First Call: When the Browns called on Bill Cowher; saying no to Bud Dupree; praising Jason Zucker

Tuesday’s “First Call” features Bill Cowher’s dance with the Cleveland Browns, panning Bud Dupree, Jason Zucker’s impressive past, and the mean streets of the XFL.

Bill almost a Brown?

There was always some belief that the Cleveland Browns went after former Steelers coach Bill Cowher to coach their football team in 2009.

Now he’s admitting it.

Via the Canton Repository, Browns owner Al Lerner approached Cowher after his franchise fired Romeo Crennel in the wake of a 4-12 season in 2008.

Cowher was two years removed from coaching the Steelers by then and working at CBS. As writer Steve Doerschuk relays the story, Lerner met with Cowher in New York City. Cowher claims to have been tempted because of his playing days with the Browns.

But his Pittsburgh ties prevented him from embracing the idea of going back to be the head coach in Cleveland.

“The fact Cowher grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and spent 15 years as head coach of the Steelers would have made accepting an offer from Lerner awkward,” Doerschuk wrote.

“I have nothing but fond memories of the city of Cleveland,” Doerschuk quotes Cowher as saying. “But I was in Pittsburgh quite a while. There’s something special about that, and that’s really important to me.”

Cowher insisted in the story that he never came particularly close to signing with Cleveland or anywhere else after his retirement.

Bud’s bucks

Mike Tomlin is on record as calling the retention of Bud Dupree a “priority.”

But the outside linebacker is coming off a career-high 11½ sacks. So that’s going to cost the Steelers a lot of money, either in the form of a long-term contract or as a franchise-tagged player.

One football media outlet is saying that the Steelers should avoid signing Dupree to a multi-year deal, insisting, “The biggest thing Pittsburgh must not do this free agency is pay edge defender Bud Dupree.”

That was Pro Football Focus.

“Don’t get us wrong — he made several impact plays in 2019,” that publication said of Dupree. “But he also generated pressure at a very concerning rate. Sacks are instable year-to-year while pressure rate is the opposite. Among 102 edge defenders to rush the passer at least 200 times in 2019, Dupree was 65th in pressure rate. That’s not someone you want to pay $14 million a year for when you are already in a bad spot with your cap space. If the Steelers can maneuver it, bringing in tight end Hunter Henry for a sub-$10 million contract is absolutely the best route to go.”

Sure, Henry would be great. And yes, inking Dupree would be a risk. But in my opinion, that assessment is selling Dupree’s 2019 campaign far too short.

One and done

Geez! This XFL isn’t messin’ around!

The XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats fired Pepper Johnson after just one game as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Granted, L.A. lost to Houston 37-17. But fired after just one game? That’s a bit harsh.

Right?

“We recognize that there are issues we need to address for the 2020 season,” head coach and general manager Winston Moss said. “While these decisions are difficult, we have given this significant thought. We are here to put the best possible product on the field for our fans. We thank Pepper for his contributions to the Wildcats and we are looking forward to our home opener this weekend.”

Cold, man!

Fond farewell

When it comes to new Penguin Jason Zucker, we’ll see if he fits in well in Pittsburgh.

But one thing that is constantly said about him is that he is a quality person.

For those asking...On a business level, I get it. On a personal level, I hate it. @Jason_Zucker16 is one of the best guys I’ve covered. He’s the consummate pro and fantastic in the community. But he was the Wilds best asset. I hope he wins a cup in Pittsburgh. https://t.co/nDR7CcAuML

— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) February 11, 2020

In 2017, Zucker and his wife Carly pledged $160,000 to give young patients at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital a creative outlet and allow them to watch Wild games and sporting events in a private suite atmosphere. The goal was to jumpstart fundraising for the new space, which would include a state-of-the-art broadcast station and fully outfitted theater.

It’s been a success since then. And for his efforts, Zucker was given the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2019. That is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.

Tampa times two

After losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road Thursday night, the Penguins host the Lightning Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena.

The Lightning will be coming off an emotional win. They beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in overtime Monday night, courtesy of a game-winner from Nikita Kucherov.

#KLUTCHEROV ? pic.twitter.com/iYrAhURw2J

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 11, 2020

That was the first time Tampa faced Columbus since the Jackets swept them out of the playoffs last spring. This is their seventh-straight victory.

Steven Stamkos didn’t play due to injury but may suit up Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. Tampa Bay is 19-2-1 in the last 22 games. They have 77 points, tied with the Washington Capitals for the second highest total in the Eastern Conference. That’s just three points behind the Atlantic leading Boston Bruins.