Friday’s “First Call” looks at Larry Ogunjobi’s contract. We honor the passing of an NFL Hall of Famer. Jameson Taillon may be losing a little mojo in New York. And we have the latest news on the Deshaun Watson front in Cleveland.
Learning about Larry’s money
Terms of Larry Ogunjobi’s contract with the Steelers have become public.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the newly acquired defensive lineman is getting a one-year deal worth up to $8 million including incentives.
The #Steelers are giving former #Bengals DT Larry Ogunjobi a one-year deal worth up to $8M including incentives, source said. After an unfortunate free agency situation with the #Bears, Ogunjobi’s foot has improved and he now has another chance to cash in next free agency.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 23, 2022
He had originally signed a three-year $40 million deal with the Chicago Bears early in free agency, but it was voided because of Ogunjobi’s lingering foot injury.
The Steelers had roughly $23 million available in cap space prior to the signing. They still could be looking to find a backup running back and a veteran outside linebacker.
No Watson resolution
So much for the idea of a negotiated resolution to the Deshaun Watson case.
There had been some rumbling that the NFL, the players association and Watson’s side were working toward a negotiated settlement for a punishment the wake of the 24 civil suits against him alleging sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and assault. But according to CBS Sports Josina Anderson, those talks have since fallen apart.
“I’m told there’ve been recent attempts by the NFL, the NFLPA & Deshaun Watson’s advisors to negotiate a discipline settlement,” Anderson tweeted. “However talks involving a potential number of games missed ‘fell apart’ not being on the same page. As of now, process moves forward, per league sources.”
Watson has publicly maintained his innocence. He has recently settled 20 of the cases. The NFL has said that the settlements wouldn’t be a factor in the league’s investigation into Watson. The Cleveland Browns quarterback could be punished under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Taillon touched up
Former Pirate Jameson Taillon appears to be coming back to earth with the New York Yankees, but he still can’t lose.
Taillon yielded six earned runs and 10 hits in 5 ⅔ innings against the Houston Astros. But the Yankees still managed to win 7-6 with four runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Walk it off, BAJ ️ pic.twitter.com/GY9BOMA9hi
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 24, 2022
That was New York’s ninth walk-off win of the year. They are now 52-18, by far the best record of the year in Major League Baseball.
Taillon remains 8-1 on the year, but his ERA jumped from 2.49 at the end of May to 3.19 after his outing against Houston.
Remembering a legend
Just a day after losing former Baltimore Ravens pass rusher Jaylon Ferguson and former Raven and Colt Tony Siragusa, an NFL Hall of Famer has died.
Hugh McElhenny died at the age of 93. The running back was a star for the 49ers in the 1950s. By the time he retired, McElhenny was one of three players to have gained more than 11,000 all-purpose yards. Over 13 seasons in the NFL, he rushed for 5,281 yards and 38 touchdowns and had 3,247 yards and 20 touchdowns receiving.
McElhenny made two All-Pro teams, six Pro Bowls and the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 1950s.
After playing out his career with the Vikings, Giants and Lions, McElhenny was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970 and the College Football Hall of Fame (University of Washington) in 1981. After retiring, he served as a commentator on 49ers radio broadcasts.
