Tim Benz Columns category, Page 45
First Call: Pair of logical Steelers UFA targets with local ties go elsewhere; muddy playoff picture for PenguinsVideo
In Friday’s “First Call,” a pair of logical free-agent targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers with local ties are going elsewhere. We examine the state of the NHL’s Eastern Conference and the Penguins’ place in it heading into a crucial weekend. And the Pirates aren’t the only team going into the...
Jim Leyland on home opener 1st pitch, Hall of Fame election and Pirates’ hot start
For any MLB manager, Opening Days are always memorable. For Jim Leyland, the first of his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates was impossible to forget. As was the opponent, the fabled 1986 Mets. “You realized real quick these were the big boys,” Leyland told me Thursday on 105.9 FM....
U mad, bro?: Readers bristle at criticism of Russell Wilson from Seattle, idea of Dak Prescott in Pittsburgh next year
As always, this week’s “U mad, bro?” relies on meat and potatoes: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback debates and Penguins trades. But we also branch out to some uncharted territory: concert bookings, World War II history, and, even more foreign of a concept, the NBA. Never accuse my readers and listeners of...
First Call: Steelers may have eyes on Joey Porter Jr.’s cousin; new Steelers jersey numbers known
In Thursday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers could be expanding the family tree in the defensive backfield. Justin Fields’ jersey number is now known. Penguins fans are keeping an eye on the Eastern Conference standings. Pirates fans watched another unbeaten team go down as their own team was losing for...
Tim Benz: Penguins flip the script in rare win over Devils
The 2023-24 Pittsburgh Penguins have had their share of fatal flaws all year. • A lousy power play • A failure to hold multi-goal leads • Up-and-down goaltending • Giving up goals moments after scoring them • Disappointing results in three-on-three overtime • Poor performance on the road All of...
First Call: CFL team wants Chase Claypool if he returns to Canada; Steelers, Commanders may flip LBs
Wednesday’s “First Call” shows us how the Pittsburgh Steelers may be swapping linebackers with an NFC team without making a trade. If Chase Claypool heads back to Canada, we know what team has first dibs to sign him. It looks like the Steelers tried to lowball Tyler Boyd. We’ve got...
Tim Benz: Duquesne players on board with promotion of Dru Joyce III to head coach
As the days dragged along between Duquesne’s last game under Keith Dambrot in the NCAA Tournament and Dru Joyce III’s eventual announcement as the new head coach, some of the players got a little itchy. That stretch of time was only five days, but it felt longer. Everyone on campus...
First Call: Mike Tomlin meets with 3 Alabama draft prospects; ex-Penguin keeps scoring in ColumbusVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an interesting list of names that the Pittsburgh Steelers are speaking with in advance of the NFL Draft. We have an update on the Cameron Sutton situation, and a former Penguin continues to light the lamp in Columbus. ‘Welcome to tahn’ It looks like Malachi Corley...
‘There’s a lot to Russ’: Seattle radio host prepares Steelers fans for the full ‘Russell Wilson experience’
With Mark Madden on vacation, we didn’t have a “Madden Monday” podcast this week. But we certainly did have an intriguing conversation about new Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. Ian Furness of KJR Radio and Fox-13 in Seattle joined us at “Breakfast With Benz” for Monday’s podcast. He covered Wilson for...
First Call: Steelers in on workout for WVU center Zach Frazier; Marc-Andre Fleury updates retirement stance
In Monday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers eye up a potential NFL Draft choice at center. Some former Steelers shine in their UFL debuts. Marc-Andre Fleury is singing a different tune about retirement. The Penguins open April with a stiff challenge. And the Pirates look to keep the bats hot...
Tim Benz: Another Pirates April Fools’ joke? Or is there reason to buy Bucs’ hot start?
If the Duquesne basketball team can win its first NCAA Tournament game since 1969, can the Pirates perhaps win their first full playoff series since 1979? Or their first division crown since 1992? OK, maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves. But the Bucs just opened 2024 with a four-game...
Dru Joyce III takes over Duquesne basketball amid new heights and challenges
Newly hired Duquesne men’s basketball coach Dru Joyce III is taking over the program on the heels of the team hitting heights we haven’t seen in half a century. Joyce was promoted from associate coach to head coach Thursday, replacing recently retired Keith Dambrot after seven years on the job...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ tension-packed season-opener feels like a forecast of what’s to come
The reaction of Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton was one of bemused relief when he was asked a question following his team’s exhausting 6-5 season-opening win over the Miami Marlins. Is this how it’s going to be for his team all year? “Ha! I hope not,” Shelton said via the...
