Tim Benz stories, Page 44
T.J. McConnell’s NBA playoff ride provides perfect basketball ‘bender’ for his legendary WPIAL hoops family
When Tim McConnell resigned from his job as the head coach of boys basketball at Bishop Canevin last May, he wasn’t sure how being away from coaching would go for him. But he knew what he intended to do with his time: watch his kids play. That meant going to...
First Call: Bud Dupree already looking forward to his return to Pittsburgh; concerns for 2 Steelers opponents
Tuesday’s “First Call” features some troublesome news for two upcoming opponents of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steelers linebacker is anxious for his return to Pittsburgh as an AFC rival in 2024. An ex-Penguin has helped his team advance to the NHL’s Western Conference Final. And the Pirates are hoping...
Tim Benz: Celebrating a memorable day in Penguins history — for multiple reasons
May 21 is certainly a day with some historically good vibes for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tuesday marks the 15-year anniversary of Evgeni Malkin’s hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Final. The third goal was Malkin’s famous blind backhander that beat goalie Cam...
First Call: Steelers reportedly in contact with veteran WR; potential NFL ownership rules change could impact Steelers
Monday’s “First Call” has a report connecting the Pittsburgh Steelers to a veteran free-agent wide receiver. Some NFL macroeconomics may soon influence the Steelers. T.J. McConnell and the Indiana Pacers are onto the Eastern Conference Finals. And at least one NHL award has plenty of Pittsburgh connections to it. Something...
Tim Benz: For once, at least we can see signs that 1 plan for the Pirates may come together
It’s early for the Pittsburgh Pirates to go full Col. Hannibal Smith from the “A-Team.” But in terms of the club’s starting rotation, don’t you just “love it when a plan comes together”? For one series, anyway, that just happened. And for a franchise whose best laid plans so often...
Madden Monday: Steelers must be sensible, not sentimental, when it comes to Cam Heyward’s contract
When it comes to Cameron Heyward’s contract situation, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE is imploring the Pittsburgh Steelers to take a very pragmatic stance. Be sensible, not sentimental. The three-time All-Pro defensive lineman is entering the final year of his contract with the franchise. It’s a $22.4...
Tim Benz: Many complaints over the Steelers’ schedule are preemptive excuse making
There sure seems to be a lot of complaining from Pittsburgh Steelers fans and media when it comes to how the NFL drew up the schedule for the Black and Gold. NFL has beef with the Steelers. 4/6 road games to open the year 5/7 road games between weeks 10-16...
First Call: Cam Heyward missing OTAs for ‘contract negotiations’; ex-Steelers 1st-round pick signs with Jaguars
Friday’s “First Call,” has an update on Cameron Heyward’s contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Terrell Edmunds has a new place to play in the AFC. We celebrate Upper St. Clair’s Vince Trocheck as he helped the Rangers put away the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL playoffs. Plus, we examine...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans push back at WR concerns; Pirates fans fume; Penguins fans not thrilled with Mike Sullivan
I’ve had a bit of a modified work week. I’ve been doing a lot of radio. I’ve been researching a project for TribLive. I took a day off to see one of my favorite bands, Dirty Honey, at the Roxian on Tuesday. I’m going to a wedding in Cleveland on...
First Call: All-Steelers schedule edition: Thoughts, concerns on odd quirks, choppy flow, brutal 2nd half
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule is hard, odd, scattered, heavy on primetime games, and light on AFC North contests until almost Thanksgiving. So we’re dedicating all of Thursday’s “First Call” to a full breakdown of the quirks, trends, hot spots and pitfalls that the Steelers could face in 2024. Vengeance is...
Tim Benz: Tough decisions ahead for some Pittsburgh fan favorites
There was plenty of excitement generated by Paul Skenes’ debut Saturday night at PNC Park. Unfortunately, the bullpen folly of that 10-9 win for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the four losses in five games to close out their recent homestand drummed up some agitation within the fanbase and some grumbling...
First Call: Despite hopes from Duquesne fans, Bronny James reportedly staying in NBA Draft; new Courtland Sutton trade talk
Tuesday’s “First Call” suggests a potential target for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL trade pool may not be out of play just yet. It doesn’t appear that LeBron James’ son will be going to Duquesne after all. An ex-Penguin comes up big in the NHL playoffs. And Monday marked...
