Tim Benz stories, Page 40
First Call: Steelers checking out FB, DL depth; ex-Steelers DB gets a look from NFC South club
In advance of training camp, the Steelers appear to be checking out depth along the defensive line and at fullback. An ex-Steeler is getting a look from the Carolina Panthers. A former Pitt Panther is putting himself in a tough spot with his new team. And we examine Tuesday’s Pirates-Cardinals...
First Call: Overlooked Steelers angle before training camp; love for Paul Skenes, not much for NHL
After a week off at “Breakfast With Benz,” there is plenty of catching up to do. We have a lot to preview as NFL training camps begin and the Pittsburgh Pirates get back into divisional play this week. For our initial “First Call” back from break, let’s get recalibrated by...
Madden Monday: Is Paul Skenes’ debut already more impressive than Sid’s? Big Ben’s? Mario’s?
Despite all the hype surrounding his All-Star Game start, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes delivered by getting through the first inning without allowing a hit. Paul Skenes retires Aaron Judge and it's a scoreless first inning ???? pic.twitter.com/X4o89E5f6f— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 17, 2024 “I thought he handled...
Tim Benz: For Pirates GM Ben Cherington, it’s not about new math — it’s about ditching old philosophies
On Sunday, Ben Cherington wanted to take us all to math class. During Cherington’s weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan, play-by-play man Joe Block asked the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager if the team’s recent hot stretch of eight wins in nine tries altered the front office’s approach in advance...
NL manager Torey Lovullo gives candid response about Paul Skenes’ chances of starting the All-Star Game
When it comes to all the buzz surrounding the prospect of Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes starting the All-Star game, National League manager Torey Lovullo isn’t playing dumb. He’s heard it all. And the Arizona Diamondbacks bench boss may not be feeling the pressure just about starting Skenes. It...
Tim Benz: If pulling Paul Skenes was as easy as Derek Shelton says, it’s even easier to critique his decision
After the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1-0 win in Milwaukee on Thursday, manager Derek Shelton said it wasn’t a hard decision to pull rookie pitcher Paul Skenes with a no-hitter going after 11 strikeouts over seven innings. That better not be true. That decision should’ve at least given Shelton significant pause. Forget...
First Call: Kevin Colbert’s new job; Bill Belichick’s new TV gig with an ex-Steeler
Friday’s “First Call” passes along news about a new job for former Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. Fox is shaking up its NFL play-by-play tandems now that Tom Brady is on board. Bill Belichick is working with a former Steeler in a new sports media role. The Pirates look...
First Call: LaVar Arrington calls Steelers ‘mid-tier’; 49ers Pro Bowler discusses Brandon Aiyuk situation
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us LaVar Arrington’s view of the Steelers in 2024. We get a teammate’s opinion of the ongoing Brandon Aiyuk saga in San Francisco. Former Penguin Carl Hagelin updates his health. And the Pirates get a second crack at a pitcher that recently gave them problems. No...
Frankie’s Fairy Tale: 80 years later, the story of Pittsburgh’s forgotten All-Star game and the Pirates’ anonymous All-Star player
On Tuesday, July 16 the 94th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. On July 11, 1944, the 12th MLB All-Star Game was played at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field — a little more than a month after the Allied Forces invaded Europe on...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans fire barbs at Steelers’ mediocrity, Penguins’ stagnation, Pirates’ frugality
Next week, we are on vacation here at “Breakfast With Benz.” Not just a long holiday weekend, or a couple of half days in a row to run errands, spruce up the backyard and drink beer on the porch. No, my friends. I’m talking about full-on, all-out, actually leaving the...
First Call: Mitch Keller passed over as Tyler Glasnow’s All-Star replacement; ex-Carolina star praises Diontae Johnson trade
At least one former Carolina Panthers star is pumped about his old team landing ex-Steeler Diontae Johnson in a trade. One of the three sons of former Steelers who committed to Notre Dame is already heading elsewhere. Tyler Glasnow is out of the All-Star game. Does that mean Pittsburgh’s Mitch...
Tim Benz: This clear-cut skill has made Paul Skenes an All-Star in just 10 starts
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes deserves to be an All-Star based on merit since his promotion to the Major Leagues in May. From an entertainment perspective, he should be the starter in the game as well. There is one skill in particular that has made Skenes All-Star worthy: his...
