First Call: Steelers miss out on Mike Williams; Cole Holcomb posts workout video
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us an update on the Steelers’ quest to land a big-play wide receiver. Cole Holcomb is trying to make a comeback. Jake Guentzel stays hot in Carolina. And Pitt fans probably cracked a smile when they saw the result of one of the “First Four” games Tuesday night in Dayton.
New York State of Mind
The Steelers aren’t going to get a shot at signing Mike Williams after all. The free-agent wide receiver is signing a contract with the New York Jets.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, it’s a one-year deal worth $15 million.
Sources: Former #Chargers WR Mike Williams is signing with the #Jets on a 1-year deal worth up to $15M, another weapon for Aaron Rodgers. He's on a visit there today. pic.twitter.com/Ob8EZDTvkV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2024
The Steelers were scheduled to meet with Williams, as were the Carolina Panthers. But the former Los Angeles Charger heard everything he needed to hear from the Jets, and he decided to sign right then and there.
When Williams is healthy, he is a big-play, down-the-field threat. He has a 15.6 yards per reception average.
However, the 29-year-old has struggled with knee and back injuries throughout his career. He tore an ACL in Week 3 last year. Two years ago, when Williams played 16 games, he totaled 1,146 yards on 76 catches, nine of which went for touchdowns.
Mining for Cole
Injured Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb clearly wants people to know he’s working his way back to a return.
As
Of course the video is all upper-body work, and it’s Holcomb’s knee that is in question. But at least he is up and around and getting back in shape to whatever degree he can.
The 27-year-old got off to a bit of a slow start with the Steelers after signing a contract in Pittsburgh prior to the 2023 season. But after a few weeks, Holcomb and the rest of the inside linebackers started to get in sync. Unfortunately, Holcomb suffered a serious knee injury in Week 9, and Kwon Alexander tore an Achilles tendon in Week 10.
Both were lost for the rest of the season.
During recent offseason comments, both coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan seemed less than optimistic about Holcomb’s prognosis. But if Holcomb can come back healthy, he and Patrick Queen could make a formidable tandem for the Steelers, especially when you see the opportunity to continue using Elandon Roberts in the manner the franchise did last year.
Holcomb signed a three-year, $18 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $4.92 million.
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Guentzel going strong
Jake Guentzel is still racking up points with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The former Penguins winger scored his first goal with his new team on Sunday during a victory over the Ottawa Senators. Then he posted three points on Tuesday during a 4-1 win over the Islanders.
Guentzel iced the game with an empty-net goal and added two assists, including this beauty to Seth Jarvis.
The give and go between Guentzel and Jarvis ???? pic.twitter.com/No09pMbw0K
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 20, 2024
Guentzel now has eight points in five games since joining the Canes. They are 4-1 in that time and are up to 92 points, two behind the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers.
March schadenfreude
Pitt fans who were upset about Virginia making the tournament while the Panthers were kept out had to enjoy the Cavaliers’ pathetic performance in the “First Four” Tuesday night.
Colorado State beat UVA, 67-42. Virginia turned in one of the most hideous offensive performances in recent NCAA Tournament history. They shot 25% from the floor, at one point missing 19 shots in a row.
The drought bridged halftime. So it was 51 minutes of real time between baskets for Virginia. The Cavs haven’t won a game in the NCAA Tournament since they claimed the 2019 championship.
The Panthers beat the Cavaliers in Charlottesville, 74-63. Not to mention that Pitt had a better NET, KenPom, BPI and Quad 1 record than Virginia.
The Rams now advance to play Texas on Thursday.
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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