First Call: Minkah Fitzpatrick magic; Le’Veon Bell loses after he says ‘I won’
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” a reason to embrace Minkah Fitzpatrick already. Le’Veon Bell looks depressed. Jalen Ramsey wants out of Jacksonville.
Love him already
Do you like the Pittsburgh Steelers trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick?
Eh, I don’t really understand it. Why make a move to win now in a season when you just lost your starting quarterback? Why is a team who hates trading first-round picks doing so in a year where they might have their highest natural first-round pick since 2004?
But I do love the player. If for no other reason, I like Fitzpatrick because he can do something no Steelers player has proven capable of doing.
He can intercept Tom Brady in Foxborough. Look. Here’s proof.
First play I put on of Fitzpatrick. Intercepts Tom Brady in Foxborough.
Me: That's all I need to see. I'm sold. pic.twitter.com/45a6M3TJ8s
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 17, 2019
Great. Now if only the Dolphins had thrown in a time machine as part of the trade so we could go back to Week 1.
Regarding Ramsey
While the Steelers were trading for Fitzpatrick, another star defensive back in Florida has yet to move.
ESPN is reporting that Jalen Ramsey has asked for a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
CB Jalen Ramsey’s agent asked for a trade after yesterday’s loss at Houston, league sources tell @mortreport and me
The Jaguars have spoken with interested teams, but there is no current plan to trade Ramsey.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2019
Ramsey had a tiff with head coach Doug Marrone Sunday.
Jalen Ramsey and HC Doug Marrone exchanging words. Had to be split up.pic.twitter.com/fpCVDV6mx9
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2019
That’s where a lot of this angst likely originated.
Well, that and the fact that Jacksonville is 5-14 since they won at Heinz Field in the 2017 playoffs.
Bell’s boo-boo face
During an ESPN interview that aired before the “Monday Night Football” game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns, Le’Veon Bell said he was a winner because he ended up in New York via free agency.
Tonight on ESPN at 7 EST. #Jets pic.twitter.com/WKBVG8bkXi
— Dianna (@diannaESPN) September 16, 2019
So, to be clear, Bell’s idea of winning is failing to meet the alleged goal of resetting the running back market, likely walking away with less money than he would’ve gotten over three years in Pittsburgh, and vacating $14.5 million.
Despite Bell’s characterization above, that’s still what happened. What’s next? Does he get to declare that his rotten rap album won a Grammy, too?
If this is winning, what does losing look like?
Oh. I guess it looks like this.
Looks like Lev Bell is having a blast in the Big Apple. pic.twitter.com/v7XrcVMIUK
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) September 17, 2019
That was Bell after his fumble during a 23-3 loss to the Browns. Bell had 68 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards on 31 touches. The Jets are 0-2.
Look away!
Part of the reason why the Jets struggled on offense so much is that they played much of the game with their third-string quarterback.
Luke Faulk had to get on the field because starting quarterback Trevor Siemian suffered this ugly-looking ankle injury.
Caution. This video is not for the faint of heart.
Trevor Siemian's ankle just snapped!!! 🤢🤢🤢 pic.twitter.com/Bb8zsFhJSH
— #BOOMIN (@ftbeard_17) September 17, 2019
On “Monday Night Football,” that was referred to as “an apparent leg injury.”
Apparently. Yes. Indeed.
Siemian was forced to start because first-stringer Sam Darnold was out with mononucleosis.
Faulk went 20 of 25 for 198 yards. Siemian was 3 of 6 for 3 yards.
Which one is Phoebe?
ESPN tweeted out the Browns remake of the “Friends” show open.
In Chandler Bing parlance, “could it BE any more lame?”
The Browns really did a remake of the “Friends” intro 😂
(via @Browns) pic.twitter.com/BfEyTrHHse
— ESPN (@espn) September 17, 2019
I’m left wondering, which one gets to keep the pet monkey? And, in the Browns’ version, is Freddie Kitchens “ugly, naked guy?”
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.