Madden Monday: Will Big Ben's contract keep the band together? 'This ain't the Beatles.'

Mar. 8—Join the conversation

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There seems to be a misguided sense from Steelers fans that Ben Roethlisberger's new contract is going to be key in helping the Steelers to make another playoff run. This after the franchise flamed out following an 11-0 start in 2020.

In this week's "Madden Monday" podcast, Mark Madden is skeptical that Roethlisberger's deal will keep the band together. But he doesn't think the Steelers are capable of making particularly good music anyway.

"There is no band to keep together," Madden said. "This isn't the Beatles. This isn't Led Zeppelin. This isn't even Styx!"

Oh, mama!

"They can think what they want," Madden said of Steelers optimists who are disregarding the team's 1-5 finish down the stretch. "The proof will be in 8-8."

Meanwhile, there's reasoning for a bit more optimism when it comes to the Penguins of late. They've won 7 of 10 and are in a virtual tie with the Boston Bruins for third place in the Eastern Division. But Madden doesn't think that the Penguins new management team of Ron Hextall and Brian Burke should look at that as a reason to accelerate trade offers, even if recent injuries to Jared McCann and Jason Zucker suggest a top-six wing is needed.

"I don't think they are tempted at all," Madden said. "I don't think any trades will be made by the new management team with an eye towards right now. I think the first deal they'll make is to trade from the surplus of left-sided defensemen, and it won't be to get anyone to help right now. It'll be to get prospects and draft picks. I think the new regime has got to see that this isn't a legitimate Cup contender and has to deal from that perspective."

Madden says if McCann is out long term after suffering an upper-body injury Sunday night against the Rangers, he'd simply elevate Zach Aston-Reese to the second line since he has five goals, including one on Sunday.

Meanwhile, on the Pitt basketball front, Madden scoffed at Jeff Capel's criticism of the ACC that Pitt isn't getting enough foul calls.

"He's a whiny baby. He's a fraud. He has been an absolute disappointment as Pitt coach. He's all hat and no cattle. He's just like Pat 'Nadiocre' for football. They are both a couple of dinks," Madden said.

I'll say two things about that situation. Capel isn't wrong. I do think there is a double standard when it comes to Pitt and most of the former Big East teams absorbed into the ACC.

But, gee, Jeff, what school has most exemplified the chasm between the old school, ACC blue bloods and the new teams in the conference? It couldn't possibly be Duke, could it? You know, your alma mater and your former boss Mike Krzyzewski? Who you gush about at every turn?

And isn't it just a tiny bit of karma for Pitt fans to have to endure after how many years of Pitt grinding teams into submission with borderline, overly physic... um ... "good solid defense" in the Big East?

Elsewhere in the podcast, Mark and I talk about JuJu Smith-Schuster's pending free agency, Brian Dumoulin's return to the Penguins, and Tom Wilson's latest dirty hit.

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Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Ben Roethlisberger's new contract, Penguins' outlook, Pitt basketball and more

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.