Friday’s “First Call” has some inflammatory quotes from an ex-Steeler about the team’s defense. A big-time men’s college hoops coach with local roots isn’t a fan of the new expansion of the NCAA Tournament. The Pirates are taking on a slumping National League foe.

And Robert Morris’ lacrosse team is rewarded with an individual honor.

What did Slay say?

The 2025 Steelers’ defense was 26th in yards allowed (356.9). It was 29th against the pass (243.9).

One former player is telling us why it went down the way it did. Cornerback Darius Slay, who joined the team as a free agent in March and was let go in early December, says there was too much of a reliance on the defensive front getting home to the quarterback and clogging passing lanes.

He says the defensive backs were told to rely on outside leverage too frequently, and it sure sounds like he’s implying that it was Mike Tomlin’s idea.

“It’s crazy. Them guys make plays. Don’t get me wrong,” Slay said on the “Press Coverage” podcast. “This is what these (coaches) were telling me, ‘You play outside leverage, and if they catch a ball inside, it’s on the d-line because they’re so good at batting the ball down.’ I’m not banking on that. That’s the only thing I did not like about the defense. Everything was outside leverage in the red zone. That (stuff) was weird as (heck). I never played that (style).”

Slay said that the approach was particularly rough on teammate Jalen Ramsey. And he says it wasn’t defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s decision.

“That Pittsburgh stuff, that was rough for my dog (Jalen Ramsey) because that (stuff was) backwards over there,” Slay added at the 38:57 mark of the video stream. “T.A. ain’t teach none of that (stuff) in (expletive) Detroit. They was outside leverage every (expletive) call. That’s why you see, when Ramsey got scored on. He’s chasing someone that’s running away from outside leverage.”

Austin was the defensive coordinator in Detroit from 2014-17. Slay was a cornerback with the Lions from 2013-19.

Not alone

Fans and media aren’t the only ones railing against the idea of an expanded NCAA basketball tournament. So are some of the coaches, such as Dan Hurley, Tom Izzo and Mark Few.

Moon’s John Calipari sounded off as well. The Arkansas coach questioned the NCAA’s decision to expand from 68 to 76 teams.

“I don’t know why you mess with something that’s working,” Calipari told ESPN.com. “This thing is special. This thing is unique.”

One thing Calipari doesn’t like is that there is no protection for the small conferences and mid-major programs. In fact, under the new format, all the 16-seeds and two 15-seeds will be determined by “Opening Round” games. Under the previous format, only two 16 seeds had to get into the final bracket through “First Four” games in Dayton.

“You have to ask, ‘Why is this tournament so huge?’” Calipari said. “Because of David and Goliath. And I’ve been both. I’ve won as David and lost as Goliath.”

In 2025, 14 of 16 SEC teams got into the NCAA Tournament when it was still a 68-team field.

Right place, right time

After taking two of three games in Arizona, the Pirates are staying out west to play the San Francisco Giants. The three-game series starts Friday night.

It’s good timing for the Bucs’ arrival at Oracle Park. The Giants are struggling. They have dropped eight of nine games and are just 14-23. That’s tied with the New York Mets for the worst record in the National League.

Carmen Mlodzinski gets the start against Robbie Ray in Game 1 at 10:15 p.m. It’s been hard for Mlodzinski of late. He’s given up 14 earned runs over his last three outings that have spanned 13 ⅔ innings.

Meanwhile, Ray hasn’t won since April 7. He’s only 2-4, but his ERA is a solid 2.95. That ranks 18th in the National League, right behind Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (2.87).

The Bucs have won four road series in a row. That hasn’t happened since their last playoff season of 2015.

The Pirates (21-17) open the weekend in third place of the National League Central, five back of the red-hot Chicago Cubs (26-12), who have won nine in a row.

Silver lining

Despite their disappointing NCAA Tournament loss to Jacksonville on Wednesday night, the Robert Morris lacrosse team got some good news on Thursday.

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Defenseman Owen Tapper was named a USA Lacrosse honorable mention All-American.

Tapper was the NEC Defensive Player of the Year. The native of Ontario finished the season ranked 17th nationally in caused turnovers, averaging 1.94 per game.

A 5-foot-11 junior, Tapper was part of a Colonials defense that yielded just 9.11 goals against per game. That was ninth-best in the country this year.

RMU won the NEC for a second consecutive season and rattled off 13 straight wins before its loss to Jacksonville at Joe Walton Stadium.

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LISTEN: Tim Benz and Kevin Gorman talk about the Pirates during their latest baseball podcast.