First Call: Le'Veon Bell on idea of reuniting with Antonio Brown; Penguins goalie trade talk

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Le’Veon Bell talks about his future and Antonio Brown. Trade rumors for a Penguins goalie. And Super Bowl celebration hilarity.

Whatever you say, Le’V

Remember when New York Jets coach Adam Gase refused to directly answer a question about whether the team would be keeping Le’Veon Bell after a disappointing first year?

Adam Gase on whether he wants Le’Veon Bell back next year.

Wow…

(via @snyjets)pic.twitter.com/H6XClh1vOm

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 30, 2019

Bell subtweeted that clip with a sarcastic meme, letting the world know he took notice of his coach’s clipped comments.

It sounded like things may be coming to a quick end between Bell and Gang Green.

But now the former Steelers star is trying to douse those concerns. Via TMZ, Bell insists things between him and the coach are kosher.

“It was fine, so we (are) straight,” Bell told a cameraman for the site. “Yeah, we good.

“Everybody (is) blowing everything out of proportion. Water under the bridge. Jets for four more years. Unless something drastic changes.”

Bell was also asked if the Jets would ever consider bringing Antonio Brown on board. Bell laughed while giving the answer but didn’t exactly shut the door.

“That ain’t my call,” Bell exclaimed. “That comes from way upstairs!

“But me and A.B., we played a lot of football together. Made a lot of plays.”

When it comes to their rap side projects, Bell was equally non-committal about dropping a track with Brown someday.

“I heard a snippet (of Brown’s music),” Bell said. “I’ve got to really listen to it. I see that he is doing the music though. We’ll see what it’s about to be.”

I’m trying to figure what would end as a bigger bust. Those two trying to rap together? Or those two trying to share the ball in Gase’s offense?

Yeesh!

Remember this guy?

When it comes to Pittsburgh goalies, we’ve spent so much time debating Matt Murray versus Tristan Jarry, we kinda forgot about Casey DeSmith.

Last year’s backup goalie has spent this year in the AHL. And many have wondered if he is going to be traded over the next few weeks.

According to TSN, one team that may be interested is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Honestly, backup wise. Casey DeSmith fills the void for Toronto. Goalie battle in Pitt. Casey on the outskirts. You can get him cheap at a reasonable tag for another year pic.twitter.com/NVhi3gbBCR

— CJ10?? (@CharJam10) February 4, 2020

Toronto goalie Frederik Andersen has a neck injury and is day-to-day. Regardless of how extensive that injury is, the backup goaltending has been shaky for the Maple Leafs.

Michael Hutchinson is 4-8-1 with a 3.62 goals-against average. Kasimir Kaskisuo gave up six goals in his only game this season, while facing 38 shots.

Toronto has 63 points, a point behind the Florida Panthers for the last Atlantic Division playoff spot and two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the final wild-card spot.

As for DeSmith at Wilkes Barre / Scranton, he’s 15-11-2 with a .905 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.88.

DeSmith could yield a depth forward or defenseman of use for general manager Jim Rutherford. Or maybe the Penguins could attain a draft pick of some relevance to buffer the loss of a first-rounder with a top-6 forward of their own or perhaps to spin in separate deal.

This looks like fun

After the Chiefs won the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years, Kansas City exploded in celebration!

The one in Missouri, I mean.

Maybe the one in Kansas, too, Mr. President.

The party got pretty insane. Just ask Austin Walker of KOMU 8 News. He had some issues getting ready for his live shot after the game.

Let reporters do their job.
Let reporters do their job.
Let reporters do their job.
Let reporters do their job.

Please be respectful to reporters out in the field. We are just trying to do our job to the best of our abilities. Thank you pic.twitter.com/iTnRHxyrYp

— Austin Walker (@AustinCWalker) February 3, 2020

Based on Walker’s Twitter page, he was quite put off by that. And looking at his bio, he’s still in school and graduates from the University of Missouri in 2020.

Sorry, kid. Yeah. That kind of behavior stinks. People aren’t nice. Toughen up, though. It happens in the big cities, too.

Yep. pic.twitter.com/xPS6FjaCOw

— Joe Amorosino (@joeamorosino) January 15, 2017

In your eyes, Tom

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is about to become a free agent. And his longtime pass-catching teammate, Julian Edelman, is begging him to stay in Foxborough.

He did so in very funny fashion with this social media post.

Baby come back @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/NP0JZKoc0Q

— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) February 4, 2020

I laughed when I saw that from Edelman. But the fact that I got the joke and the likelihood that Brady probably got the joke is part of the problem.

I’m in my 40s. Brady is in his 40s. Edelman is 33. And that movie came out in 1989!

My point is, we’re all old as sin!

For all you young kids out there, that meme is from the movie “Say Anything …” and Edelman photoshopped his face on John Cusack’s character, Lloyd.

In the movie, Lloyd falls in love with Diane, the class valedictorian. And he tries to win her over by holding a boombox over his head playing Peter Gab …

Never mind. I’ll just get back on the bus to Shady Acres retirement home.

See you there soon enough, Tom.

Tampa time

The Penguins play the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night. And they are red hot.

The Lightning have won four in a row and five of six. They have 71 points, tied with the Penguins for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. Tampa has a goal differential of +45, the best in the NHL.

Tuesday, they beat Marc-Andre Fleury and the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2. Steven Stamkos had the game winner in the third period.

GO AHEAD CAP! pic.twitter.com/9nffZvSNop

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 5, 2020

The 192 goals posted by Tampa are the second-most in the NHL, behind only Washington.