First Call: Former Steeler defends O-line in run game, looks at Najee Harris; Pirates brace for Yankees; Direct TV's apology

Tuesday’s “First Call” has some strong views of the Pittsburgh Steelers run game from a former offensive lineman. The Pirates are gearing up for two games against the high-powered New York Yankees. Plus, DirecTV had to apologize to NFL fans.

Also, Robert Morris hockey is celebrating another pro contract for one of its alumni.

Trai’s say

Former Steelers offensive tackle Trai Essex thinks that the offensive line is taking too much abuse for the team’s lack of a run game. He thinks running back Najee Harris is missing some holes when they are there.

I had to watch it again to make sure I wasn’t trippin. This was the first play of the game. It is blocked almost to perfection! Look at that interior push! There is no read here that tells Najee to bounce it. He predetermined this. Man this angers me so much… pic.twitter.com/2RymZ7nLRD

— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) September 19, 2022

Essex went so far as to endorse Jaylen Warren’s running approach over Harris’.

Najee could really learn somethin from this kid Warren and running down hill. Don’t know what’s up with him, but that 1st run play was blocked up perfectly with great push and he chose to bounce it outside. Most frustrating thing EVER for an OL!

— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) September 18, 2022

Through two games, the Steelers are averaging just 83 rushing yards per game. That’s 26th in football. Harris has only 72 yards on 25 attempts for a 2.9 average. Warren has 22 yards on seven attempts for an average of 3.1.

Essex also didn’t like when — during the Steelers loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday — the offense had some success going no huddle, then stopped doing it.

Absolutely mind boggling that we go no huddle and score to get within 3 points. And instead of doing anything remotely close to what gave us success, we instead go back to what wasn’t working and get 2 straight 3 & outs. Tiring our already tired defense out even more. pic.twitter.com/MPg946oWMM

— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) September 18, 2022

Combine those opinions from Essex with some of the critiques levied by Ben Roethlisberger and Merril Hoge recently, and it’s clear Steelers alumni are less than thrilled with the club’s stagnant offense.

Please stand by

It’s not just 0-2 teams like the Bengals, Raiders, Falcons, Panthers and Titans that are struggling to start the NFL season.

So is DirecTV’s Sunday NFL Ticket.

During both Week 1 and Week 2 of the NFL season, online and app-based viewing issues have been prominent, even though the satellite feeds functioned properly.

The problems were so widespread that DirecTV felt the need to issue an apology and offer refunds.

“We recognize we didn’t meet expectations on Sunday for customers looking to stream some of the games, and we want to apologize,” the company said according to Deadline.com. “While it won’t bring the games back, we plan to reach out to those affected to automatically reimburse them for Week 2.”

The Sunday Ticket package is in its final season with DirecTV. A streaming service is likely to get the rights next. Deadline reports that Apple and Google are pursuing the contract.

More Sports

• Ben Roethlisberger wants more 'shots down the field' from Steelers offense, less heat from fans on Mitch Trubisky
• Tim Benz: As Steelers offense searches for its 'identity,' it may not like what it finds
• Mark Madden: Steelers offense has limitations, but Matt Canada deserves blame, too

Bucs in the Bronx

The Pirates are still in New York after being swept by the New York Mets. They now play the Yankees on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Bronx.

• The Yankees are 30 games over .500 (88-58). The Pirates are 37 games under .500 at 55-92.

• The Yankees are tied with the Houston Astros for the most home wins in the American League (50). The Pirates have 28 road wins, the second fewest in the National League, only in front of the 24 posted by the Washington Nationals.

• The Yankees run differential of +209 is the best in the AL. The Pirates minus-214 is the worst in Major League Baseball.

• Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge leads MLB with 59 home runs, 127 RBIs, and a .316 batting average. Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 23 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .256 average.

• The New York Yankees payroll is now at $254.4 million, third most in baseball behind only the Mets ($273.9 million) and Los Angeles Dodgers ($267.2 million). The Pirates’ is third from the bottom at $66 million.

See you in Savannah

Another former Robert Morris Colonials hockey player has a pro contract. It’s former men’s forward Spencer Dorowicz. He has signed with Savannah Ghost Pirates in the ECHL for the 2022-23 season.

Over three years with the Colonials, Dorowicz had 23 goals and 36 assists. Between the men’s and women’s teams, there are now 20 RMU hockey alumni that have signed to play professional hockey for the upcoming season.

RMU dropped the hockey programs in May 2021. But both teams were reinstated in December. The teams will return to the ice for the 2023-24 campaign.