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Tuesday’s “first call” shows us Mike Logan’s reaction to Troy Polamalu’s Hall of Fame speech.
A volley from Pittsurgh Steeler offensive lineman Zach Banner towards an old friend in a new uniform. Bruce Arians jumps on his players.
And ex-Pirate Jameson Taillon is in good shape for the Yankees.
Love Logan
During his speech to the Professional Football Hall of Fame, Steelers legend Troy Polamalu worked in a little love for former teammate Mike Logan.
“Mike Logan, the starting safety of my rookie year, shared his full knowledge of the game, showing with all his heart a level of humility that has helped shape my career,” said Polamalu. “Like many other teammates, his selflessness opened up a greater opportunity for others at his own expense. It is not natural in the most competitive environment to train your replacement, yet it is our culture. The culture of steel.
Logan – a McKeesport native – appeared on 93.7 The Fan Monday to describe what it meant for him to be remembered in this way by Polamalu.
“I never thought that a simple teammate – a friend, a brother – just saying my name would make me feel emotions.” Logan said. “However, he did. It got me thinking. I just thought about the times I got to spend with Troy playing. It was a very special moment that I will never forget.
“My son was setting there with me and I was sort of explaining to him, because he heard my name, and he said, ‘Did he say Logan?’ and I said, ‘Yes he did,’ and he said, ‘Is that your friend?’ and I said, ‘No son, he’s my brother.’ ”
Despite Polamalu’s rapid rise after being drafted in 2003, Logan remained with his hometown team until 2006, playing in 12 games in 2005 en route to winning a Super Bowl ring.
Vivid description
Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner seized the opportunity to spark a feud with AFC North on Monday. At least when he had the opportunity to punch his former Steelers teammate, offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva.
The Baltimore Ravens have signed Villanueva to their roster this offseason to make up for the Orlando Brown Jr. trade. He will have to play against the Steelers twice this year.
Banner says the Steelers will be ready to face him.
“He’s a brother,” Banner said of Villanueva. “We talked a few times during camp, him and I, via text and a phone call, but when he’s in line he’s a ‘Rat Bird’.”
Even though Banner uttered this phrase with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, “Rat Bird” is a glorious description of the Ravens and should be used at the first reference every day for the week leading up to both games.
Angry arians
Former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is still enjoying the aftermath of a Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But that doesn’t mean it gets slack.
Via ProFootballTalk.com, the Bucs head coach tears up his offensive players for the way they train at training camp after being given days off.
“After a day off our attack just stinks,” Arians told reporters on Monday. “They have to break this habit. Defensively, they answered the bell. They came out and dominated the whole practice. It was good to see.
Why exactly is this happening, BA?
“Ask them,” replied the Arians. “You can’t be warned more than every week. Dropped passes, missed assignment on core games – it’s just a lack of focus.
Arians was asked how to fix the problem.
“Back then, we would be there to (swear) them, but it doesn’t work anymore,” Arians said. “You go to jail for this stuff now. They just have to grow up and become men. It has been identified so they have to fix it. I’m not going to fix it, you have to fix it.
Prison can be a bit extreme. But Arians is not too far away.
And his complaints are well founded.
Jazzy jameson
Former Pirates starter Jameson Taillon turned a gem for the New York Yankees on Monday night.
He turned six innings in Kansas City against the Royals, allowing just one unearned run. Taillon also had four strikeouts while walking just two and hitting four hits.
This drops Taillon’s ERA to 3.82. It was 5.43 at the end of June. Taillon didn’t make a decision as the Bronx Bombers won 8-6 in 11 innings. The Yankees got some help from first baseman Luke Voigt.
Welcome to Missouri, Luke. pic.twitter.com/HfGXP9bgav
– New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 10, 2021
The Yankees eventually turned to fellow ex-Pirate Clay Holmes, who surrendered a run late in the 10th, allowing the Royals to tie him after the Yankees scored a run in the first half of the inning.
But Holmes ended up winning. It was his seventh outing for New York. He has now allowed two earned runs in 8 innings pitched. The Yanks are six games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the Eastern American League and two behind the Oakland A and Boston Red Sox for a wild card spot.
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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