Tim Benz stories, Page 160
Tim Benz: Championship coaches encourage Pitt’s Jeff Capel to stay the course
Can you blame him for being frustrated? Five straight losses. By blowouts. By nail biters. Down to 6-12 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Pitt basketball coach Jeff Capel was decidedly frustrated after his team’s 72-49 loss to Syracuse at home Wednesday night. “We have guys who are taking playing here...
U mad, bro? Readers vent about Penguins trades, Pitt coverage, potential Antonio Brown return
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is really rough on Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford. It’s also unkind to former Steeler Antonio Brown. And I didn’t come off very well either. John emailed me about the Penguins trades in recent weeks. He’s not thrilled with general manager Jim Rutherford dealing Dominik...
First Call: Steelers talk with WR; Le’Veon Bell staying with Jets?; Zamboni goalie honoredVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” is packed. The Steelers talked with a high-profile wide receiver at the NFL Scouting Combine. A radio host in Cleveland got suspended for ripping Baker Mayfield. “Zamboni Goalie” David Ayers was honored in Carolina. Le’Veon Bell may be staying in New York after all. And all of...
Are Penguins aligning their new-look line combinations in the right way?
It’s time for our weekly hockey podcast with TribLive Penguins beat writer Seth Rorabaugh. Lots to kick around here. John Marino and Brian Dumoulin got back on the ice for practice Tuesday. We get an update on the potential for their returns. Also, Seth seems to think we shouldn’t give...
Tim Benz: NFL is insane for reinstating Vontaze Burfict
The National Football League is welcoming back longtime Steelers nemesis Vontaze Burfict. The NFL deserves whatever comes next as a result of this decision. Unfortunately, whatever player Burfict attacks next does not. According to NFL.com, the former Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker quietly got reinstated by the NFL last...
First Call: Deontay Wilder blames outfit for loss, Conor Sheary proves his point, Astros’ Jose Altuve hit by pitch
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at the predictive powers of Conor Sheary. Deontay Wilder has a wild excuse for his loss to Tyson Fury. And Jose Altuve already got hit by a pitch. Premonition? Maybe Conor Sheary was right all along. The former Penguin was traded to the Buffalo...
Penguins get Conor Sheary back: Feel-good story or actual upgrade?
The NHL trade deadline has come and gone. The Pittsburgh Penguins were very active. They acquired forwards Patrick Marleau, Conor Sheary and Evan Rodrigues. Dominik Kahun goes up to Buffalo for Sheary and Rodrigues. A conditional third-round pick heads to San Jose for Marleau. Is that enough to make the...
Tim Benz: How Penguins fared on trade deadline day vs. Metro Division foes
Back on Feb. 10, when the Penguins acquired Jason Zucker from Minnesota, the question appeared to be: “Have the Penguins done enough to catch the Capitals atop the Metro Division?” That question is still very much up for debate. Now, on Feb. 25, another question needs to be asked: “Did...
First Call: NFL CBA missing the boat; what if Steelers made playoffs under proposed format?
For Monday’s “First Call,” we take a look at the many threads of conversation surrounding the NFL collective bargaining talks, a 17-game schedule, and the potential expansion of the playoff field to seven teams per conference. • J.J. Watt and Richard Sherman say the players shouldn’t like what has become...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden tackle Penguins’ recent losses, Pitt violations, Steelers’ needs, Pirates spring training
Last Monday, it was tough to come up with a negative thing to say about the Pittsburgh Penguins. This Monday, it’s tough to find something good. The Pens have lost three games in a row. They’ve given up 14 goals in the defeats, and the Philadelphia Flyers are closing in...
Tim Benz: The NCAA rule book is dumb. And so were Pitt’s violations of it.Video
The NCAA rule book is far too dense. The application of those rules is woefully random. And its allocation of discipline when those rules are broken is horribly inconsistent. Technically, those are just my opinions. But I dare you to find me a fan of college athletics who doesn’t presume...
Tim Benz, Jerry DiPaola take deep look into Pitt athletics violations
Pitt’s athletic program has been placed on three years’ probation, and both the football and men’s basketball teams were given penalties for rules violations and cover-ups between August 2015 and March 2018. Oh no! Does that mean the legendary 7-7 football team that went to the ACC Championship Game has...
