Mark Madden stories, Page 8
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Journalism disappearing from sports broadcasting
The death of journalism in sports broadcasting continues with the cancellation of “Around the Horn” after 23 seasons on ESPN. “Around the Horn” was far from perfect. Host Tony Reali did a marvelous job holding things together and will be an asset wherever he winds up. The panelists were journalists,...
Mark Madden: Steelers would be wrong to extend T.J. Watt’s contract now, but they will
As the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason kicks into high gear with the launch of NFL free agency Wednesday, their handling of T.J. Watt’s contract situation figures to exemplify the weakness of their organization. The superstar edge rusher and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is heading into the final year...
Mark Madden: Bargain shopping Steelers likely to again make mediocre moves during free agency
NFL free agency starts March 12. That’s not far off. But there’s no reason to be excited about what the Steelers will do. Because they won’t do anything. Not until the first wave subsides. Then the Steelers will do their usual bargain shopping. The Steelers have a little over $60...
Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby’s greatness again on display, goaltending woes and more Penguins notes
Not enough wins. Not much hope for this season. But still a lot to discuss. Refreshing Penguins notes are the lifeblood of Pittsburgh hockey! First shot, first goal! • Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists in Sunday’s 6-5 overtime loss against visiting Toronto. He passed Bobby Hull on...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers’ indecision could cost them
As anybody with a brain knew, Matthew Stafford will not be a Steeler. A report says that the Steelers called the Los Angeles Rams about Stafford, but the quarterback had zero interest in coming to Pittsburgh. (Stafford decided to stay with the Rams.) As Jarrett Bailey of The Sporting News...
Mark Madden: Remembering Gene Hackman — Norman Dale vs. Jimmy McGinty
The death of heralded actor Gene Hackman begs the question: Who was the superior coach, Norman Dale in “Hoosiers” or Jimmy McGinty in “The Replacements”? Neither had much with which to work. Dale’s talent was thin beyond Jimmy Chitwood, who provided Hickory High School with a deadly scoring touch and...
Mark Madden: Don’t expect to see Matthew Stafford playing for thrifty Steelers
The discussion about the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams seems like empty, pointless conversation. The media is obligated to link the Steelers to every quarterback who’s available. It was a surprise last offseason when the Steelers’ quarterback room got a total makeover via getting Russell...
Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby shines, goaltending doesn’t in Penguins’ return from break
If the 4 Nations Face-Off was “best on best,” what was Sunday’s game between the Penguins and New York Rangers? Find the answer and much more in this edition of refreshing Penguins notes! • Sidney Crosby played hard and exceptionally at the 4 Nations Face-Off, then did the same in...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers fans can expect much of the same, boring offseason
We spend endless hours debating what the Pittsburgh Steelers will do this offseason. (Some more than others.) It’s insufferable. Nonstop yak, yak, yak. Most of it about the quarterback position. Here’s a shortcut. Here’s what the Steelers won’t do this offseason: • Trade for Matthew Stafford. • Get Aaron Rodgers....
Mark Madden: 4 Nations Face-Off generated buzz that NHL cannot maintain
The afterglow of witnessing such hotly contested action duly noted, the 4 Nations Face-Off (and international hockey in general) is oddly counterproductive to the NHL. The league sabotages its own product via epic confrontations like both U.S.-Canada games. The resumption of the NHL regular season will seem lackluster. Even the...
Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby offers Canada’s edge against U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off final
It’s not as meaningful as it’s made out, but the U.S. and Canada figure to play a real slobberknocker of a hockey game Thursday night. Let’s preview the action with refreshing 4 Nations Face-Off notes. If you want blood, you got it. • Sidney Crosby made the most Sidney Crosby...
Mark Madden: Fights, politics add unnecessary vulgarity to great U.S. vs. Canada hockey
Three fights in nine seconds. I hated it. I went crazy on X in the wake of the brawl-filled spectacle that opened Saturday’s game between Canada and the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-Off. That’s not what I believe hockey should be, let alone in a summit meeting of two...
Mark Madden Hot Take: What if the Steelers acquired Patrick Mahomes? It could happen, right?
Breaking news: The Pittsburgh Steelers asked Kansas City about acquiring quarterback Patrick Mahomes. (Except they didn’t.) The Chiefs said Mahomes wasn’t available. (Or would have if they had been asked.) A source close to the Chiefs said, “You must be stupid. Never happened.” A source inside the Steelers organization said,...
