dealing Claypool.
And, so far, there is zero indication that they are.
The deadline is Nov. 1. Claypool has 28 catches for 266 yards and a touchdown this season.
Take care, Kareem?
Claypool isn’t the only offensive player from the AFC North who may be dealt. Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is at the center of lots of trade talks.
Kareem Hunt is on the block. I'm told this isn't just a "we listen to everything." #Browns https://t.co/zebC29sKta
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) October 24, 2022
The Browns are reportedly listening to offers for RB Kareem Hunt
Could the #Eagles be a potential fit?#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/0wbHrHN0it
— JAKIB Sports (@JAKIBSports) October 25, 2022
Philadelphia isn’t the only rumored destination. BrownsWire.com also suggested Buffalo and the Los Angeles Rams.
They mentioned the Jets too. But New York eventually acquired the Jacksonville Jaguars’ James Robinson instead.
Hunt has 66 carries for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He also has 15 catches for 87 yards and a score.
More Steelers
• Tim Benz: Steelers need to get over fear of change at offensive coordinator
• Mike Tomlin believes 4th-quarter comebacks will come for Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett
• Ben Roethlisberger’s latest ‘Footbahlin’ gives unique view of Steelers game-ending play in Miami
North numbers
Let’s take a quick look at the gambling odds for the AFC North this weekend.
According to BetRivers.com, the Steelers (2-5) are 10.5-point underdogs against the unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles (6-0). It’s the third time in four weeks that the Steelers are double-digit underdogs.
And I think Philadelphia will cover. I’ve got the Eagles winning 29-13.
The Baltimore Ravens (4-3) have the Thursday night game this week. They play in Tampa Bay as a one-point favorite. That’s not a surprise given how bad the Buccaneers (3-4) have been lately. I’ll take the Ravens. That’s not a compliment to Baltimore. That’s simply a reflection of how bad Tom Brady and company have been recently.
Finally, the Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) and Cleveland Browns (2-5) square off for the “Monday Night Football” game. Cincy is favored to win by three points.
I’m not wild about choosing a road favorite in a divisional game. But I think the Bengals are figuring out their 2022 team, while the Browns are just figuring out that they aren’t any good.
Give me the Bengals, and I’ll give you the three points.
Phil gets number Phour-hundred
Phil Kessel hit two milestones during a 4-2 win in San Jose on Tuesday.
The first of which was playing in his 990th consecutive game. That’s a new NHL record, snapping the 989-game mark set by defenseman Keith Yandle last year.
THE PUCK IS DOWN AND PHIL KESSEL IS OFFICIALLY THE IRONMAN OF THE NHL #VegasBorn | #TheGoldenAge pic.twitter.com/uU2gLfH2xr
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 26, 2022
Then Kessel went out and scored his 400th career goal in the first period.
P
H
I
LK
E
S
S
E
L pic.twitter.com/m4UbCZu661— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 26, 2022
That was Kessel’s first as a Golden Knight. He tallied 110 as a Penguin over four seasons.
It appeared the winger scored Monday during a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, while he was tying Yandle’s record. But that goal was challenged and overturned.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury picked up a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. That was his 944th game played. That moves the ex-Penguins Stanley Cup winner into sixth place all-time among NHL goalies.