Tim Benz stories, Page 166
Tim Benz: Josh Allen the latest mobile quarterback to test Steelers — in a whole new way
Another one of these stories? Yup. Another one of these stories. Not my fault. I didn’t make the NFL schedule. Or create the opposing rosters of the Pittsburgh Steelers. But if the Steelers keep facing this string of mobile quarterbacks, I’m going to keep writing about them. Mainly because Mike...
Previewing the Steelers-Bills matchup — from Buffalo’s point of view
We’ve broken down just about every angle of the Steelers-Bills game from a Pittsburgh perspective. Now, we try to figure out how it looks from Buffalo’s point of view. The Bills come in at 9-4. Their defense is almost as good as the Steelers’ overall, and it is better in...
First call: Goodell on Antonio Brown’s status, Chara fights Wilson, hoops player knocks out ref
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the NFL’s continued attempts to wait out Antonio Brown’s social media insanity. A college basketball player accidentally punches out an official. Le’Veon Bell continues to brag about his second career as a bowler. Lamar Jackson may play against the Jets after all. Tom Wilson fights...
Penguins podcast: Pittsburgh looking for bounce back outing against Columbus
It’s our weekly Pittsburgh Penguins podcast with TribLive beat writer Seth Rorabaugh. Lots to get into here, after a rotten second period spoiled Tuesday night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. We get into why it happened and who was at fault. Tristan Jarry wasn’t quite as sharp in goal as...
Tim Benz: Steelers, Bills do it differently on defense, but see same stellar results
When I look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Buffalo Bills, I keep seeing the numbers “10” and “9” flashing in my head. As in the final score. I just wish I had a clearer picture of which team’s logo was next to the bigger number. Then I pause...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell brags about bowling, Antonio Brown’s new song, potential Starling Marte trade partnerVideo
In “First Call” Wednesday, Le’Veon Bell brags about his bowling night out, Antonio Brown tries his hand at music, and a logical trade partner for Starling Marte emerges. Bell’s bowling boast Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis was renowned as a great bowler, with a perfect game under his belt....
Tim Benz: Young Jedi Tristan Jarry should rebound after Penguins’ ‘Star Wars’ night loss
AT&T SportsNet’s Penguins reporter Dan Potash got into the mood for “Star Wars” night at PPG Paints Arena Tuesday. The Force is with me...how about you?? Puck drop is seconds away! -DP #StarWarsThemeNight @penguins @NHLNetwork pic.twitter.com/QaAPxD9Yqk— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) December 11, 2019 Unfortunately for the Pens, the Montreal Canadiens...
Who will come out on top in Steelers-Bills defensive duel?
It’s our weekly “Breakfast With Benz” podcast wrapping up Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s press conference. TribLive Steelers beat writer Joe Rutter hops on with me this week. We pick apart the huge game looming against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. And there’s a lot of meat on the bone....
U mad, bro? Readers agitated over fake punts, Steelers play calls, NFL refs, Pitt tweetsVideo
You were mad because “U mad, bro?” was late last week. Well, we heard you. So we are back on schedule this week. And your discontent is just as obvious as ever. This week’s complaints from readers range from Steelers play calling, to our coverage of the team, to NFL...
Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry’s stock rises while Matt Murray struggles
In this week’s Penguins podcast, I talk hockey with Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer. After we discuss the Def Leppard-Motley Crue-Poison concert, of course. We analyze Tristan Jarry’s efforts to open up the goaltending job. We also flashback to Phil Kessel’s return. The victory over Detroit. And Matt Murray’s...
Tim Benz: Hideous fake punt among grievances in Steelers win over CardinalsVideo
For a guy who was getting “Coach of the Year” hype all week, Mike Tomlin sure made a lot of people mad in Pittsburgh on Sunday. A few of his and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner’s coaching decisions made it into this week’s “Airing of Grievances.” And we don’t stop there!...
First Call: Biggest threat to Steelers playoff hopes; Browns drama continuesVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we look at the biggest outside threat to the Steelers’ playoff hopes. Also, drama continues to swirl around the Browns, even in victory. And a former Steeler has a huge afternoon. Titan-ic effort The Tennessee Titans were once 2-4. Now they are the biggest threat to...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden: Steelers keep winning, Penguins take a pair, Pitt’s lousy bowl
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to talk Steelers, Penguins and college football. We start off by discussing the 23-17 Steelers win over the Arizona Cardinals. Devlin Hodges continues to defy logic with each passing victory. Can he keep it up against a...
