Friday’s “First Call” shows us yet another Pittsburgh Steeler heading to New York. An ex-Steeler describes why he was surprised at his release from Pittsburgh. Isaiah Buggs got sassy with the media covering his animal cruelty case.
And the Pirates have a Spider-Man meme opponent in Canada this weekend.
Big Apple attraction
The New York Giants finished 6-11 last year, third place in the NFC East.
Apparently, they think there was something special about the 10-7 Steelers, and they see grabbing as many former fringe players off of that team as possible as a path to success.
The latest is defensive back Elijah Riley.
ROSTER MOVES 5/30
Free Agent Signing:
DB Elijah RileyWaived/Injured:
RB Gary Brightwell???? : https://t.co/yzINwYU2on pic.twitter.com/usIY3S6S3t
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) May 30, 2024
After playing cornerback at West Point in college, Riley was mainly a safety and special teams regular in Pittsburgh. He logged 216 special teams snaps and 50 on defense last year.
Thanks to suffering an ankle injury in Week 10 in Cleveland, Riley missed four games and only got on the field for 10 defensive snaps the rest of the season.
Riley joins the likes of wide receivers Allen Robinson II, Miles Boykin and Gunner Olszewski as ex-Steelers who have since signed with the Giants.
On the topic
Since we brought up ex-Steelers now in New York, Robinson discussed his exit from Pittsburgh during an interview with Giants.com. He described the decision by the Steelers to release him as “a little surprising.” The Steelers made that move on March 8.
“I know for them, they were doing a lot of changes over there, schematic changes, and different things like that,” Robinson told the team’s website. “So, it was a little surprising. But at the end of the day, it’s a part of the business. I’ve been in this thing now going on 11 years.”
In one sense, I get where Robinson is coming from. He is an adaptable veteran who blocks and provides leadership. As the Steelers move out of a post-Diontae Johnson reality with new coordinator Arthur Smith at the helm of the offense, Robinson’s renowned blocking and stability could’ve been a plus in 2024.
Especially since the ranks are so thin at receiver for the Steelers as it is.
Then again, Robinson totaled just 34 catches for 280 yards and no touchdowns in his only year with the Steelers a season ago. So, it’s not like the club is losing much in the way of productivity.
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Buggs bugs out
After being charged with animal cruelty in Alabama, former Steelers defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs has been released on bond.
Now a Kansas City Chief, Buggs turned himself into Tuscaloosa County authorities Thursday. The University of Alabama alum is accused of abandoning two dogs for several days without food and water at a home in Tuscaloosa. One of the animals had to be euthanized.
WBRC television’s Bryan Henry asked Buggs for a comment. But the NFL player put his hand on the camera and said, “Don’t walk up in front of me.”
Former UA player, Chiefs defensive lineman bonds out on animal cruelty charges in Tuscaloosa. https://t.co/XLZnHDtNu6 pic.twitter.com/mJCDwyNVRC
— WBRC FOX6 News (@WBRCnews) May 30, 2024
On Wednesday, Buggs’ agent denied the charges. Now 27 years old, Buggs played three seasons in Pittsburgh and two in Detroit before heading to Kansas City in January as a practice squad player.
Bucs and Blue Jays
For the Pirates, a lot of eyes are looking ahead to their series at home next week against the Los Angeles Dodgers. L.A. already has 36 wins and is atop the National League West. Plus, former Pirates pitcher Tyler Glasnow is throwing against Jared Jones on Tuesday, and Paul Skenes is on the hill Wednesday against 5-0 James Paxton. Then another former Pirates draft choice, Walker Buehler, toes the rubber against Bailey Falter on Thursday.
But between now and then, the Pirates are in Toronto for a three-game series against the Blue Jays. Derek Shelton’s Bucs enter the series 26-30. John Schneider’s Jays are 26-29. These two teams have a lot more in common than just the records. The starting pitching has been pretty good for both clubs. Starters in Pittsburgh have logged a 3.69 ERA, 12th in Major League Baseball. The Blue Jays are 13th at 3.87.
Toronto is in the bottom half of the American League in most offensive categories. One area where they are good, though, is getting men on base. The Jays have a .316 team on-base percentage, which is third best in the AL. But they are bad at getting guys around. Toronto’s .239 batting average with runners on base is 11th in the AL.
The Pirates are at .228 in that category, 28th in MLB and dead last in the National League. The similarities between the teams don’t end there. The Blue Jays bullpen has been a real problem across the border. They have a staff ERA of 4.77 out of the bullpen, 27th in Major League Baseball. The Pirates are 26th at 4.68.
In the field, both franchises have a .983 fielding percentage, with the Blue Jays committing 32 errors and the Pirates 34.
