First Call: Ex-Steeler rips Baker Mayfield; Steelers favored vs. Titans; Penguins, Primanti Bros. honor Mike Emrick

Tuesday’s “First Call” just keeps piling on the Cleveland Browns after their 38-7 humiliation by the Steelers.

Meanwhile, gamblers seem to think the Steelers are getting to 6-0 even against steep competition on the road next week.

There is an outpouring of congratulations for Mike “Doc” Emrick from the hockey community. And how Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel keeps sneaking around the rules.

On the field … I mean.

This time, anyway.

Amen. Literally. I think.

Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark is now a commentator on ESPN. He shredded Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield on “Get Up!” Monday morning.

“This team is in trouble,” Clark said in the wake of the Steelers’ 38-7 victory over Cleveland Sunday. “Not necessarily in trouble that they won’t win games or find ways to fight for a wild-card spot. But when you draft a guy No. 1 overall, you are saying this guy is our franchise guy who will take us to the promised land. Baker Mayfield cannot. He is no Moses. They are no Israelites. They are stuck and enslaved to who he is for a long time if he remains the quarterback.”

Clark also admitted that, as a former Steeler, he really enjoyed that victory over the Browns. To the point that he teared up and was moved to contact former teammates such as Troy Polamalu, James Farrior and Casey Hampton.

“If this defense plays this way, with (Chase) Claypool now as the No. 1 on offense, this team may be unbeatable,” Clark said.

Um, I’ll settle for a split in Nashville Sunday and Baltimore next week. But, sure. Unbeatable it is.

Money where your mouth is?

Are Steelers fans feeling confident about the Steelers at 5-0? Even going on the road to visit the Tennessee Titans?

Well, the oddsmakers are. Oddsshark has the Steelers installed as two-point road favorites visiting another 5-0 team. That’s pretty bold.

The over-under point total is a lofty 52.5. I’d still go over on that one. And I’ll take the two points for the Titans at home if you want to give them to me.

Meanwhile, Pitt is a 10.5-point underdog at Heinz Field against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday.

I’m pretty sure Irish eyes will be smiling at that line.

Selective reading

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel gained great renown last year for manipulating the game clock. He took intentional delay of game penalties to burn time with the lead against the New York Jets in the regular season and against the New England Patriots in the playoffs.

The NFL closed that loophole. But, apparently, they did not do so for delay of game flags. Because Vrabel did something Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Via the Sporting News, “The Titans are down 30-29 and there’s about three minutes left in regulation. The Texans have been driving the ball downfield and are now at the Titans’ 25-yard line, meaning they’re already in field goal range.

The Texans just picked up nine yards on a pass play to Brandin Cooks, setting up 2nd and 1. Instead of letting the Texans run a play (or possibly two) and pick up a first down, Vrabel sent out Josh Kalu to take an intentional penalty of too many men on the field…. The Titans are then penalized for having too many men on the field, and the Texans pick up a first down. More importantly, the clock is stopped as a result of Vrabel’s coaching move. Stopping the clock saves 40 seconds of play clock, or a timeout, both of which are extremely valuable in this situation.”

The Titans needed every second they could get because they scored a game-tying touchdown to force overtime with only four seconds left. You can see the sequence here.

Clever.

Now if only Vrabel read the covid-19 protocol book as deeply as he read the rule book.

High five from Phil

Legendary NBC hockey announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick announced his retirement on Monday.

That drew tweets of regret, applause, homage and congratulations from an adoring hockey world.

Penguins color commentator Phil Bourque got in on the act.

November 2016. I caught Doc in the Penguins trainers room with a Pirates batting helmet on. He always made you feel like the most important person in the room even though you always knew he was the most important person in the room. Enjoy retirement Doc ? pic.twitter.com/RRZcUqeHe2

— Phil Bourque (@pbourque29) October 19, 2020

Booth teammates Josh Getzoff and Steve Mears expressed appreciation, too.

Can’t tell you how many times Doc Emrick would be kind enough to share information with me before a game. And by “share” I mean I’d give him 1 note and he’d give me 100. A voice forever linked to so many special hockey memories & classic Penguins games. #ThankYouDoc #BGSU

— Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) October 19, 2020

This is perfectly done, by a man who helped to provide a perfect soundtrack to the greatest game on earth for nearly five decades. Getting to spend time around Doc at the rink, sharing stories and laughs, are moments I’ll never forget. An icon and a legend! #ThankYouDoc https://t.co/VuqK3oXJeK

— Josh Getzoff (@PensJG) October 19, 2020

The tributes didn’t end with broadcasters. Even Primanti Bros. got in on the act.

Congrats on your retirement, Doc! We're a little partial - but this might be our favorite call from your career. from @NHLonNBCSports. pic.twitter.com/1Uwu8sTBBf

— Primanti Bros (@primantibros) October 19, 2020

The team itself chipped in on the celebration, too.

Our fondest memories.
Our greatest feats.
The moments we all remember.
Doc Emrick immortalized them with his words.

Congratulations to Mike 'Doc' Emrick on a legendary career. Thank you for being a part of Penguins history. #ThankYouDoc pic.twitter.com/ZmVUazil2K

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 19, 2020

TribLive’s Seth Rorabaugh chronicled Emrick’s career Monday afternoon.

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