Tim Benz stories, Page 104
Madden Monday: What Tom Brady’s return means for the Steelers
Tom Brady spent the better part of two decades dominating Sundays in the NFL. Now he just dominated Selection Sunday, too. Yup. The future Hall of Fame quarterback managed to steal the spotlight from college basketball on the sport’s biggest day of the year. Within an hour of the bracket-reveal...
Tim Benz: Should we buy Brian Burke’s hard sell about the idea of a quiet trade deadline for the Penguins?
Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke is doing a really hard sell on not buying at the trade deadline. So much, in fact, that every time he addresses the topic, I now find myself more convinced that the Pens are going 180 degrees the other way toward being the...
First Call: Steelers linked to high-profile free agent linebacker, cornerback; Penguins may get a break vs. Las Vegas
Friday’s “First Call” connects the Steelers to a pair of defensive standouts once free agency starts next week. Meanwhile, a Pitt product may be “Plan B” in case the Steelers can’t keep a current starter. It looks like the Penguins will face a backup goalie in their next game. And...
Tim Benz: Tying Deshaun Watson to Steelers feels like QB’s camp trying to speak a hope into existence
Former NFL quarterback Shaun King explained his tweet from Wednesday that suggested if Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson receives a favorable outcome in his legal battle Friday, he’d likely be heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hearing if things go well friday Deshaun Watson to the steelers is happening soon after......
First Call: 6 teams high on Steelers’ receiver; Giants like Mitch Trubisky; Brian Burke challenges Kasperi Kapanen
Thursday’s “First Call” sees heavy interest in a quarterback the Pittsburgh Steelers might want to sign and a wide receiver they may want to keep. Brian Burke refuses to mince words about a struggling Penguins forward. The Washington Capitals lose, but still gain ground on the Penguins. And a blossoming...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans dig at Aaron Rodgers coverage, defend Najee Harris, pile on Russian hockey talk
I’m so upset that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t joining the Steelers. If he did, this weekly column could’ve written itself for his entire career in Pittsburgh. But we aren’t going to be all quarterbacks, all the time. Our readers are upset about other things, too. Much like...
Tim Benz: Accelerated development of Mounir Hima a bright spot for Duquesne in 2022
Duquesne center Mounir Hima didn’t play any basketball as a child. Growing up in Tillaberi, Niger, soccer was his sport. “Me playing basketball is a destiny. I never thought about basketball,” Hima said Monday. “Basketball where I came from wasn’t a priority sport. You don’t even have a lot of...
Mitch Trubisky discusses prospect of playing with Steelers: ‘I think of a legendary franchise’
Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers are “out” on Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers (if they were ever “in” to begin with), it’s time for Pittsburgh to recalibrate expectations on what will happen with the franchise’s quarterback position in 2022. The fanbase can start working itself into a lather over Malik...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers says contract isn’t signed yet; Phil Kessel’s unique way to keep his consecutive games streak alive
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers are out of the picture, the Aaron Rodgers saga isn’t officially wrapped up yet in Green Bay. A former Penn State Nittany Lion is getting a second straight franchise tag. There was a ton of NHL action in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday aside from...
First Call: Mike Florio advances Steelers-Aaron Rodgers connection further; potential cost for top NFL free agent center
Tuesday’s “First Call” follows up on the Steelers’ alleged connection to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. There’s more news about an offensive lineman the Steelers may want in free agency. Some AFC North standout players got franchise tags. And a repeat personal honor for a Duquesne basketball player. How much to...
Penguins will be challenged to maximize points in trio of upcoming home games
The Penguins just got done with a tough two-game road trip against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes. Now they’ve got to turn around and host a three-game homestand which isn’t exactly going to be a walk in the park either. Taking home three of a possible four points...
Tim Benz: Let’s stop the blame shifting when it comes to Calvin Ridley’s gambling suspension
Long ago, the National Football League surpassed Major League Baseball as America’s favorite pastime. In part that’s true because another favorite American pastime is gambling on America’s favorite pastime. Unfortunately, if you are a player in the NFL, you aren’t allowed to gamble on the NFL. That’s what Atlanta Falcons...
Madden Monday: ‘The Penguins are a better franchise than the Steelers now. In terms of the way they are run, they are No. 1.’
