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First Call: Far-too-early ESPN mock draft has Kenny Pickett gone before Steelers; Le'Veon Bell may not be done with Ravens | TribLIVE.com
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First Call: Far-too-early ESPN mock draft has Kenny Pickett gone before Steelers; Le'Veon Bell may not be done with Ravens

Tim Benz
Tim Benz
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AP
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett looks for a receiver during a game against Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville.

Former Steeler Le’Veon Bell has fallen on hard times but may not have fallen out of favor with the Baltimore Ravens.

An “all-too-early” NFL mock draft has Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett off the board before the Steelers have a chance to select him. A former WPIAL and Penn State star may be getting back in uniform. And there are more efforts afoot to reinstate the Robert Morris University hockey teams.

All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”

Let the fun begin

It’s never too early for an NFL mock draft.

Actually, I take that back. It’s almost always too early for an NFL mock draft. I see some mock drafts in early April, and I think, “Geez. Already?”

But, this year, Pitt has a highly touted, draft-eligible quarterback. And the Steelers might be in the market to draft a quarterback.

So get ready for about five months of mock draft updates about whether or not the Steelers may select Panthers signal caller Kenny Pickett.

However, in this one released Wednesday by ESPN’s Jordan Reid, Pickett winds up going to the Carolina Panthers at pick No. 12. He’s got Mississippi quarterback Matt Carroll going No. 8 to Washington as the first quarterback off the board.

Versatile Texas A&M lineman Kenyon Green is the player ticketed for the Steelers at No. 19.

“Green could be a strong option,” Reid says. “He has been a stalwart for the Aggies this season, playing more than 85 snaps apiece at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle.”

If he can actually play all four positions at once, I’m guessing that he won’t last until the 19th pick. That strikes me as pretty good value.

Pity party

It looks like Le’Veon Bell is feeling sorry for himself in the wake of getting released by the Baltimore Ravens.

The former Steelers All-Pro is apparently catching flack on social media for getting ditched by his third team (Jets, Chiefs, Ravens) since leaving the Steelers.

And he wants everyone to know, he’s aware of all of it by changing his Twitter bio info.

Nope, Le’V. I think that just about covers it. Actually, how about #BadBusinessSense. Is that listed anywhere?

Obviously, Bell is either using the Twitter heat as motivation. Or he is leveraging it for sympathy. Or both.

I’m going to go with “C.”

Gosh, if only I knew someone capable of writing a truly terrible rap song about all this internal conflict.

Meanwhile, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked about Bell on Wednesday. And he’s not ruling out the idea of Bell coming back to the Baltimore roster at some point.

“I think it’s a numbers thing. Le’Veon was doing a great job,” Harbaugh said via Sports Illustrated. “We had a great conversation up here. He and I have been talking a lot. I really appreciate him and just everything about him – professionalism, attitude, work ethic. Being around him is a joy every single day. He’s really a great guy, and he helped us. We have some guys coming back, so numbers-wise … There’s nothing clear cut about any decision at all. He can still play. We’ll just see where we’re at going forward. Things can turn still, one way or another.”

Seeing Sanders soon

The Philadelphia Eagles have activated the 21-day practice window for running back Miles Sanders.

The Woodland Hills product injured his ankle in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He then spent three games on injured reserve.

The former Penn State Nittany Lion had 63 carries for 300 yards along with 118 receiving yards before getting hurt.

In his absence, the Eagles currently rank third in the NFL in rushing offense (144.3 yards per contest), fourth in yards per carry (5.0) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (14). That’s largely thanks to Boston Scott and Jordan Howard since Sanders’ injury.

However, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic, Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni says if Miles Sanders is healthy enough to be active on game day, he’ll start.

We want the Cup!

The Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation is staging the “Yinzer Cup” bubble hockey tournament this Saturday (Nov. 20).

The goal is to raise money for the movement to save the Robert Morris men’s and women’s hockey teams.

The event is taking place at former Penguins goalie Ken Wregget’s 31 Sport Bar & Grille in Bridgeville at 6 p.m. It’ll be part of a watch party for the Penguins game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Former Penguin Ryan Malone is staging the event with Olly Postanin and Jacob Ardown from “On the Bench.”

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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Categories: Pitt | Robert Morris | Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz
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