Monday’s “First Call” looks at linebacker Joe Schobert’s first game as a Pittsburgh Steeler. Also, there is a twist that may have had him playing in Baltimore instead.
One ex-Pirate shines, and another gets hurt during a battle of American League powerhouses.
And Pittsburgh braces itself for the long-awaited, uh, “showdown” between the Pirates and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
What could have been
The Baltimore Ravens have already had to deal with a lot of health concerns in training camp.
Their wide receivers have been banged up, quarterback Lamar Jackson tested positive for covid-19 and tight end Mark Andrews had a severe cramping scare.
Now they have lost former Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort. Via RavensWire, Fort suffered an ACL injury during the first half of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers and is likely done for the year as a result.
After leaving Pittsburgh, Fort carved out an increased role in Baltimore. In his first two years with the Ravens, he totaled 88 tackles and two sacks. He played on defense and special teams.
One has to wonder if former Jacksonville Jaguars inside linebacker Joe Schobert may have become a Raven if he hadn’t just been traded to the Steelers last week.
Based on how Schobert played against the Steelers when he was with the Cleveland Browns, it’s probably best that didn’t happen. RavensWire suggests that some combination of Malik Harrison, Chris Board, Otaro Alaka and Kristian Welch may get increased playing time to fill the void.
First steps
Speaking of Schobert, Saturday’s 26-20 preseason win over the Detroit Lions was his first game in Black and Gold.
Not much stood out from his performance in the limited time the first-team defense was on the field. And Schobert says there was a good reason why.
“This was my first live action of any kind in training camp,” Schobert told Steelers.com. “We didn’t tackle in practice in Jacksonville, and I got traded before the first game, so jumping into the fire out there was good. Although I think (there is) a little concern. Just in my job and my responsibility.”
Schobert said being hesitant impacted the speed with which he plays.
“I didn’t play as fast as I could, but I think overall it was a good night.” Schobert said. “A bunch of three and outs. The offense had a lot of long drives. The defense didn’t have to do a lot in the first half. So it was a success in my book.”
Most of the Steelers starters won’t play against the Carolina Panthers in the preseason finale on Friday night. We’ll see if an exception is made for Schobert if he wants more playing time so that he can get acclimated.
Snakebites
For as easy as it may be to make fun of the upcoming series between the Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park, both teams are playing better than they usually do.
The Pirates just took two of three games in St. Louis to win a series against the Cardinals. And, stunningly, the Diamondbacks have now won seven of their past 10 games.
Their most recent victory was an 8-4 win in Denver against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon. Arizona catcher Daulton Varsho stirred the drink with a double, a triple and a home run.
The #VarShow is becoming must-see TV. pic.twitter.com/rqwzMmfPsC
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 22, 2021
Varsho ended up with four RBIs. His father, Gary, had two stints with the Pirates in the 1990s.
The Pirates (44-80) and Diamondbacks (42-83) have the two worst records in the National League. Arizona swept a three-game series against the Pirates at Chase Field in July.
Other end of the spectrum
Meanwhile, two of the best teams in the American League battled it out this weekend. The East Division-leading Tampa Bay Rays took two of three from the Central Division-leading Chicago White Sox.
They grabbed the rubber game 9-0 Sunday with a lot of help from Austin Meadows. The former Pirates outfielder had three hits and three RBIs on the afternoon.
Austin Meadows gets the @RaysBaseball on the board with his team-leading 86th RBI!
: Bally Sports Sun
: https://t.co/umJlfImZF7
: Bally Sports app#RaysUp #MLB pic.twitter.com/5kLB3dRntg— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) August 22, 2021
Meadows’ 88 RBIs lead the Rays and are tied for fourth in the American League.
Tampa’s starting pitcher was Chris Archer. The former Pirate was making his first start since April 10 because of forearm stiffness. But he departed this game with left hip tightness after allowing one hit over two innings.
This time, though, Archer says he doesn’t feel as if the injury is all that serious.
