Tim Benz stories, Page 121
First Call: Encouraging stat about Steelers’ Melvin Ingram; Steven Nelson news; interesting Penguins expansion predictions
If you are dubious about the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Melvin Ingram, Wednesday’s “First Call” may put you at ease. We also look at Steven Nelson’s future. Strange odds surrounding which Penguin may get selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. And T.J. Watt’s wedding engagement is getting some...
Kraken’s expansion pick from Penguins? Seattle radio host says, ‘It starts and ends with Jason Zucker, right?’
Leading up to Wednesday’s expansion draft, a lot of Pittsburgh Penguins fans have advanced the hope that the Seattle Kraken would select winger Jason Zucker. If every team besides the Vegas Golden Knights is going to lose someone, why not him? In the wake of his acquisition from the Minnesota...
Tim Benz: 4 reasons why this year’s Steelers training camp may be more important than most
Training camp is a high priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as it is for the rest of the NFL’s franchises. That importance is increasing with players frequently balking at in-person offseason workouts these days and with the reduction of the preseason schedule to three games. The Steelers are “lucky” (if...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey teams want to play games. On the ice, not with their own administration
If Robert Morris University truly wants its recently resuscitated hockey programs to play games this season, the school should stop playing games with the student-athletes who remain on the teams. Immediately. The decision makers in Moon Township should reinstate both the men’s and women’s programs right now and let them...
Penguins’ early actions in offseason indicate team’s main objective
Many observers of the Pittsburgh Penguins entered this offseason thinking the organization’s biggest need was to improve the goaltending. Others stressed a desire to add more size and physicality. Some want increased scoring for the playoffs. The front office probably agrees with all of the above. This is why it...
First Call: Steelers’ contract terms known for Melvin Ingram; Seattle prediction on Penguins expansion pick for Kraken
Tuesday’s “First Call” gives us the numbers behind Melvin Ingram’s new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pitt’s odds of winning the ACC football conference have been released. We found a prediction from Seattle regarding which Penguins player will go to the Kraken via the expansion draft. Also, a Steelers preseason...
Madden Monday: Confused about why Penguins left Brandon Tanev unprotected? Mark Madden has answers.
Are you struggling to grasp the Penguins’ strategy when it comes to the expansion draft? Yeah, me, too. Over the weekend, NHL teams were required to submit their protected lists for Wednesday’s expansion draft. Among those left unprotected in Pittsburgh were forwards Brandon Tanev and Zach Aston-Reese. Meanwhile, Jeff Carter...
First Call: Steelers have interest in former Pro Bowl pass rusher; Kevin Dotson tries first pitch at PNC Park
Monday’s “First Call” gives us reason to think that the Steelers may bolster their pass rushing depth. Kevin Dotson’s pitching mechanics need work. The hype surrounding Tom Brady’s return to New England is building already. And the Pirates actually have reason to believe that they are much better than their...
Tim Benz: Pirates-Mets was far from perfect, but plenty of fun
My plan coming out of the All-Star break was to go to PNC Park Sunday in case New York Mets ace pitcher Jacob deGrom spun a perfect game against the normally putrid Pirates. Instead, what we saw was a 7-6 Mets win that was as far from perfect as you...
Former Steeler Ryan Shazier describes the impact of Troy Polamalu’s mentorship
One of the things that made Ryan Shazier’s career-ending spinal injury so sad is that, for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, they could sense a little Troy Polamalu in what he brought to the field. Shazier (a linebacker) played a different position than Polamalu (a safety), and the defense around him wasn’t...
Tim Benz: Forget those other lists and rankings, Steelers fans. Here’s one that’ll really get you upset
This time of year, Pittsburgh Steelers fans spend a lot of time getting fired up over lists and rankings published by various NFL media entities. Where Ben Roethlisberger ranks on the list of quarterbacks in the AFC North. Where T.J. Watt stands on the pass rusher rankings. Where Mike Tomlin...
First Call: Troy Polamalu planning Pittsburgh return; Dwayne Haskins breaks tooth in Las Vegas incident
Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu may return to Heinz Field. Backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins reportedly lost a tooth during an incident in Las Vegas. An update on when Pirates fans may get to see Jacob deGrom. And we’ll let you know how WPIAL and Pitt product Cam Johnson did in...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans love their prospect rankings, but hate anyone who doesn’t feel the same way
Pittsburgh Pirates fans reminded me of a valuable lesson this week. Media members are not allowed to pass negative judgement on any aspect of a Major League Baseball draft for at least five years. You can, however, declare it a spectacular, franchise-altering, paradigm-shifting success overnight. That’s how things went this...
