First Call: James Harrison, others joke about Cam Heyward’s interception; Le’Veon Bell to injured reserve
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In Wednesday’s “First Call,” how about a little ribbing between Steelers friends? Big-name receivers are in the trade rumor mill. And Le’Veon Bell is going on injured reserve.
Stirring the pot
Former Steelers offensive lineman Ramon Foster was always Mr. Nice Guy in the locker room. But he could stir the pot on the field.
On Monday night, he kicked up a few friendly barbs between ex-teammates. After defensive lineman Cameron Heyward got the first interception of his career, Foster didn’t congratulate the team captain.
He just panned him for not taking it back 100 yards like James Harrison did in Super Bowl XLIII.
@jharrison9292 Woulda took that back! Prove me wrong https://t.co/vN7hWHS7rd
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) September 15, 2020
Harrison saw that tweet and agreed with that assessment.
No question! https://t.co/MUeaECUWEE
— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) September 15, 2020
That may be a bit unfair to Cam. After all, he did go 80 yards once while he was at Ohio State. But they weren’t the only ex-teammates to give a nudge to Heyward.
I paused my tweet about how good Daniel Jones was playing to read @JGmckernan15 text messages, & Bud Dupree brings the pressure & forces the INT for the Big boy, with the big money!! I see ya Head @CamHeyward
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 15, 2020
Boy was scared to use his hands all body ???
— Javon hargrave (@Jay_MostWanted) September 15, 2020
Even Heyward’s brother got in on the fun.
"I saw your brother on TV last night"
me: pic.twitter.com/RmplsjKAYL
— Corey Heyward (@HeyWill30) September 15, 2020
A Super Bowl MVP piled on as well.
Kudos… but note to the wise, never jump for a ball that hits you in the stomach!!! Nice play & nice win, Big Man!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 15, 2020
Heyward had a very simple response.
“Clamps” Heyward it is then.
Jets lose Le’Veon
Former Steeler Le’Veon Bell is going to be sidelined for a while in New York.
The Jets running back injured a hamstring in the Week 1 opener against the Buffalo Bills. Now word is he’ll be put on injured reserve for three weeks.
#NYJ place Le’Veon Bell (hamstring) on IR, via source. Eligible to return in three weeks.
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) September 15, 2020
Bell only had 14 yards before his third-quarter injury. The team wound up with just 52 yards on the ground en route to a 27-17 defeat.
The Jets will face the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos while Bell is on the shelf.
Kick ‘em … both … while they are down
Round 1 of the annual AFC North “battle” for Ohio is Thursday night.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns square off for the first of two divisional games. They are both coming off losses. The Baltimore Ravens drubbed Cleveland 38-6 in Week 1. And the Bengals endured a heartbreaking late defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Cincy kicker Randy Bullock suffered a “calf cramp” while missing a chip-shot field goal at the end of the game, as the Bengals lost 16-13.
The Bengals had a 31-yard FG attempt to send today's game to OT…
Here's what happened.
(via @NFLBrasil) pic.twitter.com/PyVOCwOMx5
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 13, 2020
So in case he can’t kick Sunday, the Bengals have a new guy lined up. Guess who it is?
Cleveland’s former kicker Austin Seibert. He was just released by the Browns after missing a field goal and an extra point on Sunday.
Knowing these franchises the way we do, it is an absolute lock that this game will come down to a missed kick on one side or the other.
Maybe both and it will end in a tie.
Kicker Cody Parkey has been elevated from the practice squad by the Browns. Keep that name in mind as the butt of next week’s jokes.
Oh, OBJ
Speaking of the Browns, it was a tough start for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. On 10 targets, he only had three catches for 22 yards in Week 1.
Now New York sports media personality Mike Francesa is saying the Browns are looking to trade him.
I hear Browns, who are clueless, looking to trade Odell
— Mike Francesa (@MikeFrancesa) September 15, 2020
They are asking a lot. I don't often defend Beckham, but he isn't the problem.
— Mike Francesa (@MikeFrancesa) September 15, 2020
That report was refuted elsewhere.
Source tells me report of Browns actively shopping Odell Beckham Jr is false.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) September 15, 2020
Meanwhile, OBJ isn’t the only wide receiver reportedly in trade discussions.
Penn State product Allen Robinson is said to be unhappy in Chicago. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that Robinson has inquired about the potential of a trade away from the Bears.
Robinson wants a new contract. He is in the final year of a $42 million deal. Much like the Steelers, Chicago doesn’t like to negotiate contracts during the season.
But according to Biggs’ story, general manager Ryan Pace said he “wasn’t opposed to continuing to work toward a deal.”