First Call: Pittsburgh products impact AFC, NFC title games; Steelers fans mock Mayor Gainey's tweet congratulating Eagles
In Monday’s “First Call,” we learn of a linebacker the Pittsburgh Steelers are watching in advance of the NFL Draft. Brian Flores has been passed over for a job on an NFC coaching staff.
There was a Pittsburgh imprint on the AFC and NFC Championship games. Adam “Pacman” Jones recalls a hard hit from James Harrison.
And the on-field collapse of Damar Hamlin may lead to a legal change for high school sports in Pennsylvania.
Helping hand
The Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC Championship Game over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday by a final score of 23-20. Shady Side Academy product Skyy Moore helped the Chiefs’ cause with a crucial punt return late in the game.
Skyy Moore out to the 50-yard line!
????: #CINvsKC on CBS
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlhHi pic.twitter.com/uPBKWvFNws— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023
The Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. They did so with some help from the city down the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
On defense, former Steeler Javon Hargrave defended a pass and had a sack. Meanwhile, Woodland Hills alum Miles Sanders had 42 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Run @BoobieMilesXXIV Runnnnn#SFvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/aRMriYHB6B
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 29, 2023
As for Eagles head coach Nick Siriani, his mother’s roots are from Natrona Heights. He coached at IUP, and his brother, Mike, is the head coach at Washington and Jefferson. This will be the first Super Bowl appearance for the Eagles since they upset the New England Patriots to end the 2017-18 season.
In a curious decision, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey sent out a tweet congratulating the Eagles because “Pennsylvania is headed to the Super Bowl.”
Congratulations @Eagles — Pennsylvania is headed to the Super Bowl #FlyEaglesFly
— Ed Gainey (@gainey_ed) January 30, 2023
That seems like something a governor would tweet, not the mayor of a different city within the state — especially one with a long-held rivalry. Gainey used to be in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. But now he is the mayor of Pittsburgh, a fact that was frequently referenced in responses to his tweet.
And referenced rather vociferously on many occasions.
My brother, you’re the mayor of Pittsburgh, we do not like the eagles here
— Populist Pennsylvanian (@PopulistPennsy1) January 30, 2023
Sorry Mr. Mayor but Philly is in New Jersey.
— The Standard (@JimboSportsGuy) January 30, 2023
— brian ???? (@unixsadm) January 30, 2023
— Kenny (@southhillskenny) January 30, 2023
— Timothy McCollim (@Whatchamccollim) January 30, 2023
At least when Mayor Luke “Steeler”stahl pandered, he pandered in the right direction.
Falcons don’t pick Flores
Steelers defensive assistant coach Brian Flores interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator job last week.
He didn’t get it. Ryan Nielsen did.
Nielsen is joining Atlanta from a division rival in the NFC South. He spent the past six seasons with the New Orleans Saints. The first five years, he was the defensive line coach. He added the assistant head coach title in 2021 and co-defensive coordinator in the 2022 season.
Flores has also interviewed to be the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, as well as the defensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns.
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Hit hard by Harrison
Steelers fans love to hate former Bengals defensive back Adam “Pacman” Jones. So they probably loved the story Jones told on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast.
“James Harrison almost broke my whole body,” Jones said. “Oh my god, so as long as James Harrison not hitting me, I’ll take (it) … I’d rather get hit in the face than get blindsided by James Harrison.”
Jones referenced one specific hit he absorbed from Harrison when the Steelers were playing the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. Jones was returning a punt. He muffed it, and Harrison smashed him on special teams punt coverage.
Pac-Man Jones was scared of James Harrison just like everyone else #Steelers #herewego #Pittsburgh #bengals #cowboys #jamesharrison pic.twitter.com/E4jtOTcP3H
— matthew luciow (@Luciow1992) January 27, 2023
Jones said he eventually needed neck surgery, but he did return and play the rest of that game.
Eye on Orange
If you are keeping names in mind for the Steelers when it comes to the 2023 NFL Draft, here is one at inside linebacker.
According to Ryan Fowler of “The Draft Network,” the Steelers met with Syracuse LB Mikel Jones at the NFLPA Bowl.
LB Mikel Jones (Syracuse) was a popular name at NFLPA, meeting with a long list of teams including the Bills, 49ers, Chargers, Titans, and Steelers.
Versatile LB that has been a buzzy name the last few weeks.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 29, 2023
At 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, Jones isn’t big. But he’s athletic and moves well laterally. He was also a two-time captain with the Orange. During his last season in Central New York, Jones racked up four sacks, 84 tackles (seven for loss) and recorded a fumble recovery on a solid defense.
Marte Mapu and Mikel Jones combine for the run stop pic.twitter.com/sPCdzT3Fgg
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 28, 2023
Marcus Robinson and Myles Jack are under contract at inside linebacker this year for the Steelers. Robert Spillane and Devin Bush are free agents.
A worthwhile idea
A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to turn the near tragedy surrounding Damar Hamlin into an opportunity to expand athletic safety.
State Senator Marty Flynn is a Democrat from the 22nd State Senate District (Lackawanna County/Luzerne County). He is now planning to introduce “Damar’s Law.” It would require AEDs (automated external defibrillators) at all school sporting events. The law would also require all coaches to be trained to use an AED.
A defensive back for the Buffalo Bills, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during a “Monday Night Football” game on Jan. 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Medical staff performed CPR on him for over nine minutes, and he left the field in an ambulance after having to be defibrillated.
Hamlin recently sent out a post thanking the public for their support in the wake of his collapse.
From The Heart .
-Sincerely 3!
Full video: https://t.co/cmLCEZwRA4 pic.twitter.com/6zvTDg7h1W
— ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? (@HamlinIsland) January 28, 2023
Hamlin played high school football at Pittsburgh Central Catholic. He’s also a former Pitt Panther.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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