Tim Benz stories, Page 144
U mad, bro? Readers furious over Alejandro Villanueva’s helmet debate. ‘Fixed’ NFL games. Pirates problems.
This week’s “U mad, bro?” ranges from the Steelers, to a Big Ten reboot, to Pirates ineptitude, to Justin Timberlake. It also ranges from substantive to silly. Alejandro Villanueva’s agenda. Mason Rudolph’s helmet. Accusations of NFL officials on the take. And covid-19 propaganda. Aside from that … eh, it’s rather...
The long, strange football history of Pitt-Syracuse. And it’s getting odder by the year.
Saturday marks the 75th college football game between Pitt and Syracuse. And one word sums up the history of this series. Weird. It’s one of the strangest, goofiest rivalries in terms of historical trends that you will find. Just look at Syracuse’s three most recent trips to Heinz Field. 2020...
First Call: James Harrison, others joke about Cam Heyward’s interception; Le’Veon Bell to injured reserve
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” how about a little ribbing between Steelers friends? Big-name receivers are in the trade rumor mill. And Le’Veon Bell is going on injured reserve. Stirring the pot Former Steelers offensive lineman Ramon Foster was always Mr. Nice Guy in the locker room. But he could stir...
Steelers shouldn’t overcomplicate an already dicey O-line situation
That was interesting for Steelers fans. While it lasted. Technically, did it even start? After months of discussion surrounding a revamped Steelers offensive line in 2020, it’s entirely possible the chosen unit will never play together in a regular-season game. Upon the retirement of left guard Ramon Foster after the...
Tim Benz: Mixed start for JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner redemption tour
Since Ben Roethlisberger was coming back to lead the Steelers offense in 2020, that was going to be good for everybody. Especially wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner. That was the preseason theory, right? Those two Pro Bowlers from 2018 regressed dramatically without Roethlisberger in the lineup...
First Call: Ravens coach defends risking Lamar Jackson, Bruce Arians blunt about Tom Brady
Tuesday’s “First Call” gives us John Harbaugh’s defense of Lamar Jackson staying in the Baltimore Ravens’ blowout win Sunday. Bruce Arians isn’t afraid of criticizing Tom Brady. The Dallas Stars are onto the Stanley Cup Final. And Pitt is a big favorite on Saturday. Leavin’ Lamar The Baltimore Ravens destroyed...
Did the Penguins hire assistants for Mike Sullivan? Or potential replacements?
With the Steelers underway, some have pushed Penguins talk to the back burner until free agency or when the offseason trade market truly kicks into gear. But not for those of us here at “Breakfast With Benz.” General manager Jim Rutherford got a head start, so we feel the need...
Tim Benz: First 2020 ‘Airing of Grievances/Feats of Strength’ after Steelers beat Giants
I know that 2020 has taken away some of our most beloved traditions. Thankfully, not Steelers football. At least it’s still on television, even if you can’t go to the games. And because the Steelers are playing, you get to continue enjoying our favorite Steelers postgame tradition here at “Breakfast...
First Call: Typical ‘Bengalrific’ loss; Le’Veon Bell injured; Ex-Steeler, rookies help Ravens
What does Monday’s “First Call” teach us? The Ravens may be just as good as last year. The Browns may be even worse than last year. And the Bengals will always be the Bengals. OK. Maybe we didn’t need “First Call” to teach us that. But it’s worth reiterating. Also,...
Madden Monday: Steelers opener; Penguins ‘in organic decline,’ see themselves ‘as what they were, not how they are’
The first game of the 2020 Steelers season is Monday night against the New York Giants. So Mark Madden and I start this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast with a heavy dose of football. But the Penguins conversation is intriguing as well. Those that follow the team are trying to figure...
Tim Benz: If Steelers don’t slow Saquon Barkley, Giants could pull off upset
If the Steelers are to win their season opener Monday night against the New York Giants, they are going to have to stop superstar running back Saquon Barkley. Check that. The Steelers are going to have to slow superstar running back Saquon Barkley. Stopping Barkley doesn’t happen very often. Just...
Fantasy sports podcast: Game 1 paying off some hype. Renewed faith in Steelers’ James Conner?
If Game 1 of the NFL season is any indication, a lot of offseason fantasy league hype about certain skill position players is about to come true quickly. The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans, 34-20, in the Thursday night league opener. Rookie running back...
