Tim Benz stories, Page 179
Steelers’ Mason Rudolph talks about improving his deep ball, teammates’ growth
As Pittsburgh Steelers training camp continues, Wednesday’s guest in our “Letters from Camp” podcast at “Breakfast With Benz” is Mason Rudolph. Perhaps no Steeler will be as scrutinized by the fans during Friday night’s preseason opener as he will be. Essentially, Rudolph was a redshirt during his rookie season. But...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans will hate centennial list of Top 100 NFL teams
A lot of national outlets have spent a lot of time taking shots at the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. And many are predicting Baltimore or Cleveland will win the AFC North. Therefore, USA Today’s Nate Davis probably made a lot of friends in Western Pennsylvania when he predicted the Steelers...
First Call: Josh Bell continues free fall; Emmanuel Sanders has camp dustup
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at Josh Bell’s slump, great catches galore and a mad Emmanuel Sanders. Bell silenced Josh Bell hasn’t been ringing in the batter’s box the way he was in the first half of the season. How bad has it gotten? Since July 1, Bell is...
Tim Benz: Diontae Johnson is Steelers’ biggest ‘what if’ in passing game
The “Breakfast with Benz” podcast is back at Saint Vincent College for Steelers training camp. For all the questions that face the Steelers in terms of how the passing game will do without Antonio Brown, the path to success is clear. • JuJu Smith-Schuster needs to transform from Robin to...
Tim Benz: Browns could supplant Steelers as ‘Team Turmoil’
There is some controversy in Cleveland. Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens is mad. He’s upset that former offensive line coach Bob Wylie — the “Hut Gut” — is saying that Gregg Williams should’ve been named head coach in Cleveland and that quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese did “all the coaching” during...
Tim Benz: Too many rules questions heading into 2019 NFL season
NFL referee Shawn Smith and his crew working Steelers practices Aug. 2 at Saint Vincent College met with media members to discuss new rules enforcement, explanations, and points of emphasis. Smith showed a video, said a few words and then took questions. As I was sitting in the news conference...
First Call: Corey Dickerson homers, Baker Mayfield shotguns a beer
For Monday’s “First Call,” we look at Corey Dickerson’s first homer in Philadelphia, NXT taking over Rays’ pregame festivities, and Baker Mayfield’s beer chugging skills. This Bud’s for Baker Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield is no Aaron Rodgers. At least not yet. But he is clearly better at one thing than Rodgers...
The pictures of Antonio Brown’s injured feet are hideous
Blisters are boomin’. At least on Antonio Brown’s feet. Based on what Brown is sharing on social media, the former Steelers star is having significant problems with his feet as he prepares for the 2019 season in Oakland. Antonio Brown is visiting a foot specialist today, likely dealing with these...
Madden Monday: Mark Madden and Tim Benz on Steelers optimism, and Pirates pity
In this week’s Madden Monday, Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to discuss the NFL MVP odds. Why are Ben Roethlisberger’s so poor? Mark seems to think it has a lot to do with off-the-field perception. Then there’s the expanded Hall of Fame voting this year — another...
Tim Benz: Patriots dominance isn’t part of Mike Tomlin’s shortcomings
It’s been 11 days since Mike Tomlin signed a contract extension to coach the Steelers through at least the 2021 season. Since then, several arguments have popped up supporting that decision by Steelers ownership. Others have been highly critical. Both sides make a strong case. I wouldn’t have done it....
Fantasy Sports podcast: Football draft advice, MLB trade fallout, Reds-Pirates brawl
Fantasy football drafts are happening soon. Are you ready? Need some advice? Jeff Erickson of RotoWire gets you prepared in our weekly fantasy sports podcast. We look at where Steelers players Ben Roethlisberger, Vance McDonald and JuJu Smith-Schuster rank among star players at their respective positions. Also, Jeff tells us...
First Call: James Harrison’s ‘comeback’ post; NFL’s 1st pass-interference challenge
Friday’s “First Call” features James Harrison flirting with a comeback in Denver, the first challenged pass interference call and a potential career change for Jameis Winston. More Deebo? James Harrison is coming out of retirement. Well, that’s what he wants us to think. And he wants us to think he...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans downplaying Browns hype could be in for surprise
Doubters of the Cleveland Browns got a little more ammunition this week. As we mentioned in “First Call” on Thursday, ESPN reported that Baker Mayfield chewed out his wide receivers over the weekend. The excitable Browns quarterback reportedly was upset that his pass-catchers weren’t running back to help him while...
