Tim Benz stories, Page 156
Tim Benz: OK, ESPN. Here’s your ‘alternate reality’ path for Steelers to draft a QB.
“Inglourious Basterds” is one of my favorite movies. It’s got an alternate outcome to World War II at the end. The device of an alternate-outcome premise is popular on television lately. HBO’s “The Plot against America” is along those lines. So was Amazon’s “Man in the High Castle.” Perhaps our...
Remembering the 2017 Penguins-Predators Stanley Cup Final
We go down memory lane in this week’s “Essey Tire” hockey podcast with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. In lieu of actual hockey, the NHL Network is running an all-day marathon on Tuesday of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators. So...
Tim Benz: New MLB idea to save season is better, but some flaws can’t be fixed
The latest model to lay out some version of a potential Major League Baseball season in 2020 appears to be an improvement over the first one we saw. But it is still fraught with specific problems, unavoidable pitfalls and significant overarching questions about health during the coronavirus pandemic. Please don’t...
First Call: Rod Woodson’s weird logic on Roethlisberger vs. Bradshaw debate
Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at how Steelers legend Rod Woodson entered the fray regarding the recently spicy Ben Roethlisberger versus Terry Bradshaw debate. Steelers Hall of Famer Rod Woodson appeared on FS1’s “Speak for Yourself” on Monday. He was asked if Terry Bradshaw was right when he deferred...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden: Steelers draft could have ripple effect; idea of remote MLB, NHL locations
Coming off of Easter Sunday, this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast looks at a different kind of resurrection. That of the entire sports world. When will we see it? And when we do, will we recognize it? Mark and I aren’t just talking about the mechanics of the leagues getting off...
First Call: Watt Bros. own Siblings Day; J.J. backs Cam Heyward; more noise about Jameis Winston and Steelers
In “First Call” on Monday, the Watt brothers latch onto National Siblings Day. One of them speaks out for snubbed Steelers star Cam Heyward. Another national voice pipes up about the Jameis Winston-to-Pittsburgh talk. And an update on the socially distanced NFL Draft. Friday was National Siblings Day. With so...
Tim Benz: Terry Bradshaw’s contradictions about Mike Tomlin too ironic to ignore
You’ve probably heard the phrase “these are strange times” a lot in recent weeks. They sure are. So strange there is even some weird stuff happening beyond the entire shutdown of the planet thing that’s been going on for the past month. For instance, Terry Bradshaw’s interview on 93.7 The...
Tim Benz, Jeff Erickson: Will golf lead return to TV sports?; Steelers draft trade talk; MLB Arizona idea
The biggest fantasy in the sports world right now is getting through this global pandemic and getting real games back on the field of play. But in lieu of that, Jeff Erickson of RotoWire and I do our weekly fantasy sports podcast anyway. We talk about how golf could lead...
U mad, bro? The shut-in is making readers enraged about Bill Cowher, NFL Draft, MLB plans
The longer this coronavirus quarantine goes on, the angrier people are getting. Myself included. As you will find out shortly. I can’t blame myself. Or anyone else. This stinks. No sports. No movies. No shows. No concerts. No outdoor gatherings. And for me, no escape from Twitter. Which makes me...
Tim Benz: Steelers draft might be more defensively oriented than predicted
When I think of how the Steelers will approach this month’s NFL Draft, I want to stand by one of my usual credos. Don’t out-think the obvious. In 2019, the Steelers defense was good. The offense was bad. Hence, help the offense as much as you can, as soon as...
Vote on Marc-Andre Fleury’s best playoff saves. And relive the 2009 Stanley Cup Final
Wednesday’s “Essey Tire” hockey podcast features Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer, as we flashback to the 2009 Stanley Cup Final. Because, well, there are no 2020 NHL playoffs to discuss right now. Thanks for that, covid-19. So the best we can do is look to the past. And AT&T...
Tim Benz: Play MLB games. Or don’t. But spare us the social distancing optics.
Try to keep up, baseball fans. Because you are reading a column that’s being written while stuck in “fast forward.” In an effort to avoid a covid-19-induced shutdown, Major League Baseball is considering playing the 2020 season exclusively in a league-wide, semi-quarantined state of existence throughout the Phoenix, Az., area....
First Call: Steeler hurt most by quarantine? 10-round NFL Draft? Rashard Mendenhall still fumes over Super Bowl fumble
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” the Steelers player most hurt by the absence of an offseason program. Rashard Mendenhall is still touchy about his Super Bowl fumble. Kevin Colbert wants a 10-round draft. Shutdown hardest on whom? ESPN.com came up with a list of one player per team that is going...
