First Call: Ex-Steelers split on Russell Wilson; Maurkice Pouncey works out with Kendrick Green; Penguins-Bruins preview

Tuesday’s “First Call” endorses the idea of the Pittsburgh Steelers pursuing Russell Wilson. Steelers center Kendrick Green appears to be seeking the right advice this offseason. The Steelers are heavily mentioned in Sports Illustrated’s all-time Super Bowl moments list. And we look at the first opponent for the Penguins out of the All-Star break.

The fuss about Russ

As the Steelers search for a quarterback to replace Ben Roethlisberger, the suggestions are coming in fast and furious from the national media. The latest is from Sirius XM NFL analyst Solomon Wilcots.

The former Bengals and Steelers defensive back told 93.7 The Fan that the franchise should try to trade for Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson.

“Go get Russell Wilson,” Wilcots told the “PM Team” on Monday. “He’s gonna get traded. Give up multiple first round picks to get your quarterback.”

Meanwhile, another former Steelers safety isn’t as high on Wilson. Ryan Clark doesn’t seem to buy into the notion that Wilson will automatically elevate any team he may join to instant Super Bowl contention.

“Russell Wilson is not an all-time great QB,” Clark said on “Get Up.” “He’s never going to be in those conversations. We have to stop putting him in that world that any team that has Russell Wilson can win a Super Bowl.”

Ask and you shall receive

For Steelers fans hoping that rookie center Kendrick Green would be more like his predecessor Maurkice Pouncey, maybe you are getting your wish.

Pouncey posted this photo of himself with Green after a workout.

Kendrick Green training with Pouncey. pic.twitter.com/rQkBx77tC8

— Andrew Limberg (@AndyLimberg937) February 7, 2022

The Steelers selected Green in the third round out of Illinois during the 2021 NFL draft. Green started 15 games at center but was benched late in the season due to a combination of poor play and injury.

The prospect exists that Green could be moved back to guard where he played most of his college career at Illinois. Regardless of interior position, any pixie dust Pouncey could sprinkle on his protege should be considered a gift to Green — either in terms of training techniques or on-field skills.

Green needs to make a massive jump at either guard or center for this offensive line to take the steps forward it needs in 2022.

Related:

• Madden Monday: Opinion on Steelers QB situation unchanged after Senior Bowl hype over Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis
• Mark Madden: A Steelers mock draft that certainly addresses the quarterback position

Super list

There have been 55 Super Bowls. The 56th will be on Sunday in Los Angeles. Long-time NFL writer Rick Gosselin has covered 37 of them. He recently came up with a list of his 55 most memorable Super Bowl moments for Sports Illustrated.

And the Steelers were well represented.

3. Ben Roethlisberger’s TD pass to Santonio Holmes to win Super Bowl XLIII over the Cardinals.

9. Lynn Swann’s catches to earn Super Bowl X MVP.

12. James Harrison’s interception for a TD against the Cardinals.

27. Jackie Smith’s drop for the Cowboys against the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII.

38. Terry Bradshaw’s touchdown bomb to John Stallworth in Super Bowl XIV to help beat the Los Angeles Rams.

He also included Los Angeles Rams star Jack Youngblood playing on a broken leg in Super Bowl XIV at No. 30 and the ticket fiasco at Cowboys Stadium in Super Bowl XLV at No. 54.

I would’ve included Art Rooney receiving his first Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl IX as well. But at least he didn’t include Larry Brown’s interceptions in Super Bowl XXX or Rashard Mendenhall’s fumble in Super Bowl XLV.

The New England Patriots’ 28-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons to win Super Bowl LI was No. 1, and the David Tyree helmet catch for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII was No. 2.

Reboot

As we all know by now, the Penguins lost the momentum of their torrid run of 17-of-19 wins through January. They ended up losing four in a row before the All-Star break.

To begin the second half of the season, the Pens visit Boston on Tuesday night. The Bruins didn’t exactly sail into the All-Star weekend either, dropping three of five.

Boston’s last win against a team above .500 came Jan. 20 against the Washington Capitals. But they are currently in a playoff spot, holding down the second wild-card position with 55 points. That’s four points behind Washington for the other wild card slot and nine in front of ninth-place Detroit.

This will be the first game between the Bruins and Penguins this year. The clubs had a game postponed Dec. 27 because of coronavirus protocols.

Boston is good on special teams. They have the NHL’s fourth-best power play at 26.4% and the eighth-best penalty kill at 83.2%.