Tim Benz stories, Page 162
First Call: Why Peter King didn’t vote for Troy Polamalu; emotional goal for Western Pa. NHL starVideo
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we somehow bring Antonio Brown, Mike Vick and Plaxico Burress together. A great Twitter burn by an NFL team. Someone outs themselves as a person who didn’t vote for Troy Polamalu to make the Hall of Fame. And two great stories about some NHL products from...
Tim Benz: How Patrick Mahomes is becoming the NFL’s Sidney Crosby
Is Patrick Mahomes about to become the NFL’s version of Sidney Crosby? I can see it happening. How about you? A well-adjusted, mature-beyond-his-years, media-poised, marketing-friendly star who plays in front of a maniacal local fan base and has national appeal. He puts up points. He’s exciting to watch. And he’s...
Tim Benz: My bad, Troy. I could’ve done this better.
My bad, Troy. You deserved better for this. I dropped the ball. I was so busy being concerned about Steelers guard Alan Faneca getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — and mad when I found out that it didn’t happen — that I barely acknowledged your candidacy and...
First Call: Troy Polamalu jabs Patriots; Antonio Brown says he doesn’t have CTE; Trump’s Twitter mishap
In Monday’s “First Call,” Antonio Brown speaks. President Donald Trump tweets. And Troy Polamalu burns the New England Patriots over cheating allegations. Hall of Fame comeback Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday night. He also had a Hall of Fame comeback to...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden recap Super Bowl, Hall of Fame voting, Penguins’ wild weekend
“Madden Monday” this week is jam-packed with Super Bowl reaction, Hall of Fame fallout, the Penguins’ celebration after a win in Washington, and…. …Shakira? Mark Madden and I start by recapping the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers. I consider it a tribute to Kansas...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ Josh Bell thinks he knows why his hot start faded in 2019
Pirates first baseman Josh Bell has an interesting philosophy on his swing. It’ll be worth tracking as this season progresses for him in Pittsburgh. Well, unless he gets traded for two prospects that are barely old enough to shave, as was the case for Starling Marte last week. Bell is...
Tim Benz: Cleaning up that list of 50 greatest Super Bowl momentsVideo
Longtime football writer Rick Gosselin compiled a list of his “Top 50 Greatest Super Bowl Moments” for the “Talk of Fame” network. He had the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons after trailing 28-3 as the top moment. It was followed by the David Tyree...
Jaromir Jagr feels Mario Lemieux was ‘chafed’ when he signed with Flyers
Penguins owner Mario Lemieux may have been more upset about how Jaromir Jagr spurned his franchise to go to Philadelphia in the summer of 2011 than we thought. And Lemieux may have carried that grudge longer than assumed, as well. Former Penguins player and current team radio broadcaster Phil Bourque...
Tim Benz: 3 crucial points for Penguins to address out of the break
The Penguins’ 10-day break ends Friday night when they host the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. It begins a 32-game stretch to the end of the regular season. They start it in second place of the Metropolitan Division with 67 points, six points back of the division-leading Washington Capitals. They...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster comments on Antonio Brown; Tom Brady’s mystery tweet
In Friday’s “First Call” JuJu Smith-Schuster speaks about Antonio Brown, Tom Brady sets the internet ablaze with a mysterious photo and there is potential for a local weekend sweep in college basketball. Taking the high road A frequent target of scorn for Antonio Brown in recent months has been former...
First Call: Terry Bradshaw’s new reality show, Myles Garrett update, Penguins trade talk
Thursday’s “First Call” features a new venture for Terry Bradshaw, updates on the Myles Garrett and the New England Patriots video-taping controversies, and trade talk surrounding the Penguins. Here’s some irony Over the last few decades, I think many Steelers fans have questioned Terry Bradshaw’s views on reality. Now, in...
Former NFL scout previews Super Bowl, player-prop bets, Steelers draft, Hall of Fame
The Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs is Sunday. So let’s get an educated breakdown from my “ESPN Pittsburgh” radio colleague Matt Williamson. He joined me on “105.9 the X” Monday, when I filled in for Mark Madden. As a former NFL scout, Matt has...
U mad, bro? Some Pirates fans bash Starling Marte trade. Others bash Tim Benz for bashing it.
