Tim Benz stories, Page 131
Tim Benz: Pirates not alone when it comes to creating lack of competition
Pirates fans, at least you aren’t alone when it comes to your team’s place within the ecosystem of baseball economics. Along with how your team is operating within that world. Meet the Colorado Rockies. They decided to pay the St. Louis Cardinals to accept All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado in...
First Call: Rod Woodson jabs JuJu Smith-Schuster; ESPN knocks Bud Dupree; Mike Hilton on his big decision
Lots of Steelers talk dominates Tuesday’s “First Call.” Rod Woodson is critical of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. One analyst is unkind regarding linebacker Bud Dupree’s free agency projection. Cornerback Mike Hilton talks about the prospect of leaving Pittsburgh. And we mix in some hockey this weekend in Pittsburgh as well....
Tim Benz: Steelers’ same old song about fixing the run game is going over like a ‘Led Zeppelin’
I wonder if Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger likes Led Zeppelin. What about offensive coordinator Matt Canada? If they do, then they may know that Led Zeppelin’s epic hit “Stairway to Heaven” turned 50 years old last week. Note, I said “Stairway to Heaven.” Not “Stairway to Seven.” No, that mothballed...
NHL’s reconfigured divisions are impacting playoff positioning, especially for the Penguins
After a dormant night in the NHL’s Eastern Division, all eight teams are in action Tuesday evening, including the Penguins hosting the New York Rangers at 6 p.m. I was a bit skeptical of how the makeshift 2021 NHL format of entirely intra-divisional play would work out. We’re about 45%...
Madden Monday: Will Big Ben’s contract keep the band together? ‘This ain’t the Beatles.’
There seems to be a misguided sense from Steelers fans that Ben Roethlisberger’s new contract is going to be key in helping the Steelers to make another playoff run. This after the franchise flamed out following an 11-0 start in 2020. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden is...
First Call: Twists as JuJu Smith-Schuster approaches free agency; Islanders stay hot atop East
Monday’s “First Call” features a few interesting twists along the way toward JuJu Smith-Schuster’s free agency. The New York Islanders stay red-hot atop the Eastern Division. Robert Morris’ women’s hockey team takes a unique route to the NCAA tournament. And Duquesne’s spring football season opener turns back the clock when...
Tim Benz: Thumbs down to a new NFL overtime idea (and not just because the Ravens thought of it)
Steelers fans are predisposed to dislike anything the Baltimore Ravens want to do. In the case of Baltimore’s new overtime proposal, though, our inherent anti-Ravens bias doesn’t even have to come into play. It’s a useless plan, and the NFL shouldn’t bother looking at it. Yet the idea is gaining...
Football ‘March Madness’: Duquesne starts 4-game ‘spring season’ Sunday
It’s March Madness on the campus of Duquesne University. And I’m not just talking about the school’s upset win over Richmond in the Atlantic 10 Tournament on Thursday. Onto the next one ?#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/L0mDb1l6JU— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) March 4, 2021 I’m talking about the football team, too. Since the Northeast...
First Call: JuJu and J.J. together in Arizona?, Larry Fitzgerald’s future, Baker Mayfield saw a UFO
Friday’s “First Call” is stacked with news about JuJu Smith-Schuster, J.J. Watt, Larry Fitzgerald and Baker Mayfield. Also, UFOs and ice baths. I’ll let you guess the order. My turn! Now that Ben Roethlisberger’s contract is done, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster wants the Steelers to turn their attention to someone...
Tim Benz: Ben Roethlisberger’s new contract may not be the big picture fix some are anticipating
Let’s get the working of mechanics ironed out as we talk about Ben Roethlisberger’s new Pittsburgh Steelers contract. Then we’ll get to what all of this means. Because the words we use — and how we chose them — to describe Big Ben’s big decision are important to properly frame...
First Call: Bud Dupree health update; Joe Haden claps back at talk of release; T.J. McConnell triple-double
Thursday’s “First Call” shows us a feisty Steeler. Bud Dupree is optimistic about his health. And T.J. McConnell sets an NBA record. Also, another Robert Morris hockey player is up for a national award. And a former Pirate had a big hit against the Buccos in spring training. Haden not...
