Mark Madden Columns category, Page 29
Mark Madden: Training camp ‘hold-in’ accomplishes nothing for Steelers’ Diontae Johnson
Diontae Johnson lost his hold-in. He won’t acknowledge that. But he has. The Steelers won’t give Johnson what he wants: A contract extension with an average annual value of $20 million or more. Negotiation won’t change that. The Steelers don’t often give receivers a second contract. Hines Ward and Antonio...
Mark Madden: At Steelers camp, there are issues more interesting than daily dissection of QB battle
The large mob of Pittsburgh Steelers fans attending training camp at Latrobe is exemplary of our predilection for the meaningless. So enjoy refreshing sports notes, the most disposable of words! • Mason Rudolph is going to earn the Steelers’ starting quarterback job. But he won’t get it. So much for...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers didn’t draft Kenny Pickett to be quick fix
Those who feel Kenny Pickett should have got a presidential-style motorcade into Latrobe, then gifted the Pittsburgh Steelers’ No. 1 quarterback job are either dumb or don’t pay attention, perhaps both. Patrick Mahomes was drafted 10th overall in 2017. He started once as a rookie. Jordan Love was drafted 26th...
Mark Madden: Steelers’ quarterback situation seems to be pointed in right direction
Coach Mike Tomlin says he won’t micromanage or overmanage the Steelers’ quarterback situation. But Tomlin will and is. That’s why three quarterbacks are getting equal reps in a “competition” that’s already decided. But the Steelers have effectively handled replacing Ben Roethlisberger. (Getting him to quit was the problem. Now it’s...
Mark Madden: Steelers’ QB competition smokescreen overshadows plenty of roster concerns
Pay attention to the non-battle at quarterback if you like. But Mitch Trubisky will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback. There’s no “competition.” Meantime, plenty of legit issues surround the Steelers as training camp opens. Their problems are great, and they are many. • If the Steelers don’t get much improved...
Mark Madden: Comparing Kenny Pickett to Ben Roethlisberger is unfair but will constantly happen
The Steelers took Kenny Pickett with the 20th pick in this year’s NFL draft. The Steelers took Ben Roethlisberger with the 11th pick in the 2004 NFL draft. Pickett was the first quarterback taken. The next QB didn’t go till the third round. Roethlisberger was the third quarterback taken. Eli...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers have a method with rookies, so expect Kenny Pickett to be 3rd string
When the Steelers drafted Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett with the 20th selection in this year’s draft, a lot of you thought he might start. Not me. I said that if the Steelers drafted him, Pickett should start. But he won’t. I wouldn’t have drafted Pickett. But the Steelers did. The...
Mark Madden: We will see if Pat Narduzzi is as smart as he thinks he is
In 2021, Pat Narduzzi had his best season since taking over as Pitt football coach in 2015: His Panthers went 11-3, won the ACC and went to a New Year’s Six bowl. The offense was the driving force of the two platoons, averaging 41.4 points (third best in the nation)...
Mark Madden: Outrage over insignificant Madden NFL video game ratings is ridiculous
Blood pressure skyrocketed in Pittsburgh when Acrisure Stadium was christened and the ketchup bottles were removed. They were presumably stored right next to the Joe Paterno statue. But locals already have found a different insignificance to babble about. (It never takes long.) The EA Sports Madden NFL video game player...
Mark Madden: New acquisitions make the Penguins better now but weaknesses remain
The Penguins got older but also better. They heightened their chances for winning immediately, but the subsequent plummet will be that much more precipitous. That’s the plan. A Faustian bargain. Will it work enough? Anything less than playing in the Eastern Conference final seems a letdown. Even that wouldn’t really...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Barry Bonds belongs in Pirates’ inaugural Hall of Fame class
The Pittsburgh Pirates are starting an in-house Hall of Fame. The initial inductees get unveiled Sept. 3 before the Pirates’ home game vs. Toronto. This illustrates the Pirates’ two primary philosophies: “Don’t look here, look over there” and “Here’s a reason to buy a ticket besides lousy baseball.” The first...
Mark Madden: Flyers continue to look foolish with offseason decisions
The Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t in prime position. Not like from 2008-18. They’re a pretty good team, no better. Their stars are aging. They haven’t won a playoff series since ’18. They have few prospects to refresh with. They’re stale. Not a legit Stanley Cup contender. But it could be worse....
