Tuesday’s “First Call” gives us the numbers behind Melvin Ingram’s new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pitt’s odds of winning the ACC football conference have been released. We found a prediction from Seattle regarding which Penguins player will go to the Kraken via the expansion draft. Also, a Steelers preseason game is going national.
Got a calculator?
The terms are known on Melvin Ingram’s signing.
The Steelers signed the former Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Monday afternoon. He’ll cost $4 million for one season according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora. Steelers cornerback Joe Haden sure seems happy about the news.
Welcome @MelvinIngram !!! Let’s get it!! You been lifting I see!!! 🏾🏾🏾🏾 https://t.co/4oNAeRxpiH
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) July 19, 2021
The Steelers had roughly $12.7 million in cap space coming into the week. Keep in mind, a corresponding roster move will be necessary to clear a slot for Ingram.
Plus, it is anticipated that the franchise will try to hammer out an extension for outside linebacker T.J. Watt. The team still needs to sign rookie offensive lineman Kendrick Green, as well.
Whatever cap space the team chooses to use could still be well spent on depth at offensive line or cornerback.
TV tweak
The Aug. 21 Steelers preseason game against the Detroit Lions is going to be on the NFL Network next month.
That was part of a league announcement pumping up a 23-game preseason schedule on the network. The Steelers and the Lions will kick off from Heinz Field at 7:30 p.m. It will be the third game of a quadruple-header on the network.
Additionally, the Hall of Fame game against the Dallas Cowboys will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
The Steelers-Lions game can also be seen on KDKA-TV, as will the preseason road games against the Philadelphia Eagles (Aug. 12) and Carolina Panthers (Aug. 27).
Who is favored for second place?
Betting odds are out for college football fans who may want to make a wager on the ACC conference winner.
Believe it or not, you are allowed to bet on someone besides Clemson. Go figure! Here are the numbers from college football writer Brett McMurphy via SuperBook Sports.
And, yes, the Tigers are the favorites again with North Carolina, Miami and Virginia Tech slated in front of Pitt.
Odds to win ACC via @SuperBookSports:
Clemson 4/15
UNC 10/1
Miami 12/1
Virginia Tech 20/1
Boston College, NC State, Pitt, Virginia, Wake Forest 40/1
Louisville 60/1
Florida State, Georgia Tech 80/1
Duke 100/1
Syracuse 500/1— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 19, 2021
Might I add, as a Syracuse graduate, I looked at those odds and the first thing that went through my head was, “Even at 500-1, I still think they are being generous.”
Tanev time
Lots of us have vented our opinions over who we want to see the Seattle Kraken take off the Penguins unprotected list.
Or, more specifically, who we prefer they leave alone.
Most commonly from Penguins fans, that answer seems to be forward Brandon Tanev. And the hope is they’ll snatch up Jason Zucker and his costly $5.5 million contract instead.
Initially, Zucker was the target for Seattle Times reporter Geoff Baker. But now he says he’s going with Tanev, largely because he’s about $2 million cheaper.
“Going cheaper than initial Jason Zucker pick, albeit for longer and taking left-wing Tanev, 29, for his speed, aggressiveness and penalty killing,” writes Baker.
Count me among those rooting for Baker to regret changing his mind. I want to see Tanev stay in Pittsburgh.
The official announcement of the Kraken’s list will be revealed on Wednesday night.
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.
