First Call: Patrick Peterson’s request for whatever team signs him; Steelers coaches scouting along O-line
Friday’s “First Call” reveals some offensive linemen that may be of interest to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the draft. We also provide an update on Patrick Peterson’s status.
A Penguins prospect comes up huge in the NCAA hockey tournament. The Duquesne women’s basketball team runs out of steam.
And a former WPIAL hoops star is heading to the transfer portal.
Eye on the O-line
The Steelers coaching staff is making its presence felt at some pro days to look at offensive linemen.
Jim Nagy of the Senior Bowl says Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer was at Washington’s pro day Thursday. The Huskies’ draft class features Roger Rosengarten and Troy Fautanu.
Both players are tackles. Fautanu is the second-ranked tackle on the draft board and the eighth-rated overall prospect according to ESPN.com. They have Rosengarten as the 12th-rated tackle and the 76th-ranked player overall.
As for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, he was at Duke’s pro day Thursday, presumably to see offensive lineman Graham Barton.
Pat Pete’s plans
Steelers free-agent defensive back Patrick Peterson was on the Fox NFL podcast Thursday. There has been some speculation that he’ll re-sign in Pittsburgh during the offseason. However, Peterson said that he is unlikely to sign anywhere until after the draft.
“Me and my agent have had conversations with a couple teams, nothing really serious thus far,” Peterson said via Steelers Depot. “But there (have) been conversations, and like I said, we’ll see what happens in the next couple months.”
Meanwhile, Peterson added that he’d be willing to play safety — as he did toward the end of the season with the Steelers last year — wherever he goes. But he wants some advanced notice first.
“I don’t want to start at safety because that’s a different animal back there, a different view,” Peterson said. “If that is the case, I would need to be warned going into the season to get my body, my (mind) prepared. Because it’s different being at the safety from a cornerback position having those open-field tackles. … And you’re the last line of defense.”
Peterson said he would want to be coached up by an Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu before taking on a full-time safety role.
