Monday’s “First Call” features Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward sounding off against a potential NFL rule that may make life even harder on defensive players.
Brian Flores is now a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals coaching job. Myles Garrett got hurt during the Pro Bowl games.
And the NHL is back after the All-Star break.
More for Flo’
Steelers defensive assistant coach Brian Flores is getting a second job interview for the vacant head coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals.
That’s according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
#Steelers senior defensive assistant and LBs coach Brian Flores is expected to have a 2nd interview with the #AZCardinals for their HC job on Wednesday, source said. He also will interview with the #Broncos DC job the day before — and is a top candidate for the #Vikings DC job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2023
Along with those potential openings, Flores was also a candidate for defensive coordinator positions with the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns. Those jobs are now both filled.
Albert Breer of SI.com reports that Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka are the other two remaining candidates in Arizona. He also says Arizona’s own defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan have been eliminated from consideration.
Going too far
It appears the NFL is strongly considering the elimination of the “hip-drop” tackle. That method of tackling led to a broken leg for Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard during a playoff game in San Francisco.
After Mahomes yesterday another textbook high ankle sprain mechanism for Tony Pollard. This one appears worse, additional concern for fracture. Hip drop tackle again too – not always a “dirty” play but a technique with high risk of injury to ball carrier pic.twitter.com/1Tl78OFkPo
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) January 23, 2023
Last week, Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, said the technique could be eliminated. A hip-drop is when the defender grabs the ball carrier from behind and then slides down the offensive player, dropping their body weight onto the ball carrier’s legs. That move has been banned by the National Rugby League in Australia.
Via ProFootballTalk.com, the NFL’s competition committee is expected to look at new rules preventing that type of play, and Sills and the league’s medical staff would be involved in those discussions as well.
Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward panned the idea Friday.
This is so stupid. How the heck are we ever going to get guys on the ground. They thinking too much
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) February 4, 2023
Not only that, but if hip-drop tackles become penalties, the weekly controversies over how many are called and how inconsistent the calls are will lead to chaos.
More sports
• Tim Benz: We keep hearing about ‘volatility’ within Penguins’ performance — now it’s time to fix it
• Miles Boykin fit in during 1st season with Steelers, but will he be back for 2nd?
• Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Hockey just doesn’t know how to be cool
Garrett gone
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett suffered a dislocated toe while competing in Sunday’s Pro Bowl Games. X-rays came back negative. But Garrett limped off the field in Las Vegas.
Probably not what Cleveland wants to see. Myles Garrett limping off. pic.twitter.com/3lprj1kOpw
— Darren Carr (@DCarr75) February 5, 2023
Meanwhile, during the flag football game, Jalen Ramsey ended up decking Tyreek Hill while trying to pull a flag on Davante Adams.
Jalen Ramsey decided to hit stick @cheetah at the Flag Pro-Bowl pic.twitter.com/naC15a3G9m
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 5, 2023
Ramsey ended up getting a personal foul penalty.
Back in gear
When the NHL resumes play after the All-Star break, the Penguins won’t be part of the action. They don’t play again until Tuesday. That’s when the Colorado Avalanche visit PPG Paints Arena.
Some teams within the Metropolitan Division will start back up again Monday, though. The third-place New York Rangers (62 points) welcome Calgary to Madison Square Garden. The New Jersey Devils, currently in second place with 68 points, are hosting the Vancouver Canucks. And the New York Islanders (55 points) are in Philadelphia to tangle with the Flyers (51 points).
The Penguins have 57 points, good for fifth place in the division and the last Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Carolina Hurricanes are atop the division with 76 points. They hit the All-Star break on a seven-game winning streak.