First Call: Steelers sign cornerback after tryout; T.J. McConnell shines in NBA playoffs
Monday’s “First Call” has a defensive back signing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jameson Taillon will be back this week for the Cubs. The Pirates have a tough trip to Milwaukee looming. And T.J. McConnell is tearing it up with the Indiana Pacers. All A’s for Anthony Averett Anthony Averett’s audition...
Madden Monday: If Steelers don’t land a legit No. 2 WR, Omar Khan will have ‘flunked the offseason’
While some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are insisting the lack of depth at wide receiver is a problem that will be rectified before the 2024 season kicks off, others are worried. As we discussed at “Breakfast With Benz” last week, consider me in that second camp. During this week’s “Madden Monday”...
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes’ arrival means the future has to be now for fumbling PiratesVideo
For a change, it felt like someone upstairs was looking out for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Well, at least for a little while. As late as 2 p.m. Saturday, the rain was teeming down on PNC Park. But by 3:30 p.m., a half hour before Paul Skenes’ first pitch, the sun...
First Call: Steelers may consider reunion with Bud Dupree; Allen Robinson signs elsewhere; Jake Guentzel scores again
Friday’s “First Call” discusses a potential reunion for the Pittsburgh Steelers with a former first-round pick. An ex-Steeler is heading to New York. Jake Guentzel keeps doing what he always does in the playoffs. And a pair of former Pirates pitchers are taking to the mound with some wind in...
Even beyond Paul Skenes’ debut, Pirates-Cubs series forecasts to be pitching paradise
Paul Skenes’ Pittsburgh Pirates debut is by far the biggest draw to PNC Park this weekend. But it’s not the only one, particularly if you like pitching. The Chicago Cubs are in town to open a three-game set. They begin the series at 22-16. That’s just percentage points behind the...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ WR depth issues can’t be rationalized away
Do you know how I can tell that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ precarious wide receiver depth is starting to become a big concern? Because Steelers fans keep trying to tell me I shouldn’t be concerned. That’s how. That’s usually the telltale sign. The harder the Steelers’ fan base pushes back against...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans tired of empty at-bats; impatience for Paul Skenes; Steelers fans sound off about Najee Harris
The Pittsburgh Pirates can’t hit. Some feel like it took too long to promote Paul Skenes. The Penguins fired an assistant coach. And the Steelers essentially admitted they shouldn’t have drafted a running back in the first round three years ago. There is plenty of room for grumbling in Pittsburgh...
First Call: What it may have cost the Steelers to land Brandon Aiyuk; Martavis Bryant released again
Thursday’s “First Call” takes a look behind the curtain as to what it may have cost the Pittsburgh Steelers to land Brandon Aiyuk in a trade with San Francisco. A former Steelers pass-catcher is back on the open market. A second former Steelers front office alum is in the hunt...
Tim Benz: When Paul Skenes shows up, it’ll be nice if other Pirates also start showing up
Pittsburgh Pirates fans are just going to have to twiddle their thumbs and wait for first-round pick Paul Skenes to show up for his Major League debut Saturday. That wouldn’t be quite so bad if all of Pittsburgh wasn’t also waiting for the rest of the team to show up...
First Call: Steelers welcome RB on tryout; Patriots may want ex-Steeler as GM; Jake Guentzel scores twice for Hurricanes
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a former Pittsburgh Steeler up for an important post in New England. The Steelers are welcoming a new running back. A local product plays a big role in New York’s win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Stanley Cup playoff action. And a former WPIAL star looks...
Cole Tucker can relate to Paul Skenes’ life as a Pirates No. 1 pick in ways beyond baseball
For a moment, former Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft choice Cole Tucker may have gotten lost in a memory. Sitting on the visitor’s bench at PNC Park on Monday afternoon, now as a Los Angeles Angel, Tucker looked out at what used to be his home field and talked about what...
Tim Benz: A Super League with NFL ties? Power conference CBAs? Many paths still uncertain for college athletes
The latest forecast of what could become the college sports landscape came last week from Yahoo.com’s Ross Dellenger. He outlined the prospect of a compensation model for power schools of $300 million each over the next decade via a $17 million- to $22 million-per-year revenue distribution cap for athletes. That...
Tim Benz: If the Pirates ‘haven’t figured out yet’ how to promote Paul Skenes, don’t make it harder than it needs to be
At 17-19, not much has gone right for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024. At least not since that 11-5 start. At least not before they got back-to-back series on the schedule against the lousy Los Angeles Angels after facing the even worse Colorado Rockies. The hitting has been bad for...
