Tim Benz stories, Page 157
Five games, five nights: Pick one Penguins game to watch per Stanley Cup playoff run
During the coronavirus-induced sports blackout, everybody and their brother is re-airing classic old games. The NFL, MLB and NHL networks are doing it. Local radio stations are, too. As is AT&T SportsNet. So for this week’s hockey podcast, Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer and I put a twist on...
First Call: ESPN mock draft projects QB to Steelers, NFL plans to start on time, playoff expansion is official
In “First Call” Wednesday, the NFL is planning to start on time. ESPN is planning on the Steelers drafting a quarterback. And former Penn State receiver Chris Godwin is obviously planning to win over Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Full steam ahead While other pro sports leagues are hanging on...
Tim Benz: Steelers have good reasons to stay put in the draft. Should they trade up anyway?
When the NFL Draft rolls around in three weeks, the Steelers will not have a first-round pick. Wait. Give it a second. Hear it? It’s coming. “MINKAH! MINKAH! MINKAH! What about Minkah Fitzpatrick?! Minkah counts as the first-rounder in 2020! And he’s an All-Pro. MINKAH! MINKAH! MINKAH!” OK. Good. That’s...
First Call: T.J. Watt rated best at his position; Greenbrier to host NFL games?; Eric Ebron deal official
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” the Eric Ebron contract is finally done with the Steelers. T.J. Watt is getting some praise. Can Greenbrier really be a destination for NFL games? Time for T.J. Back in January, Stephon Gilmore beat out T.J. Watt for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. But Pro...
Tim Benz: Jim Rutherford is right about champions having ‘integrity’ in shortened seasons
Tom Glavine. Patrick Kane. Doug Williams. Tim Duncan. “Who are four men who have never been in my kitchen, Alex?” Yes, Cliff Clavin. Technically, that is correct. But I’m going to need you to be more specific. “Who are four MVPs of their respective sports championship round?” Also true. But...
One review of new Steeler Stefen Wisniewski: ‘Our heads spun’
There had to be one team, right? With all the substandard offensive line play across the league, there had to be at least one franchise that needed an upgrade. Stefen Wisniewski was at least better than one of 32 starting centers. Certainly better than one of 64 starting guards. But...
Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Bruce Arians swatting away Antonio Brown, NHL playoff prospects
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden and I bask in the only activity that is allowed to go on in the sports world these days: the NFL offseason. And thank goodness for that. So we examine the Stefen Wisniewski signing as well as Bruce Arians snubbing Antonio Brown in...
Tim Benz: J.J. Watt ‘envious’ of brothers Derek, T.J. playing together with Steelers
On the hockey front, the Pittsburgh Penguins managed to get themselves only one of the four NHL Staal brothers. That worked out OK, though. Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have two Watt brothers. The club recently signed Derek Watt, a fullback formerly with the Los Angeles Chargers. He’ll join All-Pro linebacker...
First Call: Antonio Brown rips another NFL star, Steelers rise in offseason power rankings, Ravens sign familiar name
Here’s the covid-19 shut-in response we’ve all been waiting for from former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. Plus, the Steelers are on the rise when it comes to NFL offseason rankings. A former Steeler is wallowing in days gone by. And “Tiger vs. Phil: Part II” may give us a little...
Tim Benz: Two ways that a new CBA rule may help the Steelers
An element of the new NFL collective bargaining agreement should benefit the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, it’s going to benefit every NFL team. But based on the Steelers’ current roster construction, recent offseason moves and potential plans for the draft, it may help them more than most. At least in 2020....
Fantasy podcast: How MLB delay is impacting drafts; pitching injuries; Ebron vs. Eifert; QB draft slot
Major League Baseball’s commissioner has spoken, and it looks like Rob Manfred is waving the white flag on a full 162-game season because of the coronavirus delay. Not only is that a big deal for fans of the game but also for those who play fantasy baseball. In our weekly...
First Call: Bruce Arians destroys Antonio Brown rumors; former Pirate now a pro wrestler
In Friday’s “First Call,” Bruce Arians shuts the door on the Antonio Brown-to-Tampa Bay rumors. Hard. Former Pirates pitcher and “Million Dollar Arm” star Rinku Singh is making it big as a pro wrestler. Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams obviously misses opening day. A dangerous quote from an NFL star. And...
