Tim Benz stories, Page 185
The wait is over: Le’Veon Bell shows up for minicamp with Jets
The wait is over. Le’Veon Bell is ready to report as a New York Jet. After skipping voluntary organized team activities, the former Steelers running back is set to practice in uniform. The Jets start their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and Bell will be there. Dear New York,I’m Here. pic.twitter.com/tW1oKfd2Ql—...
First Call: Pirates’ 1st-round pick Quinn Priester has ‘highest ceiling’
Tuesday’s “First Call” some high praise for the Pirates’ first-round draft pick, an injury to Andrew McCutchen and a lucky break for the Steelers. Mighty Quinn? The Pirates are getting high praise for their first-round pick. It’s right-handed high school pitcher Quinn Priester from Illinois. On MLB network, Jim Callis...
‘Pray for me’: Phillies’ Andrew McCutchen suffers knee injury
Former Pirates MVP Andrew McCutchen hurt his knee on a strange play in San Diego Monday. The Phillies center fielder appeared to twist his knee during this odd rundown. Andrew McCutchen has exited today's game with an injury and had to be helped off the field. pic.twitter.com/bAy1yQ85uH— NBC Sports Philadelphia...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Ola Adeniyi adding to pass-rush repertoire
The size. The number. The sacks. The bio. The similarities were too obvious to ignore. Steelers rookie Ola Adeniyi spent last preseason flashing as a 6-foot-1, 248-pound undrafted MAC outside linebacker, wearing No. 92. Adeniyi frequently popped during training camp and had three sacks and two forced fumbles in four...
First Call: Reds fans go after John Wehner after Derek Dietrich comments
In “First Call” Friday, Reds fans attack John Wehner. Le’Veon Bell and Odell Beckham Jr. are taking heat for skipping practices. Problems for a few former Pirates. Now it’s on! Pirates broadcaster John Wehner made headlines this week when he shamed Reds player Derek Dietrich for showboating his home runs...
Ex-Steeler Steve McLendon, now a Jets teammate, implores Le’Veon Bell to show up
In Pittsburgh, we’re used to stories about Le’Veon Bell being absent from practices. In New York, that’s not going over big with one of his new teammates. And it’s a guy who used to be one of his former teammates. Former Steeler and current Jets defensive lineman Steve McLendon said...
Fantasy sports podcast: Stirring the pot on Derek Dietrich, Pirates-Reds rivalry
Our weekly fantasy sports podcast always features Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. He’s a lifelong Reds fan. So this week, he gives a completely different perspective on the sniping back and forth between his favorite club and the Pirates. Derek Dietrich pimping home runs against the Pirates has been a hot...
U mad, bro? Readers pop off about showboating, Phil Kessel trade, Antonio Brown’s grass
“U mad, bro?” this week features Pirates fans in a snit over Derek Dietrich of the Reds, the Pirates’ failure to support Josh Bell and our coverage of Antonio Brown. Well, our coverage of Brown’s lawn care, anyway. On Twitter, “Corby Corb 12” chimes in with an opinion on Derek...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ Kevin Newman making big strides in Year 2
Across the parking lot from PNC Park, after a preseason game in August, you’ll probably hear Steelers coach Mike Tomlin say something about James Washington, Jaylen Samuels or Chuks Okorafor “being on the rise from Year 1 to Year 2” of their NFL careers. Tomlin is big on that one....
Plenty of opinions about where Penguins’ Phil Kessel could land in trade
The Phil Kessel trade watch is one of the biggest topics in hockey right now. And the opinions are flying. Dave Poulin said on TSN, “He’s an acquired taste that has run its course in Pittsburgh.” On the same panel, Craig Button made it sound like the team is scapegoating...
First Call: Jon Gruden was ready to give up 2nd-round pick for Antonio Brown
In “First Call” Thursday, the Steelers may have been able to do better in the Antonio Brown trade. A WPIAL star is climbing toward the majors. Ryan Reaves dabbles in comedy. How it could`ve gone Here’s an item we’ve buried this week. It turns out the Steelers may have been...
Tim Benz: Mike Munchak’s offseason departure among hardest for Steelers
Much of the discussion at Steelers organized team activities this week has been about the guys who are gone. Namely Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. But a third Steeler of importance has departed and probably hasn’t been talked about enough. That’s offensive line coach Mike Munchak. He left Mike Tomlin’s...