Tim Benz: Pirates-Reds brawl suspensions a complete joke
This column is going to be very difficult to follow. Judging by the comments section that normally accompanies my posts, some of you may feel that’s a common occurrence on my page. This time, though, it won’t be my fault. This time. No, today it’ll be Major League Baseball’s fault....
Steelers OC Randy Fichtner breaks down passing game without Antonio Brown
Our “Breakfast with Benz” podcast comes to you from Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College. Tribune-Review Steelers beat writer Joe Rutter and I caught up with Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. We covered a lot of ground, including a look at the passing tree without Antonio Brown in the...
First Call: Raiders’ 1st ‘Hard Knocks’ trailer; Baker Mayfield screaming; Jordan Lyles debuts with Brewers
Thursday’s “First Call” features the new trailer for “Hard Knocks,” with significantly less Antonio Brown than we expected. Jordan Lyles debuts in Milwaukee. Baker Mayfield gets testy in Cleveland. Michael Thomas resets the bar for wide receiver contracts in New Orleans. Corey Dickerson misses out on history in Philadelphia. This...
Tim Benz: Prepare for a 2021 Pittsburgh sports yinz-pocalypse
You think 2019 has been a crazy year for Pittsburgh sports so far? Antonio Brown was traded. Le’Veon Bell went to the New York Jets. And the Steelers jumped into the top 10 of the draft. The Penguins were swept out of the playoffs, but Mike Sullivan got a contract...
U mad, bro? Steelers fans invent reasons to be angry. Pirates fans have easier time
In this week’s “U mad, bro?” some Steelers fans are mad about gender reveals. Others are angry about semi-trucks. And Pirates fans are angry about everything. And I mean, everything. Somebody named Eli did not like how somebody else named Eli showed up to Steelers training camp. When he loses...
Steelers’ Mark Barron breaks down team’s inside linebacker rotation
“Breakfast With Benz” returns to the practice fields of Saint Vincent College today. Oh, the players return as well. The Steelers are back at training camp after a day off. And one position that continues to be intriguing is inside linebacker. That’s where first-round pick Devin Bush is trying to...
First Call: How restructuring Stephon Tuitt’s contract can help the Steelers
Wednesday’s “First Call” looks at the benefits of Stephon Tuitt’s reworked contract with the Steelers. Good news for the Ravens. And Larry Fitzgerald loves his new quarterback. This could help The Steelers reportedly are restructuring Stephon Tuitt’s contract. Source: the Steelers have converted $5.195M of DL Stephon Tuitt’s $6M base...
Tim Benz: A stick tap to Chris Kunitz and his underrated Penguins career
Here lies Chris Kunitz’s NHL career. Began: January 17, 2004 (Anaheim) Ended: April 6, 2019 (Chicago) Epitaph: You can’t win a Stanley Cup without a guy like Chris Kunitz. At least one. And it wouldn’t hurt to have a few more. I know this much. Four teams won Stanley Cup...
Tim Benz: Pirates-Reds brawl more comical than cantankerous
The Pirates and Reds had another skirmish in the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s 11-4 Bucs win. But, at least, this one had some punches thrown as opposed to the chest-puffing pillow fights that occurred earlier in the season. In case you missed it, the two teams clashed on the...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell’s apology; weird trick pitch; odd NFL rule enforcement
You’ll like the fact that Le’Veon Bell apologized — until you find out who he is referencing. Also, a weird hidden ball trick. And an under-the-radar rules enforcement in the NFL. All that and more in “First Call” for Tuesday. An apology … to whom? Le’Veon Bell has finally apologized....
Tim Benz: Josh Bell made a comical throw. Another play was even worse
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell made this, uh, “throw” in the bottom of the second inning Monday night in Cincinnati. Let’s see if it looks any better on replay.... pic.twitter.com/vQGli0awub— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) July 30, 2019 Yuck! The Reds TV broadcast described that throw from Bell as looking like...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Jordan Lyles trade, Joe Haden contract
I’m moving this week. So I took Monday off. Eventually, I emerged from a sea of boxes, cable wires, duffel bags and clothes I should’ve thrown away a long time ago to record Madden Monday. Sorry it’s a day late. Mark Madden and I caught up in his studio at...
