Bruce Arians and Franco Harris comment on the Steelers. A perceived general manager candidate is off the Penguins’ list. And Robert Morris hockey has a rare mid-week doubleheader. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”

Bruce on Brady and Ben

Former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians provided an interesting quote about the differences in coaching Ben Roethlisberger versus Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Interesting quote from Bruce Arians, contrasting the preparation of QBs he’s coached like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady with Ben Roethlisberger pic.twitter.com/DqwiGZhqYf

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) February 3, 2021

Arians is now Brady’s head coach in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs on Super Bowl Sunday. He was also Peyton Manning’s first quarterback coach for three years in Indianapolis. Then he went back to the Colts as offensive coordinator and interim coach for Andrew Luck.

The quote isn’t exactly revealing. When Arians says “Ben didn’t want that stuff ” and “he just likes to go play” and “don’t overload him,” those are things most Steelers fans generally heard and assumed about Roethlisberger. While Brady and Manning were much more prep heavy and “paint by numbers,” Roethlisberger has always been more improvisational and “feel for the moment” oriented.

It’s no wonder why, given his athleticism and ability to move around in the pocket as opposed to those two guys. “Big Ben” always knew if a play wasn’t there, he had the ability to buy time and create one. It makes sense that Arians put Luck in that same class as well. Because he could run better, if needed, than any of the other three.

But Arians’ comments may speak to concerns as to why Roethlisberger hasn’t been as adept at winning deep into his 30s after he became more of a pocket passer. Whereas after the age of 35, Manning went to two Super Bowls and Brady will be going to his fifth.

Immaculate dejection

During an interview with CBS Sports, Steelers legend Franco Harris admitted disappointment in his former franchise’s 2020 collapse.

“You had the excitement of the Steelers at 11-0,” Harris said. “Everything is looking good. Then all of a sudden they had three games in 12 days. To me, that disrupted a lot of things … It put a lot of strain on the Steelers. Things just didn’t click after that.”

Harris said one thing that particularly frustrated him was the Steelers’ lack of a running game. The team finished dead last in the NFL in rushing in 2020 at 84.4 yards per game.

"I hear Ben's coming back which is great, we have some great young receivers... but me being a RB we have to get that running game going."@francoharrishof on the Steelers offense in 2021#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/eGg72QBRs0

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) February 3, 2021

“Me being a running back, (the Steelers) have to get that running game going,” Harris said. “To me, that’s the most crucial part of the game. The running game. We have to put some focus on that.”

I’ll disagree with Harris there. The running game isn’t “the most crucial” part of the game anymore. But it’s important to at least be competent at it.

Last year, the Steelers were not. They only averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Harris could come back today and average at least 3.5.

Well, behind a better line than the one currently in Pittsburgh anyway.

Drury done

It looks like you can cross at least one name off the wish list for many Penguins fans when it comes to the general manager search.

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Rangers assistant general manager Chris Drury informed the Penguins that he isn’t interested in the job to replace Jim Rutherford. The Pens had requested permission to talk to Drury.

Apparently, he just doesn’t have the willingness to leave the Rangers or Manhattan.

Scratch NYR AGM Chris Drury as a candidate for the vacant PIT GM job. While he was viewed as a top prospect for the job, and the Penguins had asked for permission to talk to him, Drury informed PIT today he isn’t interested in leaving NYC or the Rangers at this time.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 3, 2021

Drury grew up in nearby Connecticut and still lives there. He went to Boston University and has since been the general manager of the Hartford Wolfpack. He also is co-owner of a pizza tavern chain in the state.

Are they going to need a bigger boat?

The waters around Neville Island will be shark-infested Thursday and Friday.

The Robert Morris hockey team welcomes the Long Island University Sharks Thursday night (7:05 p.m.) and Friday afternoon (3:05 p.m.).

The Colonials are 12-5 after beating Mercyhurst 5-3 Saturday with a four-goal outburst in the third period. They are 10-3-1 in conference play. Derek Schooley’s team has 29 points and an “earned points percentage” of .769, good for second place in Atlantic Hockey. Only American International (32 points/.917) is in front of them.

LIU is in its first D-1 season. They aren’t an Atlantic Hockey member in 2021, but they are playing primarily against Atlantic Hockey competition. They are 3-5 so far, with victories against Holy Cross, RIT and Army. And all their games are on the road.

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