Tim Benz stories, Page 77
Tim Benz: Embrace the pitch clock, but pace isn’t MLB’s biggest problem
I used myself as my own baseball-fan guinea pig on Tuesday. I set up as much of a real life, everyday, control environment as I could to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays. I made a turkey sandwich. Brewed a cup of coffee. Opened...
Tim Benz: Repeated blown leads against the Islanders could prove fatal for Penguins
If you really want, you can try to rationalize away the Pittsburgh Penguins’ disastrous results against the New York Islanders this season. You can try to convince yourself that if both teams qualify as the Eastern Conference wild cards, there’s not much difference between being seventh or eighth anyway. That...
First Call: Pitt star lands with Steelers in mock draft; ex-Steeler DB still high on Jordan Addison
A former Pittsburgh Steeler is sticking up for a former Pitt Panther after a rough NFL Combine. Another former Panther is slated to the Steelers in CBS’ latest mock draft. Aaron Donald will remain with the Los Angeles Rams. And there was a big time interconference showdown in the NHL...
Tim Benz: Lamar Jackson is negotiating. He’s not a ‘$32 million victim’
I’m never done being impressed with Twitter’s ability to turn anyone it wants into a victim. Even if that “victim” is getting a pity party for receiving $32 million and reportedly turned down an offer of $133 million guaranteed. This week’s social media poster child for heroism in the face...
U mad, bro?: It’s the ‘March Madness of Mad’ for Steelers, Penguins, Pitt fans
In keeping with the March Madness theme of the week, let me give you my four No. 1 seeds when it comes to agitated Pittsburgh sports fans. •Southside Region: Steelers fans when the team goes 9-8 and fails to win a playoff game •North Hills Region: Penguins fans after the...
First Call: High-end tackle, ILB tied to Steelers in NFL free-agent projections; new Ravens coaches have Pittsburgh ties
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we have some free agency ideas for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens are nabbing coaches with Pittsburgh connections. And some ex-Penguins stood out with highlights across the NHL. Brown in Black and Gold? CBSSports.com posted an AFC “NFL free agency matchmaker” column on Wednesday. The premise...
Tim Benz: For Duquesne, finding defensive consistency is key to a deep Atlantic 10 run
When a college basketball team goes from 6-24 to 20-11 in one year, there shouldn’t be too many complaints from the head coach. Given those enjoyable circumstances for Duquesne’s Keith Dambrot, that has generally been the case this season. But one thing Dambrot has pointed out is that he’d like...
First Call: 3 mock drafts, 3 cornerbacks slated for Steelers; Joe Haden discusses reasons for retirement
Wednesday’s “First Call” features an interesting Pittsburgh Steelers trend in mock drafts. Former Steeler Joe Haden discusses his reasons for retirement. We look at the circumstances for franchise tags on Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley. Plus, Duquesne gets some appreciation from the Atlantic 10 in advance of the team’s first...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ wild comeback over Blue Jackets was entertaining, but first 2 periods were alarming
Something felt familiar about the first two periods of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. There was a certain smell about it. Like if you took a December Steelers’ road trip out to Oakland and put it on skates. A...
Tim Benz: Regardless of Penguins’ additions at trade deadline, it’s high time they play their best hockey
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall is insisting that he helped the team get better with the trades he executed before the deadline. With the club clinging to the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, such evidence needs to be seen starting immediately — as in Tuesday night at...
Despite strong turnaround seasons, Pitt and Duquesne given little chance to win conference tournaments
Even though Pitt (21-10, 14-6) and Duquesne (20-11, 10-8) have had strong bounce-back seasons, they are both relatively long shots to win their conference tournaments. Kenpom.com, a widely used college basketball analytics website, has published its projections for the upcoming conference tournament week. As the No. 5 seed, Pitt has...
First Call: Ex-Steeler about to be released; another big name ILB becomes available; more Tom Brady speculation
Tuesday’s “First Call” tells us about a former Pittsburgh Steeler who is about to be released. Another high-profile inside linebacker is available on the free agent market. The Tom Brady speculation still won’t stop. But he’s not the only big-name NFL player being mentioned in the rumor mill. And in...
Tim Benz: An idea to honor the ‘Miracle’ men with Penguins tiesVideo
Since the (re)retirement of Tom Brady, the notion of retiring his No. 12 across the NFL has been floated on a few occasions. Nah. Brady was greatest. But too many other teams have their own iconic quarterbacks that’ll forever be known as wearing No. 12. The Steelers (Terry Bradshaw), Cowboys...