This week’s “U mad, bro?” was easy. Everybody was mad about the Pirates trading Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two 19-year-old prospects, who are years away from making their big-league debuts. You are either mad about the trade. Or you are mad at those being critical of it....
First Call: Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski explains outburst; Ray Lewis endorses Steelers’ Hall of Fame candidates
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Mike Krzyzewski explains his odd outburst at his own student section during a win over Pitt Tuesday. Pitt football loses a legend. Shaquille O’Neal discusses the loss of Kobe Bryant. Ray Lewis and Rod Woodson endorse both Troy Polamalu and Alan Faneca for the Hall of...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Alan Faneca has grown ‘wary’ of Hall of Fame process. Me too.
If former Steelers All-Pro Alan Faneca is feeling good about his chances of election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, he’s hiding it. “I feel about it like I do every time,” Faneca told me Monday on 105.9 the X .“You are excited. You never know which...
Tim Benz: If Pirates are serious about getting a real MLB center fielder, here’s an ideaVideo
Here are the options for the Pirates in the outfield now that Starling Marte has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. 1. Move Bryan Reynolds to center field and have newly acquired Guillermo Heredia play left field. 2. Keep Reynolds in left field and have Heredia play center. 3. Move...
First Call: Diamondbacks bask in Starling Marte trade; Montana’s advice for Brady; big games for Pitt and Duquesne
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Arizona is celebrating the Starling Marte trade in a way we might not like. Joe Montana has advice for Tom Brady. LeSean McCoy talks about his reduced role. Jeff Capel’s return to Duke. And stunning numbers for Duquesne’s big game Wednesday. Hey! You can’t do that!...
A look at Penguins depth on defense, trade mentality, goalies, competition
A week off for the Penguins doesn’t mean a week off for Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. He joins us for his weekly hockey chat even though the Penguins are continuing their break until Friday. Brian gives us his thoughts on the All-Star weekend and breakout media star...
Tim Benz: Different melody, same lyrics from Pirates after Starling Marte trade
Ask someone more social media savvy than me. You know, one of “these kids today.” But I think now that Ben Cherington has made his first significant trade as Pirates general manager, this would be an appropriate time to go with the Spider-Man meme that I see on Twitter all...
First Call: T.J. Watt shines at Pro Bowl, Kris Letang’s son becomes All-Star media darlingVideo
Monday’s “First Call” features T.J. Watt’s big play in the Pro Bowl. Kris Letang’s son was the star of stars at the NHL All-Star Game. NBA and NFL players honor Kobe Bryant. Cameras capture Tiger Woods’ reaction to the news about Bryant in real time. TD for T.J. Pittsburgh Steelers...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden: Kobe Bryant’s death, PiratesFest futility, Penguins second half, Super Bowl preview
This week’s “Madden Monday” starts on a somber note as we address the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Mark Madden and I discuss his legacy, his place in NBA history, what made him unique, and the sad memories Pittsburghers may have of Roberto Clemente’s passing as a result. After...
Tim Benz: Duquesne coach shares his memories of playing in NBA against Kobe BryantVideo
How many charges do you think a guy takes by the time he makes it to the NBA? Hundreds probably. Thousands, maybe? Of them, how many do you think a player actually remembers? Well, Duquesne assistant basketball coach Carl Thomas certainly has one that stands out. Because it came from...
Antonio Brown ordered to seek mental health evaluation, drug and alcohol testing
A judge has ordered former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown to seek a mental health evaluation within 10 days of his release from jail. ESPN reported the former All-Pro’s bond was set at $110,000 for charges including felony burglary with battery. Brown made an appearance in front of a judge...
First Call: Video of Antonio Brown turning himself in; NFL draft tight end emerges
For Friday’s “First Call,” you can watch Antonio Brown turn himself in as he goes to jail. Maybe the Steelers should pay attention to a small conference tight end who is emerging at the Senior Bowl. Pitt and Duquesne hit the road in college hoops. Robert Morris has a big...
Stan Savran reflects on 45 years of broadcasting Pittsburgh sports
After four-and-a-half decades in Pittsburgh sports media, Stan Savran has done it all. Yes, yes. Even this podcast. Twice now! In honor of Savran’s 45th anniversary on the air in our city, he joined me to discuss some of his many memories of covering sports in the Western Pennsylvania market....
