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Monday’s “first call” has high expectations for two young Pittsburgh Steelers. We have an update on Marc-André Fleury’s decision regarding the Chicago Blackhawks. And a player the Steelers have considered signing will go to the Baltimore Ravens instead.
We even have a heartwarming Olympic moment, hurling and Gaelic football.
Not a bad way to start the month.
Flower advancing
Despite questions surrounding his willingness to report to the Chicago Blackhawks, former Penguins goaltender Marc-André Fleury decided to give Windy City a try.
After a Vézina Trophy-winning season, Fleury was stunned by the news of a trade on July 27 that sent him from the Vegas Golden Knights to Chicago. Many believed Fleury would refuse to report or attempt to force a trade to another team.
Like maybe back to the Penguins.
But via Twitter, Fleury announced on Sunday that he was ready to play this season in the Blackhawks’ uniform.
It is 🌸#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/2RTjG7UGLe
– Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 1, 2021
Fleury still has a year on a $ 7 million contract. He had been on the Vegas squad for each of the franchise’s first four seasons in the NHL.
Up and coming
ESPN has released its annual list of the top 25 prospects in the NFL. Kind of a bunch of off-the-radar players to watch in 2021. Here are the criteria on the list. Players must:
• Have been drafted in the third round or later or signed as an undrafted free agent
• Entered the NFL between 2018 and 2020
• Have less than 500 offensive or defensive snaps in your career (with the exception of running backs, who are only entitled to 300 offensive snaps)
• Have not signed a contract extension (players who have rebounded in the league looking for the right place, however, still qualify for the roster)
• Be 26 years old or under on September 1st
Two Steelers placed in the top 10. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was fifth and guard Kevin Dotson sixth.
Of Highsmith, writer Rivers McCown said Football Outsiders gave him “a top 10 ‘explosion rating’ – his ranking of a player’s athleticism – in the 2020 class.” Regarding Dotson’s 2020 campaign, McCown said: “It was a season – and a season shortened to that – but in four starts Dotson didn’t allow any sacks and didn’t blow up any pass blocks. . “
Many other AFC North players were represented. The Baltimore Ravens also had two on the roster – defensive lineman Justin Madubuike (3rd) and wide receiver Devin Duvernay (21st). The Cleveland Browns also had two nominees, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (7th) and wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19th).
The Cincinnati Bengals were also represented by linebacker Logan Wilson (4th).
Houston, we have a… signature?
Before the Steelers signed veteran free agent passing veteran Melvin Ingram, It has been reported that the team also had an interest in former Kansas City Chiefs professional bowler Justin Houston.
Houston, who recorded 19 sacks in the past two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, instead signed with the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. ESPN says the contract is worth up to $ 4 million. Ingram signed for the same amount in Pittsburgh. So it will be interesting to see who gets the best value for money.
As with the loss of Bud Dupree to the Steelers, Baltimore also saw a passing runner go into free agency. Matthew Judon went to the New England Patriots for $ 56 million. They also saw Yannick Ngakoue go to the Las Vegas Raiders for $ 26 million.
Gold medal Support
You must have liked the video of the Detroit Lions installation that hit the internet this weekend.
It featured quarterback David Blough and a group of his teammates in the movie theater watching his wife, Melissa Gonzales, as she advanced to the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Best video you’ll see today: Lions QB David Blough watched wife Melissa Gonzalez at the Olympics
He EXPLODED as she qualified for the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles
: @The Lions pic.twitter.com/VPHrJqwsBw
-Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 31, 2021
Gonzalez runs for Colombia. She has dual citizenship there and in the United States. She and Blough both attended Carrollton Creekview High School in Texas.
Three for Three
On Friday, we told you that the Pittsburgh hurling team was competing for the Midwest Regional Championship this weekend in Cheswick. Well, the Pucas won it by beating Cleveland 12-19 (55) to 0-5 (5) in the semifinals. Then they outscored Akron 4-24 (36) to 2-9 (15) in the final.
The Pittsburgh Pucas are the Midwest Hurling champions, defeating Akron 4-24 (36) to 2-9 (15). Pittsburgh qualifies for the USGAA Finals in Boston August 19-22! pic.twitter.com/aS6KGT0uii
– Pittsburgh Hurling (@pghhurling) August 1, 2021
The team is now heading to the National Championships in Massachusetts August 19-22.
The Pittsburgh Men’s and Women’s Gaelic Soccer teams also won their tournaments at Founders Field this weekend. The men’s club – the Celtics – outlived Detroit 2-6 (12) in the last game. The women’s team, the Banshees, won their crown edging Cleveland 1-12 (15) to 1-8 (11).
They will also join the hurling team for the national championships outside of Boston.
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.
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