Breakfast With Benz category
Madden Monday: Steelers want Aaron Rodgers so badly ‘they will wait as long as it takes’Video
A few weeks ago, it felt like Aaron Rodgers’ return to the Pittsburgh Steelers was simply a matter of time. This past week, though, multiple reports suggested otherwise. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Rodgers’ decision could take months. CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala said she was told that the chances for a...
First Call: Ex-Steelers say its time to move on from Patrick Queen; Team Canada’s coach grousing about 3-on-3Video
Monday’s “First Call” has some sour grapes from Team Canada’s hockey coach regarding his team’s loss to the United States in the Olympic gold medal game Sunday. A pair of former Steelers think it’s time for Pittsburgh to say goodbye to a big-ticket starter on defense. The Tush Push may...
Tim Benz: Team USA didn’t need a miracle this time. It just needed to seize the momentVideo
The Team USA Olympic ice hockey win over Canada wasn’t a miracle. This time, the American skaters didn’t need one. They just needed the last goal. Forty-six years ago, in Lake Placid, a miracle was necessary. When the roster was composed of American college kids playing against the Soviet Red...
Former Pirate Neil Walker shares the depth of his bond with Bill Mazeroski
Former Pittsburgh Pirate Neil Walker was about 8 or 9 years old. He remembers the words of advice from his father. “Make sure you ask him for an autograph. You tuck that away. You are going to want it when you are older,” Tom Walker told his son. Walker was...
Anatomy of a buzzer-beater: Why Duquesne’s game-winning shot to beat La Salle almost never happenedVideo
Tarence Guinyard’s coast-to-coast, buzzer-beating drive to beat La Salle on Wednesday made it onto ESPN SportsCenter’s “Top 10 Plays” for the night. Coming in at #️⃣5️⃣ on SportsCenter!! #GoDukes | @TarenceGuinyard pic.twitter.com/Ht5nMibufb— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) February 19, 2026 But the exhilarating highlight from the Duquesne guard almost never happened. During...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers decision ‘could take months;’ draft analyst questions QB idea for Steelers at No. 21
Friday’s “First Call” tells Pittsburgh what it may not want to hear about Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. One draft analyst has some advice for the Steelers when it comes to the idea of picking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. A Duquesne basketball player just set an individual mark that reflects team...
Sidney Crosby’s injury spotlights many Olympic hockey debates. Let’s get into all of them
Sidney Crosby’s injury has not yet cost him a game as the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It may not even cost him a game as the captain of Team Canada. For now, his status is uncertain heading into Friday’s semifinal game against Finland after getting hurt in the quarterfinals...
Beyond the Bylines: Joe Starkey, Tim Benz on Sidney Crosby’s injury, NHL in the Olympics, Steelers PodcastgateVideo
This week’s “Beyond the Bylines” streamed on Thursday instead of Friday because Joe Starkey already needs a vacation, and he’s only been back at TribLive for about a month. So he is going to Florida to play golf on Friday. We did not discuss Joe’s golf game. We did, however,...
First Call: Trade rumors about Minkah Fitzpatrick in Miami; questions about Aaron Rodgers’ return
Thursday’s “First Call” includes rumors about a former Steelers star who may get traded. Apparently, there are some who doubt that Aaron Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh. A Hall of Fame wide receiver doubts Hines Ward’s credentials for induction to Canton. And the Robert Morris women’s hockey team begins postseason...
U mad, bro?: Ex-Steelers players are mad at each other, and Steelers fans are mad at them
In case you lost track, James Harrison got mad at Mike Tomlin’s coaching late last season. Ben Roethlisberger seemed to agree that it was time for a change. Joey Porter fired back at Roethlisberger and Harrison. Maurkice Pouncey launched a volley back at Porter. Steven Nelson reignited the debate and...
Tim Benz: Ben Roethlisberger takes a familiar approach to handling Joey Porter’s comments
Ben Roethlisberger was the king of two things during his career as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. One was extending a play by warding off or eluding would-be tacklers in the offensive backfield prior to connecting on a huge passing play. The other was passive aggressiveness. No one could throw...
First Call: Mike Tomlin shows up at a college hoops game; Steelers linked to former WPIAL, Penn State safetyVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” reveals efforts by many of Mike Tomlin’s former players to lend their support to him in the wake of his decision to step down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Penn State and WPIAL standout is linked to the Steelers in free agency....
A 5-point plan for Duquesne to win its 5th in a row
Duquesne (15-10) is playing its best basketball of the season. The Dukes have won four in a row and five of their last six. Coach Dru Joyce III’s club is now up to a three-way tie for fourth place in the Atlantic 10 with Saint Joseph’s and Dayton at 7-5....
