Tim Benz stories, Page 133
Tim Benz: If Pens fans are skeptical of Hextall-Burke duo, praise from Philadelphia may help
Some Penguins fans may be a bit slow to fully embrace Ron Hextall as the team’s new general manager because of his history with the Philadelphia Flyers. Or, perhaps better phrased, quicker to turn on him if he is not an instant success. That said, some of the loudest approvals...
Tim Benz: Fun subplot to trade rumor of Marc-Andre Fleury coming back to the Penguins
When I heard the report that the Pittsburgh Penguins tried to reacquire former goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (twice) from the Vegas Golden Knights in recent months, a lot ran through my head. Via Vegas Hockey Now, TSN’s Bob McKenzie said on NBCSN Wednesday that “the Penguins have tried ‘very hard’ since...
First Call: Penguins may extend Evgeni Malkin; potential destinations for Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown
Friday’s “First Call” will quell concerns of those who were worried that Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin might get traded. Or, on the other hand, it might anger those who wanted to see him moved. Also, Tom Brady is scheduled for surgery. One outlet predicts that Antonio Brown is staying...
Friday Football Footnotes: Who was the ‘Most improved’ Steeler in 2020? Is Al Villanueva a ‘must keep’?
Pittsburgh Steelers fans, we haven’t done “Friday Football Footnotes” at “Breakfast With Benz” for a while, have we? Well, now is as good a time as any. There are lots of little Steelers nuggets to digest. Plus, I’ve spent way too much time shoveling the snow off my sidewalk and...
Tim Benz: If Pens fans are skeptical of Hextall-Burke duo, praise from Philadelphia may help
Some Penguins fans may be a bit slow to fully embrace Ron Hextall as the team’s new general manager because of his history with the Philadelphia Flyers. Or, perhaps better phrased, quicker to turn on him if he’s not an instant success. That said, some of the loudest approvals of...
First Call: Jets and Raiders for JuJu?; TE draft prospect for Steelers; boozin’ Tom Brady; cussin’ Bruce Arians
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us a potential destination for JuJu Smith-Schuster. Two, actually. And some money projections as well. Also, a tight end draft projection for the Steelers. Remembering the departure of a Steelers legend. And Tom Brady may have been overserved at the Super Bowl party in Tampa. JuJu...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans defend Big Ben, City of Champions rep, rip Tom Brady
So let me get this straight, Pittsburgh sports fans. The Penguins just hired their boogeyman from the 1980s to be their new general manager. His new boss is a guy who openly jabbed the franchise on two different occasions. The power play is a mess. And Tristan Jarry is about...
First Call: Bruce Arians describes dismissal from Pittsburgh; Steelers linked to Bengals free agent
Wednesday’s “First Call” features an interesting free agency theory for the Steelers. Also, Bill Cowher’s goodbye to Marty Schottenheimer. And admission from Bruce Arians about his dismissal from the Steelers. And a new job for Antwaan Randle El. Plus, a former Pitt star earns a Super Bowl ring. And a...
Alan Faneca’s Hall of Fame-worthy account of his signature Steelers moment
As is the case with many Pro Football Hall of Famers, most of the Steelers in Canton, Ohio, delivered a “Hall of Fame moment.” That one iconic piece of video. That one unforgettable highlight which captures the player’s essence. Usually on a big stage like the playoffs or the Super...
Tim Benz: I get what the Penguins are thinking. But how is this going to work?
Like many Penguins fans in their early to mid-40s, I cut my teeth as a hockey fan in the early Mario Lemieux years of the mid-80s and became hooked on the game as they were winning Stanley Cups in the early 90s. That also means — like all Penguins fans...
Madden ‘Tuesday’: Why Penguins goalies are failing, Super Bowl fallout, Steelers ‘nuclear winter’
Our “Madden Monday” podcast had to wait a day because of Mark Madden’s trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Did Madden’s mini-vacation soften his recent harsh assessment of our three Pittsburgh sports teams, specifically the Steelers? “They are one year away from nuclear winter, which is where the...
First Call: Ex-Steeler says Big Ben must replicate Tom Brady; Kevin Colbert on Antonio Brown’s Super Bowl win
The NFL season may be over, but that doesn’t mean Steelers stories stop. In fact, as Tuesday’s “First Call” shows us, they may be coming in even more frequently now that a busy offseason is upon us. The first post-Super Bowl NFL gambling odds are out for 2021’s Super Bowl...