First Call: Patrick Peterson’s request for whatever team signs him; Steelers coaches scouting along O-line
Friday’s “First Call” reveals some offensive linemen that may be of interest to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the draft. We also provide an update on Patrick Peterson’s status. A Penguins prospect comes up huge in the NCAA hockey tournament. The Duquesne women’s basketball team runs out of steam. And a...
Tim Benz: Going over on Pirates’ win total this year is a tough call — and that’s a good thing
Projecting a win total for the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates is difficult, because there is a significant amount of uncertainty over how good or bad this year’s version of the team will be. Strangely, that’s … encouraging? Actually, it really is. After all, in recent seasons, so little has been expected...
U mad, bro?: Still more on Kenny Pickett trade; venting about the state of Steelers, Penguins, Pirates
You didn’t think one week was enough for Pittsburgh to properly expel all of its emotions over the Kenny Pickett trade, did you? Plus, the Penguins are bad, and another season of expected failure for the Pirates is on the horizon. That’s what this week’s “U mad, bro?” is all...
First Call: Steelers projected as landing spot for Dak Prescott in 2025; UFA wide receiver target off the board
Wednesday’s “First Call” positions the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential destination for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in 2025. Meanwhile, the franchise lost out on a possible acquisition in free agency, but is doing some homework on a Pitt defensive back. And the Penguins have a really good chance of...
Jake Guentzel discusses potential of re-signing in Pittsburgh
Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal could relate to what his new teammate was going through Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. He has stood in Jake Guentzel’s skates before. Coming back to play in Pittsburgh while wearing a Hurricanes jersey after having won a Stanley Cup as a Penguin. The...
Tim Benz: Credit where credit’s due. Steelers at least trying to act with the urgency they promised
After the Pittsburgh Steelers concluded their 2023 season — the seventh year in a row without a playoff win — owner Art Rooney II stated that the team was operating with a sense of urgency this offseason in an effort to end that drought. “I think there’s an urgency,” Rooney...
First Call: Bears GM praises Justin Fields; cornerback some Steelers fans wanted is going elsewhere; Jeff Capel still sore over snub
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some encouraging comments from the NFC North about new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. A cornerback some Steelers fans wanted to see come to Pittsburgh is heading to Los Angeles instead. There was a surprising vote against the NFL’s new kickoff rule. And Pitt’s Jeff Capel...
First Call: Omar Khan on Cam Heyward’s future; Mike Tomlin explains team’s defensive area of need, praises departing players
Tuesday’s “First Call” features Omar Khan’s stance on Cam Heyward’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike Tomlin comments on some of his departing players. He also bids farewell to Aaron Donald and identifies an important need on his team’s defense. Plus, the Duquesne women’s basketball team survives a nail-biter in...
49ers GM douses rumors of potential Brandon Aiyuk trade to Steelers
For those in Pittsburgh who have been intrigued by the idea of the Steelers acquiring wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, don’t hold your breath. On Monday, San Francisco general manager John Lynch was asked about Pittsburgh media reports stating that the Steelers are investigating a potential trade for the 49ers second-team...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin is ‘excited about being uncomfortable’ — and I’m anxious about his ‘anxiety’
During the NFL meetings in Orlando, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke with media members and expressed excitement about working with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “I’m just excited about being uncomfortable,” Tomlin said. “I think there’s growth in that. I think whether it’s individuals or collective, it’s good to...
First Call: Mike Tomlin addresses Arthur Smith’s hiring, Mason Rudolph’s departure, Cole Holcomb’s health
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin shared some background on Arthur Smith’s hiring, Mason Rudolph’s departure and Cole Holcomb’s recovery. A Steelers rival gives opinions on the franchise’s quarterback situation. And a Robert Morris men’s hockey goalie has a pro contract. All that in Monday’s “First Call.” Tomlin talks about his...
Madden Monday on Penguins’ woes: ‘Nothing is going to change’
Duquesne’s 89-63 NCAA Tournament loss to Illinois on Saturday night hurt in more ways than one. Not only did that decision end the Dukes’ magical postseason, but it also meant that fans of the Pittsburgh sports scene had to go back to primarily following the Penguins. Woof! Bad timing for...