Tim Benz: Having the draft in Pittsburgh won’t make the Steelers take a QB … but it might make it harder to pass upVideo
When it comes to the notion of the Steelers taking a quarterback in Round 1 of this year’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, TribLive’s Mark Madden had this to say during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “Ain’t no pop like the quarterback pop,” Madden said. “Art (Rooney II) wants to get...
First Call: Pittsburgh mentioned as possible destination for Tyreek Hill; ex-Steelers OL also released by MiamiVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” discusses the potential of Tyreek Hill joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steeler was also released with Hill from the Miami Dolphins. Young Steelers linemen are getting acknowledgement from their high-profile predecessors. And we tell you how much the Steelers racked up in league fines for 2025....
‘The Natural,’ ‘Days of Thunder’ among sports movie roles that helped make Robert Duvall a legendVideo
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of actor Robert Duvall. He died Sunday at the age of 95. He was best known for his roles in “The Godfather,” “The Godfather Part II,” “Network,” “Apocalypse Now,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “True Grit,” “The Apostle” and many others. But Duvall certainly...
First Call: Another former Steeler has a gripe with Ben Roethlisberger; Chargers snag 2 coaches with Pittsburgh ties
Monday’s “First Call” includes the latest former Pittsburgh Steeler to take a swat at Ben Roethlisberger. The Los Angeles Chargers are bringing two familiar names with Pittsburgh backgrounds onto their coaching staff. And Sidney Crosby wasn’t the only player with Pittsburgh Penguins ties on the scoresheet in the Olympic hockey...
Madden Monday: Art Rooney II may not be able to resist the temptation of drafting a QB in Pittsburgh
Ty Simpson’s name is frequently brought up when conversations about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft strategy take place. The Alabama quarterback might be available at or around pick No. 21 when the Steelers are on the clock. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 the X...
Tim Benz: Recent squabbles between former Steelers highlight a deeper issue
Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark spoke for a lot of Steelers fans last week when he called for a halt to the negative banter between former teammates. Retired Steelers linebacker Joey Porter recently panned fellow Steelers Hall of Honor inductees James Harrison and Ben Roethlisberger for having critical things to...
Duquesne’s players will study scouting report harder before rematch against St. Bonaventure
Duquesne guard Jimmie Williams didn’t hesitate when asked a question about what his team needs to focus on to be better against St. Bonaventure this time around. “The scout,” Williams said instantly. No. Not the scouting report itself, put together by the coaching staff. Williams said that was spot on,...
Renowned Penguins killer and Team USA hockey legacy Brock Nelson off to a hot start at the OlympicsVideo
Pittsburgh Penguins fans have gotten used to gritting their teeth and muttering Brock Nelson’s name under their breath. The Colorado Avalanche forward has 40 points in 46 games against Pittsburgh, the most of any team he faced over his 13-year NHL career. He also has nine points (six goals) against...
First Call: Ex-Steeler supports Ben Roethlisberger; former Steelers coach up for Las Vegas OC gig
Friday’s “First Call” finds a former Pittsburgh Steeler willing to back up Ben Roethlisberger. An ex-Steelers coach is trying to find a new job with a promotion in Las Vegas. Pitt basketball is staring another significant challenge in the face. Robert Morris and Duquesne hoops are looking to continue their...
First Call: Cam Heyward addresses ‘closing the book’ post; ex-Steeler says Neil O’Donnell ‘threw’ Super Bowl XXX
Thursday’s “First Call” clears the air about Cam Heyward’s cryptic social media post. A former Pittsburgh Steeler is accusing Neil O’Donnell of “throwing” Super Bowl XXX. Michael Vick is still living down one aspect of his days in Pittsburgh and New York. Plus, an ex-Steeler receiver has decided to retire....
Tim Benz: Ben Roethlisberger was the QB. But it’s Joey Porter who is throwing stones from a glass house
When it comes to any off-the-field or personality-related debates, it would take a lot for me to side with Ben Roethlisberger over Joey Porter Sr. Unfortunately, Porter just said a lot. As he so often did. On the field, or off of it. I really enjoyed covering Porter. Roethlisberger was...
U mad, bro?: Prickly Pittsburgh fans snipe about Aaron Rodgers reports and Pirates’ spending history
It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air. Need proof? Take a look at my social media mentions. It’s pretty obvious. Steelers and Pirates fans are flat-out gushing over everything I have to say about their teams. Enjoy our heartfelt love letters to one another in this week’s “U...
