First Call: Antonio Brown fails to play for his own Arena League team; update on Kyle Dubas and Penguins

Tuesday’s “First Call” recaps a holiday weekend full of notes from the football world, including some nuggets about a pair of Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North rivals.

We find out what went wrong with Antonio Brown’s National Arena League comeback.

And we get an update on the Penguins’ general manager search.

When will it be for A.B.?

Former Steeler turned National Arena League owner Antonio Brown did not play for the franchise he owns this weekend, despite a promise to do so.

Brown is (we think) the owner of the Albany Empire. He announced plans to play in Saturday’s home game against Fayetteville. But it never happened because of — according to Brown — a paperwork issue.

According to WNYT in Albany, the medical information on Brown’s physical wasn’t processed in time. Via the TV station’s website, “National Arena League Commissioner Chris Siegfried has said that since Brown’s an owner of a team, he can play without a physical. That did not happen.

As the owner of the team, Brown also admitted he could have overridden this decision, but said he (wouldn’t) because he wanted to set a good example for his players.”

Well, the first thing I think of when I think of Mr. Big Chest is setting a good example. So that makes total sense. Or maybe that messed-up ankle of his is still too much of a problem.

The Empire lost the game against 49- 27. Brown insists he will play for the team soon.

Stay Tuned @thealbanyempir A ???? otw……..only NAL team getting this type of press we need players ready to go next level! See ya June 16 ????️???? https://t.co/q2XOZk7gun

— AB (@AB84) May 28, 2023

Brown is also trying to get former NFL star QB Cam Newton in on the act.

If anybody seen @CameronNewton let him know he haven’t thrown me a touchdown in a game yet and now we finally can make it happen @thealbanyempir 6/16/23 in Albany nyc ! I’m offering Cam 150k one game play with me please spam his account ????️⏰ #AceBoogieToAB

— AB (@AB84) May 28, 2023

WNYT reports the Empire’s average attendance is 2,500 fans, but 4,500 fans showed up in anticipation of seeing Brown play Saturday.

Dubas’ decision

In his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has provided an update on Kyle Dubas’ status.

According to Friedman, it sure sounds like the Penguins vacant general manager’s job is Dubas’ if he feels like coming to Pittsburgh.

“There seems to be a feeling from what I understand through people who talk to those who work in Pittsburgh, that they think there’s a very good chance that Dubas is going to take this job. … I don’t know 100%. But there certainly is a feeling inside the organization from what I can tell that it’s heading in that direction. And it’s obviously Dubas’ his job if he wants it,” Friedman said.

Friedman says to expect some more concrete movement after Memorial Day weekend, as many Fenway Sports Group executives are in Monaco for the F-1 race.

“If it’s not Dubas, where are they going? Well, I’ve heard a couple of different names. I’ve heard Mathieu Darche. Some people told me not to count out Steve Greeley. And on Sunday I had someone saying that they heard it could be Jason Botterill if it’s not Dubas,” Friedman added.

Darche (who has been my first choice for weeks) is the assistant general manager in Tampa Bay. Greeley is director of player strategies, scouting, and development with the Dallas Stars. Botterill used to be an assistant general manager in Pittsburgh. He left to be the GM in Buffalo and is now an assistant in Seattle.

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Lamar lovin’ life

Lamar Jackson is giving two thumbs up to new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

“The new offense is smooth. (There is) more verbiage than usual. I like it. I’m loving it so far,” Jackson said to the Baltimore media last week. “(Monken) is basically just giving us the keys to the offense, really.”

Jackson says a big reason why Monken is winning him over is that the QB has total control before the snap.

“You can change things when you want to. You see the defense, (if) it’s not looking right to you, you see a guy blitzing, you might want your receiver to do something different, (Monken) has given you the free will to do whatever you want to.”

Interesting concept. Maybe Matt Canada should give Kenny Pickett the same latitude this year.

Hopkins hot for Browns?

Another big-name offensive threat may be destined for the AFC North.

Former Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins is now a free agent. And it sounds like a reunion with his former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is possible in Cleveland.

According to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, Hopkins is “open” to such an idea.

Fowler also says the Chiefs, Bills, Cowboys and Jets may be in the mix. However, Kansas City and Buffalo both have less than $2 million in available cap space. Odell Beckham Jr. signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens in April.