First Call: James Harrison says Mike Tomlin isn't 'a great coach'; Flyer says team was 'flat' vs. Penguins

Tuesday’s “First Call” has some grumbling reaction from Philadelphia after the Flyers’ loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. James Harrison pans Mike Tomlin. We get injury updates from Baltimore on a few players as the Ravens prepare to host the Steelers.

And we preview snowy college basketball showdowns for Pitt and Duquesne.

‘Flat’ in Philly

At least one Philadelphia Flyers player is calling out his team for being ‘flat’ during their 5-1 loss at home to the Penguins on Monday night.

“We just came up flat,” Flyers forward Travis Konecny said via NHL.com. “Pucks were seemingly just on the wall, and it was meant to be a battle along the walls I guess tonight, and we lost the majority of them. Gave them a lot of opportunities.”

Meanwhile, coming off a 7-2 loss in Pittsburgh to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, the Penguins had an entirely different state of mind, according to Sidney Crosby.

“When you have a game like that, you just want to respond regardless of who you’re playing. But I think it helps,” Crosby said. “It was a pretty intense game the last time we played them here (a 3-2 shootout defeat on Oct. 28). Whether it’s a combination of that or the fact that we didn’t have a good one at home, anything that it takes to motivate you. But we were definitely motivated tonight.”

Crosby scored twice on Monday.

Sidney Crosby LOVES scoring goals in Philly ???? pic.twitter.com/ngqZZMrW1z

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 2, 2025

Sidney Crosby AGAIN ????

His second of the night now has him third in the League in goals with 18! pic.twitter.com/Zr1IfGv1Au

— NHL (@NHL) December 2, 2025

As pointed out by the Penguins PR staff, Crosby is the NHL’s all-time leader in goals (58), assists (78) and points (136) against the Flyers. The win tied Philadelphia for fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with 31 points apiece. They currently hold the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Penguins’ next game is in Tampa Bay on Thursday night. The Lightning have 34 points to lead the Atlantic Division.

Harrison’s take

Former Steelers linebacker James Harrison directed some criticism at Mike Tomlin in the wake of the team’s loss to Buffalo on Sunday.

“As much as I hate to say this, I have never been a person that thought Coach Tomlin was a great coach. I thought he was a good coach,” Harrison said Monday on the “Deebo & Joe” podcast.

“Right now, we have coaches on this staff, and that’s it. When I say coaches, I’m saying this as, ‘A coach is someone that tells you what to do.’ And it doesn’t matter if what they’re telling you to do is right or wrong. That’s what a coach does. And we have coaches. A good coach gets you to play to your potential. And right now, the players we have on that team, I have seen play. I know they can do it. I have seen them do it. They’re not playing up to their potential. A great coach gets you to play beyond your potential.”

Harrison also said the Steelers’ defense is “100% schematically deficient.” He added that the defense “gave up”during the Bills game. That unit allowed 249 yards rushing on Sunday.

Ravens watch

The Steelers have numerous injuries to track, including the likes of Derrick Harmon, James Pierre and Patrick Queen. Hopefully, Tomlin will provide some clarity on them Tuesday during his press conference.

One Ravens note in Baltimore is the foot injury for cornerback Nate Wiggins. He got hurt during the Thanksgiving night game against Cincinnati.

On Monday, John Harbaugh had little to say in terms of an update on that front, simply calling Wiggins “day to day.”

"Nate's day to day." pic.twitter.com/eC9vhnjie2

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 1, 2025

Harbaugh also added that running back Justice Hill will be out at least three weeks with a neck injury and may go to injured reserve. Rookie linebacker Chandler Martin tore an ACL. Also, via SI.com, outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (foot) and defensive back Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles) could return to practice this week.

More sports

• Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers targets practice return Thursday as he tests ailing left wrist
• Steelers notes: Cory Trice Jr. out for the season after activation window expires
• What's next for Penguins rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke?

Tuesday tip times

Both the Pitt and Duquesne men’s basketball teams are in action Tuesday night.

The Panthers look to sustain momentum after Friday’s buzzer-beating win against Ohio State.

PITT STUNS OHIO STATE AT THE BUZZER AGAIN ???????? pic.twitter.com/cnJyUwfflr

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 29, 2025

Jeff Capel’s team is at home against Texas A&M for a 7 p.m. start. That’s part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Panthers are 5-3. The Aggies are 6-2 and have won four in a row.

Meanwhile, Duquesne hosts William & Mary at 7 p.m. at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. They are 5-2. The Tribe is 7-2. The Dukes are coming off a 101-80 victory over Central State. That was the school’s first 100-point effort since a 101-94 win over La Salle Jan. 13, 2018, in a game that went three overtimes.

As for Robert Morris, the Colonials are in Green Bay to visit the Phoenix on Thursday for the team’s Horizon League opener.