First call: Bruce Arians compares Tampa Bay to Super Bowl XL Steelers; huge night for (many) former penguins

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians shares fond memories of the Steelers Super Bowl XL squad.

Matt Stafford’s mansion in Detroit is for sale. So obviously he’s coming to Pittsburgh.

And a lot of ex-Penguins have had great nights in the NHL. Well, not all of the ex-penguins. See if you can guess which one didn’t.

All this in Wednesday’s “first call”.

Seems familiar?

Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians appeared on NBCSN’s “The Rich Eisen Show” Tuesday. And he seems optimistic about his team’s chances of winning Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.

Why? Because in his words, this team reminds him of the Steelers, winners of Super Bowl XL 2005. Arians was the coach of the receivers of this team.

The Arians actually told Eisen that his wife was the one who made the correlation. So he delved into the numbers and started to see similarities.

Both teams were 7-5 after 12 games. Both teams had to win three playoff games. And both teams play excellent complementary football with strong team unity.

“Comradeship on the fringes,” Arians explained. “The way this team is pulling for each other. The offense could remove the defense. Special teams could take everyone out. The defense withdraws the offense. Everyone has so much fun doing it.

Well, if the Arians are right about the continuing trend against the Chiefs, expect Tampa to get a few lucky penalty flags. Look for Leonard Fournette for a 75-yard touchdown. And expect a tip pass from Antonio Brown to Mike Evans.

So expect Steelers fans to stop thinking this analogy is so cute.

Property for sale in Stafford

Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford is one of many NFL quarterbacks expected to be on the move this offseason.

It certainly seems to be expected, based on this little real estate tidbit.

Stafford has two years and $ 43 million remaining on his five-year, $ 135 million contract signed in 2017. He is set to receive a $ 10 million bonus on the fifth day of the league’s year in March. So even if he doesn’t get $ 6.5 million for the house, I don’t think he and his family will starve.

You know how this news is going to turn out in Pittsburgh, right?

“Hey, Stan. I love the show.

“Yinz knows that if Stafford has too much for his haus, he can just hire one of them near the Hot Metal Bridge. So take less to come to the Stillers and save Big Ben for a year. Boom! Make it happen. I’ll hang up and listen.

It’s a lot

As the Penguins lost to the Boston Bruins 3-2 in overtime Tuesday night, it was quite a night for the ex-Penguins in other NHL games.

Justin Schultz and Daniel Sprong both scored as the Washington Capitals beat the New York Islanders 3-2.

Patric Hornqvist joined the draw in a 4-3 shootout victory for the Florida Panthers at Columbus, scoring with just three seconds left in regulation.

This is already his fourth goal. And he also got the winner of the shootout.

Do you remember David Perron? He had two and another in the shootout in a 5-4 St. Louis Blues victory in Las Vegas.

Even Pittsburgh native Brandon Saad had a pair as his Colorado Avalanche beat the San Jose Sharks 7-3.

I know I know. As if overtime in Boston wasn’t painful enough.

Jabbing jack

In the meantime, ensuring the balance in the universe, I give you Jack Johnson.

The much-maligned former Penguin is not having an easy time in New York City. The defender took a penalty, leading to a Buffalo goal. And Rangers fans and media have responded with the usual, um, patience, and forgiveness Johnson typically gets in Pittsburgh.

Yeah. It seems pretty consistent. The Rangers ended up losing 3-2. So far, Johnson is a minus-4 in five scoring games.

Take advantage of this acquisition, New York. Hope Jameson Taillon will work better for you.

Tim Benz is a writer for 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 specified.

Categories:
Penguins / NHL | Sports | Steelers / NFL | Breakfast with Benz



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