Tim Benz stories, Page 177
Tim Benz, Mark Madden break down Steelers’ preseason win, Andrew Luck’s retirement and White Claw
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to wrap up the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 18-6 preseason win over the Tennessee Titans. Well, we try to wrap up what we could figure out, anyway. Boy, that camera angle was really bad. We dissect that topic first....
First Call: People hated NBC’s camera angle for Steelers-Titans game
Monday’s “First Call” is filled with hatred of the NBC camera angle during the Steelers game Sunday night. Antonio Brown’s Helmetgate may be coming to an end. And a sad sidebar to Andrew Luck’s retirement. Scrap that idea Steelers fans had one universal critique of the team’s 18-6 win in...
Tim Benz: What Andrew Luck’s retirement means … for the Steelers
For Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, his career was cut short by injury at the age of 29. For the Colts franchise, it has been thrust into a state of uncertainty. For Colts fans, their season of Super Bowl aspirations now appears destined for non-playoff failure. So let’s get to...
Tim Benz: Steelers tempt fate, escape unscathed in Tennessee
The Pittsburgh Steelers played Russian roulette with their veteran starters and won. For the most part. Let’s see how bad safety Sean Davis’ ankle injury is. And linebacker Bud Dupree’s thumb. At least Mike Tomlin didn’t give a dire diagnosis about either player after the Steelers beat the Tennessee Titans...
First Call: A tremendous Sidney Crosby story; NFL teams play on 80-yard field
Friday’s “First Call” features a “Sid-sational” story about the Penguins captain. “Hard Knocks” will have a field day with that Canadian preseason game field fiasco. And Gritty the mascot has become weaponized. Just who he is Here is a clip about Sidney Crosby that has been making the rounds on...
Fantasy sports podcast: Last-minute tips for your football draft
Got your fantasy football draft this weekend? Mine is next week. And I’m getting ready by taking advice from my main man in the business, Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. In this week’s fantasy podcast, we look at the crucial fourth draft slot. Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey appear...
Tim Benz: How Pirates might deal with Chris Archer conundrum
When the topics of the Pirates roster and finances intersect, we can often make the mistake of addressing the decision from the view of what should be done. Instead, it’s far more practical to simply address it from the standpoint of what they will likely do. In other words, don’t...
Tim Benz: The Penguins’ Mount Rushmore of Hate
Here’s one I haven’t been able to shake for about a week. While I was pinch hitting for Mark Madden on 105.9 the X last week, I was joined by Pittsburgh-born comedian Joe Bartnick. He’s excellent. If you saw him open for Bill Burr a few months ago here in...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell weighs in on Antonio Brown’s helmet; Sidney Crosby is a ‘decade-long’ MVP
In “First Call” Thursday, Le’Veon Bell shows balance where Antonio Brown has lost his mind. More career twists for Kevin White and Derick Brassard. Sidney Crosby is a “decade-long” MVP. Le’Veon’s logic When you are looking for logic and sanity you turn to … Le’Veon Bell? Yes, believe it or...
Tim Benz previews Titans-Steelers with ex-Pittsburgh sportscaster Jon Burton
There’s only one thing I hate more than NFL preseason games. Traveling to NFL preseason games. Unless they are in Nashville. Late on a Sunday night. With a full weekend in one of the best party cities in America beforehand. That I can handle. So I’m bummed I couldn’t cover...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh eating up ‘Hard Knocks’ featuring Raiders, Antonio Brown
The ratings are in, and they are boomin.’ In Pittsburgh anyway. Look at this report about HBO’s “Hard Knocks” from ProFootballTalk featuring the Raiders and former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. “The ratings for Tuesday night’s show in Pittsburgh outpaced the national average by more than three times. This means that...
Tim Benz: ‘Duck Dynasty’ is a great story, but Steelers’ 3rd QB isn’t great concern
My email inbox. Phone calls on TV and radio. Conversations with friends and family. The contractors at my house. Apparently, the two most important, crucial, pressing questions within Steeler Nation are: 1. How can the Steelers keep fourth-string quarterback Devlin “Duck Dynasty” Hodges? 2. Will he get to four Super...
Tim Benz: ‘The Sports Chef’s’ hilarious explanation as to why Antonio Brown didn’t pay him
Of all the antics surrounding Antonio Brown in recent months, this may be the most amusing. Better than the frozen feet, the blonde mustache and the “ugly” helmet. As we told you a few days ago, Brown is in a legal entanglement with a celebrity chef named Stefano Tedeschi. He...
First Call: Antonio Brown calls new helmet ‘ugly’; Little Leaguer rips Pirates crowd
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a potential answer as to why Antonio Brown is so bent out of shape over his helmet issue. A Little Leaguer calls out Pittsburgh Pirates attendance on live television. Baker Mayfield goes scorched earth. Starling Marte flashes his skill. And one ex-Pirate robs another. He never...
U mad, bro? Readers rip Neal Huntington, Rod Woodson, Antonio Brown and Quentin Tarantino
It’s time for this week’s edition of “U mad, bro?” Many of you certainly are. You are mad at Antonio Brown, Rod Woodson, Neal Huntington and everyone else in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Even Quentin Tarantino is catching heat this week. Robert is beside himself, suffering through the poor play...
Tim Benz: For Steelers fans, Browns hype replacing Patriots obsessionVideo
For almost two decades, Pittsburgh Steelers fans have had an unhealthy, but necessary, obsession with the New England Patriots. How could it be avoided? If you support an AFC contender, New England has always been the team standing in the way. As we’ve discussed here, however, the unfortunate truth for...
First Call: Rod Woodson is critical of Roethlisberger and Tomlin; Bill Madlock back in MLB?
In “First Call” Tuesday, Rod Woodson is critical of one of his former teams. But is it the right one? Some in the national media are ramping up the criticism of Antonio Brown. And Bill Madlock jokes about getting back into baseball. Maybe the Pirates should re-sign him and bat...
Steelers guard David DeCastro addresses offensive line stability
Tuesday’s podcast features Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro. We spoke as training camp at Saint Vincent College concluded. It’s my theory that the Steelers offensive line needs to have an even better year than it has the past four since there are so many new skill-position players in...
Tim Benz: Antonio Brown’s latest grievance is his latest indictment
Remember all those gushy stories from Oakland in the weeks after the Antonio Brown trade? You know the ones. About coach Jon Gruden trying to get cell phone reception in the Red Rock Mountains to talk to Brown. He and general manager Mike Mayock sneaking away from a swanky reception...
Tim Benz: Fans should hold Pirates’ Neal Huntington to his word after this quote
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...
First Call: Antonio Brown’s agent replies to Raiders GM; a Steelers TE option?
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...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers’ momentum, Pirates’ moves
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...
Tim Benz: Steelers may lean on the offensive line more than ever
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...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Mason Rudolph gets little support in 1st home start
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....
First Call: Chef reportedly sues Antonio Brown for nearly $40K in unpaid bills
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...
