Tim Benz stories, Page 195
Tim Benz: Penguins fans must prepare for real change … eventually
This is always a frustrating time of year to write about the Pittsburgh Penguins. Well, at least in non-Stanley Cup winning seasons anyway. The cycle is drudgery, and it is familiar. The Penguins lose a series. The fans, media, locker room, and management call for change. Rumors emerge about potential...
Friday Football Footnotes: Backing Big Ben continues
For “Friday Football Footnotes” this week, two members of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization made sure that the recent wave of support for Ben Roethlisberger continued. There has been a unified response from the organization of late, after a few months when the Steelers quarterback was slapped around in the media...
Mike Rupp on Evgeni Malkin trade talk: Penguins should at least consider it
Former Penguin Mike Rupp is chiming in on the Evgeni Malkin trade talk. Now an analyst for AT&T SportsNet and the NHL Network, Rupp was on 105.9 the X with me Wednesday, and I asked him what he thought about the idea of trading Evgeni Malkin. “I don’t see it...
Fantasy Sports podcast: Melky Cabrera’s hot start, NFL Draft impact
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week, we look at which draft choices could impact the fantasy football world. Kyler Murray leads the way. Josh Jacobs should help the Oakland Raiders. Those tight ends from Iowa could be worth a pick. And the New...
First Call: What will Baltimore do with Trace McSorley?, Gronk’s acting, a monster homer
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Gronk’s acting debut. What the future holds for Trace McSorley in Baltimore. A bad break in Cleveland. And a bad fate for the Islanders? McSorley mash-up So, what are the Baltimore Ravens going to do with former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley? It sounds like …...
Tim Benz: So much for prioritizing Artie Burns’ confidence, or his option
Remember how we started yesterday’s “First Call” with Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert telling the world the team was hoping that struggling cornerback Artie Burns could regain his confidence? Yeah, forget that. Unless the organization thinks that refusing to pick up Burns’ fifth-year option is the best route to restoring...
Tim Benz: Time for Evgeni Malkin to follow his own advice
On locker cleanout day following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ sweep at the hands of New York Islanders, Kris Letang was indignant at suggestions that he may need to change his game. You know, be more structured and patient. Take fewer chances. Play more conservative. The response was not one of agreement....
First Call: Artie Burns’ future, a rookie wants Le’Veon Bell’s number
In “First Call” Wednesday, Kevin Colbert talks about Artie Burns’ future, Benny Snell embraces the role of replacing Le’Veon Bell, Andrew McCutchen pokes fun at himself. Burns burned out? Is Artie Burns’ toasted for good? The Pittsburgh Steelers have been very blunt that Burns’ tough 2018 shot his confidence. Now...
U mad, bro?: Not all Steelers fans are happy with drafting Devin Bush, Diontae Johnson
It’s an all-Steelers-NFL-draft edition of “U mad, bro?” Fans are mad about trading up, my critique of missing out on certain positions, and uttering the name of a certain big-chested wide receiver out loud. An unsigned email takes umbrage with my article likening Toledo wide receiver Diontae Johnson’s draft profile...
Tim Benz: Father of Steelers draft choice renounces Browns fandom
Imagine being a fan of the Cleveland Browns. Your team leaves. It comes back. And becomes an NFL punchline for decades. Now, on the verge of, potentially, Cleveland’s first division championship in decades, you renounce your fandom to start rooting for … … the hated Pittsburgh Steelers? That’s what DeAndre...
Former Penguin Colby Armstrong talks about trading Evgeni Malkin
Our first Sided.co podcast of May features former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Colby Armstrong. He joined me on 105.9 the X Friday. The AT&T Sportsnet hockey analyst gives his opinion on the idea of trading Evgeni Malkin, or some other high-profile Penguins. Armstrong seems to think that the better route for...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss if Penguins would really trade Evgeni Malkin
It’s our last Madden Monday in April, and there is a ton to talk about. You’ll be buzzing about what Mark Madden has heard regarding the Evgeni Malkin trade discussion. It sure sounds like the interest in possibly dealing the three-time Stanley Cup champion is more than a fleeting reaction...
