First Call: Patrick Peterson's little jab at Packers after blocked kick; Mike Tomlin on Josh Dobbs' success
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a little trash talk from Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Patrick Peterson after his blocked kick on Sunday. We get an update on Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin shares his thoughts on the rise of the “Pastronaut” (Josh Dobbs) in Minnesota.
Also, a former Robert Morris star hockey player is back in the AHL with the Penguins organization, and the Duquesne men’s basketball team faces an NCAA tournament foe for the second time already this season.
Letting them know
Steelers defensive back Patrick Peterson had a message for the Green Bay Packers in the wake of his key extra point block on Sunday.
Do your homework.
Peterson’s first-half blocked PAT proved pivotal during the Steelers’ 23-19 victory, as Green Bay’s last two drives needed to result in a touchdown to win the game instead of a field goal to tie it.
Extra point is blocked by @P2‼️
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSnfvVk pic.twitter.com/8t9mVQBjeN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 12, 2023
By Peterson’s estimation, that was the fourth or fifth blocked kick of his career. Yet he had an unencumbered path to Packers kicker Anders Carlson.
“Coming off the edge, the wing (Josiah Deguara), he must’ve … (he) didn’t check my resume. He didn’t get his hands on me. Another one bites the dust,” Peterson said on his “All Things Covered” podcast with former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden. “I didn’t even have to dive to block that. I really could have just taken it off his foot if I wanted to.”
Peterson had a warning for future special teams units.
“They better get a hand on me; I’ll tell you that much. They tell me about my age. I’m 33, and I can still bend that corner.”
Peterson also had a huge play at the end of the game when he deflected a pass that was eventually caught by fellow Steelers DB Keanu Neal for a touchdown-saving interception.
Checking in on Chubb
As the Steelers gear up for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, they won’t be preparing for Nick Chubb. That’s because the standout running back suffered a devastating knee injury against the Steelers during the matchup between the clubs at Acrisure Stadium in Week 2.
On Tuesday, Chubb had a second surgery on his knee. It was a procedure to fix his torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Browns issued an update on the four-time Pro Bowler’s status.
An update on Nick Chubb's recovery progress following his second surgery today: pic.twitter.com/Fg6t5u3vQr
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 14, 2023
In the statement, the Browns reiterated a previous belief from the team that Chubb should be able to return to action next season.
In September, Chubb went through a procedure to repair his left medial capsule, meniscus and medial collateral ligament.
A tip of the cap
While Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is enduring lots of scrutiny in Pittsburgh of late, former Steeler Josh Dobbs is getting praise in Minnesota.
After being acquired by the Vikings in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals earlier this month, Dobbs came off the bench to win a game in Atlanta two weeks ago. Then he started under center during a 27-19 victory over New Orleans on Sunday.
During that game, Dobbs posted 268 yards passing and a touchdown. Plus, he put up 44 yards on the ground and an impressive touchdown run.
Oh my Dobbs.
????: #NOvsMIN on FOX
????: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGbyLL pic.twitter.com/F8NFzUuM21— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
During his weekly
“Josh is a special dude. He’s a smart dude. He’s a football lover. He’s charismatic. I imagine the people who have had exposure to him over the last 12 months in different cities share that perspective,” Tomlin said.
Dobbs was selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The former Tennessee Volunteer stayed in Black and Gold through 2019. He then went to the Jacksonville Jaguars before coming back to Pittsburgh for the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. He played just 39 snaps with the Steelers. He was 10 of 17 for 45 yards during that time.
Between then and his most recent stop in Minnesota, Dobbs has been with the Lions, Titans, Cardinals and Browns (twice).
More sports
• Sidney Crosby records hat trick as Penguins top Blue Jackets, extend winning streak to 5
• After injuries at inside linebacker, Steelers will 'lean on' veteran Elandon Roberts
• Wins are great, but Mike Tomlin would like to see more from Steelers QB Kenny Pickett
Adamo advancing
Former Robert Morris hockey player Justin Adamo is back up with the Penguins AHL team in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Penguins have recalled the 25-year-old from Wheeling.
The former Colonial leads the Nailers with five goals thus far this season. A native of France, Adamo is third on the team with 10 points. Last season with the Penguins, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound Adamo totaled five goals in 14 games. With Wheeling, he had 21 goals and 33 points.
Over three years at RMU, Adamo racked up 22 goals and 49 points. After the program was shut down following the 2021 season, Adamo played one more year of college hockey at RPI. He had 14 goals and 19 points there in 2021-22.
By the way, the rebooted Colonials have a home-and-home series with Niagara this weekend. The road game is Friday. The home game is Saturday night at Clearview Arena on Neville Island.
Twice as nice
The Duquesne men’s basketball team is in the midst of a rugged early-season stretch. The Dukes are playing four games in eight nights.
So far, though, the Dukes are off to a decent start, having beaten the College of Charleston last Friday (Nov. 10) and Stony Brook on Monday to improve to 3-0 on the season. Up next, Keith Dambrot’s club has to face Princeton on Wednesday night and Rider on Friday.
Both games are in Pittsburgh at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
A Sweet 16 club last year, Princeton will already be the second team Duquesne has had to face that qualified for the NCAA tournament a year ago.
Charleston won 31 games and claimed the Coastal Athletic Association title before losing in the first round of the NCAAs to San Diego State. The Dukes beat the Cougars 90-72 in Annapolis at the 2023 Veterans Classic.
.@DuqMBB is up by 14 ???? pic.twitter.com/DRJgVigOKs
— CBS Sports College Basketball ???? (@CBSSportsCBB) November 11, 2023
The Tigers are coming in at 2-0, having beaten Rutgers and Hofstra.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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