In Monday’s “First Call,” we find out what happened to the James Harrison interview with Antonio Brown. Arizona and Denver may both fill their head coaching vacancies with guys with Steelers connections. And Chris Kunitz may have been welcomed back to Pittsburgh too fondly.
So, about that ‘exclusive’ …
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, there’s a reason why James Harrison hasn’t posted his “exclusive” Instagram interview with Antonio Brown.
You might remember that they teased it last week during Mike Tomlin’s season-ending news conference.
A.B. didn’t go through with it. ESPN reported Brown was “advised” to avoid doing it.
Maybe that advice came from his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Perhaps he should’ve pushed some advice on Brown earlier in this process.
Either that, or Brown and Harrison forgot to hit record.
Actually, that option seems more plausible.
Rocky Mountain … bye?
Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak had his interview for the Broncos head coaching job on Friday. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Munchak is the frontrunner.
From @NFLGameDay: More on the #Bucs pursuit of retired coach Bruce Arians… while #Steelers OL coach Mike Munchak has emerged as the early favorite for the #Broncos vacant HC job. Bonus: Munchak can see his granddaughter regularly. pic.twitter.com/eNl2Urk2rG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2019
Munchak has a daughter and granddaughter in Colorado. He also has the same agent as John Elway. Rapoport said Munchak is staying in Denver until a decision is made.
The team is still planning to interview Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Bruce and the Bucs?
Former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is apparently considering a return to coaching.
The Tampa Bay Times reports the Buccaneers interviewed Arians on Saturday.
Arians is 66 and had been the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals until he retired after the 2017 season. He spent this year calling games for CBS.
It’s believed the Bucs think Arians can work well with Jameis Winston after pairing with Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer. He also has known Winston since he was at his passing camp in Alabama.
Tampa Bay General Manager Jim Licht also worked with Arians in Arizona when Licht was the Cardinals’ vice president of player personnel.
A decade gone by
The Penguins celebrated the 10th anniversary of 2009 Stanley Cup championship team Sunday night.
Of course, some of the stars of that club are still on the team, namely Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Sergei Gonchar is coaching them. Bill Guerin is the assistant GM.
Some other guys couldn’t make it because they are playing elsewhere, such as this guy, who made a fairly big save in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
Always here in our hearts, Flower. ?
Thanks for everything – especially that epic save back in 2009. pic.twitter.com/54LW4CuD8u
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 7, 2019
And this guy, who scored a pair of fairly big goals.
Miss you at the reunion, @Max25talbot!
We'll hook you up with a nice hotel next time you visit! pic.twitter.com/GpgHCNY0r9
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 7, 2019
You know Marc-Andre Fleury is in Vegas. As for Max Talbot, he’s playing in Russia. Meanwhile, Chris Kunitz was on the other bench as a Chicago Blackhawk. But he still got plenty of love on the jumbotron and from the crowd.
Welcome back, Kuni! pic.twitter.com/GQMW0ihAqt
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 7, 2019
The fond reminiscing was short-lived, though, because Kunitz scored his first goal of the year for Chicago during the game to tie it up 2-2.
Chris Kunitz scored his first goal of the year tonight and now Duncan Keith has, too. 3-3. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ROBhdGSVxG
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) January 7, 2019
The Blackhawks won 5-3. And it’s all Kunitz’s fault.
Eh, but at least he gave us this in 2009.
Oh, and this in 2017.
Bad timing
While the Penguins were losing to the Blackhawks, 5-3, the Capitals won 3-2.
Michal Kempny scored the game-winning goal with under four minutes left.
CALL STANDS, GOOD GOAL! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/1cVdUOAry8
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 7, 2019
This result means that the Caps have 54 points. The Penguins are stuck on 52, having played one more game than Washington.
The Capitals broke a three-game losing streak while extending their dominant run against the Red Wings to 9-0-2 over the last 11 matchups.
