First Call: Tyler Boyd refuses to back off claims that Steelers gave up; ex-Steeler Ryan Clark says franchise has reached 'end of an era'

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” we have the latest on Tyler Boyd’s comments about the Steelers giving up at the end of their game at Heinz Field last weekend.

One ex-Pirates pitcher dominates, while another just can’t stay healthy. And an ex-Steeler has little faith in a resurgence by the club.

Follow up

Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd is standing by his criticism of the Steelers following his team’s 24-10 win at Heinz Field Sunday.

The former Clairton Bear and Pitt Panther said that the Steelers “gave up” by the end of the game.

In the wake of the reaction to that claim on Monday, Boyd took to social media on Tuesday to reiterate his stance.

Of all my years playin the Steelers I've never saw them finish like that and I have nothin but respect for them but wats understood doesn't need to be explain jags up next

— Tyler Boyd (@boutdat_23) September 28, 2021

During his weekly press conference, Mike Tomlin was asked for a response to Boyd’s claim.

“I don’t care about Tyler Boyd’s opinion regarding what transpired at any point in that game,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “Like I said after the game, and it includes him, I tip my cap to that team and that organization for their performance and win. I proceed, moving on to the next challenge. We’d better play better the next time we see them. That’s always our mentality. I care less about what people say that are not involved in us and with us in function and understanding who and what we are. He’s entitled to his opinion, but I don’t have to respond to it.”

Telling it like it is

Ex-Steeler Ryan Clark didn’t pull any punches when talking about his former team this week.

During a recent episode of “Get Up,” the ESPN analyst painted a very negative picture of where the Steelers stand.

Former Steeler @Realrclark25 is upset by what he's seeing in Pittsburgh.

"It's an end of an era of actually having a Super Bowl window. ... This is a total organizational failure!" pic.twitter.com/TOAgORM3Qe

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 27, 2021

“It’s an end of an era of dominance,” Clark said. “It’s an end of an era of actually having a Super Bowl window and it’s the end of an era of two decades of having the same quarterback. This is a total organizational failure.”

Clark went on to say that the decision to trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick at the safety position was a good move to address that need, but it may have set back the quest to line up a succession plan for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

“They needed to have a succession plan from Ben Roethlisberger and they didn’t and they still don’t,” Clark said. “The best teams are able to move right into the next quarterback. The best teams that can keep competing can do that. The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot. Not only don’t they have a quarterback, they also can’t protect the quarterback. They also can’t scheme for a quarterback.”

During his Tuesday press conference, Tomlin insisted that he never considered benching Roethlisberger during Sunday’s loss to the Bengals.

Taillon tweaks injury

After missing 19 games because of a right ankle injury, former Pirate Jameson Taillon’s return to the New York Yankees was brief.

He left a start against the Toronto Blue Jays with one out in the third after aggravating the same injury. Taillon motioned for an athletic trainer to come out of the dugout, then walked off following a brief discussion. He was replaced by right-hander Michael King.

The right-hander had allowed one earned run in 2 1/3 innings. The Yankees went on to win 7-2. They are now 2.5 games clear of the Seattle Mariners for the final American League wild card spot and two games in front of the Boston Red Sox for the first slot.

With Boston losing to the lowly Baltimore Orioles 4-2 Tuesday, they remain just a half game in front of the Mariners and one full game in front of the Blue Jays for that final wild card berth.

Another ex-Pirate, Clay Holmes, was one of five relievers who helped secure the victory for New York.

Chuck chews up Phils

Another former Pirates pitcher turned in a pennant race gem for the Atlanta Braves.

Charlie Morton (14-6) allowed only three hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks in seven innings en route to a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Atlanta reduced its magic number to three games in the National League East race and extended its lead to 3 1/2 games over the second-place Phillies.

The loss eliminated Philadelphia from contention for an NL wild card slot.