First Call Dwayne Haskins Family Makes First Statement Melvin Ingram

First Call: Dwayne Haskins Family Makes First Statement; Melvin Ingram visits the AFC team; Son of Steelers All-Pro in draft

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Several services are planned for Wednesday’s “First Call” to honor the memory of the recently deceased Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

Former Steeler Melvin Ingram is making the free-agent round. The son of a Steelers Pro Bowler enters the NFL draft in a position where he’s needed for his father’s old team.

And we round up a busy night in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division.

family speaks out

Family members of Dwayne Haskins have made their first public statement since the Steelers quarterback was killed in a traffic accident over the weekend and they are releasing plans for multiple memorial services.

Via WUSA-TV, family, coaches, teammates and childhood friends will hold funeral services on April 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at Christ Church in New Jersey. Haskins was born there and grew up through high school.

The next evening at 7 p.m. Haskins’ memory will be honored at the Bullis School in Potomac, Md., where Haskins attended high school.

WUSA also said the Steelers will have a funeral, the date and time of which has yet to be determined. The channel reports that Haskins’ family have informed the team that they will not be attending the service.

“We have experienced such an overwhelming love for our son since the news of our loss broke,” Tamara and Dwayne Haskins Sr., parents of Haskins, said of WUSA. “Anyone who knew Dwayne knows that he worked exceptionally hard to achieve such a high level of success at such a young age. He has been touched by so many people on his journey to becoming an outstanding athlete and we are grateful to all of them. This pain is unimaginable and we appreciate everyone who shares our heartbreak.”

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Haskins attempted to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 on foot early Saturday while there was oncoming traffic. He was hit by a dump truck and pronounced dead on the spot. Haskins was 24 years old.

Next Generation

For fans of the 1990’s Steelers, get ready to feel old.

Carnell Lake’s son could be drafted as early as this month.

Like his father, Quentin Lake is a defense attorney who played at UCLA. He told the NFL Network Tuesday that he got a lot of tips from his father, who was an All-Decade player in the 1990s.

“He was great,” Quentin Lake said of his father. “Throughout my years he has definitely helped me improve my game. Tell me the ins and outs of football. That’s the biggest thing. Having a father figure like that, having someone who did it, is a good resource to go back and understand the game. It was so important. He was critical of me when I performed on the field and played in games. … what to look out for when criminal offenses are pending. What is your favorite formation? What crimes are being attacked?”

Lake’s father was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 1989 draft and was a four-time first-team All-Pro.

Like his father, Lake is credited with exceptional versatility and intelligence, but perhaps not top athletics.

Speaking of NFL.com, draft analyst Lance Zierlein said, “Lake isn’t the fastest or most athletic player and has coverage restrictions that limit his ceiling, but he has a high football IQ and impressive ball skills. He sees the field well, which helps him get where he needs to go. He’s no enforcer anywhere near the line of scrimmage, but he packs a punch with good strength and technique to finish the job. As a freshman, he was a demon on special teams and will likely repeat that role as a backup in the league.

Most draft analysts have Lake as a prospect for Day 3. NFL.com describes him as an “average backup or special teams player.”

But the Steelers need depth of safety, and elder Lake has coached Mike Tomlin’s staff. So maybe they’re risking it with the son of a team legend.

Melvin to Miami?

Former Steeler Melvin Ingram could have a new home with the AFC.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero both reported that the free-agent pass-rusher visited the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday.

After nine years with the Chargers, Ingram signed with Pittsburgh before the start of 2021. He only lasted six games with the Steelers before requesting a trade due to issues with his number of snaps.

The Steelers took him to Kansas City, where Ingram had a sack and five QB hits in nine regular season games with the Chiefs. In the playoffs, he totaled two sacks and three QB hits.

Upside down Tuesday

The Penguins’ 5-4 shootout loss to the New York Islanders was one of three Metropolitan Division games with potential playoff teams.

Division leaders Carolina Hurricanes extended their lead over second-placed New York Rangers with a 4-2 win at Madison Square Garden. Ex-Penguin Jordan Staal scored for the Canes. It was his 14th this season and his sixth in the last four games.

Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals throttled the Philadelphia Flyers 9-2. Another former Penguin was involved in that win as Conor Sheary scored his 17th goal of the year.

That’s four straight wins for Washington and seven losses in nine tries for the Flyers.

So, to catch up, here’s what the Metro Division top 4 looks like as of Wednesday morning.

1. Hurricanes: 104 points

2nd Ranger: 100 points

3. Penguins: 95 points

4. Capitals: 92 points

Rangers are the only team in this group scheduled to play on Wednesday night. You are in Philly.

Tim Benz is a contributor to the Tribune Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise noted.