Mark Madden: From Lemieux to Crosby, 4 Nations Face-Off opener was night to savor
I went to my first Pittsburgh Penguins game when I was 7. My late mother and I had season tickets for the best part of a decade beginning in 1971. It was all I wanted to watch. It’s the team I supported as a boy. That never leaves you. I...
Mark Madden: Enjoy Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh’s only hope for a winner
Only one exciting thing is on the horizon for Pittsburgh sports: When it’s Paul Skenes’ turn to pitch. The Pirates’ phenom/ace will take the mound every fifth day or so, with longer breaks occasionally finagled so he starts at PNC Park as much as possible. No sense in Skenes selling...
Mark Madden: Even after Super Bowl flop, Patrick Mahomes still in GOAT discussion
The big game has come and gone. Time to put football to bed with refreshing Super Bowl notes. (The Steelers won’t play in next year’s, either.) • Patrick Mahomes soiled the bed. Philadelphia’s defense was excellent, putting Mahomes under pressure without once blitzing. But if you’re supposed to be in...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: The Eagles are who the Steelers want to be and more Super Bowl notes
Some random Super Bowl notes designed to distract from the fact that the Steelers won’t play in one anytime soon: • The Eagles are what the Steelers want to be but aren’t close to being: An outlier team that succeeds via running the ball, line play and physicality. • Two...
Mark Madden: A brief history of highs, lows of international hockey ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off
With the 4 Nations Face-Off beginning Wednesday, here’s a brief, informal history of international hockey. Disclaimer: Hockey players do not “represent their country.” The armed forces do. Grab a gun, not a hockey stick. Pre-1972 Canada dominated. Then the Soviet Union took over. Canada claimed that was because NHL players...
Mark Madden: A decades-old tradition, Steelers would rather be right than win
In Week 13 at Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Bengals, 44-38. Quarterback Russell Wilson scored six more points than Joe Burrow. Wilson threw for 105 more yards than Burrow. Wilson threw for three touchdowns, same as Burrow. That’s rarefied air, a callback to Wilson’s glory days with Seattle. Wilson...
Mark Madden: Tee Higgins joining the Steelers is pure fantasy talk
It’s the time of year for Pittsburgh Steelers fantasies. “Here come the jesters, 1-2-3…” Draft this guy. Trade for that guy. But the No. 1 fantasy is to sign the big-name free agent. (Which the Steelers don’t do. That’s why it’s a fantasy.) Every Steelers fan’s current dream is receiver...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Penguins’ trade gives reason for cautious optimism
The Pittsburgh Penguins are rebuilding, whether they use that word or not. But dominos are falling, which raise the possibility that rebuilding can be accelerated, perhaps within the time frame of Sidney Crosby’s remaining tenure. (However long that is. He’s the best 37-year-old ever.) The Penguins keep stockpiling draft choices,...
Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby’s rallying moments just mean more in Pittsburgh
Wednesday night at Utah was the essence of Sidney Crosby as a Penguin. He cuts through the slot like a magician to bury a trademark backhand in overtime. It’s the Penguins’ first visit to Salt Lake City. Lots of Penguins jerseys in the stands. Big pop for the finish. It...
Mark Madden: Change is integral for Penguins’ rebuild, and Sidney Crosby can help it move forward
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ three-man core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang has played together for 19 seasons, a record for North American sports. It’s a nice story. The unbreakable bond of eternal brotherhood. It’s a success story. Three Stanley Cups, another Stanley Cup Final and over a decade of...
Mark Madden: Steelers wallow in mismanagement, illusion of success
The Pittsburgh Steelers maintain credibility based on two brands: their logo and the Rooney family. Simply being the Steelers is enough. But now the Steelers are not serious people. The Steelers wallow in mismanagement that isn’t acknowledged, let alone corrected. They’re clueless. The current disappointment isn’t just a blip. It’s...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers’ draft focus should be on scoring, quarterback, not defense
The NFL Draft takes place April 24-26. Since we’re going to debate ad nauseam whom the Pittsburgh Steelers should pick from now till then, here’s two early suggestions. • Don’t take a defensive player in the first round. Sure, the Steelers badly need help on the defensive line. But the...