When it comes to the NHL’s looming trade deadline (March 21), the Penguins find themselves in a familiar position. Do they trade this summer’s first-round draft choice in order to acquire a top-flight player to help this year’s team? Since 2013, the Penguins have only drafted in the first round...
First Call: Steelers, AFC North foes reportedly eyeing same free agent; latest news on Aaron Rodgers saga
Monday’s “First Call” gives us a battle for a free agent offensive lineman that may include the Steelers and two other AFC North rivals. We have the latest on Aaron Rodgers’ situation and Saquon Barkley’s status. Plus, a busy night of results atop the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Center of attention...
Tim Benz: I’m skeptical of the Aaron Rodgers story, too. But the Steelers should be doing what was reported
If this weekend’s ProFootballTalk report about Aaron Rodgers is true, then the Steelers are exactly where they should be in the process. Granted, that is a massive “if,” but let’s start at that point. PFT ran a story over the weekend, citing anonymous sources that “Rodgers has specific deals lined...
First Call: Antonio Brown’s latest music venture; an offensive lineman that seems to have the Steelers’ interest before draft
Friday’s “First Call” features the latest adventure for former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro Antonio Brown. Another Steelers Pro Bowler, Cameron Heyward, talks about the prospect of his team drafting a quarterback. One offensive lineman sure seems to be drawing the attention of the franchise. And we look at the Carolina Hurricanes...
5 specifics to love about the Penguins’ big-picture romp through Tampa BayVideo
Before their trip to Tampa Bay, there was a lot of talk about whether or not the Pittsburgh Penguins were about to face a “measuring stick” run of games over the next few weeks. If that’s true, the Penguins measured up quite nicely in their first test. Certainly, they measured...
Tim Benz: Feeling nostalgic about college basketball after a rough year for the sport in Western Pa.
Nostalgia can be a wonderful thing in sports. Just look at the way Pittsburgh recently basked in the memories of Ben Roethlisberger’s career as he faded into retirement in January. We are also just getting back from our extended trip in the “way back machine” to relive Sidney Crosby’s journey...
McConnell brothers show pride as sister Megan carries on family tradition at Duquesne
In advance of his team’s Atlantic 10 tournament opener against St. Joseph’s on Thursday (5 p.m.), Duquesne women’s coach Dan Burt was discussing second-year guard Megan McConnell. For Burt, the description is easy. “Simply, she’s a McConnell,” Burt said. For those that follow basketball in the Pittsburgh area, that succinct...
Tim Benz: As Penguins face Tampa Bay, plenty of reasons why the Lightning are in legit position for a ‘3-peat’
A brutal stretch of games for the Pittsburgh Penguins resumes Thursday night in Tampa Bay. The Pens face the Lightning at 7 p.m., looking to win a third straight outing. Meanwhile, the Lightning have won five in a row. They are one of seven consecutive opponents for coach Mike Sullivan’s...
First Call: Joe Manganiello narrates Sidney Crosby doc; progress on Aaron Donald contract; Tom Brady update; Gronk to Bills?
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Hollywood star Joe Manganiello channels his Western Pennsylvania roots as narrator of a new Sidney Crosby documentary. Also, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not look kindly on Tom Brady going elsewhere if he comes out of retirement. The Buffalo Bills may try to bring Rob Gronkowski...
Tim Benz: Kevin Colbert’s comments on Najee Harris unexpected, but not unfounded
When it comes to Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, I don’t think he goes out of his way to lie to the media during his rare meetings with us. But I do think he avoids giving direct answers to the best of his ability. It’s as if he has...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans have early barbs for Penguins at trade deadline, the Pirates — even the Maulers
Two treats for this week’s “U mad, bro?” First, because of some scheduling quirks, it’s coming a day early. Second, Pittsburgh fans are so special, they have managed to work their way into complaining about a franchise that hasn’t even held its first practice, rules changes that haven’t even been...
Tim Benz: Denouncing Vladimir Putin isn’t as easy to do for all Russian hockey players as some Americans assume
There is a wave of commentary denouncing some Russian NHL players for failing to take a strong public stance against Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine. I get it. Columnists, talk show hosts and panel members all over our country have taken the time to blast several players for failing to...
Tim Benz: Throwing bodies at the depth chart won’t answer Steelers’ quarterback questions — it will create them
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation, there are many theories as to what the organization should do. A.) Make a big trade for an established veteran like Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr or Russell Wilson. B.) Draft a potential future star in the first round. C.) Do nothing...
