Tim Benz stories, Page 145
U mad, bro? Fans spout about Pirates failures, Steelers moves, Penguins trade talk
Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. We spin the hits here at “U mad, bro?” No one is spared in this edition. This week people spout off about Steelers personnel, Penguins trade rumors and Bucco ineptitude. We begin with William. He checks in on the woeful Pirates. “I have followed this team...
Examining Penguins trade strategy, being ‘one forward short,’ NHL goalie glut, Flyers stay alive
It’s only taken nine months. But we are finally in a position where we are on the verge of something good happening in 2020. The Philadelphia Flyers are on the cusp of being eliminated in the 2020 playoffs. It didn’t happen on the first try, though. They stayed alive with...
Tim Benz: Are Pirates ‘building or rebuilding?’ There’s no difference and it doesn’t matter.
Getting mad at the Pirates is a pretty common thing to do in Pittsburgh. It has been for most of the past three decades. Sometimes we just do it out of habit. And not for the right reasons. Don’t get me wrong. At 10-23, there are plenty of reasons to...
First Call: Jim Rutherford keeps trade talk open on Evgeni Malkin, Matt Murray. Bounce back for JuJu? Marte Par-tay in Miami.
The trade action could be swift on Penguins goalie Matt Murray, and general manager Jim Rutherford is letting speculation linger about Evgeni Malkin. That’s how we start Wednesday’s “First Call.” Meanwhile, former Pirates outfielder Starling Marte has started his new chapter in Miami with a bang. Someone is thinking JuJu...
Mike DeCourcy remembers John Thompson, Cliff Robinson, Pitt’s Demetreus Gore, Big East glory days
If you like college basketball as much as I do — especially memories of the Big East’s early days — then you know how bad of a week it has been. • Former Pitt standout Demetreus Gore died of an apparent heart attack over the weekend. He was 54. Gore...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ inactivity at 2020 trade deadline – I can’t even fake a reaction
I got nuthin’. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington gave us nothing in terms of trades before Monday’s deadline. So I’ve got nothing in terms of a response. I can fake it if you want. I can gin up some faux outrage over front office inactivity. Or I can dial up...
First Call: Someone may want Nick Bjugstad? Someone signed Donte Moncrief? Cole vs. Glasnow.
Tuesday’s “First Call” examines some potential Penguins roster movement. An ex-Steeler has a new home. Leonard Fournette gets a swift kick on the way out of Jacksonville. And we look at how Glasnow vs. Cole Round 3 turned out. Bjugstad or Bonino Buffalo-bound? Looking for a team that might absorb...
First Call: Pitt basketball great dies, Cole vs. Glasnow III, Flyers lose, Fleury back
For “First Call” on Monday, we try to wrap our minds around a brutal weekend in college basketball. The Flyers are on the brink. Marc-Andre Fleury went back in net and won. And two ex-Pirate pitchers square off for a third time this year. Can’t take anymore If you are...
Madden Monday: Steelers are ‘9-7 team, 10-6 at best.’ Penguins have a potential move bigger than Kasperi Kapanen trade.
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I talk about the Steelers outlook in 2020, the Penguins looming offseason, and the Pirates at the Major League trade deadline. Mark isn’t lacking for opinions on any front. “I see the Steelers as a 9-7 team. 10-6 at best,” Madden...
Tim Benz: Steelers lineman Stefen Wisniewski deserves praise for his team-first approach
If new Steelers guard Stefen Wisniewski misses any time during training camp with an undisclosed “upper body injury,” I’m going to assume it’s a badly bitten tongue. Because for a guy who has a right to complain, he sure isn’t saying anything. The Penn State and Central Catholic alum signed...
Fantasy Sports podcast: QB draft strategy. Sliding RBs atop the board. ‘Stacking’ debates.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this column. This will be my last post. I mean, after drafting two absolutely perfect fantasy football teams on back-to-back nights, I am already counting my winnings as I fully expect to roll through my leagues undefeated. I will no doubt win dozens — if not...
Will the Giants play their opener against the Steelers? Saquon Barkley won’t rule out boycotts.
Of course, Steelers fans want to get off to a 1-0 start against the New York Giants. They don’t want it to happen this way, though. On Thursday, New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley said he and his teammates aren’t ruling out the possibility of boycotting games this...
First Call: Steelers, Ravens considering Clowney? Nebraska players sue Big Ten.
Friday’s “First Call” starts with an unlikely free-agent target for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steelers coach makes some headlines discussing our nation’s civil unrest. The Big Ten is getting sued over its football cancellation. And an honor for Tony Dungy that may help the late, great Bill Nunn’s legacy....
