Tim Benz stories, Page 192
Tim Benz: Even Penguins might not have known what they got in Jared McCann
If you weren’t aware of what the Penguins were getting from the Panthers when they acquired Jared McCann as part of the Derick Brassard trade, don’t worry. It appears they may not have been fully aware, either. Obviously, Jim Rutherford had at least a hope that McCann could be productive....
First call: Landry Jones reunites with Antonio Brown; LeSean McCoy not done in Buffalo
In “First Call” Wednesday, you’ll never figure out where Landry Jones signed. There’s still hope for “Shady” in Buffalo. Making sense of a busy night in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. This should be good Guess where Landry Jones is going. I mean, it’s not the Raiders, right? Well, of course,...
Robert Morris Andy Toole handicaps Sweet 16, talks 2019 matchup vs. Pitt
Robert Morris basketball coach Andy Toole joins us once again for our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. He is our unofficial bracketologist for the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Both of our Final Fours are still intact after the first weekend. But this is where it gets dicey. RMU coach Andy Toole handicaps...
U mad, bro? Raiders fans clap back, Steelers accused of racial bias
In “U Mad, Bro?” this week, suggestions of racism are levied against the Steelers. Charges of whining are wielded by Raiders fans. And I was sent the best email I have ever read. Let’s start with this jackwagon. For the record, he didn’t send this tweet to me directly, but...
Tim Benz: Who looks good and bad in released Antonio Brown trade conversation
I have no idea why Antonio Brown would send out the audio that he allegedly did from his trade conversations with Drew Rosenhaus. He sounds moronic in the process and makes some other parties look bad. Oh, well. He apparently put it online anyway. If you haven’t heard it yet,...
First call: Antonio Brown lashes out again; a star wants fighting in football
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at Antonio Brown’s latest shot at the Steelers from Oakland. Eminem thinks he has the answer for football. Tonight could prove to be pivotal in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. This won’t end You didn’t think that Antonio Brown would stop taking shots at the...
Tim Benz: Proposed NFL overtime changes are unnecessary
One of the big debates at the NFL owners meetings is what to do with the league’s overtime procedure. The Chiefs advanced a rule change proposal for overtime. Let’s not kid ourselves. The Chiefs did this because they lost in overtime of the AFC title game thanks to Tom Brady...
Teddy Blueger emerges, Justin Schultz shines for Penguins
Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer joins me for his weekly hockey podcast. We recap Monday’s 5-2 win over the Rangers. I brag about my wonderous predictive powers regarding the rise of Teddy Blueger. We also celebrate Justin Schultz finally getting into the goal column again. Plus, we plow into...
Tim Benz: Steelers suddenly supporting Big Ben. What took so long?
It’s the media — and social media — circle of life. Become famous and popular, get torn down. Get abused online for a few months. Become a sympathetic figure. Get built back up again. Maybe Ben Roethlisberger is now in that final stage. After months of being the target of...
First call: Previewing Penguins-Rangers; support for Tom Izzo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we give you a preview of Monday’s Penguins-Rangers game, a look at the weekend’s impact on the NHL’s Eastern Conference standings, some support for Tom Izzo and some height perspective on UCF’s Tacko Fall. Wrecked Rangers The Penguins get back into action Monday night against the...
Tim Benz: Emmanuel Sanders joins party of bashing Kevin Colbert, Steelers
The latest ex-Steeler to pile on the franchise is current Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Last week, Sanders told 104.3 “The Fan” in Denver about how he left the Steelers. “The Steelers offered me a crappy deal,” Sanders told the radio station. “They offered me three years, $9 million, $1...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins, start of Pirates season, Tom Izzo ‘controversy’
There is a lot to get into for “Madden Monday” this week with Mark Madden of 105.9 the X. We start with the Penguins and the impact of recently acquired forward Denis Sav … uh, I mean … Jared McCann. How about that spin-o-rama goal he scored Saturday night in...
Tim Benz: Potential NFL replay changes make no sense
I don’t understand the NFL competition committee’s approach to its replay expansion proposals. One proposal up for debate at this week’s owners’ meetings suggests the league should allow the review of pass-interference calls for a year on an experimental basis. A second proposal suggests adding replay review for roughing the...
