Tim Benz stories, Page 196
Tim Benz: Players say Penguins must ‘Embrace the Race’ to playoffs
So much for that sweep. In advance of this weekend’s back-to-back home games for the Penguins, I wrote that skating away with two victories was important for the organization. I wanted to see this 2018-19 Pens club — renowned for its sputtering inconsistency — to get on a roll akin...
Tim Benz, Brian Metzer talk about Penguins’ line changes, playoff chances
It’s our weekly Sided.co hockey podcast with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. Check him out on the broadcast tonight as he hosts in-game and post game of Penguins versus Devils. We discuss the logic behind some of Mike Sullivan’s line changes, the return of Justin Schultz, the playoff...
First call: Antonio Brown dons fur coat at NBA All-Star Game
In Monday’s “First Call,” Antonio Brown as a pancake. Sick NBA All-Star Game dunk. Stunning college hoops point total. Leader for “Hard Knocks?” Can’t wear it just once Well, it was cold and damp in Charlotte on Sunday. So Antonio Brown busted out the fur coat again for his appearance...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden talk Penguins roller coaster, Steelers’ meeting with Antonio Brown
It’s our weekly Madden Monday podcast with Mark Madden of 105.9 the X. We break down the Penguins’ victory over the Rangers. Their up and down season so far. Kris Letang’s highlights. Goaltending. Line combinations. LISTEN: Tim Benz, Mark Madden talk Penguins roller coaster, Steelers` meeting with Antonio Brown When...
Tim Benz: Art Rooney II should forget about ‘smoothing things over’ with Antonio Brown
The first time I heard about Steelers owner Art Rooney II desiring a meeting in Florida with Antonio Brown, it was during a sports radio top-of-the-hour update. It included the phrase, “in hopes of smoothing things over with his star wide receiver.” On TV and radio talk shows, social media...
Tim Benz: Zach Aston-Reese looks like best fit on Evgeni Malkin’s left wing
After the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon, Zach Aston-Reese made a prediction. “When NHL Network is playing its top 100 goals of the season, I’ll be on it for sure,” Aston-Reese declared. He’s right. He will be. I mean, he’s not the one who scored...
First call: Possible Odell Beckham Jr. trade could impact Antonio Brown market
In “First Call” Friday, a coach calls his own team “a dumpster fire.” Will OBJ impact A.B.? And Marc-Andre Fleury sharpens his goal-scoring touch. ••• OBJ impacting A.B. Some are wondering if the Antonio Brown trade market may be impacted by a deal surrounding another outspoken wide receiver. It’s Odell...
Breaking down the fantasy impact of an Antonio Brown trade
Antonio Brown posted on Instagram that he is open for business. Great. He isn’t allowed to conduct that business. But from a fantasy sports standpoint, if Brown is on the move, what would be the most impactful landing spot? I ask Jeff Erickson of Rotowire about that in our weekly...
Is there logic to speculation about Le’Veon Bell going to Ravens?
Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network is the latest football analyst to opine that Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell may go to the Baltimore Ravens. This conversation was touched off when Bell publicly flirted with Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson on social media in the wake of a previous NFL Network...
Tim Benz: Penguins need consistency — and a sweep — this weekend
Is a sweep against the Calgary Flames and the New York Rangers too much to ask of the homestanding Pittsburgh Penguins this weekend? After all, they will have played four games this week. They have tricky back-to-back weekend afternoon starts. Also, Calgary comes in Saturday with one of the highest...
First call: Antonio Brown asks fans where he should play next
In “First Call” Thursday, Antonio Brown wants to make business boom elsewhere. The Broncos almost went in a different direction before acquiring Joe Flacco. And the NHL’s Eastern Conference is a jumbled mess. ••• Open for business Antonio Brown wants business to boom in a city near you! Unless you...
Tim Benz, Jonathan Bombulie discuss how Penguins have succeeded in recent victories
Jonathan Bombulie, the Trib’s Penguins beat writer, joined me at PPG Paints Arena after the Penguins’ 3-1 win over Edmonton Wednesday night. It’s our weekly Sided.co hockey podcast. We break down the latest victory for Sidney Crosby and the Penguins over Connor McDavid and the Oilers. LISTEN: Tim Benz, Jonathan...