First Call: Ex-Pitt star cuts his NFL Combine workout short; Le’Veon Bell to box again; Kasperi Kapanen scoring with BluesVideo
It wasn’t a great NFL scouting combine for former Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison. Ex-Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is boxing again. Derek Carr may be figuring out his situation. Kasperi Kapanen is making a quick impression with the St. Louis Blues. And Pitt men’s hockey is rolling into its...
Madden Monday: All Ron Hextall accomplished at trade deadline for Penguins was ‘undo his prior mistakes’
When it comes to assessing Ron Hextall’s moves at the trade deadline, I agree with what the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager said Friday evening. I do think he “made the team better” by acquiring Mikael Granlund, Nick Bonino and Dmitry Kulikov. I also think they are better because they cut...
Tim Benz: Underwhelming Penguins moves at deadline say more about missteps last summer
Now that the trade deadline has passed for the 2023 Pittsburgh Penguins, it’s clear that Ron Francis and Ulf Samuelsson are not skating through that door. There isn’t going to be a Marian Hossa or Bill Guerin kind of arrival either. There won’t even be a Derick Brassard or Jarome...
Tim Benz: As most eyes were on Mikael Granlund’s debut, other Penguins stole the show in Tampa
On Thursday night, all eyes were on who the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired to help them before the trade deadline. Instead, some players who have been asked to step up for a while finally skated into the spotlight. Specifically, some defensemen who need to score more often and depth forwards who...
Pitt star Calijah Kancey sets record at NFL CombineVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2022 draft in need of a quarterback. They looked next door at the UPMC Rooney facility on the South Side and drafted Kenny Pickett out of the University of Pittsburgh. This year, along the defensive line, the Steelers will enter the draft with 33-year-old Pro...
First Call: Antonio Brown buys part of a pro sports team; Eagles CB lauds Steelers WR, jabs JuJu Smith-SchusterVideo
In Friday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown is dabbling in pro football ownership. A current Steelers wideout is drawing praise from a Pro Bowl cornerback. A retired Steelers player rep is questioning a NFLPA poll that was critical of the franchise. Also, a Baltimore Ravens wide receiver is...
Tim Benz: Biggest issue with Mikael Granlund trade? Apparently, it’s that he’s not Jakob Chychrun
In theory, newly acquired Pittsburgh Penguin center Mikael Granlund meets the description of what Penguins fans have been asking for over the last few weeks in a pre-deadline trade by general manager Ron Hextall. • Granlund is a third-line forward that can play center or wing. • He had 64...
First Call: Omar Khan admits ‘concern’ over Kenny Pickett’s concussions; Mike Brey goes to campus bar to celebrate win over Pitt
Thursday’s “First Call” has an admission from Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan about Kenny Pickett’s concussions. Notre Dame coach Mike Brey celebrates beating Pitt. Duquesne gets some help. Late-night Metropolitan Division results. And Connor McDavid is just unstoppable. Khan on Kenny’s concussions Appearing on ProFootballTalk’s “PFT Live” at the...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are dubious about free agency; Penguins fans have doubts at the trade deadline
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are tired of free agent speculation. Penguins fans are sick of living in the middle. And college basketball fans don’t want an NCAA Tournament that’s watered down with too many teams. March is coming in like a lion for this week’s “U mad, bro?” This person didn’t...
First Call: Penguins linked to 3rd Vancouver trade rumor; Taylor Lewan may now be targeting Steelers division rival
The Pittsburgh Penguins are being linked to a third Vancouver Canuck trade option. Free agent offensive tackle Taylor Lewan may have moved on from targeting the Steelers. Two former Pirates pitchers have been injured in spring training. And Damar Hamlin is still searching for a way to get back on...
Tim Benz: Steelers GM Omar Khan has tough choices about keeping roster together
The Pittsburgh Steelers are quite the conundrum, aren’t they? It’s a team that seems to have tons of needs every offseason. Yet, at the same time, the front office always seems so desperate to retain as many players on the roster as possible. You know, all those great rosters that...
Tim Benz: For local college basketball teams, it’s a good year to be goodVideo
As Pitt was hanging 99 points on the scoreboard en route to a 17-point win over Syracuse, the Oakland Zoo rooting section was going crazy as former walk-on and one-time team manager Aidan Fisch scored the last basket of the game. The Panthers bench stormed the floor as the final...