Tim Benz: Duck, Diontae, defense lead Steelers’ feats of strength in win over CardinalsVideo
It all makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? An undrafted rookie quarterback from Samford beating back-to-back No. 1 overall picks. Well, that’s what it has come down to for Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The Steelers fourth-string quarterback has managed to beat both Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray in back-to-back weeks. And he...
U mad, bro? Readers sound off on Steelers QBs, NFL refs; Browns fans can’t let it go
I know why you are mad. You are mad because I skipped “U mad, bro?” on Thursday when I took a personal day. That’s fair. You should be. You need it. You love it. You missed it. Let me fix this and make you whole again. Here’s a special Friday...
First Call: Antonio Brown begs for Patriots reunion; Yankees green light huge cash for Gerrit Cole
Friday’s “First Call” gives us Phil Kessel’s unique headgear, Antonio Brown’s plea for a job, Gerrit Cole’s huge contract on the horizon and a Pitt player emerges from nowhere in the NFL. Take me back! Please! Antonio Brown’s online flirtation with the New England Patriots continues. The outcast wide receiver...
Kessel Comeback: Phil Kessel returns to Pittsburgh with 1st-place Coyotes
The “Kessel Comeback” is upon us! Friday night marks the return of Phil Kessel to PPG Paints Arena. The two-time Penguins Stanley Cup champion takes to Pittsburgh ice for the first time since leaving for the Arizona Coyotes in a summer trade. Before Thursday night, Kessel had been struggling. The...
Tim Benz: Steelers contained Baker Mayfield, but Cardinals’ Kyler Murray presents new challenge
Here’s something you’ve probably heard a thousand times this week as the Steelers get ready to visit the Arizona Cardinals. “Don’t sleep on the Cardinals. They can score some points.” OK. But do they really? The 3-8-1 Cardinals average 21.2 points per game. That’s good for just 20th in football....
First Call: Devlin Hodges’ sudden fame; Le’Veon Bell to be traded?; cold Kessel; hot Flyers
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at Devlin Hodges’ sudden fame, Phil Kessel’s struggles, Le’Veon Bell’s uncertain future with the New York Jets, and the Yankees’ flirtations with Gerrit Cole. This is going well Le’Veon Bell’s run in New York is already being labeled a failure. Year 1 isn’t even over yet....
Tim Benz, Kevin Gorman: Will Steelers feel at home against Cardinals?
Kevin Gorman is a jerk. He gets to go to Arizona on the road trip to cover the Steelers for TribLive. They play the Cardinals there on Sunday. Meanwhile, I’ll be pounding out “Airing of Grievances” or “Feats of Strength” at 11:30 at night in 30-degree weather back home in...
Tim Benz: How do Steelers avoid ‘bad Tomlin loss’ to Cardinals? Listen to the coachVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six of their last seven games. They are about to go on the road to play an Arizona Cardinals team that has lost five in a row and is 3-8-1. You can’t blame head coach Mike Tomlin for trying to prop up the opponent in...
First Call: Another Antonio Brown social media screwup, Cardinals’ messy defense
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Antonio Brown keeps burning bridges. The Cardinals defense is primed to be picked apart. The Penguins have a tough challenge in their rematch against St. Louis. Oh boy, A.B. Former Steeler Antonio Brown still seems to be confused about the best path to getting back into...
Tim Benz, Brian Metzer: Rash of injuries may have caught up to Penguins
This week’s hockey podcast with Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer is the usual 15-20 minutes in length. See if you can listen to the whole thing without getting word that another Pittsburgh Penguin has gone down with an injury. Recent history suggests you won’t be able to make it...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Mike Tomlin needs to believe in own praise for ‘Duck’ HodgesVideo
Mike Tomlin is in on his own joke. So, let’s let him have fun with it. To a point. The theme expressed by the Steelers head coach going into his team’s game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday was that he simply didn’t want new starting quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges to...
First Call: Steelers RB Benny Snell’s magic mouthguard, AFC playoff pictureVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we straighten out the AFC playoff picture, and we try to figure what is going on with Benny Snell’s mouthguard. Besides that, does anything else matter? Spin-o-rama It looks like “Benny Snell Football” may be on his way to a “Benny Snell endorsement deal.” The Steelers...
