Monday’s “First Call” features some introspective analysis from Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Troy Fautanu. We also get an update on Gerrit Cole’s rehab. James Conner makes his future intentions known.

And we have a belated anniversary to celebrate on the Penguins front.

Figuring it ‘aht

Steelers’ first-round draft choice Troy Fautanu has acknowledged that flipping to right tackle after playing left tackle in college is going to be a challenge. He’s already admitted to dealing with a learning curve while making that position change as a rookie.

One specific area he wants to improve upon is the strength of his left leg.

“You constantly push off one leg thousands and thousands of times,” Fautanu told me Friday. “Then you switch to the other side, and you aren’t really used to pushing off the other leg. It’s just a matter of time. I’ve already talked to my strength coaches. They already know it’s an area I want to improve — the strength of my left leg. I’m so right-leg dominant after playing the left side so long; it’s just something I’ve got to work on.”

Fautanu went on to say that those challenges are present in both the run-blocking and pass-protection aspects of his game. But the biggest challenge for him right now is pushing off and keeping up with the first-step quickness of NFL pass rushers he is seeing in practice.

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Conner staying with Cards?

Former Steelers running back James Conner is happy in his new home, and it sounds like he wants to stay there for good.

Conner left Pittsburgh after the 2020 season. He’s been with the Arizona Cardinals ever since. Even though the Pitt Panthers alum missed four games a year ago, he posted a career-high 1,040 rushing yards in 2023. Now, heading into a contract year, Conner wants to prove he is worth another deal.

“It would be awesome to finish my career here, but nothing changes,” Conner said via ProFootballTalk.com. “If anything, it’s time to turn it up even more going into the last year of my deal. I’m thankful I got to see the last year of it, so I’ll go into it with everything I got. We’ll see what happens next year, hopefully stay, but I understand it’s a business.”

Conner was particularly strong down the stretch of last season. Over the last five weeks, he posted three games of over 100 yards rushing. He also scored seven touchdowns.

One of those games was a 105-yard rushing performance with two scores against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Gerrit gets going

Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole is making his first rehab start for the Double-A Somerset Patriots on Tuesday. That’s the word from New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone on Sunday.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 2, 2024

The former Pirates starter has been out all season after suffering an arm injury in spring training. He experienced elbow discomfort and that immediately resulted in him being shut down.

The 33-year-old right-hander is expected to have a few weeks’ worth of rehab starts before he gets back to the Bronx.

Without Cole, the Yankees have still managed to be atop the American League East by three games over the Baltimore Orioles with a 42-19 record. Their starting rotation has a 2.78 combined ERA, tops in the American League.

The bullpen has also been good, posting a 2.87 ERA, second best in Major League Baseball. Another ex-Pirate, Clay Holmes, is a big reason why. His 17 saves are tied for third most in MLB. He also has a scant 1.37 ERA.

Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley

Saturday marked the 32nd anniversary of the Penguins’ 1992 Stanley Cup win. On June 1 of that year, the Pens held off the Chicago Blackhawks, 6-5, to complete a sweep of the four-game series.

It was the second consecutive title for the Penguins. Mario Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy for a second straight year.

That game was 3-3 after the first period as Dirk Graham scored three times for the Blackhawks. But the Pens got goals from Mario Lemieux, Kevin Stevens and Jaromir Jagr.

Rick Tochett, Larry Murphy and Ron Francis also scored to give the Pens six different goal-scorers en route to victory. Francis’ occurred at the 7:59 mark of the third period and proved to be the Cup-clinching goal.

Tom Barrasso made 24 saves along the way.

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