Tim Benz Columns category, Page 15
Madden Monday: ‘Extremely slim’ chances of selling Penguins back to Mario Lemieux are ‘a tempest in a teapot’
After a week off, the “Madden Monday” podcast is back at “Breakfast With Benz.” One topic of discussion that cropped up while we were gone was the potential sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins. On Wednesday, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun mentioned he was hearing that former Penguins owners Ron Burkle and Mario...
Breakfast With Benz U.S. Open at Oakmont retrospective: Dustin Johnson claims 2016 title in style
Next week, Oakmont Country Club will host its 10th U.S. Open championship. This week at “Breakfast with Benz,” we are flashing back to memories of each of the last five U.S. Opens that have been held at the course in our podcast series with David Moore, a golf historian and...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers better be worth the wait
Now that Aaron Rodgers has agreed to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has one job. Make this whole agonizing, prolonged exercise worthwhile. Does another nine- or 10-win season with another curb-stomp loss in the postseason constitute “worthwhile?” I don’t think so. That’d just be maintaining mediocrity. Going with Mason...
U mad, bro?: Roaring opinions about Aaron Rodgers; idea of trading Paul Skenes within the division
If I know my audience (and sometimes, I’m not entirely sure that I do), I know that you will be mad if there is no “U mad, bro?” without fair warning. With that being said, here is that warning: No “U mad, bro?” next week. I’m off. So someone else...
Breakfast With Benz U.S. Open at Oakmont retrospective: ‘The Duck’ holds off the Tiger in 2007
Next week, Oakmont Country Club will host its 10th U.S. Open championship. This week at “Breakfast with Benz,” we are flashing back to memories of each of the last five U.S. Opens that have been held at the course in our podcast series with David Moore, a golf historian and...
Breakfast With Benz U.S. Open at Oakmont retrospective: Larry Nelson’s sparkling weekend in 1983
Next week, Oakmont Country Club will host its 10th U.S. Open championship. This week at “Breakfast with Benz,” we are flashing back to memories of each of the last five U.S. Opens that have been held at the course in our podcast series with David Moore, a golf historian and...
Breakfast With Benz U.S. Open at Oakmont retrospective: Johnny Miller’s historic win in 1973
Next week, Oakmont Country Club will host its 10th U.S. Open championship. This week at “Breakfast with Benz,” we are flashing back to memories of each of the past five U.S. Opens that have been held at the course in our podcast series with David Moore. He is a golf...
Madden Monday: ‘I’m tired of Aaron Rodgers, and he has not taken a snap yet for the Steelers’
The “Madden Monday” podcast with Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X will be off next week. I’ll be back with Madden again on June 16. That’s when “Madden-Benz: Unfiltered” will come back as well. That certainly feels like a long time from now. One question I have heading...
Tim Benz: Latest round of Paul Skenes trade talk has a nugget of intrigue within the hyperbole
After a brief lull, the hypothetical Paul Skenes trade conversations have kicked up again. The Athletic ran a column from Jim Bowden investigating the idea of the Pittsburgh Pirates trading their burgeoning All-Star pitcher, potentially before he begins his third season of Major League Baseball. The column showed up Wednesday,...
First Call: J.J. Watt goes quiet on his brother’s contract talk; interesting quote from Kenny PickettVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” features some interesting comments from J.J. Watt and Kenny Pickett. The Pittsburgh Pirates look for some retribution in San Diego. And the Penguins may have their eyes on a pending restricted free agent. Nothing to say J.J. Watt was on the “Pat McAfee Show” Wednesday. And he...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans revolt over Aaron Rodgers coverage; take turns defending and ripping Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers have returned to practice. The weather somehow feels like fall in May. And readers are flooding my mentions and my inbox with Steelers-related outrage. The 2025 season must be closer than I thought! Here’s this week’s “U mad, bro?” Let’s start with a message I got from...
Tim Benz: Growth of Steelers’ young O-line is the most under-discussed aspect of 2025 team
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback position has been talked to death. Don’t expect that to stop anytime soon. Also, as you may have heard, the Steelers are yet again in search of a No. 2 wide receiver. And the running back duel between Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson will no doubt...
Tim Benz: We’re having the wrong conversation about the Aaron Rodgers waiting game
When it comes to attendance at organized team activities, it seems like Pittsburgh Steelers players assign a level of importance based on how the question is asked. And who the subject of the question may be. In general, tight end Pat Freiermuth placed a high value on spring practices. “Being...
