In Monday’s “First Call” Avery Williamson posts about his looming trade to the Steelers. The statistics suggest the Steelers’ 7-0 start means “can’t miss” for the playoffs. Le’Veon Bell had a rough day against his former team. And a pouting Raven on social media.
Rekindled?
Since taking over for Devin Bush as the Steelers starting inside linebacker, Robert Spillane has made his presence known.
He had a touchdown off an interception Sunday versus Baltimore, along with a fumble recovery. And a thunderous stop against Derrick Henry at the goal line last week in Tennessee.
Not to mention 10 solo tackles against the Ravens.
But the Steelers apparently want more. Sports Illustrated, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, reports that the Steelers are trading for another inside linebacker.
It’s Avery Williamson of the New York Jets.
Source: The Jets are trading LB Avery Williamson and a 2022 seventh-round pick to the Steelers for a 2022 fifth-round pick (@MMehtaNYDN first on it).
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 2, 2020
The Steelers were linked to Williamson as he was leaving the Tennessee Titans for the Jets prior to the 2018 season.
That’s when Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert was looking for a way to replace injured Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Shazier. But the Kentucky product signed a three-year, $22.50 million contract in New York which included $16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $6 million. Williamson started all 16 games in 2018 and recorded a career-high 120 combined tackles (80 solo). That went along with three sacks and one interception.
Williamson then tore his ACL in a preseason game prior to the start of the 2019 season. He has 31 solo tackles and an interception this year.
And it appears Williams has confirmed the trade talk on his own Instagram account.
In rather humorous fashion.
Hey, if you were going from the winless Jets to the unbeaten Steelers, you’d be in a joking mood, too.
Pretty good company
So what does a 7-0 start mean for the Pittsburgh Steelers? Historically speaking, it’s good. Really good.
As Missi Matthews of Steelers.com illustrates.
The #Steelers are 7-0, tied for the best start in team history (1978).
* 38 teams have started a season 7-0 since the 1970 merger – and all 38 reached the playoffs and 10 won the Super Bowl.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) November 1, 2020
That 7-0 Steelers team was one of the 10 that won the championship as they beat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII.
Keep in mind, the Steelers were 7-2-1 in 2018 and missed the playoffs entirely. But that’s unlikely to happen. Again. With this team.
Especially since the next three games are against Dallas, Cincinnati and Jacksonville. Those teams have a combined record of 5-17-1.
Brown out
At least one Baltimore Ravens player is pouting after his team’s loss to the Steelers.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown — cousin of former Steeler Antonio Brown — was none too happy about his role during Sunday’s defeat.
He caught a touchdown. But that was his only reception of the day. And he only had two targets.
So he tweeted this.
If you haven’t heard, some pro football players have sizable egos. This is the long-term concern for BAL: No high-end f/a WR wants to play in that offense…so they better draft well & keep those guys happy
(Devil’s Dameshek: They lost today BECAUSE of the passing, so…) pic.twitter.com/ds1ITqxwWV— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) November 2, 2020
Brown deleted it. But our pal Dave Dameshek of Daves of Thunder caught it.
Which is just as many catches as Hollywood had Sunday.
Hmm. A wide receiver named Brown going to social media to spout off? Where have we seen that before?
Claypool calls ‘em out
Since we are on the topic of wide receivers getting yappy on social media, let’s go to the other sideline.
It appears Chase Claypool is embracing the Steelers-Ravens rivalry after his first foray.
The Notre Dame rookie caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger. Then he posted a photo of the play with the words “BALL GAME. SIT DOWN. 7-0 #steelersnation #ratbirds”
Hey, if Baltimore’s fans and media are going to embrace a billboard of a fallen Ben Roethlisberger, a simple “ratbirds” barb isn’t so bad.
Less than lofty Le’V
Le’Veon Bell played in his second game with the Kansas City Chiefs since leaving the Jets.
It was against his former club as the Jets visited Arrowhead Stadium. The results were less than impressive for Bell.
The running back had only six carries for 7 yards. That went along with three catches for 31 yards.
The Chiefs put up 496 yards passing en route to their 35-9 win over Bell’s ex-teammates. But a mere 50 of them were on the ground.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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