Tuesday’s “First Call” includes a Jaguars player making a damning statement about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Ben Roethlisberger is giving an endorsement for a former teammate as Steelers offensive coordinator if Matt Canada is fired.
We learn a little bit more about Titans quarterback Will Levis, and there is some news from England in the aftermath of Adam Johnson’s horrific on-ice death.
Sound familiar?
This isn’t the first time this has happened after a Steelers loss: An opposing defensive player insists that his unit was calling out the Steelers’ offensive plays before they were run.
This time, it’s Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun after his team topped the Steelers 20-10.
“I think we played pretty physical. I don’t know if they really ran it on us that much. (We) kinda called out a lot of their plays before it happened. We might see them again later. That’s a good team, so hats off to them. We’ll be prepared if we see them later,” Oluokun said to 1010XL after the game.
The Steelers ended up rushing for a piddly 70 yards.
Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt made similar claims about the Steelers offense being easy to crack a year ago.
Ben is for Byron
During a live stream of his “Footbahlin’” podcast during the Steelers-Jaguars game Sunday, Ben Roethlisberger endorsed the idea of Byron Leftwich replacing Matt Canada, if the Steelers decide to make a change at offensive coordinator.
“I’m never one to criticize — fire this guy and get this guy there,” Roethlisberger said. “I think if the team was to move on from Matt, I would love to see Byron Leftwich come in here and be the OC. He was here. He’s played under Coach (Mike Tomlin). He understands what it is to be a Steeler. I think he is a great OC. I would love to see Byron (get the job).”
Roethlisberger made his suggestion after a commenter advanced the name of another former Steeler, Antwaan Randle El. He’s currently on the offensive staff with the Detroit Lions.
Roethlisberger and Leftwich were teammates in Pittsburgh for parts of four seasons. He went on to be a quarterbacks coach and interim offensive coordinator in Arizona, then the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay when Tom Brady was there. That included the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl season of 2020. Leftwich held that job under Bruce Arians from 2019-22.
Learning about Levis
When it comes to Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, the stats were certainly impressive in his first game Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons. He led the Titans to a 28-23 win, tossing four touchdowns along the way and posting a 130.5 passer rating.
Now, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, he is expected to get the start this week against the Steelers. It doesn’t appear that Ryan Tannehill will be able to start. And even if he is, Levis may get the call anyway.
#Titans quarterback Will Levis – coming off a four-touchdown debut – is expected to start Thursday night vs. the #Steelers, per source. Ryan Tannehill is still recovering from a high ankle sprain and likely needs more time. Barring surprise, Levis will get start No. 2. pic.twitter.com/Q7bdFk2jXL
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 30, 2023
Some of the deeper analytics are impressive for Levis too.
Will Levis threw 3 touchdown passes traveling over 50 yards of air distance, the most in a game in the NGS era (since 2016). The Titans had 0 deep TD passes in Weeks 1-7.#ATLvsTEN | #Titans
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 29, 2023
The Steelers have beaten Tennessee four times in a row. The Titans’ last victory against the Steelers was a 16-9 contest in 2013.
Taking measures
In the wake of Adam Johnson’s death, the English Ice Hockey Association is now requiring all players in England to wear neckguards from the start of 2024.
That’s according to the Associated Press.
Johnson, a former Penguin, was killed during an on-ice incident over the weekend in England when a skate blade cut his throat.
Via the AP, neckguards will be mandatory from Jan. 1 for all on-ice activities. On Monday, the EIHA gave its “strong recommendation” that all players start wearing a neckguard. It said neckguards would not be mandatory immediately because of anticipated supply issues.
Players in the U.K. have been allowed to play without neckguards after they turn 18.
