There’s more inopportune trash talk from a Steelers player about the Cleveland Browns.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is thinking long-term about his future. A few former Steelers may be in the mix for the Philadelphia Eagles head coaching job. And former Penn State coach Bill O’Brien is getting a new gig.
All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”
They … just … can’t … stop … yapping
Even in defeat, Steelers wide receivers can’t avoid making headlines with their mouths.
Or feet.
First, it was JuJu Smith-Schuster’s logo dances in Buffalo and Cincinnati. Then he uttered his now famous “Browns is the Browns” quote in advance of the Steelers humbling wild-card weekend loss to Cleveland.
Well, maybe it wasn’t so humbling. Because Chase Claypool was on TikTok Monday taking a jab at the Browns, even though they beat his team Sunday.
“Bad loss,” Claypool said. “But the Browns are gonna get clapped next week. So all good.”
“Bad loss, but (the Browns) are gonna get clapped next week. So all good.”
Chase Claypool on Tik Tok
pic.twitter.com/SHarF2beFy— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 11, 2021
Chase, their coaching staff was absent. Their offensive line was patchwork. And the secondary was pinched by covid-19. Yet Cleveland still ripped you 48-37. They beat you twice in three games.
Let me ask you something, Rookie. What do you think Kansas City would do to you if you went to Arrowhead this weekend? Think you might get “clapped,” too?
I know if your team had beaten Cleveland Sunday, they would’ve gotten “clapped” by Buffalo. Know how I know that? I saw them do it to you already once this season.
Know who else “clapped” you? The Bengals.
Maybe put down the phone and clean up your own backyard before you start spouting about teams that are better than you.
Skating on a line with Father Time
Penguins star Sidney Crosby was on 105.9 The X Wednesday.
Our Mark Madden asked the team captain if he ever thinks about the end of his career.
It sounds as if Crosby is acutely aware of his hockey mortality. But the 33-year-old doesn’t exactly sound threatened.
“It’s (the end of his career) a little closer than the start. It tends to cross your mind a little bit more,” Crosby said. “But I think that as far as timing, I don’t think too far ahead. I never really thought about aging when I was younger. I don’t think about it much as I’m getting older.
“It’s a competitive league. You have to continue to adapt and adjust. But I love it just as much and I’d love to play as long as I can. But when you are at my age you tend to understand that’s the reality of things.”
Crosby is about to start his 16th NHL season. He’s played 984 regular-season games in the NHL, 168 more in the playoffs.
O’Brien to ‘Bama?
Former Penn State coach Bill O’Brien may be getting a new job.
According to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman, he’s expected to replace Steve Sarkisian as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
Asked someone who knows Bill O’Brien well about how well he thought BOB would work with Saban: “Really well… He worked for Belichick.”
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 12, 2021
O’Brien was most recently the coach and general manager of the Houston Texans.
Familiar names
Doug Pederson is out as Philadelphia Eagles head coach.
BetOnline.ag is listing Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and K.C. quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka as co-favorites to be Pederson’s replacement. They are both at 4/1.
Two former Steelers are on the list.
Duce Staley used to be a running back in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia during his playing days. He’s now the Eagles’ assistant head coach and running backs coach. Via ProFootballTalk.com, he was named as a potential candidate.
“I would expect Duce Staley to be a candidate,” owner Jeffrey Lurie said. “He’s a great representative of the Eagles, knows our values. I would expect him to be a part of the search as well.”
Staley is eighth on the BetOnline.ag list at 15/2. Former Steelers quarterback and current Tampa Bay assistant Byron Leftwich is 13th at 16/1.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
Categories:
Penguins/NHL | Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz
