First Call: T.J. Watt's negotiations with Steelers called ‘extremely difficult’; Ravens extend a star player

Tuesday’s “First Call” checks in on the contractual stalemate between T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens managed to ink a star to an extension. An ex-Pirates pitcher got one, too. The ACC had a rough opening weekend. And a Cincinnati Bengals rookie is working through a tough start.

‘Watt’ is taking so long?

T.J. Watt’s contract extension isn’t done yet. And the outside linebacker has yet to practice fully with the team.

Game 1 of the regular season is Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. And the Steelers don’t negotiate contracts during the season.

So will an extension get done before Sunday? And if it doesn’t, will Watt show up to play anyway?

If Watt does decide to play, will head coach Mike Tomlin allow that to happen if the All-Pro hasn’t practiced with contact in advance of the game?

The team has said Tomlin will provide some clarity on that second point during his Tuesday press conference. As far as getting a deal done, negotiations have gone from a fait accompli to a handwringing question.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network Monday, “Negotiations have been extremely difficult, and it is up in the air as to the status of T.J. Watt as we get close to the opener.”

Does that unnerve anyone else but me?

Done deal

While the Steelers struggle to get Watt’s contract extended, one of their rivals has managed to lock up one of its stars. The Baltimore Ravens signed Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews to a four-year $56 million extension.

Sources: The #Ravens and Pro Bowl TE Mark Andrews have agreed to terms on a substantial extension, with Andrews getting a 4-year deal worth $56M. The $14M APY means he’ll make more money through 4 years than any other TE in the league. ???? ???? ????

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2021

The Ravens confirmed the signing with some praise of Andrews.

"Mark is exactly the type of player we wish to keep as a Raven long-term." pic.twitter.com/jhlSHPH6mF

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 7, 2021

Andrews tied for the Ravens team lead in receptions last year with 58. He was second in yards with 701 and second in touchdowns with seven.

Knowing is half the battle

As I often like to quote, in the words of Ray Zalinsky from “Tommy Boy,” “Great. You’ve pinpointed it. Step two is washing it out.”

That’s apparently where Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is when it comes to solving his battle with repeated drops in practice and preseason games. Via an interview with Ben Baby of ESPN.com, Chase thinks he’s zeroed in on the technique flaw that is at the root of his problem.

“If you look back at it, I jumped in the air when the ball got to me,” Chase said. “That means my eyes weren’t concentrated on the ball. I didn’t keep still. So that makes my eye adjustment for the ball move around.”

Now Chase has to figure out how to eliminate the problem before the regular season starts Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

“I know I left a lot of stuff out there,” Chase said. “But that’s all in time for me to get better, of course. I’m not afraid to get better. That’s what I’m here for — to work, to get better, make the team better, make the organization better.”

Chase told Baby opting out of the 2020 college season “could factor into his early issues.” Chase also claims catching the bigger NFL ball with different markings could be a problem.

ACC angst

If the Pitt Panthers can beat the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday, that’ll be quite a break from a trend to start the year.

Troubles for the ACC have been extensive to begin 2021. Especially when it comes to playing SEC competition.

Louisville’s 43-24 loss to Ole Miss Monday night was the latest black eye for the ACC this week against the Southeastern Conference.

That follows up No. 3 Clemson’s 10-3 defeat at the hands of No. 5 Georgia. Top-ranked Alabama also throttled 14^th-rated Miami 44-13.

Duke and Georgia Tech also suffered losses to non-Power 5 opponents as the Blue Devils were beaten by Charlotte (31-28) and the Yellow Jackets dropped a 22-21 decision to Northern Illinois.

That’s on top of a surprising in-conference result when 10^th-ranked North Carolina lost to Virginia Tech 17-10.

The ACC entered the weekend with three AP top-15 teams. They all lost. According to ESPN Stats and Info, this year’s ACC is the first conference in the AP Poll era to have three top-15 teams lose their season-openers in the same weekend.

At least Florida State put up a good fight before falling to Notre Dame 41-38 in overtime Sunday night.

Chuck’s bucks

Former Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton is 37 years old. But the right-hander isn’t done with Major League Baseball yet.

Morton got a one-year $20 million extension from the Atlanta Braves on Monday. That deal also includes a $20 million option for 2023.

The Braves currently lead the National League East by 1.5 games in front of the second place Philadelphia Phillies. Morton leads the team in wins (13), innings pitched (158), qualified earned run average (3.47) and strikeouts (185).