Tim Benz stories, Page 128
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: Potential Steelers replacements for Vance McDonald; wild wide receiver depth
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” is spending this week publishing daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts. We are breaking down the franchise’s needs into five different sections. Each day, former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/“Peacock and Williamson NFL Show”)...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: Steelers’ plan at QB; running back they can’t ignore in Round 1
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” is spending this week publishing daily Steelers draft-related previews. We are breaking down the franchise’s needs into five different sections. Monday: Quarterbacks and running backs Tuesday: Receivers and tight ends Wednesday: Offensive line Thursday: Defensive front seven Friday:...
Tim Benz: Returning Steelers should help team’s decision-making during NFL Draft
I can only imagine the emotional swirl within the wave of Pittsburgh Steelers players who recently rejoined the team just a matter of weeks after being turned loose. I don’t have to imagine the emotions of the fan base, however. I see them on display constantly on social media and...
Tim Benz: Returning Steelers should help team’s decision-making during NFL Draft
I can only imagine the emotional swirl within the wave of Steelers players who recently rejoined the team just a matter of weeks after being turned loose. I don’t have to imagine the emotions of the fan base, however. I see them on display constantly on social media and in...
First Call: Could Steelers draft the NFL Rookie of the Year? Strange night in NHL’s East Division
Friday’s “First Call” gives us a medical update on a potential Steelers first-round pick. Odds are out on who might be the NFL Rookie of the Year. We saw a strange night in the NHL’s East Division. And we look at the Pirates weekend tilt in Milwaukee. Weird night The...
First Call: Talk of Al Villanueva coming back to Steelers; Julian Edelman’s Hall of Fame debate may help Hines Ward
Thursday’s “First Call” takes a look at the Hall of Fame debate surrounding former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward and recently retired New England Patriot Julian Edelman. Another free agent Steeler may boomerang back to Pittsburgh. One former Penguin hits a milestone. Another gets a new contract. And plenty of...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans vent; Steelers fans deflect criticism; Penguins fans reject concerns about Jeff Carter
Want a real reason to be mad, Pittsburgh sports fans? Here’s one for you. There will be no “U mad, bro?” next week. I know. I know. I can feel the anger welling up inside of you already. But it’s time for a vacation. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t...
First Call: James Conner says goodbye to Pittsburgh, addresses ATV accident; Ben Roethlisberger’s MVP odds; Flyers fading
Former Steeler and Pitt Panther James Conner says goodbye to the city of Pittsburgh. Big odds against “Big Ben” in the NFL MVP race. The Flyers continue to fail. And an ex-Pirates pitcher has a bad night. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Au revoir Running back James Conner posted...
Tim Benz: Can the Penguins win the East Division? And how much would that matter?
As the Pittsburgh Penguins enjoy some rare downtime during this grueling covid-19 compressed schedule, let’s take a moment to ponder two looming questions. • Can the Penguins finish first in the NHL’s East Division? • Does it matter at all if they do? I’ll say “yes” to the first question...
First Call: New injury for James Conner; milestone for Jordan Staal; P.K. Subban’s ugly injury versus Penguins
Tuesday’s “First Call” reveals yet another injury for Pittsburgh Steelers free agent James Conner. This one happened off the field. Former Penguin Jordan Staal reaches a milestone. A Steelers draft prospect has some advice for whatever team chooses him. And you absolutely have to see the injury P.K. Subban suffered...
Tim Benz: Let’s meet in the middle on this Penguins trade for Jeff Carter
Over the last 30 years, the Pittsburgh Penguins have cobbled together a long history of in-season “swing from the heels” trades. Some with markedly better results than others. Pre-deadline acquisitions of Larry Murphy, Peter Taglianetti, Scott Young, Ulf Samuelsson, Grant Jennings and Ron Francis in 1991. Kjell Samuelsson and Ken...
Madden Monday: Will Jeff Carter be another Patrick Marleau? And what does the trade says about Evgeni Malkin’s injury?
The Pittsburgh Penguins are acquiring veteran forward Jeff Carter from the Los Angeles Kings ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. As our Seth Rorabaugh reports, the deal is in exchange for conditional draft picks and partial retention of Carter’s salary-cap hit. Which is sizable. The 36-year-old is still owed a prorated...
