Friday’s “First Call” looks at Le’Veon Bell as the Steelers prepare to face his New York Jets. An odd twist to ESPN’s NHL all-decade team. And a $324 million-dollar bottle of wine.
Don’t get full of yourself
Le’Veon Bell says he is expecting a 50-50 split of boos and cheers from Steelers fans in attendance at MetLife Stadium on Sunday when his Jets host the Black and Gold.
It shouldn’t be that narrow of a margin. It should be 100% boos. In New York and in Pittsburgh.
As time has gone on, it seems bitterness has waned and attitudes have softened toward Bell, largely because Antonio Brown has turned himself into such a sideshow by comparison.
One should have nothing to do with the other. The bar should be set higher than being less of a jerk than A.B., shouldn’t it?
Bell is still the same guy who made it appear that he would be reporting to the Steelers at some point prior to the start of 2018, only to not show up.
He and his agent are the same guys who changed their minds when they saw other teams signing other players to massive contracts. They are the same guys who switched tactics after they finally learned the rules of the CBA and left the Steelers holding that bag with a massive hole on the roster at a point where it was too late to fill.
And even if you are naive enough to call that “just business,” Bell is still the same person who ripped Ben Roethlisberger on the way out the door, somehow complained about being both overused and underused, rapped about how the city tried to turn him into a villain after it had begged him to stay, got suspended multiple times, allegedly showed up late for a walkthrough before the Jacksonville Jaguars playoff game, blatantly overlooked the Jags on social media the night before kickoff and flaunted his franchise tag holdout absence at every turn by posting photos of himself on jet skis and in strip clubs while the team was playing back in Pittsburgh.
Not to mention, he acted like he was a pauper when the Steelers were offering him a contract that, in the long run, likely would’ve ended up paying out better than the one he signed in New York.
So you tell me why 50% of Steelers fans should be cheering him.
Gerrit’s grapes
Speaking of ex-Pittsburgh athletes now in New York, Gerrit Cole’s $324 million deal is done.
And apparently, despite all that money, the star pitcher was convinced to sign by a bottle of wine.
Via NBC Sports.com, the Yankees’ visiting clubhouse manager got word to general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone what Cole’s favorite vintage was, and they brought it to their dinner meeting.
That’s a great story. But I’m still going to assume it was the $324 million that won over Cole.
Who made the list?
ESPN made a list of the top 100 NHL players of the decade. I’ll tell you this much before you read it.
Either Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin is No. 1. But the other is only No. 3. It’s a weird decision. You figure out who is in between.
Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are both in the Top 25. See if you think they are high enough.
Four ex-Penguins made the list. Guess who they are before you click the link.
Nasty Nisky
Matt Niskanen didn’t make that list.
But he scored last night for the Philadelphia Flyers as they ripped Buffalo, 6-1.
Hayes with the pass, Niskanen with the finish! pic.twitter.com/Ev5f1Nx6PZ
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) December 20, 2019
That goal for the former Penguin helped pull Philly (43 points) within a point of the Penguins (44 points) for fourth place in the Metropolitan Division. The rivals own the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.
The Penguins are in Edmonton and Vancouver on Friday and Saturday. The Flyers visit Ottawa Saturday.
Good for Gonzo
Robert Morris tight end Matt Gonzalez earned FCS All-America honors. He was selected to the third team.
He should’ve made it for this catch alone.
.@RMUFootball's All-American TE Matt Gonzalez made a #SCTop10 type snag today ? pic.twitter.com/r5OJOrGFT2
— Northeast Conference (@NECsports) November 9, 2019
But Gonzalez also led the Colonials in receptions (34) and receiving yards (563) in 2019. He ranked fourth in the Northeast Conference (NEC) in yards per catch (16.6) and was named to the 2019 All-NEC first team.
So he had some pretty good credentials besides that one snag.