Tim Benz: If Pirates, Reds weren’t so lame, they could have a decent rivalry
Given all the attention on how the Pirates may retaliate against Derek Dietrich preening after his three home runs Tuesday, tempers were a little hot Wednesday afternoon in Cincinnati. The Pirates beat the Reds, 7-2. But it wasn’t without incident. Pirates pitcher Clay Holmes, not exactly renowned for his control...
Podcast: Pittsburgh comedian, sports nut Steve Byrne returns to the Improv
National headlining comedian, actor and renowned Pittsburgh sports fan Steve Byrne is making a return to his hometown. He’ll be performing at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Improv in Homestead. And he’s featured on our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast Wednesday. LISTEN: Pittsburgh comedian, sports nut Steve Byrne Byrne actually joined...
Tim Benz: Josh Bell’s breakout season can be traced to 1 stat
One of the advanced analytics regularly in the dunking booth for baseball old-schoolers is exit velocity. You know, Major League Baseball’s Statcast tracking of how fast a player hits the ball off the bat. The older the baseball fan, the more likely you are to hear: “Do I really need...
First Call: An Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict family feud; Austin Meadows stays hot
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us the first “feud” between Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict. And the Raiders really did sign Richie Incognito. The worst first pitch ever. Another Austin Meadows homer. It’s time to play the feud Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict had their first family feud in Oakland. No,...
Tim Benz: Broadcasters shred Derek Dietrich as he shreds Pirates
It appears the “grandpa shaming” of Derek Dietrich has backfired. As we documented following Cincinnati’s Tuesday night victory over the Pirates, Dietrich decided to strike a pose after homering against the Pirates. Again. That got former Pirate and current team broadcaster John Wehner talking. He was on 93.7 The Fan...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden debate Kessel trade idea, Pirates, Porter ripping Roethlisberger
Mark Madden joins me for “Madden Madden” a day late after the Memorial Day holiday. We debate that failed trade of Phil Kessel to the Wild. Mark and I have differing views on that front. I’m not opposed to a deal involving Kessel. But I’m down on the structure of...
First Call: Feel-good Jordan Staal story; Derek Dietrich punks Pirates again
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Jordan Staal’s kind gesture is heartwarming. More replay may be coming to the NHL. And Derek Dietrich continues to provoke. Jordan’s jet Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell shared some thoughts about the team chemistry that helped push his team from the seventh seed to the...
Tim Benz: Phil Kessel to Wild would’ve been wrong move for Penguins
If there was a trade in place between the Penguins and Wild involving Phil Kessel, it appears to be off now. And it appears it’s off because Kessel doesn’t want to go to Minnesota. The Wild aren’t on his eight-team approved list for trades. And, according to Sportsnet, Kessel doesn’t...
Tim Benz: Pirates leaning on surprisingly reliable Jordan Lyles
Clint Hurdle took a look at his extended pitching chart while meeting with the media before Saturday’s game against the Dodgers. It was a color-coded mashup with individual schedules, notes and cross-outs. He shrugged and gave a resigned, bemused grin. “At the back end of it, we’ve got (Jordan) Lyles...
U mad, bro? Readers angry about Chris Archer, Steelers coverage
You should be mad. Why? Because “U mad, bro” is late this week. And waiting a few extra days seems to have allowed some of your venom to bubble quite a bit. Follow along as readers pop off about Chris Archer and coverage of the Steelers. A few readers didn’t...
Fantasy sports podcast: Chris Archer frustrations, Josh Bell’s bombs, Mitch Keller call-up?
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. There’s a ton of baseball to discuss. I don’t like “the opener” concept. I’ll get Erickson’s opinion, and he’ll tell us the fantasy impact. Significant call-ups across the league are taking place. Pirates farmhand Mitch Keller could be next....
First Call: Possible Phil Kessel landing spot; Pirates scout outfielder; loving Le’Veon Bell
It’s a trade-heavy “First Call” for Friday. The Penguins may be engaged in a potential trade for Phil Kessel. Jets coach Adam Gase is denying ideas he wants to trade Le’Veon Bell. And the Pirates may be interested in acquiring a New York Yankee. Pharewell Phil? Tribune-Review Penguins writer Jonathan...
Tim Benz: NFL simplifies replay, poised to complicate Hail Marys
I’ll give this to the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary: They sure are a diplomatic bunch. I approached many of the defensive backs who were at organized team activities Thursday, looking for some reaction to the tweak of the new NFL pass-interference rules. In case you missed the news Wednesday, the league...
