Tim Benz: On Mike Tomlin's contract extension; Justin Layne's arrest; solid play from Pirates, Penguins

The Steelers, Pirates and Penguins certainly don’t give you time for a break, do they?

After a rare week off at “Breakfast With Benz,” there’s a lot to catch up on as we get ready for the upcoming Steelers draft week. Hopefully, you enjoyed our NFL Draft preview series while we were gone. But now we’re looking at a packed schedule for the Pirates and Penguins along with more draft prep this week. So let’s take care of a few essentials as we re-enter the sports atmosphere.

Speaking of which, what was with that rocket that flew over Pittsburgh while I was gone? I wasn’t sure if we were under attack or Ben Cherington was in a hurry to trade off Adam Frazier and Rich Rodriguez while they were hot.

More from Mike

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got a contract extension last week, which generated the usual, predictable discourse.

“He shouldn’t get an extension! Look at his lack of playoff wins the last 10 years!”

Versus …

“Of course Tomlin deserves an extension! Look at his career record. He’s never had a losing season in 14 years.”

Hey, it’s Art Rooney II’s money. He can promise as much of it to whomever he chooses. It’s not like Tomlin counts against the salary cap.

But at some point, Rooney II needs to realize this fact: if the Steelers fail to win a playoff game again this year, that’s five seasons in a row without a playoff victory. In the post-Immaculate Reception era, that’s unprecedented.

Those unwilling to criticize Tomlin in the media and within the fan base can reduce every conversation about his future to his impressive career record if they want. But that’s a “don’t look over here, look over there” shell game.

The more pertinent point of conversation is what Tomlin will be able to accomplish moving forward. And — very soon — what he can do without the benefit of a Hall of Fame quarterback.

Based on the lack of playoff success lately and his teams’ frequent December fades, I have little confidence that Tomlin’s extension will yield the same high “standards” the coach himself so often cites.

Stay in your Layne

Justin Layne’s recent arrest seemed to create some buzz about whether the Steelers are now going to focus more on cornerback in the upcoming draft.

What did I miss, folks? I’m confused.

Layne’s alleged legal transgressions — speeding, driving with a suspended license and having a loaded weapon — are worrisome.

But he’s not going to get kicked out of the NFL as a result. And I doubt the Steelers cut him.

So it’s not as if an additional hole is being created at the position. But it’s also not like Layne was a lock to be the No. 3 cornerback after Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton either.

The Steelers should’ve had cornerback on their draft radar long before Layne’s traffic mishap anyway. I don’t think that matters too much in terms of making it more of a priority.

Applause well earned

I was happy to see the outpouring of praise for Neil Walker upon the announcement of his retirement.

A nicer guy and better person in baseball, you will not find. From tracking his career as a senior at Pine-Richland, through his stint with the Pirates and beyond, Walker’s affable, humble personality never changed.

Between Walker and Upper St. Clair’s Sean Casey, Pittsburgh should be proud to boast two of the most genuine, sincere ambassadors for baseball that the game is ever going to have.

Perplexing Pens

I didn’t get to watch the Penguins’ 7-6 fiasco of a win against the New Jersey Devils Tuesday night.

Odd fact, not a lot of mid-afternoon, weekday hockey coverage in Maui.

Although I did catch up online. And I was baffled at how they almost made history by nearly blowing a 6-0 lead. It sure sounded like Mike Sullivan was stunned, too. That game had all the earmarks of the Steelers’ win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field last year when the winning team somehow managed to be humiliated during a victory.

But credit Sullivan for getting the team refocused and Tristan Jarry for a rebound effort two nights later against that same Devils club in a 5-1 win. One thing the Penguins deserve a lot of props for this year is snuffing losing streaks before they get out of hand. They still haven’t lost more than two in a row.

Beat ‘em Bucs

The Pirates continue to … impress???

Unless they are facing J.A. Happ, of course.

OK, “impress” might be strong. But when some people predicted at least 105 losses — as I did — and the team has played break-even (11-11) baseball for the first month, that’s not wildly overstating things.

The defense has been sound, the pitching is better than expected, and some of those who needed bounce-back seasons at the plate (namely Bryan Reynolds) are having them.

But, back to my rocket ship point, how long before this success gets parlayed into “future investments” on the trade market?

Not-so-Super League

There was this thing called the Super League. It was born. Twitter didn’t like it. It died. The Pirates, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Sabres weren’t invited.

Now I’m supposed to pretend none of it ever happened.

Do I have all that about right?