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First Call: Talk of Al Villanueva coming back to Steelers; Julian Edelman's Hall of Fame debate may help Hines Ward | TribLIVE.com
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Steelers/NFL

First Call: Talk of Al Villanueva coming back to Steelers; Julian Edelman's Hall of Fame debate may help Hines Ward

Tim Benz
Tim Benz

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Tribune-Review, AP
Pittsburgh Steeler tackle Alejandro Villanueva runs onto Heinz Field before a game. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward reacts to missing a catch during a game on Oct. 9, 2011.

Thursday’s “First Call” takes a look at the Hall of Fame debate surrounding former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward and recently retired New England Patriot Julian Edelman.

Another free agent Steeler may boomerang back to Pittsburgh. One former Penguin hits a milestone. Another gets a new contract.

And plenty of postseason honors for the Duquesne Dukes football team.

Come to think of it

Since Julian Edelman announced his retirement, a lot of Steelers fans and media have expressed their displeasure with the discourse about Edelman potentially making the Hall of Fame.

Because if he gets in, the sun shouldn’t come up on a day when Hines Ward hasn’t already been inducted first.

But now that this dialogue has played out for a few days, I’m starting to wonder if all this Edelman talk is actually helping Ward’s cause. Because independent of Edelman’s candidacy, it seems as if some are noticing that Ward may have more of a case than had previously been assumed.

I never got the sense that Ward could gather enough votes to get into Canton. But now the back-and-forth about Edelman seems to be getting more people to consider Ward on his own merits. Or the topic is at least reminding folks of how good Ward was.

Normally, when it comes to Hall of Fame candidacy, I don’t put a ton of stock in Pro Bowls or All-Pro voting. But if a guy can’t get voted onto one of those lists, how is he going to get voted into the Hall of Fame?

Ward has yet to be on the list of 15 modern era finalists.

Al on the way?

According to veteran NFL reporter John Clayton, happy returns to the Steelers via free agency may not stop with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyson Alualu and Vince Williams.

Clayton was on 93.7 the Fan Wednesday, and it sounds like he’s expecting left tackle Alejandro Villanueva to return to Pittsburgh as well.

“He hasn’t left because he hasn’t had any offers to go any place. Or, at least, we don’t know of any,” Clayton said.

It’s Clayton’s belief the Steelers may feel more pressure to beef up the tackle position with more depth prior to the draft because the Cleveland Browns just signed Jadeveon Clowney to bolster the defensive front. And they already have Myles Garrett on the other side.

Clayton also added that he was “stunned” the Indianapolis Colts didn’t make a play for Villanueva’s services.

As for cornerback Steven Nelson, he’s still waiting to be signed as well. Clayton says that may be the case because Nelson is going to have to come to grips with how low the market has gotten for free agent corners in the last few weeks.

$heary $igns

Former Penguins player Conor Sheary has a new contract with the Washington Capitals.

It’s a two-year, $3 million deal.

The 28-year-old forward was slated to be an unrestricted free agent after this season. He has totaled 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) in 40 games, his first season in Washington. He had been working under a one-year, $735,000 contract.

Fine Flower

Marc-Andre Fleury got his 19th victory of the season in net for the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday night. They beat the Los Angeles Kings 6-2.

That’s career victory No. 485 for the former Penguins netminder. It moves Fleury alone into fourth place in front of Ed Belfour on the list of all-time wins.

He needs six more to pass Roberto Luongo for sole possession of third place.

Since we’re on the topic

Duquesne running back Billy Lucas has been named NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year for his efforts during the 2021 spring season.

Lucas only had 18 rushing attempts for 75 yards over the first three games, playing behind Garrett Owens.

But Lucas took on a much bigger workload the last two games of the regular season. He had 26 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown in the regular-season finale against Bryant. Then he had 22 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown in the NEC championship game defeat against Sacred Heart. Owens was named second-team All-NEC.

Five Dukes were named All-NEC first team on offense, led by quarterback Joe Mischler. Tight end Bill O’Malley, wide receiver Cyrus Holder and offensive linemen Jake Dixon and Vince Lumia also made the list.

On defense, safeties Leandro DeBrito and Spencer DeMedal made the first team. So did defensive tackle Maxi Hradecny. Kicker Brian Bruzdewicz also made All-Conference on special teams.

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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