Tim Benz: Steelers should’ve been ready for long suspension of Cam Sutton. If they weren’t, they shouldn’t have signed him
If the Steelers are surprised about Cameron Sutton’s eight-game suspension, they shouldn’t be. And if the club is suddenly worried about what this news may do to the defense, then maybe the front office should’ve addressed slot-corner in a different way. The NFL took that action against the 29-year-old defensive...
First Call: Joe Burrow praises T.J. Watt, pans Acrisure Stadium turf; hurdles falling for Paul Skenes to start All-Star Game
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some interesting quotes from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow about T.J. Watt and the field conditions at Acrisure Stadium. Some roadblocks are falling between Paul Skenes and a potential start in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Plus, at least one national source isn’t optimistic about...
In his new book, coordinator Dick LeBeau has some ‘legendary’ tales about the historic ’08 Super Bowl Steelers’ defense
On Sunday, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is hosting a launch for a new book about the 2008 Super Bowl champion Steelers defense. It’s entitled “Legendary: The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Defense, the Zone Blitz, and My Six Decades in the NFL.” The book is authored by the 2008 team’s defensive...
First Call: Local pitching product, multiple ex-Pirates make MLB All-Star Game; Martavis Bryant still wants the NFLVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has All-Star game nods for a few former Pirates and a Western Pa. product out in Oakland. Also, one ex-Steeler is hoping to make a comeback from injury, and another is trying to make a comeback into the league. Former Pirates parade While Paul Skenes and Bryan...
Tim Benz: Kyle Dubas gave the same speech to his young players that he did to the fans. Now Penguins must make it happen
Before last month’s NHL draft in Las Vegas, Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas made a clear statement about the direction he wants to go with the organization. “We need to make sure that we have the flexibility and the options to bring in younger, hungrier...
Madden Monday: Starting Pirates’ Paul Skenes would give the All-Star Game ‘a bit more meaning this year’
The Major League Baseball All-Star selection process got it right. Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes has been named to the National League team. Now NL manager Torey Lovullo needs to do the right thing as well and name Skenes the starter. That’s just my opinion, but the numbers make a...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh brings a lot of baggage to the ‘1 jersey’ conversation for Penguins core 3
When it comes to the debate over how important it is that the Penguins’ core three finish their careers in black and gold, I feel like many of us in Pittsburgh bring a lot of baggage to the conversation. Because, as we are seeing now, the desire to keep some...
First Call: Bill Cowher gives a lot of helium to Payton Wilson; an odd Pirates trend
In our final “First Call” before the Fourth of July, Bill Cowher pumps the tires of a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie. We look at a funky Pirates stat that tells a significant story. Aaron Judge continues to set Major League Baseball on fire. And the Duquesne Dukes know their draw for...
U mad, bro?: Pre-Fourth fireworks on state of the Penguins, insufficient Pirates, Mike Tomlin’s recent playoff fade
Thursday is Independence Day. So I plan on celebrating my independence from work. Hence, we are posting “U mad, bro?” a day early this week. Don’t worry. I’m offering up plenty of fireworks about the Penguins’ current roster, the Pirates’ ups and downs and Mike Tomlin’s recent track record. This...
Entering Year 2 of their return, Robert Morris happy to ‘just get back to being Colonial hockey’
For Robert Morris men’s hockey, the second season of the program’s reboot doesn’t begin on the ice until October. It’s feeling real now, though. The schedule was released Tuesday. The roster is set. After a return to play from a two-year hiatus last fall, the rhythm is back. The cycle...
Tim Benz: If Kyle Dubas’ message can be summed up with Ben Cherington quotes, it’s not great news for Penguins
Here’s a quote from Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas during his press availability with reporters following Day 1 of free agency on Monday: “We have more players that can improve — by far — than the number we can acquire. Just think about the math. How do you get...
First Call: What the Steelers are worth vs. other NFL teams; lots of ex-Penguins on new teams
Tuesday’s “First Call” compares the value of the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the rest of the NFL. We also preview the upcoming Pirates-Cardinals series, recap some team-hopping from a bunch of ex-Penguins, and get news about a Robert Morris hockey player who is getting a look from one of the NHL’s...
Tim Benz: When it comes to help for Pirates’ offense, Ben Cherington says little while speaking a lot
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington made his weekly radio appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Sunday. With the season now halfway finished, he was asked what it would take for his team to make the playoffs. What followed was an eight-minute, uninterrupted soliloquy that was basically a long-winded way...
