Tim Benz Columns category, Page 120
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger says a lot by saying little
For those of you hoping to finally read some Ben Roethlisberger quotes in the wake of all the slings and arrows he has taken from departed ex-teammates, prepare to be excited. For those of you hoping to see Roethlisberger retaliate in the same fashion, prepare to be disappointed. Actually, don’t...
Tim Benz: Everyone is full of it in ESPN story about Antonio Brown trade
ESPN posted a long “behind the scenes” account of the trade that sent Steelers receiver Antonio Brown to Oakland last month. In terms of new information — especially if you heard the taped conversation between Brown and his agent Drew Rosenhaus — there’s not a ton of new information there....
Tim Benz: Penguins’ biggest problem vs. Islanders is clearVideo
There are plenty of reasons why the Penguins are down 3-0 to the New York Islanders in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. • A scoring slump for Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel • An ineffective power play • Hot goaltending from Robin Lehner • Trouble in the faceoff circle during...
Tim Benz: Steelers must meaningfully address pass-rushing depth in draft
In case you missed our “Breakfast With Benz” post about the Dane Brugler mock draft in The Athletic, it’s worth a read. The big reason why is that the piece projects the Steelers using a high-round draft choice on an edge-pass rusher/outside linebacker — Michigan’s Chase Winovich. I love that...
Tim Benz: Get off Twitter, Antonio Brown. I dare you.
On Tuesday, Antonio Brown said he isn’t giving the media any more “ammo.” I assume that means the endless supply of hand grenades he has gifted us over the past year via social media. Not giving you media fakes no more ammo ........ enjoy my name AB !!! I am...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ Jake Guentzel goes from question to constant in exactly 1 year
At this time last year, Jake Guentzel wasn’t a constant. He was a question. A big one. A year ago to this day, I wrote about how crucial it was for Guentzel to snap out of a massive slump and start scoring again to give the Penguins any hope in...
Tim Benz: For Penguins, it’s minimum expectations vs. maximum anticipation
Kris Letang summed it up perfectly. The Penguins defenseman was answering questions just a few minutes after the club secured a playoff berth. His team had just beaten the Red Wings, 4-1, Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena to clinch a spot. This is the 13th year in a row...
Tim Benz: Early signs show Pirates coming as advertised in 2019
Before the Pirates even got to their home opener, their first three days in Cincinnati gave us a pretty good snapshot of what to expect in 2019. Sometimes the starting pitcher is going to give you six shutout innings, and you are going to win. Sometimes the starter is going...
Tim Benz: Right call if Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger ditches radio show
I’ve avoided this column for a while. Because no matter how fair I try to be, my opinions are going to be viewed with a jaundiced eye. Understandably. But now, national reports have attempted to lend some news value to the story. Based on how national opinions and stories have...
First call: Landry Jones reunites with Antonio Brown; LeSean McCoy not done in Buffalo
In “First Call” Wednesday, you’ll never figure out where Landry Jones signed. There’s still hope for “Shady” in Buffalo. Making sense of a busy night in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. This should be good Guess where Landry Jones is going. I mean, it’s not the Raiders, right? Well, of course,...
Tim Benz: Steelers suddenly supporting Big Ben. What took so long?
It’s the media — and social media — circle of life. Become famous and popular, get torn down. Get abused online for a few months. Become a sympathetic figure. Get built back up again. Maybe Ben Roethlisberger is now in that final stage. After months of being the target of...