Tim Benz: Steelers can learn a lot from Buccaneers’ Super Bowl win … beyond just signing Tom Brady
What a world it is, Steelers fans. In our current reality, Tom Brady has been to four Super Bowls since Ben Roethlisberger has won his last playoff game. The Steelers have longer odds at the Super Bowl than the Cleveland Browns or Miami Dolphins. And their “retired” former offensive coordinator...
First Call: Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell have opposite Super Bowl experiences; audio/video of streaker
It’s an all Super Bowl “First Call” after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew out the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in the NFL title game Sunday night. We grit our teeth as former Steeler Antonio Brown celebrates earning a ring and scoring a touchdown. We lament Le’Veon Bell’s non-existent contribution. And...
Despite challenges of pandemic, Chatham hockey will start this weekend
If you’ve paid attention to college sports at all over the past year, you know the struggle it has been to get through schedules during the coronavirus pandemic. Games get postponed, moved up and canceled altogether like it’s beer league softball or rec-league hoops at the local YMCA. If the...
Tim Benz: ESPN is already hyping the 2021 season … and overhyping the Steelers
Leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl, ESPN.com put together some projections for the Steelers and the rest of the league’s 31 other franchises in advance of 2021 season. Hey, no time like the present to start hyping the future, right? They placed every team into one of six boxes based...
Tim Benz: Super Bowl predictions and bets to make Sunday interesting — even without Steelers
Sadly for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, their team isn’t involved in the Super Bowl. Again. It’s been that way for a decade now. But most of us in Pittsburgh will still be watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. So if you want some Super Bowl prop...
First Call: Bruce Arians’ quote about Ben Roethlisberger; Chris Drury not in mix for Penguins GM job
Bruce Arians and Franco Harris comment on the Steelers. A perceived general manager candidate is off the Penguins’ list. And Robert Morris hockey has a rare mid-week doubleheader. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.” Bruce on Brady and Ben Former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians provided an interesting quote about...
The biggest problems facing the Penguins … besides the power play. Oh, and the power play.
At 5-4-1, things could be worse for the Pittsburgh Penguins. But they aren’t great. During Wednesday’s“Breakfast With Benz” podcast, Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer and I spent a lot of time drilling down on the problems facing the power play. But that’s not where the analysis needs to stop....
First Call: Best Super Bowl play ‘debate’; Steelers O-line supporting new hire
We may have a Steelers-Patriots Super Bowl dust up thanks to our friends “across the pond.” Steelers offensive linemen current and past are running to the defense of new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm. At least one big name quarterback is staying put. And the “cannons won’t thunder” in Tampa...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are pushing back against media criticism, whether they are right or not
Steelers fans have had enough! It is time to fight for the flag! Or, in this case, the Terrible Towel. I suppose a month of ridiculing the Black and Gold during this winter of discontent has reached its saturation point. We’ve gotten far enough away from the team’s last loss...
Tim Benz: For the Penguins power play, every day is ‘Groundhog Day’
Because of covid-19 issues with the New Jersey Devils, the Penguins won’t play again until Feb. 6 against the New York Islanders. The games against New Jersey at PPG Paints Arena have been postponed. So what will they do with the downtime? Working on the power play is a good...
Chuck Cooper III ‘pinching himself’ as Duquesne is poised to open new arena named after his father
It seems as if everyone associated with Duquesne Athletics has something they love about the reconstructed building around the bones of the 33-year-old Palumbo Center. During a tour of the facility on Monday, athletic director Dave Harper beamed as he showed off the design of the interior and looked out...
First Call: Jerome Bettis’ take on Ben Roethlisberger’s issues; alumni support for new Steelers O-line coach
Tuesday’s “First Call” features Jerome Bettis’ take on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. At least one person is a fan of the team’s new offensive line coach. An honor for Duquesne basketball as they get ready to open their new building. And Duquesne’s football team will have a 2020 season —...
JuJu Smith-Schuster addresses free agency, Ben Roethlisberger, his one ‘Browns is the Browns’ regret
Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is speaking publicly about his future, the infamous “Browns is the Browns” quote, logo dancing and offseason radio silence between him and Ben Roethlisberger. The TikTok star and former Pro Bowl pass-catcher is about to become a free agent. He appeared on Fox Sports Radio...