The day Pirates catcher Mike LaValliere finally cussed out the 1992 Game 7 umpire
On Friday night, the MLB Network replayed the painful seventh game of the 1992 NLCS. "I was hoping those people in left field were blowing on my back to give me some tailwind." - Sid BreamWatch the @Braves' thrilling 1992 NLCS Game 7 win at 10pm ET on MLB Network...
Tim Benz: Minkah Fitzpatrick’s quotes about Patrick Mahomes were confident, not cocky
As you may have heard by now, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick “is” the Steelers’ first-round choice in this month’s upcoming NFL Draft. At least that’s what people keep demanding that I say. Does that mean Derick Brassard “was” the Penguins’ first-round pick in 2018? You never hear that trade presented in...
First Call: Bill Cowher endorses idea of Jameis Winston to Steelers; Antonio Brown has new agent
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a big name joining the “Jameis Winston to Pittsburgh” bandwagon. Antonio Brown found someone insane enough to be his agent. And how Kiya Tomlin is helping the battle against covid-19. Joining the Jameis bandwagon Over the past few weeks, I’ve given you a few endorsements from...
Tim Benz: Coronavirus may be ruining sports world. Does it have to ruin our hope?
I’m no longer simply bored with the coronavirus-induced sports desert of the moment. I’m now in full-blown depression. My blues extend well beyond sports and into just about every avenue of how people have politicized and polarized the pandemic. It started with the chorus of people insisting sports “weren’t important”...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden: Do sports have a future in coronavirus era?
This week’s Madden Monday is… …well, what can I say? It’s pretty bleak. Mark Madden and I are both pretty bummed out over the covid-19-induced state of affairs influencing the sports world. It’s feeling more and more like every sport — including football — won’t be allowed to resume for...
First Call: Steelers hidden gem draft prospect?; Jason Kendall’s crazy claim; Donnie Shell’s presenter
Monday’s “First Call” features a draft candidate for the Steelers. Some props for the Steelers cornerbacks. Donnie Shell announces his Hall of Fame presenter. And the walls may be closing in on former Pirate Jason Kendall. Is Kendall crazy? Perhaps the covid-19 shut-in has made Jason Kendall a little nutty....
Tim Benz: Are 7-inning doubleheaders the way to go for a revamped MLB schedule?
One idea to help Major League Baseball get as many games as possible onto the schedule in 2020 is to play a lot of scheduled doubleheaders. According to Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins, via ESPN one of the ideas being floated around is playing those doubleheaders as seven-inning...
First Call: ESPN spruces up Myles Garrett again; Stephen A. Smith rips Antonio Brown; 100-game MLB season?
Friday’s “First Call” illustrates ESPN’s unending desire to shine up Myles Garrett. Stephen A. Smith lowers the boom on Mr. Business is Boomin’. Check out Tom Brady’s new place in Tampa. We may have a 100-game Major League Baseball season. And O.J. Simpson gives us his review of “Tiger King.”...
U mad, bro? Steelers fans love — and hate — Jameis Winston, plus other balanced reactions
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is pretty intense. Especially about the idea of Jameis Winston coming to Pittsburgh. I mean, for something that is probably never going to happen, boy, are people fired up about it! Also, Steelers fans spit fire about the NFL Draft, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the crazy...
Chris Wormley is coming to Steelers from Ravens exactly as advertised
Since NFL free agency started, we’ve tried to drill down for a little extra insight on each of the new players. • We learned Stefen Wisniewski may have been an even more positive on-field addition to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl run than originally thought. • Based on his...
First Call: Video of Antonio Brown’s workout with Ravens players; Diontae Johnson discusses what Brown taught him
For “First Call” Thursday, pictures and videos of Antonio Brown’s workout with his Baltimore Ravens buddies. Diontae Johnson also talks about his workouts with Brown. A veteran free agent backup quarterback hits the market. And a tremendous sports April Fool’s joke. Quoth the Raven? On Wednesday, you probably saw that...
Tim Benz: Canceling the NFL Draft would hurt incoming players, help no one
ESPN’s Adam Schefter appears to disagree with the NFL’s plans to move forward with the draft as scheduled for April 23-25 in spite of the coronavirus pandemic. “The draft is happening only through the sheer force and determination and lack of foresight from the NFL, frankly,” Schefter said this week...
