Thursday’s “First Call” is caked with Steelers conversation.
We look at Alejandro Villanueva’s future. Steven Nelson’s possible suitors. Potential discipline for Chase Claypool. And concerns about JuJu Smith-Schuster’s knee.
And for hockey fans, a forecast of how Pittsburgh’s “Frozen Four” may turn out.
Doubling down?
It’s been a week on the open market, and Steelers free agent tackle Alejandro Villanueva has yet to ink a new contract.
Is it possible for Villanueva to “pull a JuJu” and come back to the Steelers if a better deal doesn’t present itself in free agency?
According to NFL insider John Clayton, yes. And, in Villanueva’s best interests, it better happen soon if it is going to happen at all.
“He’s 32. So it’s hard to get a deal,” Clayton said on 93.7 The Fan Wednesday. “If you are any player in your thirties, you better not wait. It gets worse.”
Clayton said the Steelers should be interested in Villanueva’s return, especially if Zach Banner goes back to right tackle and Chuks Okorafor is pressed to the top of the depth chart on the left side.
The contract Clayton threw out as a possibility was a one-year deal at $6 million. So that would require some voidable years on the back end if the Steelers were to make that notion a reality.
Meanwhile, Clayton said that two teams may have an interest in recently released Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson. They are both in the AFC West: the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.
Nelson played with K.C. prior to joining the Steelers two years ago.
Claypool’s kick
Clayton also touched on Chase Claypool’s alleged bar fight in California.
One question people are wondering is if Claypool may be subject to some sort of NFL discipline.
Clayton said, yes, don’t be stunned if that’s the case.
“When you go on TMZ and there’s video, that’s not good,” Clayton told the “PM Team.” “There could be (discipline). Probably a game, maybe two games at the most.”
Yeah, I can’t see two games coming from that. Even one game. But by the letter of the law, Claypool may have exposed himself to such an outcome.
As Steelers Now outlined, the NFL’s personal conduct policy prohibits “actual or threatened physical violence against another person.”
Claypool seemingly kicking a guy in the head seems to fit that description.
And the second-year wide receiver could be brought up for suspension even if charges are not filed “if credible evidence establishes that he engaged in conduct prohibited.”
Battle of wounded knee?
A lot of theories have been floated as to why Steelers free agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster couldn’t get a long-term, big-money contract. A shrinking cap? Too much social media trash talk? A low yards-per-reception average in 2020?
There is probably a lot of truth to all of that. Here’s another idea — a balky knee that lingered since 2019.
That’s according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Wednesday morning, he posted, “Multiple sources said the 24-year-old’s health will be something to watch after some knee concerns have persisted from the past two seasons.
“In 2019, Smith-Schuster missed four games with a knee injury and concussion. He missed several practices last season with the knee injury designation, and sources say he’s received frequent treatment for knee-related issues, which makes them wonder about his long-term durability going forward.”
If that’s the case, Smith-Schuster didn’t miss any of the 17 games the Steelers played in 2020. But perhaps it explains some of the concerns teams appeared to have about Smith-Schuster’s ability to get open deep.
According to Fowler, Smith-Schuster’s agent Kim Miale said no concerns were raised by any team during free agency. That included the Steelers.
Fowler concluded by stating that Smith-Schuster has been training without restriction in Los Angeles this offseason.
I seem to remember Smith-Schuster being limited in a practice here or there. But I’d argue his lack of big plays was more a function of the Steelers offense and his general inability to be much more than a No. 2 receiver than it is an injury red flag.
Frozen Four fun
Assuming the NCAA men’s hockey bracket moves through to its championship weekend, it’ll be held in Pittsburgh.
Odds are out as to which teams you may see at PPG Paints Arena on April 8 and 10. North Dakota is a 5/2 favorite. The Fighting Hawks were 21-5-1.
Wisconsin, coached by former Penguins assistant Tony Granato, is next at 3/1. The Badgers are my pick. They are followed by Boston College and Minnesota at 5/1.
American International, Bemidji State, Lake Superior, Nebraska-Omaha and Notre Dame all have the longest odds at 66/1. AIC, winners of the Atlantic Conference which features Robert Morris, has the tough task of facing North Dakota in Fargo in the first round Friday night.
The regional action for all four pods is this weekend.
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.
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