First Call: Terry Bradshaw rips idea of Steelers signing Aaron Rodgers; no joint practices with Carolina
Terry Bradshaw hates the thought of the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers won’t be practicing against the Carolina Panthers this summer. An ex-Penguin continues to help the cause of the Edmonton Oilers. And a Pitt hoops alum is hoping to increase his NBA draft stock. All that and...
Calvin Austin’s and Roman Wilson’s actions need to speak as loudly as Omar Khan’s words
After the first day of organized team activities at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice facility, quarterback Mason Rudolph was asked about “the noise” surrounding the prospect of Aaron Rodgers joining the team. “That’s nothing new to me. There’s been constant noise,” Rudolph replied. “That’s the nature of the NFL. I’ve been...
Tim Benz: Beyond the Aaron Rodgers watch, there is plenty to track at Steelers’ OTAs
As organized team activities are set to begin Tuesday, Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t signed a contract to become a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. You might have heard something about that. But while we obsess over that ongoing situation, there will be a few other storylines to monitor this week....
Local author contributes to Library of Congress recognizing, preserving Bill Mazeroski’s 1960 homer
For Pittsburgh Pirates fans, Bill Mazeroski’s home run to win Game 7 of the 1960 World Series has been immortalized for decades. Now, on a national level, the Library of Congress has done that permanently. In April, the Library of Congress inducted 25 recordings as part of the National Recording...
First Call: Differing opinions on Steelers’ ‘Plan B’ if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t sign; Hurricanes stay alive
Tuesday’s “First Call” features different opinions on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fallback plans if Aaron Rodgers flakes. We also spread the word on Duquesne’s newest basketball recruit and how a former Penguin helped the Carolina Hurricanes finally get it in gear against Florida in the Eastern Conference finals. Best they can...
Madden Monday on Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh: ‘It just can’t work’Video
With the way Aaron Rodgers was speaking about his future during a public Q&A in Austin on Friday, it sure sounds like he’s planning on playing for the Steelers. Just In: The legendary Aaron Rodgers seemingly confirms that he will be signing with the Steelers for this upcoming season: "I...
First Call: Adam Schefter’s latest prediction on Aaron Rodgers; Browns share Steelers’ interest in WR
Friday’s “First Call” has an Aaron Rodgers prediction from Adam Schefter as the Pittsburgh Steelers wait for his arrival. We are looking at Friday’s start for Paul Skenes against the Brewers. There’s a twist to the Chris Olave trade conversation. And a member of Duquesne’s basketball team has decided to...
Paul Skenes trade talk ‘an utterly illogical premise’ born from a ‘completely logical conclusion’: It’s the Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington appeared to be somewhere between annoyed and bemused by the very question. Is trading Paul Skenes — less than two full years into his career — a genuine consideration? “No,” Cherington said Thursday afternoon, “it’s not at all part of the conversation.” Would #Pirates...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers situation is now more about saving face for Steelers than it is the football calendar
I want to thank ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio. He sat through an entire three-hour appearance by Aaron Rodgers on Joe Rogan’s podcast and took notes. So we don’t have to. I don’t always agree with Florio’s opinions or presentation. But that’s doing God’s work, my friends. Thanks, Mike. Furthermore, Florio endured...
First Call: Art Rooney’s insight on ‘heated’ debate over tush push; new NFL postseason award
Thursday’s “First Call” has quotes from Steelers owner Art Rooney II about how things went down in a prickly meeting surrounding the idea of eliminating the tush push. We also have a new award in NFL circles, recruiting information from Pitt and Duquesne and a look at the Pirates’ next...
U mad, bro?: NFL fans angry about failed playoff changes; Pirates fans hate Paul Skenes trade talkVideo
For “U mad, bro?” this week, we’ve got a lot of people who are angry that the NFL ended up keeping its current playoff format in place. We’ve also got folks all tied up about the idea of trading Paul Skenes, and some guy is ticked about the use of...
Tim Benz: Starters diluting Pirates’ historic futility at the plate
How good has the Pirates’ starting pitching been of late? Good enough that on a day when the franchise’s anemic offense tied an MLB record for run scoring futility, the Pirates still managed to win. For a second game in a row. Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over the Reds marked the...
