Friday’s “First Call” shows us NFL Draft prospects from Penn State who have the interest of Steelers brass.
Nittany Lions star Micah Parsons impresses at his pro day but has one question hanging over his head.
And the Philadelphia Flyers continue to give up goals at a comical rate.
I’m sorry. Did I say “comical”? I didn’t say “comical.” You heard “comical.” I said … um … “alarming.” Yes. That’s what I said. “Alarming.”
Penn State to Pittsburgh
A few Penn State football stars said at Thursday’s pro day that they have had contact with the Steelers.
They include tight end Pat Freiermuth, who worked with Steelers tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts.
Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers tight end coach today at Pro Day, and said he’s recently met with Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert, as well.
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) March 25, 2021
Coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert were also on hand. Freiermuth added that he has previously spoken with both of them. CBSSports.com is one of many outlets to have Freiermuth ranked as the second-best tight end in the draft behind Florida’s Kyle Pitts.
Meanwhile, linebacker Micah Parsons and edge rusher Jayson Oweh are also said to have had contact with the Steelers. Parsons is considered by some to be a top-10 pick, and Oweh is often ranked as the top edge-rushing prospect in the draft.
At 246 pounds, Parsons ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. According to Yahoo.com, only five players weighing 240 or more have run faster than a 4.41-second 40 at the NFL Combine since 2000.
Also from Yahoo, “Oweh was clocked at a scalding 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which puts him on the Vernon Davis spectrum for one of the freakiest pre-draft testers ever.” But he didn’t register a sack in seven games last year. He had seven sacks total in his first two seasons at Penn State.
Parsons’ problem
One potential issue that Parson seems to be dealing with in advance of the draft is an off-field concern.
As Sports Illustrated points out, Parsons was among a group of players who are accused of hazing former Penn State player Isaiah Humphries, according to a lawsuit.
“At the end of the day, I believe that I was a kid,” Parsons said via S.I. “I was 17-18. We all made mistakes when we were 17-18. I’m not going to let it control or dictate the person I am now. I’m not going to let something that was 3-4 years (ago) dictate who I’ve become and the father I want to be.”
Like many potential first-round draft prospects, Parsons opted out of the 2020 season during the covid-19 pandemic.
Elsewhere in the East
As the Penguins were shutting out the Buffalo Sabres, 4-0, at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night, the other six teams in the East Division were playing each other.
The two teams atop the division were winners. The Washington Capitals edged the New Jersey Devils, 4-3. Evgeny Kuznetsov had a pair of goals for the Caps, including the game-winner.
Did that on purpose 😉 pic.twitter.com/Kj1qU2sVEQ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 26, 2021
Washington has now won eight times in its last nine games. But the Capitals still trail the division-leading New York Islanders by two points. That’s because Anthony Beauvillier scored in overtime to help the Isles beat the Boston Bruins, 4-3.
BEAUVILLIER’S OT WINNER IS OUR @NEWYORKLOTTERY MOMENT OF THE GAME! pic.twitter.com/x7LDp36BYt
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 26, 2021
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers gave up a bushel of goals against the New York Rangers again. After losing to New York, 9-0, eight days ago, the Rangers whipped Philly again Thursday by a final score of 8-3.
Two games vs. Philly
Two straight natty hatties
One Mika. 😇 pic.twitter.com/ruxfG7RT49— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 26, 2021
Mika Zibanejad had three goals and three assists. That’s exactly what he did against the Flyers in last week’s demolition. Adam Fox had five assists. Carter Hart yielded five goals in net. Brian Elliott gave up three.
The Flyers have lost five of six and have given up 32 goals in that stretch.
So the top six in the East look like this:
1. Islanders: 48 points
2. Capitals: 46 points
3. Penguins: 44 points
4. Bruins: 37 points
5. (tie) Flyers: 34 points
Rangers: 34 points
‘Showtime’ on HBO?
HBO is developing a television series about the legendary 1980s Los Angeles Lakers.
The title of the show is not yet known. But the casting for the team — and for the rival Boston Celtics — is quite interesting.
• Jason Clarke: Former Lakers star and general manager Jerry West
• John C. Reilly: Former Lakers owner Jerry Buss
• Quincy Isaiah: Earvin “Magic” Johnson
• Solomon Hughes: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Adrien Brody: Former Lakers coach Pat Riley
• Michael Chiklis: Former Boston Celtics coach and executive Red Auerbach
• Jason Segel: Former Lakers coach Paul Westhead
• Bo Burnham: Former Boston Celtics star Larry Bird
The show is based on the Jeff Pearlman book, “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s.” Adam McKay is the director and executive producer.
McKay, a former Penn State student, directed many Will Ferrell movies, the Dick Cheney movie “Vice” and “The Big Short.”
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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Penn State | Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz | Tim Benz Columns
