First Call: ESPN calls a former Steeler the best ever at his position; Jose Quintana debut date for Cardinals

Wednesday’s “First Call” has an honor for a legendary former Pittsburgh Steeler. We know when Jose Quintana is making his St. Louis Cardinals debut. Jameson Taillon had a rough outing for the Yankees.

And what will James Washington’s injury mean for the Cowboys?

The GOAT at center

ESPN.com revealed a list of NFL “GOATS” (Greatest Of All Time) at each offensive position. The website claims it asked 50 experts, reporters and analysts to vote on the selections.

Steelers Hall of Famer Mike Webster won the voting at center.

Webster earned 15 of 50 votes (30%). Oakland’s Jim Otto was second with 13 votes. Philadelphia’s Chuck Bednarik was third. Webster was a first-team All-Pro five times over six seasons from 1978-1983.

According to Doug Clawson of ESPN’s Stats & Information, “I gave the edge to Webster thanks to a perfect blend of championship titles, individual achievement and longevity. He is the only offensive lineman in NFL history with four Super Bowl rings and at least four first-team All-Pro selections. Iron Mike made 150 consecutive starts and had the most games played in Steelers history (220) until Ben Roethlisberger passed him.”

Another ex-Steelers center, Dermontti Dawson, received five votes as well.

Former Steelers offensve lineman and current radio commentator Craig Wolfley joined Wednesday’s Bella Construction “Letters From Camp” podcast. He talked about Webster, Dawson, the current offensine line, and quite a few training camp observations as well.

Not a bad start

Former Pirate Chris Stratton made a good first impression in St. Louis.

After being traded with Jose Quintana to the Cards on Monday, Stratton was part of a 6-0 Cardinals win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.

Stratton pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the one-sided affair. That win, coupled with the Milwaukee loss to the Pirates, moves the Cardinals to within two games of first place in the National League Central.

Stratton had allowed at least one earned run in three of his final four appearances as a Pirate in advance of the deal.

As for Quintana, StLToday.com reports that he will debut Thursday in the series finale against the Cubs.

More sports

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• Steelers inside the ropes: Mitch Trubisky continues to fail to get offense into end zone
• Pirates show 'urgency' by keeping David Bednar, Bryan Reynolds at trade deadline

Not pressing the panic button

Despite being unable to settle in as even a fourth receiver in Pittsburgh, James Washington looked like he was on his way to being the second receiver in Dallas to start 2022.

Amari Cooper was traded to Cleveland. Cedrick Wilson signed in Miami. And Michael Gallup, who is recovering from an injured ACL, isn’t expected to suit up for the first few weeks of the season.

Unfortunately for Washington, he suffered a foot injury Monday that may keep him out of action for up to 10 weeks.

So what will the Cowboys do? Team owner/general manager Jerry Jones isn’t planning on much.

“It doesn’t create an urgency for us at a veteran receiver,” Jones said via KTBS-TV. “We like these young guys. … We anticipated a little numbers problem on keeping receivers or not keeping the receivers we wanted. This may just even out.”

Some have wondered if the Cowboys may call the Steelers with a trade offer for receiver Diontae Johnson. He’s continuing a “hold in” at Saint Vincent College during Steelers’ training camp.

Rookie Jalen Tolbert, veteran Noah Brown, signee KaVontae Turpin and Simi Fehoko are all candidates to soak up some of Washington’s snaps.

Taillon tagged

After throwing six innings of shutout baseball during his last start against the Kansas City Royals, former Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon had a much tougher outing Tuesday.

The New York Yankees starter gave up five earned runs in 4⅔ innings en route to an 8-6 Seattle Mariners victory at Yankees Stadium. Taillon wasn’t hit with the loss; Lucas Luetge was.

Even though he is 10-2, Taillon’s ERA went up to 3.96 after the start, in which he walked four and gave up two hits.

After going 4-0 with a 2.01 ERA in May, Taillon posted a 4.59 ERA in June and a 5.04 ERA in July.

Another ex-Pirate, Adam Frazier, had two hits, two walks and an RBI in the game.