Tim Benz: J.J. Watt ‘envious’ of brothers Derek, T.J. playing together with Steelers
On the hockey front, the Penguins managed to get themselves only one of the four NHL Staal brothers. That worked out OK, though. Now, the Steelers have two Watt brothers. The club recently signed Derek Watt, a fullback formerly with the Los Angeles Chargers. He’ll join All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt...
First Call: Steelers embracing Watt Bros. fun, Jameis Winston chatter continues, MLB unlikely to play 162
Thursday’s “First Call” makes the Watt brother era official with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jameis Winston chatter won’t stop. Major League Baseball is accepting that a shortened year can’t be avoided. Can Tom Brady still throw a decent deep ball? And Obi Toppin is off to the NBA. As much...
Eric Ebron: ‘Ego,’ ‘enigma,’ ‘can’t rely on him.’ So how is he still ‘a good fit’ with Steelers?
On the surface, the Steelers’ signing of Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron is either going to be a home run or nothing. It looks that way on the surface, because that’s exactly the case. Although, at tight end, I’d settle for a hard single up the middle. That’ll be...
Tim Benz: NHL ‘consolation bracket’ for No. 1 pick? That’s just trying way too hard
Whenever — if ever — the NHL reboots its 2019-20 season out of the coronavirus shutdown, it appears league owners have three targets. 1. Award a Stanley Cup after a representative version of a playoff 2. Play as many remaining scheduled home dates as possible 3. Don’t truncate the 82-game...
Tampa Bay radio host endorses Jameis Winston to Steelers, dismisses Antonio Brown to Bucs with Tom Brady
No move during free agency was as big of a deal as Tom Brady going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so we talked to Jay Recher of WDAE Radio about how it transpired. It sounds like it was a slow boil that started in January. “We’ve been talking about this...
First Call: A forgotten great game from Penguins covid-19 replay series
The NHL Network and AT&T SportsNet are replaying a slew of old Pittsburgh Penguins games to occupy the hearts and minds of idle Penguins fans frustrated by a lack of hockey due to the coronavirus shutdown. On Wednesday, the NHL Network will air the Penguins’ Stanley Cup clinching games from...
U mad, bro? ‘Anti-social’ distancing edition: Readers vent about Steelers, MLB, even… the U.S. Senate?
Pent-up “Breakfast With Benz” readers are angry “Breakfast With Benz” readers. It appears some of you who click on this page daily are not taking the pandemic shutdown well. You are lashing out at the Steelers backup quarterbacks, Antonio Brown, baseball, and… …the U.S. Senate? That’s a new one. Hey,...
First Call: ‘Pittsburgh icon quarantine matchmaker’ is greatest coronavirus time-waster ever
It takes a lot to make people smile these days, given the covid-19 shutdown. So credit TribLive’s Chris Benson for coming up with a way to make that happen. He developed this fantastic coronavirus shut-in timewaster. Hit play. Then, whenever you hit pause, that is the one Pittsburgh icon you...
NHL is considering a September Stanley Cup. How will 2021 be impacted?
Picture it. The Stanley Cup. Awarded… …in September??? Yes. That could happen based on a conference call among NHL owners Tuesday. In our weekly hockey podcast, Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer and I talk about the logistics of that attempt. And whether or not that is even worthwhile to...
Tim Benz: Grading Steelers free agency moves. And why that’s so hard to do.
This doesn’t have to be “it” for the Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to acquiring talent for the upcoming 2020 season. Obviously, there is the NFL Draft in April. Yes, that event is still taking place despite the covid-19 crisis. In a studio. To what degree of participation or production,...
Tim Benz: Importance of sports is being downplayed, but their absence has never been more painful
Here’s a message for the “sports don’t matter at a time like this” crowd. After this weekend, don’t ever say such a thing again. During NCAA basketball conference championship week, at the dawn of the coronavirus epidemic, The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach tried to sing that song as the ensuing wave...
First Call: Watt brothers and Wisniewski brighten spirits, Patriots bring back ex-Steelers QB, NHL money crunch
Monday’s “First Call” features two new Steelers bringing a rare smile to our faces these days. New NFL Draft plans. A former Steeler goes back to the New England Patriots. And the financial woes of the NHL may be worse than we thought after the league-wide shutdown. Now that’s a...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers free agent signings, state of sports amid coronavirus pandemic
Just about everything else is shutdown these days. But “Madden Monday” is not. Mark Madden of 105.9 the X and I are here to talk about what sports do exist. That includes the Steelers and NFL free agency. We examine the good things and bad things the Steelers did this...
