First Call: Steelers praise (and omissions) in all-time defensive player list; Ravens may add pass rusher; Gerrit Cole gets rocked

Friday’s “First Call” raises some Pittsburgh Steelers-related questions about an all-time NFL list. The Baltimore Ravens may be adding a familiar name. Celebrating Dave Parker’s birthday.

And Gerrit Cole has a rough night for the Yankees.

Someone missing?

Earlier this week, CBS Sports.com posted a ranking of the top-10 NFL defensive players ever.

Penn Hills native and Pitt product Aaron Donald was on it at No. 5.

“Donald has 98 sacks in his career, the most for a defensive tackle after his first eight seasons in NFL history (and fourth-most by any player),” writes Jeff Kerr. “His 150 tackles for loss and 226 quarterback hits in his first eight seasons are second-most by a player in NFL history (and most for a defensive tackle). He also has seven first-team All-Pro selections in eight seasons and is the only player in the NFL with 400 pressures over the last five years.

A top-five finisher in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting seven consecutive seasons, Donald also already has a Super Bowl championship — along with 6.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 10 postseason games.”

Meanwhile, ex-Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson was listed ninth.

“Not only was Woodson one of the best cornerbacks of his era, but he was one of the best safeties of his time when he transitioned to the position full time in 1999. Woodson earned 11 Pro Bowl appearances and six first-team All-Pro selections in his Hall of Fame career, the final one coming at age 37 when he had eight interceptions as a safety (which also led the league),” Kerr said. “Woodson finished his career with 1,158 tackles 71 interceptions and 13.5 sacks in 17 seasons. He also led the league in interceptions twice and was the 1993 Defensive Player of the Year. Woodson holds the league record for interceptions returned for touchdowns (12) and fumble recoveries (32). He has the second-most interception return yards in NFL history (1,483) and is third all-time in interceptions. He was also a star on the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense, a unit that gave up the fewest points in a 16-game season in NFL history (and won the Super Bowl).”

That’s all worthy praise for both men, but I’m not sure that I can validate any All-time defensive player list that excludes Mean Joe Greene. And, as much as I like Woodson, I don’t think I can rank him in front of Mel Blount.

Adding on

The Baltimore Ravens may be looking to add a pass rusher.

According to a source, the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that three-time Pro Bowler Jason Pierre-Paul was in Baltimore on Thursday.

He spent the past four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, logging 2.5 sacks in 12 games played in 2021.

Baltimore only had 34 sacks last year (24th in the NFL). The Kansas City Chiefs were the only AFC playoff team to have a lower total (31).

Pierre-Paul has 83 sacks in his career. In 2020, he had 9.5 with the Bucs, and, in 2019, he had 12.5.

Cole crushed

On Thursday, the New York Yankees managed to win a game despite a dog of an outing from Gerrit Cole.

The former Pirates pitcher got knocked out in the third inning by the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five home runs, including three in a row to lead off the game.

So much All-Star power in one inning! ️️️ pic.twitter.com/oNDgaBAooQ

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 10, 2022

Cole allowed seven runs in 2⅓ innings. The Twins were up 7-3 at the time of his departure.

But the Yankees stormed back to win anyway, 10-7. They are 41-16 atop the American League East. Another ex-Pirate, Clay Holmes, picked up his ninth save.

Congrats to the Cobra

Former Pirates star Dave Parker turned 71 Thursday. So what better time to relive some of his highlights?

Dave Parker throws out Brian Downing at the plate with help from Gary Carter during the 1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at the Kingdome in Seattle, Washington on July 17, 1979 pic.twitter.com/dFPwF3NoOO

— Pittsburgh Pirates History (@HistoryPirates) June 9, 2022

Pittsburgh #Pirates outfielder Dave Parker loses sight of the ball in the Kingdome roof - but recovers in time to throw out Boston #RedSox star Jim Rice at third base in the 1979 All-Star Game! Happy 71st Birthday To "The Cobra"! #MLB #Baseball #History pic.twitter.com/qEnwQsFzQr

— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) June 9, 2022

Dave Parker gives the National League a 2-1 lead in the top of the 6th inning with a solo home run to right field. Year is 1981 pic.twitter.com/Vt5bRHhLxe

— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) November 6, 2021

Parker was a seven-time All-Star, former MVP and two-time World Series Champion (1979, 1989). He also won three Gold Gloves. In total, he hit .290 with 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs.

Happy belated birthday, Cobra. The Hall of Fame would be a better place with you in it.