First call: Kevin Colbert could be looking for a QB prospect; ex-Steeler signs with Bengals; Dan Marino’s milestone



[ad_1]

The Steelers may already be looking for a quarterback for next year’s draft. The Bengals have signed a former free agent from the Steelers. Raiders Maxx Crosby raised eyebrows with his Monday night performance against the Baltimore Ravens.

And we’re celebrating the birthday of football legend Pitt. All of this in today’s first call.


The city of Tar Heel

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert was in North Carolina football practice on Tuesday.

We know this because Tar Heels coach Mack Brown tweeted this photo with Colbert.

It’s unclear who Colbert was watching, but it’s safe to assume the Steelers were at least checking out Sam Howell.

He is seen by some as the best prospect in the quarterback in the NFL Draft next spring. But Howell has struggled a bit this season. He was sacked eight times and threw three interceptions in the first two games.

In just over two seasons at Chapel Hill, Howell threw 72 touchdowns and 17 picks while completing 64.3% of his passes.

With Ben Roethlisberger’s status pending and no clear starter established for the long haul after his departure, many wonder if the Steelers will make a splash in the draft or free agency this spring.


Back with the Bengals?

The Cincinnati Bengals signed a former Steeler ahead of a showdown between rivals AFC North.

Safety Sean Davis’ first stint with Pittsburgh lasted from 2016 to 2019. He was picked up by Washington in March 2020 but was fired in September. Then he re-signed with the Steelers and played last year in Pittsburgh before signing with the Indianapolis Colts this spring.

He was released on August 31, then hung on to the team’s practice squad before becoming a free agent again on September 14. It was then that the Bengals decided to get him back.

Davis, a sixth-year player from Maryland, has played 65 career games and has 244 tackles, 2½ sacks, 21 assists defended, five interceptions, one forced fumble and a recovery fumble.

Cincinnati transferred safety Ricardo Allen to the injured reserve due to hand and hamstring injuries suffered in the Week 1 win over Minnesota.


Raider Rewards

The AFC’s first Defensive Player of the Week for 2021 wasn’t TJ Watt or Cameron Heyward.

That’s despite a stellar performance from both Steelers in a win over the Buffalo Bills.

Instead, the honor went to Las Vegas Raider Maxx Crosby. The defensive end had six tackles and two sacks along with plenty of other snaps that led to the haste and pressure from Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

He’s dusted off former Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva on several occasions.

But the Raiders have also received some bad news. Defensive lineman Gerald McCoy was placed on the wounded reserve with a knee injury. Damion Square replaces him on the list.


Big birthday for Dan

Legendary Pitt quarterback Dan Marino celebrated a birthday on Wednesday – his 60th.

Wait, it’s impossible. If Marino is 60, then that makes me… old enough to experience remarkable moments like this where time evaporates before my eyes.

And that would do this climax practically ancient.

But it still looks good, doesn’t it?

Tim Benz is an editor for Tribune-Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication, unless otherwise specified.



[ad_2]

Source link