TribLIVE TV columnist Rob Owen on sports ratings, new ‘MNF’ crew, T.J. Watt’s show, Mike Milbury and Thom Brennaman
Thursday marks the debut post at TribLive for “TV Talk” columnist Rob Owen. During his 22 years covering the television and media scene in Pittsburgh, Owen was a frequent guest of mine on radio. And he makes our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast debut here today to talk about his new...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell disputes injury; Steeler assistant on head coaching radar?; JuJu Smith-Schuster addresses future
A Steelers assistant coach is on the ascent. Le’Veon Bell’s practice time in New York was on the decline Wednesday. JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Hockey and politics don’t mix. And Plaxico Burress has us all very confused. All that is in “First Call” Thursday. All ‘A’s’ for...
U mad, bro? Pittsburgh fans angry over Penguins moves, ESPN’s jab at Big Ben, playing high school sports
Why should everybody be mad about the same thing all at once? Let’s spread around the agitation for this edition of “U mad, bro?” This week, Pittsburgh sports fans are frustrated about Penguins trades, Minkah Fitzpatrick and my dismissal of Ben Roethlisberger’s skills. Except I didn’t dismiss Roethlisberger’s skills. I...
First Call: Pirates might be ‘trying to sell everything,’ how they were no-hit by White Sox
Wednesday’s “First Call” is all about the Pirates, as we take a closer look at how they got no-hit in Chicago. Then we kick around some trade rumors involving the organization. South Side celebration Wanna know what it sounded like on Chicago’s South Side when White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito...
Tim Benz: Are Steelers doing the right thing at right tackle? T.J. Watt may help decide.
How are those new right tackles looking for the Steelers? Um, hard to say. They are going against outside linebacker T.J. Watt all the time in practice. After an AFC-leading 14.5 sacks last year, Watt is providing baptism by fire for Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner as they battle for...
Tim Benz and Joe Bartnick: Differing views on Penguins’ trade for Kasperi Kapanen
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Penguins decided to reacquire Kasperi Kapanen from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The cost was this year’s first-round draft pick (No. 15 overall). Also included in the deal were forward Evan Rodrigues, prospect Filip Hallander and emergency defenseman David Warsofsky. Coming to Pittsburgh along with Kapanen are...
Is rooting against Flyers enough to keep Penguins fans engaged in NHL playoffs?
Gritty is the Philadelphia Flyers mascot. He’s a real-life version of what happens when you look at your lint trap while on bath salts. This week, Gritty was trying to make it up to the NHL playoff hub in Toronto. He got confused and went to Toronto, Ohio. instead of...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger is the worst QB in the AFC North? Buy Terry Bradshaw’s condo.
Ben Roethlisberger is the worst starting quarterback in the AFC North. That’s according to one former NFL executive. Another one tells us why Earl Thomas got cut in Baltimore. We tell you about how to buy Terry Bradshaw’s condo. And some injury issues in Cleveland. Plus the debate over fans...
Tim Benz: If this is really the Steelers approach with Minkah Fitzpatrick, it’s the right one
On Monday, All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was asked whether the long-discussed theory of moving him to various places in the Steelers defense was going to materialize in 2020. “I don’t really see myself moving around a whole lot,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think last year we were successful with what we...
First Call: Marc-Andre Fleury discusses ‘backstabbing’ tweet; Wheeling 4-year-old’s hole-in-one; Lamar Jackson’s injury
It’s a busy “First Call” for Monday morning. Former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury finds himself at the center of a controversy — thanks to his agent’s Twitter account. A West Virginia four-year-old gets a hole-in-one. Lamar Jackson is nicked up. The Cleveland Browns avoid a coronavirus scare. And Luka Doncic...
Tim Benz: One thing needs to be found in an otherwise lost Pirates season
In a season gone this wrong for the Pittsburgh Pirates, at least one thing needs to get right. Perhaps it started to happen this past weekend. The Pirates’ 5-4 win Sunday afternoon at PNC Park completed a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers. They scored 24 runs in three days....
Madden Monday: Will Steelers consider signing Earl Thomas? Possible destinations for Matt Murray.
I know what some Steelers fans are thinking. Stop thinking it. The Steelers shouldn’t sign Earl Thomas. I know. I know. They could use another safety to complement Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Baltimore Ravens just cut Thomas. It’d be a great way to goose the Ravens. But Thomas just squawked his...
