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First call: A free-agent linebacker who could fit with the Steelers

Tim Benz
| Friday, January 11, 2019 9:30 a.m.
In Friday's "First Call," a linebacker you can expect the Steelers to sign. A soccer player gets run over by a cart. Klay Thompson's amazing night. Sully makes Tortorella look un-Tortsy.

Keep an eye on this guy

Remember when the Steelers played the Panthers this year? Mike Tomlin gushed about linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. He went so far as to say they are the modern incarnation of Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.

Then the Steelers went out and destroyed Carolina, 52-21. But, along the way, the two still had pleasant exchanges with each other. Tomlin raved about Davis, and Davis praised the Steelers for beating the snot out of his club.

Some interesting moments on “Inside the NFL” last night. Mike Tomlin raves about Thomas Davis; Davis tells Tomlin after final whistle “we needed” to be humbled. pic.twitter.com/f3G6QKGwR0

— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) November 14, 2018

Well, let's see if the kissy-fest winds up with the Steelers signing Davis in free agency. Because he'll be available. After 14 years in the league, 35-year-old Davis revealed this week that the Panthers have informed him he'll be released.

Davis played only 12 games this year. But he still ended up with 79 tackles. He's the Panthers' all-time leader in that category. He officially is listed with 1,094 tackles.

Davis played outside with the Panthers but would play inside in Pittsburgh if the team has an interest. He apparently wants to play one more season and is renowned as good character guy.

If he's willing to play cheap, I bet he winds up in Black and Gold.

Watch it at least 5 times

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this video.

It's a montage of Klay Thompson's 43 points for Golden State against the Knicks on Wednesday. Thompson is renowned as one of the great catch-and-shoot players in the league. And the Warriors are equally renowned for their ball movement and fluidity.

But this is insane. Thompson only needed four dribbles to get his 43 points. Go ahead and watch for yourself.

Klay Thompson only needed FOUR DRIBBLES to score 43 points ? pic.twitter.com/k7xO0XpY3d

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 9, 2019

That's pretty efficient, no? Golden State won 122-95, shooting 51 percent from the floor. Thompson got his 43 points in just 34 minutes.

Totally not cool with this

John Tortorella is among the most hated hockey figures in Penguins history.

He's referred to the Pittsburgh organization as arrogant, called Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin "whining stars," went after Jim Rutherford in the wake of the Jack Johnson signing and suggested Malkin took a dive on at least one occasion.

Aside from all that, no reason to dislike the guy, I suppose.

But Torts just got his 600th coaching victory in the league. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was an assistant with Tortorella on the Lightning, Rangers and Canucks benches. So Sullivan was part of congratulatory video the Blue Jackets put together for him.

Some close friends of Torts surprised him with a special message after the game.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/RmYCgCags6

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 11, 2019

I'm not comfortable with this. It makes Torts look ... human. How does that happen?

Chill 'aht!

Speaking of hockey guys who can get angry on the bench, check out Nate MacKinnon.

Things got HEATED between Nathan MacKinnon and Jared Bednar on the Avs' bench. ? pic.twitter.com/X0PQrDzA1e

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 10, 2019

That was the Avalanche star screaming at his head coach Jared Bednar. So much so, that he falls off the bench.

That made it funny enough that I can't take the exchange seriously.

That hurt

"Bernardo" is a player for Trindade AC's Under-20 team. As soccer players tend to do, he was writing in pain on the field after an "injury."

Then he really got one when the medical cart ran over his foot as it pulled on the field to help.

Stunningly, Bernardo came back to the game and his team won 1-0.


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