Tim Benz, Jonathan Bombulie discuss how Penguins have succeeded in recent victories
Jonathan Bombulie, the Trib’s Penguins beat writer, joined me at PPG Paints Arena after the Penguins’ 3-1 win over Edmonton Wednesday night. It’s our weekly Sided.co hockey podcast. We break down the latest victory for Sidney Crosby and the Penguins over Connor McDavid and the Oilers. LISTEN: Tim Benz, Jonathan...
U mad, bro? Readers pop off on Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Connor McDavid, MLB proposals
“U mad, bro?” this week brings heavy criticism against Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell again. Dare I say too much? Connor McDavid takes some heat, too. People don’t seem to like MLB’s proposed three-batters-per-pitcher mandate. But they are warming up to the Unabomber. Seems right to me. Ron had this...
U mad, bro? Readers pop off on Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Connor McDavid, MLB proposals
“U mad, bro?” this week brings heavy criticism against Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell again. Dare I say too much? Connor McDavid takes some heat, too. People don’t seem to like MLB’s proposed three-batter-per-pitcher mandate. But they are warming up to the Unabomber. Seems right to me. Ron had this...
Tim Benz: Teddy Blueger should be a constant, not a question for Penguins
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan made many eye-opening moves heading into the Flyers game on Monday night. • He reconfigured the power-play units. • Nick Bjugstad was placed on Evgeni Malkin’s right wing. • Patric Hornqvist became a fourth-liner. • Teddy Blueger got scratched. Each of those moves drew varying reactions...
Tim Benz: Teddy Blueger should be a constant, not a question for Penguins
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan made many eye-opening moves heading into the Flyers game on Monday night. • He reconfigured the power-play units. • Nick Bjugstad was placed on Evgeni Malkin’s right wing. • Patric Hornqvist became a fourth-liner. • Teddy Blueger got scratched. Each of those moves drew varying reactions...
First call: Antonio Brown asks fans where he should play next
In “First Call” Thursday, Antonio Brown wants to make business boom elsewhere. The Broncos almost went in a different direction before acquiring Joe Flacco. And the NHL’s Eastern Conference is a jumbled mess. ••• Open for business Antonio Brown wants business to boom in a city near you! Unless you...
First call: Different take on Evgeni Malkin’s stick-swing, crazy night in college hoops
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” a different view of the Evgeni Malkin stick-swing. A major Canadian university hockey brawl. A completely bonkers night in college hoops. A little support At least one national voice is raising a point about Evgeni Malkin’s suspension. And it’s a good one. First off, here is...
First call: Different take on Evgeni Malkin’s stick-swing, crazy night in college hoops
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” a different view of the Evgeni Malkin stick-swing. A major Canadian university hockey brawl. A completely bonkers night in college hoops. _______ A little support At least one national voice is raising a point about Evgeni Malkin’s suspension. And it’s a good one. First off, here...
Tim Benz: Antonio Brown misses one important detail from his goodbye tweet
Tuesday was the ultimate Antonio Brown day. Shortly before news broke from ESPN that the disgruntled Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver had formally requested a trade , Brown sent this tweet, bidding a fond farewell to Pittsburgh. It was a pleasant, grounded message. It was a...
Tim Benz: Antonio Brown misses one important detail from his goodbye tweet
Tuesday was the ultimate Antonio Brown day. Shortly before news broke from ESPN that the disgruntled Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver had formally requested a trade, Brown sent this tweet, bidding a fond farewell to Pittsburgh. Thank you SteelerNation for a big 9 years...time to move on and forward..........✌? #NewDemands pic.twitter.com/fbIoFNdqK4—...
Tim Benz: 5 scripts for James Harrison’s big-screen acting debut
James Harrison was on the TV show “S.W.A.T.” recently. Now, the former Steelers linebacker is considering a post-football film career. According to ESPN.com, Harrison may be angling to be the next Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “The Rock” made a successful transition from football, to pro wrestling, to acting. According to...
Tim Benz: 5 scripts for James Harrison’s big-screen acting debut
James Harrison was on the TV show “S.W.A.T.” recently. Now, the former Steelers linebacker is considering a post-football film career. According to ESPN.com, Harrison may be angling to be the next Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “The Rock” made a successful transition from football, to pro wrestling, to acting. According to...
Tim Benz, Mark Spector discuss Penguins, Oilers matchup; Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby comparisons
Tonight at PPG Paints Arena, it’s the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Edmonton Oilers. Faceoff is at 8 p.m. It’s Sidney Crosby vs. Connor McDavid. Sportsnet.ca columnist Mark Spector joins me on the Sided.co podcast to talk about the matchup. • Why has Edmonton struggled so much this year? • Where...
