Thursday’s “First Call” features Le’Veon Bell’s latest rap attempt. Baker Mayfield pops off. And a former Pirate goes yard.

Le’Veon’s latest

Le’Veon Bell is releasing a new rap album on July 25.

That’s the same date as the start of training camp for the Jets. Because, well, why not, right?!

I mean, why think football at the start of camp?

7/25/19 just be ready ? pic.twitter.com/4NNWdhyqVn

— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) July 16, 2019

The lyrics aren’t exactly safe for work. So, play it at your own risk with the speakers up.

The video looks like a real epic as well.

View this post on Instagram

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A post shared by LeVeon Bell (@leveonbell) on Jul 17, 2019 at 6:06pm PDT

The Jets better hope Bell is putting in as much to his football efforts as his music career.

More Mayfield

Baker Mayfield is doing nothing to dial down his punk persona.

In an ESPN interview, the Browns quarterback reiterated how much he enjoyed beating his former coach Hue Jackson, calling it “revenge.”

Revenge? For what? Taking a different job after he got fired? Look, I’m no Hue fan either. But the revenge angle is a little misplaced, Baker.

Then he ripped the Giants, by way of trying to stick up for new wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

“He’s here to work, and he wants to be surrounded by people who love him and support him and allow him to be himself,” Mayfield said. “He’s here to play in front of fans who actually care, who will actually show up to every game and pack the stadium and love him for who he is.”

The Giants were fourth in overall attendance last year, but sold only 93.3% of their seats, good for just 25th. Cleveland, by the way, was 18th in attendance, with 97.5% of seats sold (17th).

Either way, boy, it’s going to be fun to see the Steelers beat Mayfield again in 2019.

If they can. And I’m not sure if they can.

So what do we make of this?

The NFL and the NFL Players Association got together for some meetings about the new collective bargaining agreement.

The meetings were supposed to last three days. But they wrapped up after just a few hours.

That sounds bad. But the two sides issued a joint statement with a decidedly more upbeat tone.

“Today’s meeting was productive, constructive and beneficial for both sides, and the meetings between the NFLPA’s Executive Committee and the NFL’s Management Council Executive Committee will continue,” the statement read.

Here’s what NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said.

The NFL and NFLPA bargaining session, originally scheduled for 3 days, is already over. One source described it as “productive.” Now need time to review and regroup. Plan is to resume on July 29.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 17, 2019

That makes me wonder if one side surprised the other side with an offer on the table, and the negotiations are going in a different direction.

Or, this is just spin and the two sides are worlds apart.

There are more meetings scheduled for July 29. However, the initial hope of getting a deal hammered out by the start of the 2019 season may be evaporating.

Some things you can’t unsee

Recently, Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster showed off his results on FaceApp, the aging facial recognition sensation.

Of course, he did. Because it’s something on the internet, and JuJu has to be a part of it.

The results are … disturbing.

Mood ??? I look like a crusty brownie ??? pic.twitter.com/PutQeYMfB6

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) July 16, 2019

There are concerns about JuJu getting off the line, beating press coverage and avoiding double teams.

The Smith-Schuster we know now can probably hack it. That guy in the photo? I’m not so sure.

Freese out

The Dodgers had a no-hitter and a lead going into the sixth inning against the Phillies.

Next thing you know, they were tied 2-2.

That’s until David Freese showed up. And the ex-Pirate did what he did a lot in Pittsburgh. He went the other way with authority.

David Freese #LosDodgers | #LASangraAzul pic.twitter.com/AdbkbrPR8w

— Los Dodgers (@LosDodgers) July 18, 2019

That was Freese’s ninth homer of the year. The Dodgers went on to beat the Phillies by a final score of 7-2. Los Angeles has the best record in the National League at 64-34.

The Phillies are a half game back of Milwaukee for the second NL Wild Card spot. Philly comes to PNC Park this weekend for a three-game series starting Friday, after a Thursday afternoon rematch against the Dodgers.

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