Mark Madden: With Evgeni Malkin signed, Penguins’ plan comes together, for better or worse
Ron Hextall executed his plan, and did it well. Whether or not it’s the correct plan, and how well it works, is yet to be seen. The Penguins GM kept all four of his marquee free agents, bringing each in at under market value. Probably. The word is that Evgeni...
Mark Madden: From Evgeni Malkin to Heinz Field, fans’ priorities are out of whack
The priorities of Pittsburgh sports fans are way out of whack. A Twitter poll with more than 10,000 responding showed more than 30% voting would rather see Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin retire as Pittsburgh Penguins than have the team win another Stanley Cup. You always can pick...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: A 3-year deal for Evgeni Malkin makes perfect sense
It’s uncertain how the Evgeni Malkin contract saga will end. But one thing is definite: There will be a bad guy. If the Pittsburgh Penguins’ final offer is two years and Malkin declines, the team is the bad guy. If the Penguins’ final offer is three years and Malkin declines,...
Mark Madden: With Kris Letang re-signed in win-now move, Penguins might as well keep Evgeni Malkin, too
Within the context of the Penguins’ desire to win now, GM Ron Hextall couldn’t have done better with Kris Letang’s new contract. The dollar figure of $36.6 million is shockingly low. Letang unquestionably would have commanded more in free agency. I overestimated his mercenary streak. But Letang never has been...
Mark Madden: PR plays major role in NFL’s decision on Deshaun Watson’s punishment
With each day that passes before the NFL’s punishment of Deshaun Watson is determined, the bigger the likelihood that the suspension will be lenient, even minimal. The case has festered for more than a year. A three-day hearing was just held. The two sides will submit paperwork to the disciplinary...
Mark Madden: PNC Park is great but doesn’t compare to Forbes Field
PNC Park is, indeed, a classic ballpark. Everybody says that, but few show up. Many say they’re excited about the Pirates current faux renaissance, but the team still ranks fourth from bottom in MLB attendance. Maybe crowds will increase along with Oneil Cruz’s batting average. Or perhaps Cruz will keep...
Mark Madden Hot Take: Given Penguins’ erroneous quest, Letang’s contract length doesn’t matter
NHL free agency starts July 13. The Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t re-signed Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin. Malkin is of secondary concern, so let’s consider Letang. The word is that GM Ron Hextall doesn’t want to give anyone a contract longer than three years. That matches the remaining years of Sidney...
Mark Madden: Whether Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang stay or go, Penguins’ offseason looks bleak
If you’re not concerned about the Pittsburgh Penguins’ offseason, you should be. The chances of retaining Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang seem slim. The Penguins don’t appear to much want the former and won’t offer more than three years to the latter. (Letang wants five.) Fanboys feel that parting with...
Mark Madden: Remembering the greatness of slugger Dave Kingman
When you’re a kid, you have weird tastes and allegiances. For instance, my favorite baseball player was Dave Kingman. Kingman was preceded in my favor by Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski. But Mazeroski retired when I was 11. Mazeroski was the first athlete I sent a fan letter. He mailed back...
Mark Madden: NFL seems to be buying time with Deshaun Watson investigation
Deshaun Watson is scheduled to have a disciplinary hearing Tuesday. Why? What’s the hearing for? Watson’s lurid story has been known for over a year. The NFL has presumably been investigating that long. Watson said he has done nothing wrong and has no regrets, so we know his side. This...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: If the Penguins let Kris Letang go, expect playoff streak to end
Colorado’s Cale Makar won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman. If the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup, Makar is the favorite to get the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He is Colorado’s top scorer with 29 points in 19 postseason games. Makar is the total package. His...
Mark Madden: Mike Tomlin’s reputation transcends results but recent disappointments can’t be ignored
The podcast Mike Tomlin did with ex-Steeler Ryan Clark and Co. has elevated Tomlin to football sainthood. What a guy! Players would run through a wall for Coach T! But for five years, winning a playoff game hasn’t been on the other side of that wall. Clark and Co. tossed...
Mark Madden: Debut of 3ICE hockey a raging success, should spark changes to NHL overtime
I sat at a long table in a gastropub called Bailiwick at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas this past Saturday. Joining me: Guy Carbonneau, John LeClair, Joe Mullen, Larry Murphy, Craig Patrick, Bryan Trottier. Five Hockey Hall-of-Famers. Twenty Stanley Cup rings between everybody. For me, that made the debut...