‘Cash’ing in a chance: Derek Schooley puts fundraising atop of the list of needs for a potential Robert Morris hockey comeback
For Robert Morris men’s hockey coach Derek Schooley, it sounds like he’s employing some good ol’ fashion hockey cliches. Right out of Hockey Media Relations 101. One play at a time. One shift at a time. One period at a time. One game at a time. For Schooley, though, there’s...
First Call: Steeler takes a swat at his time in New England; differing national opinions on Ben Roethlisberger; RMU hockey updates
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a Steeler ripping the New England Patriots, on-air hosts singing very different tunes about Ben Roethlisberger and a few nuggets about the Robert Morris hockey teams. Cassius chimes in Steelers linebacker Cassius Marsh is taking another swat at one of his former teams: the New England...
Tim Benz: Just enough for Pittsburgh sports fans to get you through the mid-summer lull
We are still about two weeks away from Steelers training camp. The Stanley Cup Finals are over. So is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Home Run Derby and the draft. Besides the Pirates grinding toward a potential 100-loss season, what can Pittsburgh sports fans watch to get their fix...
First Call: Steeler most likely to make Pro Bowl debut; Steelers draftee who almost missed his call; Pierre McGuire’s new job
Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a peek at potential Steelers who could make their Pro Bowl debuts. One Steeler almost missed Mike Tomlin’s draft day phone call. Remembering “Mr. Wonderful’s” football career. And a new job in the NHL for Pierre McGuire. Sounds like a good idea Last week, NFL.com compiled...
Tim Benz: You’re happy about the Pirates draft. I’ll be happy when ‘prospects’ become good MLB players.
Congratulations on the Pittsburgh Pirates clinching a 2027 World Series berth. Okay, maybe 2028. Regardless, order your tickets now! By that point, all of the guys the Pirates drafted in the first few rounds of this week’s 2021 Major League Baseball draft should be with the big league club. Most...
Madden Monday: Penguins fans ‘will be amazed by how much they stand pat’
Now that the 2021 Stanley Cup has been awarded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, it’s time for Pittsburgh Penguins fans to focus on what moves their team may make in the offseason. Or according to our Mark Madden, what moves they won’t make. “I think we’ll be amazed by how...
First Call: A former Steeler retires; is Ben Roethlisberger tipping off plays before the snap?
Monday’s “First Call” gives us news of a former Steeler retiring. We examine the details of Ben Roethlisberger allegedly tipping plays pre-snap. Pirates All-Star Adam Frazier is in pretty exclusive company. Ex-Pirates pitchers in the Bronx are finding a better rhythm. And we had some sassy tempers in a Pirates...
Tim Benz: 20 years after the Jaromir Jagr trade, former Penguin Kris Beech has found peace
If the call had come on the 10th anniversary of the Jaromir Jagr trade, Kris Beech may have had a different reaction. He probably still would’ve done the interview. Just with a little less enthusiasm and a lot less perspective. But after 20 years of reflection, the former Penguins forward...
First Call: ESPN analyst sees Ben Roethlisberger benched by midseason; Eagles CB recruiting Steven Nelson
Friday’s “First Call” brings us a Doomsday scenario prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, the Eagles may still be in play for Steven Nelson. We’ve got some Steelers birthdays, a bold prediction from a Steelers rival and Home Run Derby gambling odds. Big Ben ‘is going to be bad’ Former...
Tim Benz: NCAA needs to be fixed, not eliminated. Focus on solutions, not fake outrage
This happens from time to time at “Breakfast With Benz.” I get an email, tweet or a post in the comments section that I want to use for “U mad, bro?” However, sometimes that comment itself gets me mad enough that I find myself writing a response so long, it...
Marcelo Mayer’s coach compares Pirates’ potential top draft pick to another former No. 1 from the same high school
As Sunday’s Major League Baseball draft approaches, all signs continue to indicate that the Pittsburgh Pirates will choose Eastlake High School (Chula Vista, Cali.) shortstop Marcelo Mayer with the No.1 overall pick. For some people (yours truly included) who believe that drafting Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter is a better route...
First Call: Steelers’ Devin Bush says he is being monitored, ‘fined’ for Twitter activity; Benny Snell welcomes roster challenges
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us more odd Twitter ramblings from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. Benny Snell discusses the crowded Steelers running back room. We look at a potential oversight of the Steelers in the new Kurt Warner movie. And there are some interesting numbers heading into this weekend’s Pirates-Mets...
