Tim Benz stories, Page 126
Tim Benz: Penguins too dismissive of 3rd-period struggles in Game 1 loss to Islanders
Tristan Jarry’s goaltending issues and Evgeni Malkin’s health weren’t the only concerns coming out of the Penguins’ Game 1 loss to the New York Islanders Sunday afternoon. So was the way the whole team finished that game. Despite leading 2-1 after the second intermission, the Penguins found themselves scrambling to...
First Call: Free agent idea for Steelers; John Harbaugh praises Al Villanueva; Marc-Andre Fleury, McCutchen flash in defeat
Monday’s “First Call” has an idea for the Pittsburgh Steelers to investigate when it comes to bolstering its offensive line. The Ravens are excited about adding a former Steeler. Marc-Andre Fleury and Andrew McCutchen flash in defeat. OK with Okung? Free-agent tackle Russell Okung is still without an NFL team....
Madden Monday: Penguins’ opening game against Islanders ‘looked like a loss out of the 2019 sweep’
Yes, Tristan Jarry had a rough day in net for the Pittsburgh Penguins during their 4-3 playoff-opening loss to the New York Islanders. But their problems didn’t begin and end with goaltending. • The Penguins blew a 2-1 lead in the third period before losing in overtime. • The Pens...
Tim Benz: Islanders goal-scorers were on point while Penguins’ Tristan Jarry was off the mark
When New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz casually described the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending as “inexperienced” in the week leading to the playoffs, it was an easy critique to dismiss. While Trotz was accurate — given the combined one playoff appearance between Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith — the easy response...
Robert Morris women’s lacrosse team looks for huge upset at Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament debut
According to Robert Morris women’s lacrosse coach Katrina Silva, you can’t see Notre Dame’s “Touchdown Jesus” from Arlotta Family Lacrosse Stadium. And she’s glad. “I don’t think they need any more luck,” Silva insisted during Friday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. Based on how the Fighting Irish handled Silva’s Robert Morris...
First Call: Steelers assign rookie jersey numbers; more spice for Tom Brady’s return game in New England
Friday’s “First Call” tells you what number to order for your favorite Steelers rookie jersey. JuJu Smith-Schuster reveals his list of circled games for 2021. Jameson Taillon gets touched up by an ex-Pirates teammate. And even more spice has been added to Tom Brady’s return to Foxborough. Got the digits?...
Tim Benz: This version of Penguins may have changed more than Islanders expect
Interesting comments about the Penguins from New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz didn’t stop with his noteworthy quote regarding their inexperience in net. During his postgame remarks Monday night after his team lost to the Boston Bruins in its final regular-season game, Trotz was asked what might be different about...
First Call: Steelers already underdogs in opener; ex-Penguin in mix for Rangers coaching job?
Thursday’s “First Call” shows little faith in the Pittsburgh Steelers to start 2021 on the right foot. A former Pitt Panther basketball player is getting his coaching start in the Bronx. Meanwhile, a former Penguin is hoping to continue his coaching career in Manhattan. And the Pirates need to get...
JuJu Smith-Schuster says he’ll be outside more often in Steelers offense this season
On Wednesday, we mentioned how JuJu Smith-Schuster voiced his displeasure with a 17-game season during a recent Adam Schefter ESPN podcast. Here’s another nugget from that conversation. Smith-Schuster said he is going to play outside more often in 2021. Schefter asked Smith-Schuster what NFL observers can expect out of him...
U mad, bro?: Some Steelers fans still prickly about draft, catering to Ben Roethlisberger; hockey fans hated Caps-Rangers fiasco
Touchy members of Steelers nation. Disgusted hockey fans. And irate Iron Maiden enthusiasts. Yup. It’s quite a collection in this week’s “U mad, bro?” A variety of venom. A prickly potpourri. A bundle of bile! So let’s get to it. “LR” took me to task for my column on T.J....
Robert Morris men’s lacrosse embraced ‘gift’ of challenging independent season; relishes new conference in 2022
If there is one thing every D-1 college coach wants right now, it’s a return to normalcy. Perhaps none more than Robert Morris men’s lacrosse coach Drew McMinn. The last time his Colonials finished a season in a pre-pandemic world, they were taking on Virginia in the 2019 NCAA tournament...
First Call: Ravens star heard Ben Roethlisberger give plays to receivers; JuJu Smith-Schuster against 17-game schedule
Wednesday’s “First Call” informs us that the Pittsburgh Steelers were giving away their plays at the line of scrimmage last year. And, no. Before you ask, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots video crew were not involved. Also, James Conner is taking advantage of a new league rule in...