First Call: Tyler Glasnow continues All Star run, Ryan Braun gets ‘beered’
In “First Call” Monday, the secret behind Tyler Glasnow’s success. Somebody did something to Ryan Braun we’ve all wanted to do. Two Dukes find NFL homes. What got into Glasnow? Tyler Glasnow did it again. He cashed in another great start over the weekend for Tampa Bay. The Rays right-hander...
Tim Benz: Numbers show Pirates bad week may continue in Texas
I feel like a weatherman who accurately calls for heavy rain but misses the hurricane. Last week, I warned Pittsburgh Pirates fans what may be coming against Arizona and Los Angeles. But I had no idea things would go as badly as they did. The Pirates entered those seven games...
Tim Benz: NFL Draft could have a big impact on many current Steelers
As we posted Saturday evening after the conclusion of the draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers simply had too many roster issues this offseason to have them all properly addressed before training camp starts. This is normally the case for teams that miss the playoffs. And it’s definitely the case after non-playoff...
Tim Benz: Let’s talk about what the Steelers DIDN’T get during the draftVideo
We’ve spent three days talking about what the Pittsburgh Steelers got in the draft. Now let’s talk about what they didn’t get. That’s quality “starter-in-waiting” (to use a Tomlinism) depth for two positions where they are thin and potentially will be thinner after this season because of free agency: outside...
Tim Benz, Kevin Gorman break down Steelers’ Day 2 draft picks
After trading up to get Devin Bush in Round 1 of the NFL draft on Thursday, Day 2 was a lot more calm at Steelers headquarters. The organization stayed locked in at picks 66 and 83 in the third round. Lots of cornerbacks and wide receivers came tumbling off the...
Tim Benz: Steelers draft Antonio Brown clone. On the field anyway.
The Steelers selected a clone of Antonio Brown with their second pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. And they did it with the pick they got in exchange for Brown from Oakland in the trade that shipped him to the Raiders last month. Let’s hope the comparisons stop with physical...
What national experts are saying about Steelers drafting Devin Bush
I’d give the Steelers an “A-” for their move up into the top 10 to draft Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. It would’ve been an “A” if general manager Kevin Colbert could’ve talked Denver into his own line of schtick that the 66th pick is really a second-round pick and not...
Tim Benz: Devin Bush can erase a lot of Steelers’ misfortunes
Devin Bush could become a human eraser for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The inside linebacker is coming to Pittsburgh so he can erase quarterbacks on blitzes, running backs at the line of scrimmage and receivers over the middle. But the 2019 first-round choice out of Michigan could erase so much more:...
Tim Benz, Joe Rutter discuss the Steelers’ selection of Devin Bush
In Thursday’s NFL Draft, the Steelers did what so many people hoped they would do. They traded up to draft Michigan inside linebacker Devin Bush. For Friday’s Sided.co podcast, Steelers beat writer Joe Rutter joins me to talk about how general manager Kevin Colbert made the deal with Denver, what...
First call: Antonio Brown, Ryan Clark clash; NHL apologizes to Golden Knights
In “First Call” Friday, Antonio Brown and Ryan Clark clash on Twitter again. Also, an umpire magic trick. A four-man outfield. A worry for the Pirates. And an apology for the Golden Knights. Was that a threat? Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark is in another dust up with Mr. Big...
Tim Benz: What did the the NFL Draft tell us about Devin Bush’s fashion sense?
I love the player. I love the trade. I love the pick. In my opinion, the Steelers couldn’t have done a better job when it comes to how they executed the first round of the draft. The franchise traded up into the top 10 of the NFL Draft on Thursday...
First Call: Patrick Peterson trade talk ramps back up; Jordan Staal shines for Hurricanes
In “First Call” Thursday, the Patrick Peterson trade rumors may kick up again. Jordan Staal comes through in the clutch for the Hurricanes. And a warning for the Pirates against the Diamondbacks. Are the Patrick Peterson rumors back? Remember this past season when rumors swirled that the Steelers may try...
When will Steelers turn to offense in 2019 NFL Draft?
It’s NFL Draft Day! DraftWire’s Luke Easterling joins us for our Thursday Sided.co podcast. He scouted the potential picks on defense Wednesday. Now he previews the offense. Easterling and I talk about when in the draft it will make sense for the Steelers to think offense. Then we kick around...