Tim Benz: Emmanuel Sanders joins party of bashing Kevin Colbert, Steelers
The latest ex-Steeler to pile on the franchise is current Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Last week, Sanders told 104.3 “The Fan” in Denver about how he left the Steelers. “The Steelers offered me a crappy deal,” Sanders told the radio station. “They offered me three years, $9 million, $1...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins, start of Pirates season, Tom Izzo ‘controversy’
There is a lot to get into for “Madden Monday” this week with Mark Madden of 105.9 the X. We start with the Penguins and the impact of recently acquired forward Denis Sav … uh, I mean … Jared McCann. How about that spin-o-rama goal he scored Saturday night in...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Roethlisberger, Bell, Penguins’ bad weekend, Pirates infield
Thanks to an off-day, this week’s “Madden Monday” comes on a Tuesday. We get into: • Josh Harris’ accusation that Ben Roethlisberger fumbled on purpose against the Bengals. Why is this information just coming out now? • Le’Veon Bell’s failed contract. The spin continues! LISTEN: Mark Madden, Tim Benz discuss...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ free agency moves shouldn’t impact draft strategy
Last year, the Steelers signed a 29-year-old free agent safety they thought could play like a linebacker. This year they signed a 29-year-old linebacker they think could play like a safety. This year’s move should be more of a sure bet seeing as how the candidate has been a full-timer...
Tim Benz: How the new AFC North might look
We begin our “Friday Football Footnotes” with a preemptive statement: What you are about to read is a projection, not a prediction. What you are about to read is an initial reaction to the early days of free agency, not a declaration of who is going to win the AFC...
Tim Benz: Le’Veon Bell can blame only himself for contract with Jets coming up short
Le’Veon Bell agreed to a contract with the New York Jets that’ll reportedly pay him somewhere between $52 million and $61 million over four years. The last reported offer he had to stay in Pittsburgh was $70 million over five years. Le’Veon Bell’s four-year deal with the New York Jets...
Tim Benz: Drew Rosenhaus’ Antonio Brown interview should anger every Steelers fan
If you weren’t sick to death over the Antonio Brown trade to Oakland, Drew Rosenhaus’ weekend interview on the NFL Network probably put you over the top. It did for me. Antonio Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, breaks down how the WR ended up in Oakland landing a new contract."It was...
Former Steelers teammate: Ben Roethlisberger fumbled on purpose
You know the “Steelers circus” Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney II insist never existed? The one that is a total media creation and fabrication? Well, here’s another imaginary dancing bear to throw into the ring. Former Steelers running back Josh Harris — someone even die-hard Steelers fans may not remember...
Tim Benz: Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell cases prove NFL needs CBA changes
If the Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell situations have illuminated one thing, it’s this: It’s time for the NFL to change its salary cap system. Because right now, in a collective bargaining agreement set up to give the players no power, the players are starting to realize they do have...
Tim Benz: Build a Kevin Colbert statue if he gets a 1st-rounder for Antonio Brown
If Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert really ends up with a first-round draft choice for disgruntled wide receiver Antonio Brown, that will make me sad. I’ve always liked Colbert. So I’d hate to see him wind up in prison on a grand-larceny charge. That’s what would be warranted if Colbert...
Tim Benz: Gushing over Jake Guentzel’s OT goal and what it means for Penguins
When it comes to praising the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin-era Penguins, as a fanbase — and media corps — we can get a little … What’s the word I’m looking for? Gushy? Effusive? Flowery? Fawning? Yeah. Any of those fit. Big picture, given the franchise’s accomplishments over those years, that applause...
Tim Benz: Too late for Penguins’ Sidney Crosby to make MVP push?
Is Sidney Crosby making a late push to get into the MVP conversation? It was a topic on the KDKA Sports Showdown Sunday. It came up on Mark Madden’s show on 105.9 the X Monday. “The Athletic” mentioned it after Crosby’s four-point performance in Montreal. And it was featured on...
Tim Benz: Who do you hate more? Antonio Brown or Le’Veon Bell?
So, it’s come to this. As recently as July, the Steelers fan base was proud to boast two of the top five players on the NFL Network’s “Top 100” list. Running back Le’Veon Bell was No. 5. The big-chested wide receiver formerly known as Antonio Brown was No. 2. Their...
Tim Benz: NFL did Steelers a $9.5M favor with Le’Veon Bell
The NFL may have done a $9.5 million favor for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And no one seemed to pick up on it. When Kevin Colbert hosted his Q&A with local media members Feb. 20, he announced the team wouldn’t use the transition tag on running back Le’Veon Bell. After a...