Tim Benz: Is Barry Trotz already playing mind games with Penguins’ goalies? Or just telling the truth?
I don’t think what New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said about the Pittsburgh Penguins exactly qualifies as “trash talk.” Hardly “straight fire” as you kids say on the Twitters and the TikToks. But it’s worth noting. During his postgame comments following New York’s overtime loss in Boston on...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster responds to Al Villanueva’s ‘TikTok’ comments; 2 favorite anniversaries for Penguins fans
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” JuJu Smith-Schuster is asked about Alejandro Villanueva’s TikTok remarks. The Penguins get to celebrate two milestone anniversaries. And the strangest triple you will ever see. Asked about Al When he signed with the Baltimore Ravens last week, former Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva seemed to take a...
Tim Benz: Penguins must parlay surprising regular season into extended playoff run
The 2021 Pittsburgh Penguins have significantly exceeded expectations. A lot of people — both inside of Pittsburgh and beyond — saw this season as a potential fallback year for the Pens. In a best-case scenario, many thought they’d claw their way into the playoffs as the fourth team from a...
For Najee Harris, there’s only one Steelers RB to emulate for rookie 1st-round success
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice Najee Harris will be following in the footsteps of many Pro Bowl running backs in franchise history. Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, Le’Veon Bell and John Henry Johnson. Just to name a few. Willie Parker, Barry Foster and Dick Hoak to name a few more. But...
First Call: Steelers’ selection of Quincy Roche getting some national praise; Andrew McCutchen heating up; Pitt hoops news
Monday’s “First Call” features some optimism for a late-round Steelers draft choice. Also, a tough recruiting loss for Pitt basketball, and a look at the Pirates’ upcoming series at PNC Park. Plus, former Pirate Andrew McCutchen is starting to get things right at home plate. Sure would be nice On...
Football Footnotes: Latest interview shows JuJu Smith-Schuster still doesn’t grasp mistake of ‘Browns is the Browns’ quote
With the draft over and training camp still a few months away, we are in a down cycle for news surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL. But since the league is the Goliath that it is — and with the Steelers’ constant ability to find their way into headlines...
Madden Monday: Biggest reason to restrain your optimism about Penguins before playoffs start
The Pittsburgh Penguins have clinched the NHL’s East Division. The regular season has been better than any Penguins fan ever had a right to expect. But what does any of it mean if the franchise fails to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs for a third straight year?...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s admission about free agency; Marc-Andre Fleury now 3rd all-time in wins; Rangers-Caps brawl
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster opens up about free agency. Steelers rookies are getting rated for upcoming fantasy football drafts. The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers lived down to expectations Wednesday night. And former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury jumps another notch on that all-time NHL...
Tim Benz: Penguins host Sabres, Wexford’s Michael Houser. And it’s a story the NHL needs right now
Wexford’s Michael Houser will make his return to Pittsburgh as a Buffalo Sabres goalie for a set of games against the Penguins Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. If any league could use a story like this at this time, it’s the NHL. After a week that put the ugly side...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are fired up about Steelers draft. ‘More linemen! Why take a running back? And … a punter?’
The NFL Draft has Pittsburgh Steelers fans in a tizzy. Why did the team take a running back in the first round? Should they have taken more linemen earlier in the draft? Was their judgment clouded by some Steelers who stayed in free agency? And, good God, what was with...
First Call: Steelers projected to get 3rd-round compensatory pick for Bud Dupree; Rangers rip NHL over Tom Wilson decision
The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a sense of their 2022 draft compensation for losing Bud Dupree in free agency. And the franchise is finally getting some national praise for their 2021 draft class from a national outlet. In the NHL, the New York Rangers are irate over the lack of...
Tim Benz: One thing is clear for 2021 Steelers: T.J. Watt is never allowed to get hurt
With the NFL Draft in the books and the first wave of free agency completed, one thing has become abundantly clear for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. T.J. Watt is not allowed to get hurt. Ever. Not a pulled calf. Not a jammed finger. Not a bee sting. Not a hangnail....
Steelers legend Jerome Bettis offers prediction about Ben Roethlisberger’s future, endorses drafting of Najee Harris
It should be no surprise that Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis is endorsing the franchise’s 2021 first-round draft pick, fellow running back Najee Jerome Harris (Alabama). Yup. He’s got a “Jerome” and a “Harris” in his name. That’s a pretty decent way to get off to a good start...
