Tim Benz stories, Page 175

After a while, it gets tuned out. When Pittsburgh Pirates management waxes optimistic about good times ahead, it turns to white noise. With only four winning seasons since 1993, you build a filter. But please jot down this pearl from general manager Neal Huntington so you can have it ready...

For Monday’s “First Call,” Drew Rosenhaus plows forward on behalf of Antonio Brown. Le’Veon Bell is still on the sidelines. A tight end option for the Steelers could come from Tampa. And the Pirates’ ineptitude with runners on base is amazing. Not done yet Sports agent Drew Rosenhaus volleyed back...

Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins us from Las Vegas this week for “Madden Monday.” Since he is there, one of the topics we examine is if that city is truly ready for the Antonio Brown experience after the Raiders bolt from Oakland. Then again, if any place is...

During Pittsburgh Steelers preseason, we have spent a lot of time looking at questions about how the defense can try to create more turnovers. How the inside linebackers will be deployed. Whether the running game can become more proficient. How the passing game will morph with Antonio Brown gone. What...

Thanks for the support, fellas. In Mason Rudolph’s first start for the Steelers at Heinz Field — a 17-7 preseason victory Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs — Xavier Grimble dropped what could’ve been a first down. Donte Moncrief fumbled after a completion on the first play of a drive....

I guess we now know why Antonio Brown was checking his bank account during those Oakland Raiders film sessions. He must’ve been looking for $40,000. And apparently, he couldn’t find it. According to ESPN.com, the former Steeler is accused of stiffing a personal chef at the 2018 Pro Bowl. Jeremy...

In “U mad, bro?” this week, some fans attack Clint Hurdle. Others defend him. Antonio Brown is a target. So is Pirates management. And the Penguins defense doesn’t get away unscathed. Nick is fed up with the Pirates. “The Bucs will not be contenders until ownership agrees that a couple...

In our final “Letters from Camp” podcast at Saint Vincent College, I speak with Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler. It’s been a hard week for this coaching staff to focus on football, given the death of wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. But Butler has managed to turn his attention back...

The defensive backs can take as many reps on the JUGS machine as they want. They can catch balls until their hands look like Antonio Brown’s feet. We can point at Steven Nelson’s four interceptions coming to Pittsburgh from Kansas City. Everyone can keep their fingers crossed that safety Terrell...

For those hoping that the second episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” would address Antonio Brown’s foot issue and his concern over his helmet, it did. Sort of. About six minutes into the episode, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star shows the cameras his disgusting, cryogenically burned feet. The Oakland Raiders wide...

Wednesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast comes to you from a rainy Saint Vincent College. Steelers practice was washed out halfway through the afternoon session. It was a gloomy day to go along with the dour mood on campus as the team was clearly still thinking about the passing of wide...

Typically, coaches are prone to tamping down this sort of thing. However, if Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is willing to go there, don’t let me stop him. I’m willing to follow. During a news conference Tuesday, Tomlin — unprompted — offered a comparison between first-round draft choice Devin Bush and...

Here’s something I noticed while hosting Mark Madden’s show on 105.9 the X. It spawned a lot of responses on the phone lines. I keep thinking about it. So I figured it was worthy of following up. I clicked on a story about the Tampa Bay Lightning being the 2020...

In Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast, I speak with linebackers Devin White and Devin Bush. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round draft choice, White will forever be linked with Bush, the Steelers’ first-rounder. Same name. Same draft class. Same position. For the entire draft process, they were discussed as if they...

Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at Bill Guerin’s future, Alex Rodriguez’s stolen jewelry, a kicker who copies “Sid the Kid” and Tate Martell losing another quarterback battle. Ripple effect? How does a guy from Raleigh pulling out of a job opportunity in Minnesota impact the hockey team in Pittsburgh?...

James Washington had a very nice performance in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay. The second-year Steelers wide receiver caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. He got high praise from observers locally and nationally. Now some are wondering whether he is going to supplant Donte Moncrief as...

The details surrounding Antonio Brown’s helmet holdout keep getting more amusing. According to one national report, Brown’s meltdown might have been even more needless than originally thought. Via ProFootballTalk.com: “Brown can’t use his preferred helmet — a Schutt AiR Advantage — in 2019, because that specific helmet is more than...

In this edition of “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden and I try to figure out what the Pirates will do in terms of cleaning out the management structure. Mark shares my skepticism that Bob Nutting will act harshly. We both expect a few minor scapegoats, and that’s it. Then we recap...

In Monday’s “First Call,” hockey hilarity. Le’Veon Bell’s new rap video is completely on brand. A massive baseball bet goes haywire. And one of the best dunks you’ll ever see. Understated and tasteful A teaser for Le’Veon Bell’s new video, “Slide,” is out. Now I know why he needed so...

Should any of us be surprised at the nature of the latest Antonio Brown debacle? I’m not even talking about his allegedly cryotherapy-frostbitten feet. I’m talking about him pitching a fit and reportedly staying away from the Raiders in part because he’s mad that the NFL is forcing him to...

General manager Neal Huntington warned changes could be coming to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Gee, Neal. Don’t threaten me with a good time. Sunday’s latest come-from-ahead defeat — an 11-9 debacle in St. Louis — was the club’s eighth straight loss. Speaking before the first pitch on his weekly 93.7 FM...

Friday’s “First Call” features a first report on the Ravens, Kyler Murray’s debut, another preseason pass-interference review and a little fun for the Reds and Cubs — before and during the game. Meanwhile in Baltimore We showed you how the Browns showed up with a 30-10 win in the preseason...

If you are someone who thinks all the Browns hype has been too much, bad news. It’s not going to slow down after their first preseason game. Cleveland looked sharp beating the Redskins, 30-10. Baker Mayfield was 5 for 6 for 77 yards and a touchdown to Rashard Higgins. Baker...

In this week’s fantasy sports podcast, Jeff Erickson of Rotowire helps guide us through draft advice. The most pressing question this year is similar to one at this time a season ago: Do I draft a holdout running back in the first round? Last year, it was Le’Veon Bell. This...