First Call: Steelers hidden gem draft prospect?; Jason Kendall's crazy claim; Donnie Shell's presenter

Monday’s “First Call” features a draft candidate for the Steelers. Some props for the Steelers cornerbacks. Donnie Shell announces his Hall of Fame presenter. And the walls may be closing in on former Pirate Jason Kendall.

Is Kendall crazy?

Perhaps the covid-19 shut-in has made Jason Kendall a little nutty.

The former Pirates catcher was on 93.7 The Fan over the weekend. And he was asked about the Houston Astros sign-stealing controversy.

“If I had known what was coming for a full year, I would’ve hit .400. I guarantee you,” Kendall told host Dan Zangrilli, “Now, a Tony Gwynn, or a George Brett, or a Mike Trout? The elite of the elite? It’s .550.”

OK, Jason. Let’s walk that back a bit.

You would’ve hit .400? Really? In his prime, Kendall hit .300 or better six times. He could hit. No doubt.

But his career high for a full season was .327. So knowing the signs would’ve helped him hit .073 points higher than his best year?

C’mon.

Keep in mind, no one has hit .400 since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Gwynn hit .394 in the 1994 strike year with 475 plate appearances. George Brett hit .390 with 515 plate appearances in 1980. So .160 points better than that?

Please!

Want an actual All-Star comparison? In 2017, Jose Altuve hit .381 on the road and .311 at home (where the cheating was allegedly going on). It was .349 on the road vs .283 at home in 2018. It was .306 at home and .291 away in 2019.

And as the Washington Post points out, a lot of the other top hitters for the Astros have some road-home splits that destroy Kendall’s thesis.

Tiger King

One area of need for the Steelers in the draft is depth at safety and inside linebacker.

Memphis Tigers product Austin Hall could provide some of that. He’s projected as a player that can swing between both positions.

Perhaps Hall can be a younger, healthier version of what Morgan Burnett was supposed to be when the Steelers signed him before 2018. Not as a starter. But in a sub-package role. He’s about two inches taller, and 10 pounds lighter than Sean Spence when the Steelers drafted him out of Miami back in 2012.

Justin Melo of SB Nation and the Draft Wire says the Steelers have expressed some interest.

#Memphis LB Austin Hall held a Pro Day. He's had communication w/ the #Steelers, #Colts, #Chiefs, #Cowboys, #Raiders & #Bills. #Packers & #49ers have also reached out.

6'1, 220.
40: 4.50
Vert: 40
L-Drill: 6.84
Bench: 17
Broad: 10'

Incredible numbers. https://t.co/TEW0qhieNG

— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 4, 2020

Hall is expected to be a third-day selection.

He also played some outside linebacker. It’s possible he can be the versatile kind of player that the Steelers hoped to get in Sutton Smith a year ago. And someone who can help on special teams.

Coming out of his Shell

Former Steelers safety Donnie Shell is about to get into the Hall of Fame. Now we know who he will have as his presenter.

It’ll be his daughter April.

Very Happy to have my daughter April Nicole Shell as my presenter for the Pro Football HOF in September.
See you in Canton!
Donnie

— Donnie Shell (@donnie_shell) April 5, 2020

Shell joins four teammates previously inducted into Canton from the 1974 rookie class. Wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, linebacker Jack Lambert and center Mike Webster are the others.

Shell was undrafted.

His 51 career interceptions are the most in NFL history for a strong safety. He’ll be the 26th Steeler inducted. The ceremonies are on Sept. 18.

Corner combo

NFL.com came up with a list of the top-5 cornerback tandems in the NFL.

The Steelers duo of Joe Haden and Steven Nelson were rated fifth by analyst Bucky Brooks.

Haden’s total of five interceptions was just one off the league lead and his personal high since the six he grabbed as a rookie in Cleveland back in 2010.

Nelson was given Pro Football Focus’ seventh best coverage grade (80.3) for the season.

You can get more of Brooks’ explanation here.

With Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and Jason McCourty, the New England Patriots only finished second. Guess who finished first?

Click the link. You won’t like the answer. But I think you know.