First Call: Ex-Steeler rips goal line sequence; Bill Belichick on Steelers' QBs; former Colts Pro Bowl ILB signs with Eagles

Tuesday’s “First Call” features Bill Belichick’s view of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB situation as his Patriots prepare to visit Acrisure Stadium on Thursday.

We get a health update on a Patriots starter on offense. A former Steeler is unhappy with the team’s game-changing sequence at the Arizona goal line Sunday.

And the Eagles grab a potential key signing at inside linebacker who would’ve looked good in Black and Gold.

Nothing new

It sure sounds like Patriots coach Bill Belichick is taking his typical “it is what it is” approach to the Steelers’ offense.

Even if backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky is starting instead of Kenny Pickett.

“This far into a season, I don’t think you’d see too many teams — on a Thursday game — revamp and run a whole new offense. At this point, you’ve committed a lot of time and reps to what you do. You modify a little bit for the specific opponent. But you pretty much are what you are at this point in the season,” Belichick said via NESN’s YouTube channel. “Schematically, I don’t think you’re gonna put in 20 or 30 new plays this week — even if it was a full week. You prepare for what you’ve seen. We saw this team last year. So we’ve got a little bit of a background, at least in terms of the personnel. Certainly a defensive scheme.”

Indeed, the Patriots did play the Steelers last year, and Trubisky was still the starter. It was in Week 2, and New England won 17-14. Trubisky was a feckless 21 of 33 for 168 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was sacked three times and averaged just 5.1 yards per attempt.

Trubisky also played against Belichick’s Patriots as a member of the Chicago Bears in 2018. He was 26 of 50 for 333 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 81 yards. Chicago lost that game 38-31.

So much for Shaq

For Steelers fans hoping that Shaq Leonard would be the answer to the team’s problems at inside linebacker, that’s not happening. The former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the only other franchise that Leonard considered after being waived by Indy two weeks ago was the Dallas Cowboys.

Sources: The #Eagles and former #Colts All-Pro LB Shaq Leonard have agreed to terms on a 1-year deal after he took a visit to Philly last week. A potential big addition for the stretch run.

Leonard also visited the #Cowboys, but Philly was always the preferred spot. pic.twitter.com/gACJRIoIuK

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2023

Once Leonard cleared waivers, that gave him the option to sign in any city he desired.

In August 2021, Leonard hit the waiver wire after signing a five-year contract extension in Indianapolis worth a little less than $100 million. At the time of that deal, Leonard was the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL.

Given the non-stop injuries at inside linebacker in Pittsburgh (Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, Cole Holcomb), Leonard was an intriguing option. But it doesn’t sound like the Steelers were in the mix.

Against New England this week, it appears that the Steelers will roll with Mark Robinson, Mykal Walker, and Blake Martinez or Myles Jack at ILB.

What a mess

A former Steeler is panning the team’s fateful goal line sequence that eventually cost them a defeat at the hands of the 3-10 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.

It also cost them their starting quarterback.

Tied 3-3 in the second quarter, Pickett scrambled and was tackled from behind, injuring his ankle in the process. He had surgery Monday and will miss multiple weeks.

During the KDKA “Extra Point” postgame show, former Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke told co-host Bob Pompeani that he felt as if Pickett put himself in unnecessary risk by scrambling from the 3-yard line instead of hitting a wide-open Calvin Austin, who was open after motioning to the left side of the formation (as you can see at the top of the screen in the clip below).

From @GMFB: More injury news, with the latest on #Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (ankle surgery), #Saints QB Derek Carr (concussion), #Texans breakout star Tank Dell (fractured fibula), and #Titans RB Derrick Henry (concussion). pic.twitter.com/TioEIHP4eW

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2023

Pickett’s progression apparently didn’t take him there in time, and he felt the need to scramble and suffered the injury as a result.

“Calvin Austin III came across in motion and was open in the flat,” Hoke said. “Kenny didn’t see him. He should have hit him. Touchdown.”

Hoke then blasted the fourth-and-1 play call from the goal line on the next snap.

“I have a problem with the play call and the push from the offensive line,” Hoke said. “They line up in shotgun with Najee Harris in the sidecar. Then you look at James Daniels and Broderick Jones. They can’t even get a push. They get knocked back. Mason Cole gets beat. It’s just a disaster right there. They’ve got to come off, pin their ears back, line up under the (center) and do something more physical than a shotgun, coming off lollygagging. You can’t do that when it’s fourth-and-goal at the 1.”

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Familiar feeling

The Patriots are dealing with an ankle injury to a star player too. It’s Rhamondre Stevenson. New England’s leading rusher (619 yards) was shut down with an ankle injury after nine carries against the Los Angeles Chargers in a 6-0 loss Sunday.

According to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, X-rays for a break were negative. But now, the team will be evaluating the severity of the sprain.

Stevenson is the latest player to be knocked out by the controversial hip-drop tackle.

Hip Drop tackle has to go.

Rhamondre Stevenson injures his ankle here. Couldn't finish the game. pic.twitter.com/B0AUUBBnfR

— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) December 3, 2023

Stevenson had nine carries for 39 yards over the first two series before being knocked out of the game.

Ezekiel Elliott ended up leading the Pats in rushing for the game with 52 yards on 17 carries.