First Call: Steelers have '1% chance' to win Super Bowl; Chase Claypool's bold prediction; Fleury's nudge to join Blackhawks

Tuesday’s “First Call” shows us that one national outlet isn’t painting a pretty picture for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl chances.

Coronavirus is getting in the way of the Steelers’ takeover of Canton for the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions this weekend. Marc-Andre Fleury looks strange in red. Adam Frazier is off to a rocky start in his new city, while other ex-Pirates are adjusting a bit better.

And Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool is calling his shot.

So you’re sayin’ there’s … a chance?

Pro Football Focus came up with its pre-season power rankings.

The AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 1 with a 14% chance of winning the Super Bowl. The defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers are actually second. But they are given the best chance of winning it all at 15%.

Where are the Steelers? Down at 13th. That’s not too extreme. They are the seventh-rated AFC team. So that’s still qualifying for the playoffs. But they are given just a 1% chance of winning the Super Bowl.

Don’t be too offended. The way PFF’s projection system works, 16 teams — half the league — were given a 1% chance (or less) to win the Super Bowl.

Shot caller

Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool scored 11 touchdowns in his rookie season of 2020. He thinks more are on the way in his sophomore campaign.

The Steelers sent this tweet over the weekend.

.@ChaseClaypool will have ______ touchdowns in 2021 pic.twitter.com/w2P4kXFAs7

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 30, 2021

When Claypool swung by the NFL Network interview tent at Heinz Field on Monday, he had a very precise answer.

Fourteen touchdowns in 2021. That was his prediction for Andrew Siciliano and Aditi Kinkhabwala.

The former Notre Dame pass catcher also had a tiered prediction as to where he’ll fall in the NFL Network’s Top 100, stating that he’d be happy with a top 60-65 ranking this season. Claypool said his goal is to get into the top 10, but he “could see himself in the top 20.”

Hey, so long as he’s actually talking about football rankings and not TikTok views, I consider that a step in the right direction.

Covid cramps Canton plans

We already knew that Steelers Hall of Fame inductee Troy Polamalu was dealing with a positive covid-19 test in advance of this weekend’s ceremonies in Canton, Ohio.

Now it appears that a previously inducted Steelers Hall of Famer is also potentially on the shelf for the ceremonies.

It’s Steelers running back Jerome Bettis. “The Bus” made the announcement Monday afternoon on Twitter.

Part 1: It is important for me to let you all know that I recently tested positive for COVID-19. I’m currently in isolation at home. Fortunately, I am blessed that my symptoms are very mild because I am vaccinated.

— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) August 2, 2021

Part2: I highly encourage everyone to continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, and get vaccinated. We are not in the clear and need to continue to do our part to keep one another safe

— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) August 2, 2021

Polamalu is one of two Bettis teammates scheduled to be inducted this weekend. One of the men who blocked for Bettis for many of his years in Pittsburgh, guard Alan Faneca, is also slated to be enshrined. So is Bettis’ former coach Bill Cowher.

Bettis didn’t indicate how long he has known that he has been positive or if he’s holding out hope to attend the ceremonies in person.

Polamalu also hasn’t tweeted anything since his announcement Friday evening.

Now it’s official

If you didn’t believe it Sunday, I guess you have to now.

Marc-Andre Fleury made it official Monday. The former Penguins goalie donned a Chicago Blackhawks jersey to consummate his trade from the Vegas Golden Knights.

First Lk#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/tyX5DA69pg

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 2, 2021

Gotta be this one https://t.co/l624gkdl5m pic.twitter.com/GS4hMxzW0q

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 2, 2021

Somehow Vegas’ version of Black and Gold looked more fitting than that, didn’t it?

So how did Fleury go from potentially not reporting to Chicago at all to suddenly throwing a big red jersey on his back?

Apparently, Blackhawks team captain Jonathan Toews gave Fleury a gentle nudge.

“Once we traded for him, I think in particular Jonathan had some experience with Marc-André from the Olympics in 2010,” general manager Stan Bowman said Monday via the Chicago Tribune. “I think it was really just sort of a reach-out to say, ‘Hey, we’d love to have you here.’

“I understood what he was going through. It would be difficult for any of us to jump right into this new world. You need a little time to let it breathe.”

The Tribune’s Paul Sullivan writes that Fleury is expected to meet with the media Wednesday.

Slow start

The San Diego Padres had a day off Monday. And former Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier needed it.

He’s only 4-for-24 (.167) in six games since the Pirates traded him out west.

Frazier also has only one walk and one extra-base hit. When Frazier was dealt from the Pirates, his batting average was .324. Now it sits at .315. His OPS is down from .836 to .812.

Meanwhile, Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Rich Rodriguez didn’t yield a run in either of his appearances since he arrived from the Pirates. Clay Holmes also has yet to allow a run in his first 3⅔ innings with the New York Yankees.

Tyler Anderson had three strikeouts against the Texas Rangers over 5⅓ innings, allowing three runs on six hits in his Seattle Mariners debut Saturday. The Rangers ended up winning 5-4 as Anderson got a no-decision.

As for some other former Buccos who left the Pirates long before this year’s trade deadline, Jameson Taillon was just named American League Pitcher of the Month after his efforts in July for the New York Yankees.

Jameson Taillon has been named the AL Pitcher of the Month in July!

W-L: 4-0
1.16 ERA
.182 BAA
31.0 IP
25 K#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/8QvgLj3DGm

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 2, 2021

The news isn’t as good for Bronx Bomber teammate Gerrit Cole. He’s going to miss his start Tuesday thanks to a positive coronavirus test. And Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen is going on the 10-day injured list with knee inflammation.