First Call: Kris Letang wants clarity. Giants coach wants better practices. Gerrit Cole wants better results.
Friday’s “First Call” starts with Penguins defenseman Kris Letang. He wants some clarity about his future. New York Giants coach Joe Judge wants his players more focused before Monday night’s game against the Steelers. And former Pirate pitcher Gerrit Cole wants to avoid home runs. • • • Letang update:...
Giants could offer Week 1 problems for Steelers’ reconfigured offensive line
If the Steelers are searching to find a litmus test for their revamped offensive line, they could do worse than starting the season against the New York Giants. In 2019, only two NFL teams — the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins — allowed more points per game than the Giants...
First Call: Myles Garrett’s ridiculous quotes about ‘clearing the air’ with Mason Rudolph
Thursday’s “First Call” features some insane statements from Cleveland Browns defensive star Myles Garrett regarding his 2019 helmet incident with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. Also, a look at some Penguins priorities for the offseason, Steelers Super Bowl odds and a potential Steelers threat in Week 2 might be out of...
Matt Murray to Colorado? Avalanche insider says he’s atop their ‘potential wish list’
Colorado Avalanche insider Adrian Dater seems to have a pretty good feel for Penguins fans and Pittsburgh. His parents lived in Wexford for some time. During Thursday’s podcast, Dater told me, “I learned early on, don’t troll any Pittsburgh Penguins fans about their team. Because if you do, you’ll get...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans go after JuJu and ‘Duck;’ Pens fans fret about Jim Rutherford
Normally, this time of year, Steelers fans are mad over what the team did wrong in the preseason as we get ready for NFL opening weekend. So with no preseason games, does that mean Steelers fans are any less concerned? Pfft! Not according to emails and my Twitter feed. In...
Rod Woodson: Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster may not be No. 1 receiver, Mason Rudolph not top backup
Steelers legend Rod Woodson made some headlines lately talking about his former team on Twitter. On Saturday, Woodson tweeted about Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, “All he wants to do is be on social media!” Seriously you can get no I draft pick from Juju, all he wants to do...
First Call: Steelers, Giants face O-line questions; Matt Murray and NHL goalie pool; Pitt star shines in NBA playoffs
Wednesday’s “First Call” looks at a shared concern for both the Steelers and the New York Giants in advance of Monday Night Football. A former Pitt basketball player is emerging in the NBA playoffs. And the NHL goalie rumor mill may have one less name in the hopper. So what...
Steelers prepare for Giants team with new coaches, no preseason tape
Here’s a fun question for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and his players heading into the 2020 season opener. How do you study film when there is no film to study? I know. Very meta n’at. But it’s a worthy concern going into the season opener for Tomlin’s team on...
First Call: T.J. Watt hears some trash talk from J.J. Watt; head-scratching Antonio Brown anniversary
“First Call” is back after a long holiday weekend. Steelers star T.J. Watt is on the receiving end of some trash talk from his brother, J.J. We investigate how Jadeveon Clowney almost became a Baltimore Raven. We check up on Charlie Morton’s comeback. And it’s been a year since Antonio...
Tim Benz: Cameron Heyward follows Steelers legacy of Brett Keisel, Aaron Smith. Now he’ll try try to outlast it.
There are multiple reasons why the Pittsburgh Steelers reworked the contract of defensive end Cameron Heyward to the tune of $75.1 million between now and the end of the 2024 season. He’s an All-Pro. He’s a stabilizing locker room influence in an unstable time. He’s a tremendous fan, media and...
Madden Monday: Whose window will stay open longer? The Steelers or Penguins?
If Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford is really trying to keep his core players together, let’s look at what that means. Sidney Crosby is signed through 2025. Jake Guentzel is locked up until the end of the 2024 playoffs. But Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin both only have two years...
Leonard Fournette isn’t coming to Steelers. What that means for your fantasy football draft.
So much for the “Leonard Fournette to the Steelers” talk. The former Jacksonville Jaguars running back signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, ending any discussion about him coming to Pittsburgh. But now, from a fantasy football perspective, the speculation is rampant as to what that may mean for...
First Call: Here’s what Steelers missed most without preseason
Coronavirus has done the impossible. Again. It shut down sports. The political conventions. Schools. Life as we know it. Now it has done something even more difficult: It has actually made me miss the Steelers preseason. Perhaps even the final preseason game, which would’ve been played Thursday night in Charlotte...
