First Call: Browns DB calls George Pickens 'fake tough guy' after skirmish; Penguins host best team in NHL

A Cleveland Browns defensive back is not pleased with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. The Penguins face a stiff test amid an early season slump. The Duquesne men’s basketball team enjoys a pre-Thanksgiving getaway.

And the Robert Morris hockey team is heading out to play a true college hockey blueblood.

All that in Friday’s “First Call.”

Calling him out

After their loss in a snowstorm to the Browns on Thursday, George Pickens pulled a Justin Tucker and blamed the conditions for the team’s loss.

On Sunday, the Baltimore kicker said Acrisure Stadium’s turf wasn’t “ideal” after missing two field goals in a recent loss to the Steelers — despite Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell making six kicks, including three beyond 50 yards that same afternoon.

Meanwhile, Pickens said of Thursday night’s 24-19 loss, “The conditions played a huge factor in today’s game. … The conditions and the away game refs.”

Of course, the Browns had to play in the same snow and deal with the same officiating. Granted, both were bad.

On the officiating end of things, Pickens should’ve drawn at least two pass interference penalties that weren’t called, but Cleveland did draw eight flags. Pittsburgh had only six.

Then, after the game, Pickens got into a skirmish with Browns defensive back Greg Newsome.

Bro what's going on with George Pickens ????????????????pic.twitter.com/pbDbHcGb9B

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod ???????? (@big_business_) November 22, 2024

Newsome posted on social media that Pickens was a “fake tough guy.”

Fake tough guy ????????????

— Greg Newsome II (@gnewsii) November 22, 2024

Pickens ended the game with 48 yards on four catches.

To me, this is just another embarrassing angle to the defeat. It’s yet another example of Pickens’ lack of maturation in year three of his career.

George, your team just failed to win in Cleveland for the sixth time in seven years. Now is not the time to trash talk or make excuses. Take your “L” and go home.

More sports

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• Steelers' George Pickens: 'I don't really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all'
• After outshining Steelers' T.J. Watt, Browns' Myles Garrett proclaims himself 'No. 1 edge defender' in NFL

Putting the ‘Win’ in ‘Winnipeg’

The struggling Penguins have a 7-10-4 record. That’s good for only 18 points and a three-way tie for last place in the Metropolitan Division.

They have one win in their past five tries. They haven’t had a regulation victory since Nov. 8.

Now Mike Sullivan’s team has to host Winnipeg on Friday night. The Jets come in at 16-3-0. Their 32 points are the most in the NHL so far this season. Their latest victory was a 6-3 beating of the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.

Mark Scheifele posted his ninth career hat trick.

MARK SCHEIFELE MASTERCLASS ???? pic.twitter.com/CgCuuzxK9U

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 20, 2024

Scheifele and Kyle Connor have seven goals apiece, tied for seventh most in the NHL. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck leads the NHL with 13 wins. His goals-against average of 2.20 is fourth, and his save percentage of .923 is seventh.

The team’s 4.21 goals per game is first in the NHL. The 2.42 goals against tied for third with Carolina.

Aside from all that, Friday night’s game should be a breeze for the Penguins. Face-off is at 7 p.m.

Playing in the Big Leagues

The Robert Morris men’s hockey team is taking on a huge task this weekend as well. Coach Derek Schooley’s club is heading out to Grand Forks to play a traditional national power.

RMU visits North Dakota to battle the Fighting Hawks on Friday and Saturday. They are currently ranked 12th in the USCHO poll despite a 5-6 record to start the year. North Dakota has eight national titles under its belt, the most recent of which came in 2016.

As for the Colonials, they are coming off their first truly rough weekend of the year, dropping two regulation results in Connecticut against Sacred Heart, 4-2 and 6-3. RMU (4-3-2) had a lead in both games. The Colonials are back on Neville Island next week for a pair against AIC.

The women’s team, meanwhile, has a challenge as well. They are in State College this weekend to play No. 12 Penn State on Friday and Saturday.

Not a bad trip

The Duquesne men’s basketball team has quite a destination for its next game. They play Sunday in the Cayman Islands Classic against South Dakota State. It’ll be the first of three games for the Dukes.

The Dukes are still looking for their first win of the season. They are 0-4 to start the year under new head coach Dru Joyce III.

Sunday’s game won’t be easy either. SDSU is 4-1 after winning the Summit League championship a year ago. The Jack Rabbits went 22-13 last season and got into the NCAA Tournament.

Duquesne will also have games Monday and Tuesday against opponents to be determined. The field includes Boston College, Hampton, Boise State, High Point, Missouri State and Old Dominion.

As for Pitt, the Panthers play LSU at 2:30 pm Friday in the Greenbrier Tip-off. Robert Morris is off until a Wednesday game at home against Canisius.