First Call: Antonio Brown mocks himself with video of weightlifting accident
Friday’s “First Call” pays a visit to a familiar destination. Antonio Brown’s Twitter account. In an effort to maintain his self-titled nickname of “Mr. Big Chest,” the former Steelers receiver may have earned another. Mr. Big Headache. Actually, come to think of it, he has earned that nickname already, hasn’t...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ honey-do lists should keep Kevin Colbert busy
ESPN.com’s Bill Barnwell took on the heavy task of outlining the top five needs for every NFL team. Essentially, a team-by-team to-do list. It’s a good post. Some worthwhile suggestions. Especially for all the clubs in the AFC North. Definitely worth a read. We’ll take a look at his ideas...
First Call: Carly Zucker wins Twitter; Tom Brady and Chris Kreider updates; XFL ratings
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a Tom Brady update. Where is Chris Kreider going to wind up? Jason Zucker’s wife wins Twitter for a night. Destination TBA The Penguins decided to go in a different direction than Chris Kreider. The New York Rangers forward was believed to be a target of...
Lawyer discusses what could happen if Mason Rudolph sues Myles Garrett for defamation
Of all the ridiculous things that were said by ESPN panelists over the past week regarding the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph situation, one of them genuinely made me laugh. In the moments after Mike Tomlin’s interview on “First Take” where he defended Rudolph against Garrett’s reiterated charge of a racial slur,...
U mad, bro? Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph issue leads to most angry week yet
I know what you are thinking. Easiest “U mad, bro?” week … ever! Wrong. Oh. In terms of volume? Yes. For sure. In the wake of Myles Garrett reiterating his charge that Mason Rudolph used a racial slur against him, Rudolph’s denial of it, and my opinions on it, I...
Tim Benz: Max Talbot on nuances of being winger for Sidney Crosby vs. Evgeni Malkin
Maybe too much was made of it. But the quote did kinda just hang out there. After Jason Zucker’s first game with the Pittsburgh Penguins — a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning last week — captain Sidney Crosby probably thought he was giving Zucker a compliment. “Regardless of...
Tim Benz, Brian Metzer: How Jason Zucker is fitting in with Penguins, getting more from Patric Hornqvist, another trade?
Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast features our usual hockey chat with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. The two of us discuss how Jason Zucker is fitting in. We also analyze the various line combinations head coach Mike Sullivan is trying. Injuries continue to be a story. Brian Dumoulin...
First Call: Mason Rudolph responds to Mike Tomlin’s interview, ex-Browns GM backs Myles Garrett, Andrew McCutchen update
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Mason Rudolph responds to Mike Tomlin’s support. Myles Garrett’s corner is rallying, too. And Andrew McCutchen is trying to make a comeback in Philadelphia. Thanks, Coach Steelers coach Mike Tomlin publicly supported quarterback Mason Rudolph Monday. He vehemently refuted Myles Garrett’s reiterated claim that Rudolph used...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins’ big weekend, Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph racism claims
There’s a lot of ground to cover in this week’s “Madden Monday.” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to talk Penguins hockey, football and the start of another Major League Baseball season. We begin with the Penguins and their wins Friday and Sunday. They beat up on the...
First Call: NFL player says Ben Roethlisberger tanked 2019, RMU coach explodes on refs
Monday’s “First Call” features an NFL player suggesting Ben Roethlisberger tanked last season. Robert Morris got robbed on the basketball court Saturday. And a major twist in the NFL CBA that could impact the Steelers. Hot Take Thomas Last year, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Thomas Davis led his team in...
Tim Benz: ESPN coverage of Myles Garrett vs. Mason Rudolph was a disgrace
The only thing more maddening than the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph situation has been ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” coverage of it. It was biased, agenda-driven and, at times, vengeful. Not just toward Rudolph. But toward the Steelers as well. On Thursday, ESPN released a condensed version of an interview between Mina...
Tim Benz: NFL must stop Myles Garrett from making racism claims against Mason Rudolph
After Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was reinstated by the NFL this week, he reiterated his claim that Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph called him a racial slur. And, Garrett said, that’s what touched off the helmet-swinging brawl which occurred between the teams last season. I am just as convinced...
First Call: Jarrod Dyson’s hilarious, honest answer when asked about joining Pirates
For Friday’s “First Call,” I want to introduce you to my new favorite Pittsburgh Pirate. It’s recently signed center fielder Jarrod Dyson. He just inked a one-year contract for $2 million. I know. I know. I previously endorsed Kevin Pillar as my choice to replace Starling Marte. But forget him....
