First Call: Broncos sign ex-Steeler before trip to Pittsburgh; Twitter shreds Gerrit Cole; Shane Baz to appear in ALDS

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Tuesday’s “First Call” gives us yet another ex-Raider taking shots at the Steelers over the Immaculate Reception. A former Steeler signs with the Denver Broncos days before they come to Heinz Field. Shane Baz gets to show his skills on a big stage. And fans skewer Gerrit Cole following his wild card flameout.

Let it go!

In the days leading up to the Steelers loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last month, Vegas quarterback Derek Carr fanned the flames of the rivalry by disputing the legitimacy of the Immaculate Reception.

Now a former Raiders legend is piling on. Hall of Fame wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff took a jab at Franco Harris and the rest of the Steelers, insisting the legendary play from 1972 was a bad call.

“(I) Can’t figure out how guys can lie for so many years and not feel guilty,” Biletnikoff told former NFL kicker Morten Andersen on his “Great Dane Nation” podcast. “Some of them have probably gone to counseling just to get over lying.”

Speaking of counseling, these old-time Raiders sure could use some. The first stage of grief is said to be denial. They seem to be stuck on that one.

Tough crowd

Much like was the case in 2015 with the Pirates, Gerrit Cole started a wild card game Tuesday night.

Much like was the case in 2015, it didn’t end well.

Cole took the loss at PNC Park in ‘15 when the Pirates lost to the Chicago Cubs 4-0. He took the loss Tuesday in Fenway Park when his New York Yankees lost to the Boston Red Sox 6-2.

And in both cases, he gave up a home run to Kyle Schwarber.

At least in 2015, Cole lasted five innings. On Tuesday, he couldn’t even get through three. The right-hander was pulled in the second inning having allowed three runs and six base runners on 50 pitches. Xander Bogaerts homered in the first inning off of Cole as well.

The internet was less than gracious toward Cole.

To be fair, Cole was 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in Houston during the 2019 postseason. But when you make $324 million in New York, that doesn’t really matter, does it?

Big Game Baz?

Now the Red Sox will play the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Divisional Series.

In Game 2, they’ll face another former Pirate. Well, at least a former Pirates first-round draft choice. It’s Rays right-handed pitcher Shane Baz.

The 22-year-old was 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA and 18 strikeouts in his first three major league starts for Tampa in the regular season. Now he’ll get the call in Game 2 on Friday.

Baz went to Tampa along with Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows in the infamous Chris Archer trade.

Convenient timing

Former Steelers linebacker Avery Williamson has a new gig.

And it’s with the Denver Broncos.

What a coincidence, huh? I meam what with the Steelers set to play Denver this week and all. Head coach Vic Fangio couldn’t possibly be milking Williamson for information, could he?

With much fanfare, Williamson came to the Steelers via trade last year after Devin Bush was injured. Williamson appeared in eight games as a Steeler. He started four. He totaled 37 solo tackles and one sack, playing 30% of the defensive snaps.

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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