First Call: A response to JuJu Smith-Schuster’s interview with Michael Irvin; Marc-Andre Fleury climbs up wins chart
In Monday’s “First Call,” I fire off a delayed salvo about JuJu Smith-Schuster’s interview with Michael Irvin. A look back at some Troy Polamalu highlights. Former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury keeps moving up the all-time wins chart. NHL trades are already paying off in the East Division. And you need...
Tim Benz: Kevin McClatchy, former players reflect on PNC Park on the 20th anniversary of its debut
It had been a long time since something went right for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, pretty much everything since the end of the eighth inning in Atlanta on Oct. 14, 1992 had been downhill. They lost their last shot at making the World Series. Their MVP went to San...
Tim Benz: As schedule eases, Penguins can’t afford a slump with points on the table
The Pittsburgh Penguins have nothing to worry about. This is just a little slump with about one-third of the season left. They’ve been playing so well, for so long now, that they are bound to pull out of it. I mean, good teams like this don’t fall in the tank...
First Call: Will Ben Roethlisberger stay with Steelers through 2022? A potential landing spot for James Conner
It’s an all-NFL “First Call” for Thursday morning with lots of Pittsburgh Steelers tidbits. At least one reporter thinks Ben Roethlisberger will be back with the Steelers after 2021 ends. A familiar foe from the AFC North is looking for work. And one outlet thinks it has found a landing...
20 years after PNC Park opener, Pittsburgh’s Sean Casey reflects on hitting 1st homer (and his quest for the ball)
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2021 home opener is Thursday afternoon at PNC Park. They host the Chicago Cubs at 1:35 p.m. The first regular-season game ever played at PNC Park — an 8-2 Pirates loss to the Cincinnati Reds — was April 9, 2001. That means the 20th anniversary of the...
Tim Benz: Duquesne football embraces restructured spring season, hosts NEC championship game
This time of year in Pittsburgh sports, normally the only postseason action taking place is the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Penguins. We aren’t usually thinking about postseason for football. Especially on the college level. Frankly, we are often just wrapping our brains around the concept...
U mad, bro?: Steelers, Pirates fans can’t decide if they are madder at teams or media for criticizing them
Steelers fans are mad at the team. Pirates fans are mad at the team. Steelers fans are mad at me for being mad at the team. Pirates fans are mad at me for being mad at the team. And everybody is mad at Skip Bayless. So, you know, a fairly...
First Call: Steven Nelson says pay cut was never in play with Steelers; Triple H on idea of Ben Roethlisberger joining WWE
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us some answers about Steelers free agency from former cornerback Steven Nelson. A former WWE star kicks around the idea of a guest spot with Ben Roethlisberger. Ex-Steelers are being considered for the team’s Hall of Honor. And the NHL’s East Division continues to be constantly...
A trade idea for the Penguins — and who they may move in return
By this time next Tuesday, we will know what the Pittsburgh Penguins did — or didn’t do — before the 2021 NHL trade deadline. It’s Monday afternoon, April 12. In our weekly “Breakfast With Benz” hockey podcast, Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network has an idea about who the...
Tim Benz: Steelers aren’t becoming Pirates (yet). But there was one familiar theme this offseason.
I watched the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season-opening series at Wrigley Field over the weekend, and it got me thinking about the Steelers. Yikes. If that’s not an alarming open to any column about the local football team I don’t know what else could be. Now before all of you “Defend the...
First Call: Najee Harris praises meetings with Steelers; Mike Hilton fires back at trolls after signing with Bengals
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Hilton is a little salty about how he has been treated by fans since signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. Alabama running back Najee Harris has some good things to say about his pre-draft interaction with the Steelers. Antonio Brown is openly pleading to stay in Tampa...
Madden Monday: A theory on why Penguins’ Kris Letang has been more tempered in his approach
When speaking about Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, his propensity to take chances and gamble at inopportune times is usually only outweighed by his stubborn defense of his own style. Not in 2021, though. At least not since the Penguins have been saddled with so many injuries to their forward group....
First Call: Steelers’ Devin Bush uses some furry friends to help his ACL rehab; ex-Penguins get Capitals back atop East
In Monday’s “First Call,” Steelers linebacker Devin Bush has some interesting rehab partners helping him on his way back from a knee injury. Former Penguins are aiding the cause of the Washington Capitals. We look at the recent past and potential future of the Pirates pitching staff. Plus, a little...
