Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden on T.J. Watt’s future with Steelers, Penguins' use of Kasperi Kapanen
Tim Benz and Mark Madden return for this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” on TribLive’s Facebook page to talk about the state of the Steelers, including the outlook for Ben Roethlisberger, as well as T.J. Watt, with the team.
Benz opened the show with an anecdote about speaking with someone associated with the Steelers recently, who said, “When they say it’s not about the money, it’s always about the money.”
Benz took the comment to mean that the Steelers are not completely settled in regards to Roethlisberger’s contract.
Madden agrees, but he also says you can look at the team’s coaching hires (they are picking up “bottom, basement” assistant coaches) as well as how the team is doing things on the cheap. Madden says the team is doing things on cheap because they lost their ticket revenue last season. Though they still received money from the broadcasts.
The guys dig into the team’s contracts for Roethlisberger and Watt and how they might handle them, like using the franchise tag to keep Watt on the roster without reworking his contract.
The guys also talk about which players the Steelers should prioritize to keep on the team. And a look at the draft and who the Steelers might or should pick up. The team needs help on the offensive line, but Madden thinks the team should get running back Najee Harris (if he’s available).
On to the Penguins: the guys say goaltending and the team’s penalty-kill are still big problems.
Also the say that Kasperi Kapanen need to be used more often. Madden thinks that coach Mike Sullivan has made up his mind and doesn’t like Kapanen (similar to what happened with Ryan Reaves in 2017). But Madden says the general manager has to weigh in and tell Sullivan to play Kapanen.
Madden thinks if the Penguins don’t make the playoffs, Sullivan is on thin ice.
Benz and Madden also talk about the Pirates upcoming season, Pitt basketball and answer viewers comments and questions.
Watch the show here:
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