First call: Pouncey defends Roethlisberger; a potential Steelers draft pick to watch for
In “First Call” Thursday, someone in the Steelers locker room sticks up for Big Ben. A wide receiver to watch for the Steelers in the draft. The latest on the rumors about Peyton Manning to “Monday Night Football.” And did we just see the game of the year in the...
Many Penguins issues to discuss heading into matchup vs. Predators
Our Penguins beat writer, Jonathan Bombulie, joins me to talk about the Penguins’ game Thursday in Nashville. He is in Tennessee. There’s plenty to discuss. • What is the biggest problem surrounding the Penguins’ three-game losing streak? • We need to figure out why the goal-scoring has gone dry. •...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey saves season at best possible time
All good things must come to an end. Or, maybe they don’t. That appears to be the case for the Robert Morris men’s hockey team. But you couldn’t blame the Colonials if that truism started to seep into their thinking at some point this season. RMU entered the 2018-19 season...
Tim Benz: Breaking down Le’Veon Bell’s knocks on Steelers
If Antonio Brown’s softball-filled interview on ESPN wasn’t rage-inducing enough for Steelers fans, Le’Veon Bell appears to have gotten just as big of a creampuff platform from Sports Illustrated. Much like the ESPN piece about how Brown forced his departure from the Steelers, Bell’s S.I. interview about how he “bet...
First call: Le’Veon Bell explains absence from Steelers; Hurricanes ‘Duck Hunt’ Penguins
Wednesday’s “First Call” features Le’Veon Bell’s wandering explanation about his absence from the Steelers, the Hurricanes’ latest postgame celebration, a recap of the Metropolitan Division results impacting the playoff picture. What’s he trying to say? Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell did an interview with Sports Illustrated. He tried —...
Penguins podcast: Blown leads, mental mistakes, giving away points
We waited until Wednesday to get Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer on the Sided.co podcast for his weekly hockey segment. For good reason. We wanted to wrap up the Penguins’ big game in Raleigh Tuesday night. And they lost. Again. Carolina won 3-2 in a shootout. It was a...
U mad, bro? Penguins fans losing it, Steelers fans … still losing it
A lot is going on in this week’s “U mad, bro?” Penguins fans are mad at blown leads. Steelers fans are mad at Josh Harris. Rage continues about Antonio Brown. And at least one reader is angry about my pessimistic Steelers forecast. ••• “Manofmyster1” leaves no mystery to this tweet....
Tim Benz: Now with Raiders, how can Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict be cool with each other?
This was enough to make my stomach turn. As we pointed out yesterday, the Raiders were on the verge of signing Vontaze Burfict. Well, that signing is official now, according to the NFL Network. The outlet says Burfict will get a one-year deal worth $5 million. Keep in mind, a...
Tim Benz: A little tweak to make the NCAA Tournament’s First Four better
You may not have even submitted your bracket yet, and the 2019 NCAA Tournament is one night old. One potential 16th-seeded Cinderella — Prairie View A&M — is already going home. Another — either North Carolina Central or North Dakota State — will get eliminated Wednesday night. All that before...
First call: Bruce Gradkowski debunks Ben Roethlisberger ‘Fumblegate’ theory
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a look at one of the most important nights of the season in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Antonio Brown has a Twitter message for those of us in the media. And Bruce Gradkowski chimes in on “Fumblegate.” Response piece Not every ex-Steeler is buying Josh Harris’...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Roethlisberger, Bell, Penguins’ bad weekend, Pirates infield
Thanks to an off-day, this week’s “Madden Monday” comes on a Tuesday. We get into: • Josh Harris’ accusation that Ben Roethlisberger fumbled on purpose against the Bengals. Why is this information just coming out now? • Le’Veon Bell’s failed contract. The spin continues! LISTEN: Mark Madden, Tim Benz discuss...
Analysis: Could Vontaze Burfict end up with Raiders and Antonio Brown?
This is too good to be true. Probably. Because I’m guessing it’ll never happen. Oh. But I wish it could. The Bengals have released Pittsburgh’s public enemy No. 1: Vontaze Burfict. You know. The venomous linebacker who did this to Antonio Brown — when Pittsburgh still loved Antonio Brown. pic.twitter.com/9OSiXDWAnz—...