30th anniversary of Penguins-Whalers trade: Families happy to remember Zarley Zalapski, Jeff Parker
During the first two chapters of our 30th anniversary retrospective of “The Trade” involving the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hartford Whalers, we’ve tried to talk to as many of the players involved as possible. Unfortunately, some can no longer speak for themselves because they passed away at far too early of...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans cranky about QBs! Ben Roethlisberger, his backups, guys they haven’t drafted yet
So long as we have Steelers quarterback angst, “U mad, bro?” will always have content. However, this week I was getting concerned. We were overrun with positive responses to the “Breakfast With Benz” columns of late about the “Miracle on Ice,” Robert Morris hockey player Chace Sperling, and the Penguins-Whalers...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s tug of war with a lion; spin on J.J.Watt’s signing; new home for ex-Steeler
Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has an interesting new training partner. One of his ex-teammates has a new job. Perhaps some PR spin after J.J. Watt signed in Arizona. And the Cleveland Browns may swap out tight ends. It’s an all-NFL “First Call” for Wednesday morning. Watt do we think of...
30th anniversary of Penguins-Whalers trade: Why would Hartford ever give away Ron Francis?
As a Pittsburgh sports fan growing up in Connecticut, I wasn’t sure how to feel about the Penguins trade with the Hartford Whalers in March of 1991. I knew the players that the Penguins were getting were good and filled a need in Pittsburgh. But, man, John Cullen was fifth...
Tim Benz: Penguins plow through to-do list in Game 1 versus Flyers
I’d like to thank the Pittsburgh Penguins for being such loyal readers of “Breakfast With Benz.” Obviously, they are. Because based on Tuesday’s to-do list that we compiled for the team’s crucial three-game series against the Philadelphia Flyers, they took it very much to heart. And they checked every box...
30 years after Penguins-Whalers trade: John Cullen, Grant Jennings on trading places, awkward meetings, rental evictions
Thursday night, at 9:15 p.m., Penguins fans will probably be gritting their teeth through the latter stages of yet another excruciatingly close Eastern Division game against the Flyers. They should take a moment. Pause the game on the DVR, and look out toward Hartford, Connecticut. Then, with a raised glass,...
First Call: Diontae Johnson’s admission about drops; 17-game NFL season plans; gamblers bailing on Penguins
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an interesting admission from Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. We also get a peek at what a 17-game NFL schedule may look like. People may be overrating J.J. Watt’s impact on the Cardinals. Gamblers have faith in Ke’Bryan Hayes but are losing trust in the Penguins....
Tim Benz: 3 things Penguins need to fix against Flyers
A limited number of Penguins fans will be allowed into PPG Paints Arena Tuesday night just in time to see a three-game set against the hated Philadelphia Flyers. It’s a crucial series given the current state of the clustered Eastern Division standings. The cross-state rivals will begin play jockeying for...
First Call: Steelers show interest in high-speed WR; goalie goal, goalie fight; Marc-Andre Fleury bet
A few Steelers post on social media about free agency. The franchise appears to have an interest in a blazer at wide receiver in the upcoming draft. A goalie fight, a goalie goal and a Golden Knights goalie bet. All that in Monday’s “First Call.” Banner’s self-ban Steelers free agent...
Madden Monday: Why Steelers have to draft RB Najee Harris if he is available when they pick
Whether we’re talking about the Steelers — or any NFL team — debates about the importance of running backs are a trigger point for me. I think people conflate analysis of how you get a good one with the importance of having a good one at all. Sure, high-priced, high-pedigree...
Tim Benz: What does all the Ben Roethlisberger talk mean for Mason Rudolph?
We’re talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’re talking about future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. We’re talking about a $41 million cap hit. So it’s no wonder the dialogue about Roethlisberger’s future in Pittsburgh has soaked up so much attention. There’s not much more to boil down beyond that...
‘Chace’ing a comeback: From near amputation to NCAA hockey. The remarkable return of RMU’s Chace Sperling.
She doesn’t remember much about the 11-day stint at the hospital. It’s all a blur between the four surgeries, 38 stitches, pain medication, monotony and limited visits thanks to the pandemic. Robert Morris University hockey player Chace Sperling does remember one thing, though. That 20 minutes of agony flat on...
Tim Benz: Jason Zucker’s injury may provide peek into mindset of new Penguins brass
The injury to Penguins wing Jason Zucker is a blow to the roster at a time when things have been going well. Head coach Mike Sullivan’s team has won five of six and has another important game looming against the Washington Capitals Thursday night. Plus, with Evgeni Malkin finally showing...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster insists he wants to stay in Pittsburgh; Steelers out on J.J. Watt?; ‘Big Al’ to Indy?
Thursday’s “First Call” finds JuJu Smith-Schuster beaming with hope about staying with the Steelers. A few destinations are emerging for J.J. Watt, and Pittsburgh isn’t on the list. An AFC playoff suitor is mentioned for Alejandro Villanueva’s services. The Flyers are back on track. And it seems like big money...
