Tuesday’s “First Call” features a trade idea for the Steelers to consider. It involves a young quarterback.
The Buffalo Sabres found another creative way to lose. Some interesting dirt about the New England Patriots and Jimmy Garoppolo.
And an infamous name from the Pirates’ past is trying to make a comeback.
Darn Darnold headlines
The Sam Darnold trade headlines are back. And the Steelers are involved again.
This time because Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer suggested the New York Jets quarterback might be a good fit in either Pittsburgh or Carolina.
And he might be. Especially since this is likely Ben Roethlisberger’s last season.
“If the price is right they could see some similarities in how Darnold plays to how their own quarterback did in his early 20s, and throw Darnold in there to compete with Dwayne Haskins to be Ben Roethlisberger’s heir,” Breer wrote.
But a few things keep cropping up whenever the discussion about acquiring Darnold comes around. Namely, the price not being right.
And I’m not talking about trade collateral.
If the Jets are willing to trade Darnold, that means they are doing so because — presumably — they’ve just drafted another quarterback at No. 2 overall in next month’s draft.
OK. So why trade anything to acquire him? Especially since if the Steelers decided to do so, they’d be picking up a $4.77 million cap hit this year. And they’d have to decide on his $18 million fifth-year option this May, with never seeing him play in black and gold.
The bottom line is that the idea of Darnold in Pittsburgh makes a lot more sense than the path to get him here.
Make the Jets make the decision. Either after this year’s draft or after next season. In the meantime, you’ve got a full year to see Roethlisberger’s last season and potentially get a longer look at either Mason Rudolph or Haskins. Then you’ll have a clearer picture on Darnold’s contract for 2022.
Wiggy’s words
Former Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins had a less-than-kind characterization of Jimmy Garoppolo’s image within the New England Patriots locker room.
Speaking on WEEI in Boston, Wiggins said some within the Patriots organization thought their former quarterback was a little too brittle to be a full-time starter in the NFL.
“They used to look at Jimmy G. a little sideways,” Wiggins said. “Like, he was kind of a little bit Mr. Glass. And I am not talking about the Sam Jackson character, where they were like, ‘Can’t really depend on him. Can’t stay on the field.’”
.@jwiggs85 had a scoop this morning about how some former teammates viewed Jimmy Garoppolo when he was a Patriot: pic.twitter.com/Tx2sZ7DQ2j
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) March 29, 2021
The topic of Garoppolo’s potential return to New England has popped up in conversation lately since the San Francisco 49ers moved up to third in the draft. That’s presumably to select a quarterback in the top three picks.
Garoppolo missed Weeks 3 and 4 of the 2016 season in which Tom Brady was suspended the first four games. That was because of a sprained shoulder. Now with San Francisco, Garoppolo has missed 23 games due to injury over the last three seasons.
It can’t get any worse
OK. It’s official. The Buffalo Sabres are never going to win another hockey game.
On Monday night, they dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers. Buffalo blew a three-goal lead in the third period. Ivan Provorov got the game winner in the extra session.
G’s hard work on the puck battle.
TK’s dish.
Provy’s finish.
This OT shift had𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. #AnytimeAnywhere | #PHIvsBUF pic.twitter.com/frxqtxRnBf
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 30, 2021
That’s 18 straight losses for the Sabres. It is the worst such streak since the Penguins went 0-17-1 during the 2003-04 season. The Sabres were coming off a 3-2 loss at Boston on Saturday in which they blew a 2-1 lead in the third period as well.
Sean Couturier scored with just 89 seconds left to force overtime.
Bobbing for Appel
Former Pirates first-round draft choice Mark Appel is thinking about a comeback. The 29-year-old pitcher will be going to minor league camp with the Philadelphia Phillies.
After a decorated college career, the Pirates drafted Appel eighth overall in 2012. But he returned to Stanford for his senior season. The Astros then selected him first in 2013. But he never got above AAA level, totaling a 5.56 ERA in five minor league seasons. The 6-foot-6 right hander spent time with the Phillies after being dealt from the Astros before suffering arm ailments.
He stepped away from the game in 2018, but has now decided to make a comeback.
Via ESPN.com, Appel is one of three No. 1 selections who never reached the majors, the others being Steve Chilcott and Brien Taylor.
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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NHL | Pirates/MLB | Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz
