Tim Benz stories, Page 192

In “First Call” on Thursday, Mike McCarthy is getting shamed for his actions at a high school basketball game, Justin Houston is on the trade block and the IUP men’s basketball team had to play a game wearing an opponent’s uniforms. Mad Mike Mike McCarthy has been fired as Packers...

It’s the Feb. 28 edition of “U Mad, Bro?” It features Steelers angst, Penguins concern and disagreement over the Oscars from readers. ••• Somebody calling themselves “Steeler Nation” says the Steelers are not rebuilding, despite my recent column to the contrary. No, I dont think you're rebuilding when you have...

Before we start talking about how to best replace Penguins forward Bryan Rust while he is injured, it’s best to establish what has been lost. “Rusty brings a lot,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a good penalty killer. He brings so much speed and puck pursuit to the lines...

Duquesne’s last game was a 19-point comeback victory on the road at George Mason. And it wasn’t the first of its kind in 2019. It was the seventh. That’s right, seven times this year Keith Dambrot’s Dukes have responded from double-digit deficits. Three of those were in the second half....

The NHL trade deadline is always an identifiable line in any hockey team’s season. The way the last few weeks have gone, Penguins fans should see the first nine games out of the gate following the deadline as a make-or-break stretch in the season. Between Tuesday night and March 14,...

Perhaps those fretting about an underwhelming trade market for Antonio Brown have worried prematurely. In recent days, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said he has heard from at least three teams who have expressed an interest in Brown. Both NFL.com and Sports Illustrated advanced the Raiders as a good...

For “First Call” on Wednesday, a Pirates catcher gets attention in spring training. A Bengal may be on the move. A magic mark for Marc-Andre Fleury. Baron von Catch Can your team’s catch of the year happen in spring training? Is that allowed? Take a look at this snag by...

Even though the NHL trade deadline has come and gone, questions abound for the Pittsburgh Penguins. • Can they wiggle into the playoffs? • How many points can they get during this critical nine-game stretch against fellow Eastern Conference playoff contenders? • How will Mike Sullivan and Jim Rutherford try...

Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network joins me for our weekly Sided.co hockey podcast. We recap Jim Rutherford’s moves at the trade deadline. Erik Gudbranson largely has flamed out in the NHL at this point. Why do the Penguins think he can help? We dive into why the Penguins...

On Monday, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford did what he could to help his defensive corps. Now maybe the forwards can help a little, too. With the Olli Maatta injury and Jamie Oleksiak trade, the Penguins defensive group was already stretched thin approaching Monday’s trade deadline. Then Saturday’s injuries to...

In a best-case scenario, the Penguins will make a nice playoff run with newly acquired Erik Gudbranson and Chris Wideman in the press box as scratches. They aren’t all that good. Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford gave away two players who aren’t all that good to get them: Tanner Pearson...

In “First Call” Tuesday, Antonio Brown’s next public appearance. A former Penguin helps the cause. Dak’s dogs. Kraft’s shame. A.B. on `The Shop` When is the next time we will hear from Antonio Brown? Will he be himself? Mr. Big Chest? A singing hippo? Well, it appears it’ll be on...

In “First Call” for Monday, it’s your daily update on Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. The latest on the Capitals and the Columbus trade front. And there’s something fishy in college baseball. Oakland picks for A.B.? At “Breakfast With Benz,” we’ve pointed out on a few occasions that the Raiders...

Few hate the Patriots more than Steelers fans do. OK. Maybe Steelers players, coaches and management. But outside of the 412 and 724 area codes, the list is scant. One of those who qualifies, though, may be Bart Scott. Having played for both the Jets and Ravens in his career,...

No running back — and no team — did more to influence Le’Veon Bell’s contractual course of action than Todd Gurley and the Los Angeles Rams. Gurley did enough damage to the rest of the National Football League his first three seasons that the Rams made him the NFL’s highest-paid...

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to discuss the Penguins, Le’Veon Bell’s free agency and the Robert Kraft scandal. Specifically, we examine the comparisons between Bell and Todd Gurley. Is that a good thing or a bad thing for Bell these days?...

In “First Call” Friday, we look at the jam-packed NHL Eastern Conference. The NBA may lower its age restriction. And Pitt hoops needs some time to recover. It`s getting dicey With their 4-0 loss at home to San Jose, the Penguins failed to pick up any points Thursday. Carolina had...

Tribune-Review Penguins beat writer Jonathan Bombulie is in Philadelphia for the Penguins-Flyers Stadium Series game Saturday. He joins me for Friday’s Sided.co podcast. Is Evgeni Malkin going to have to fight after his recent stick-swinging incident against the Flyers? What’s the backup plan for the weather if it turns bad?...

In this edition of “Friday Football Footnotes,” the Jets are worried that Le’Veon Bell is too heavy and that Antonio Brown may want too much money in a new contract. Also, a Troy Polamalu flashback. And the latest reason why Deion Sanders is a jackwagon. Is that Le`Veon Bell or...

For two guys who didn’t want to admit the Steelers were a “circus,” they sure are doing a lot to tear down the big top. Team president Art Rooney II bristled at references to the Black and Gold being a “circus” after a chaotic 2018 came to a disappointing close....

Tribune Review Steelers beat writer Joe Rutter joins me for our Thursday Sided.co podcast. Joe was at Kevin Colbert’s press conference Wednesday. We talk about his decision to let Le’Veon Bell hit the free agent market. Why did he give up the transition tag option? Also, we get into Colbert’s...

“U mad, bro?” this week features a celebrity Penguins appearance. Multiple attacks on the media. And the usual amount of people bashing Antonio Brown and Mike Tomlin. We start with a celebrity entry from Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford! He is blaming the media for fan perception of defenseman Jack...

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert covered a lot of ground Wednesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side. Not as much ground as was covered by Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown during their years in Black and Gold. But a lot nonetheless. It appears neither will be covering...

In “First Call” Thursday, details on Josh Harrison’s new deal in Detroit. The Penguins won’t have to deal with a Flyers pest on Saturday. And the Raiders’ recruitment of Antonio Brown is underway. Raider recruiting The Raiders’ recruiting of Antonio Brown has begun. We told you that the Raiders may...

It was “90s Night” in New Jersey for the Penguins-Devils game Wednesday. The Pens won 4-3. But the Devils had their fun before the game. Because the team’s number one fictional fan was on hand: Puddy from “Seinfeld.” Yes, actor Patrick Warburton was in attendance to reprise his role for...