Breakfast With Benz category, Page 114
Tim Benz: Steelers’ desire to always avoid a rebuild illustrated by Lions’ never-ending process
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward said he won’t be able to fully appreciate it until he retires. The fact that the team that drafted him has never had to go through a season like the one Sunday’s opponent, the Detroit Lions, are going through. For Heyward, a bad season...
Yankees, Mariners among teams allegedly interested in trading for Pirates All-Star Bryan Reynolds
A few Major League Baseball teams are looking for a center fielder. Their eyes are locking on Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Bryan Reynolds. According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, a significant market is building for Reynolds, with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners in front of the pack....
Tim Benz: 5-on-5 play crucial as Penguins look to grab 2 points against Panthers
On one hand, the Pittsburgh Penguins have gathered points in eight of their 11 games. On the other, they are currently in last place in the Metropolitan Division. It is far too early to make season-long declarations about this team. Especially since they have yet to play a game with...
First Call: Chase Claypool’s injury was initially feared to be season threatening; Lions odds; RMU hockey update
Thursday’s “First Call” has an interesting angle on Chase Claypool’s injury. The Detroit Lions have some mixed health updates as they prepare to visit Pittsburgh. The odds on the Steelers-Lions game make more sense the deeper you study them. And the displaced Robert Morris University hockey teams appear to be...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans prickly about Tristan Jarry criticism; Najee Harris taking heat; Pitt fans percolating
In this week’s “U mad, bro?”, Penguins fans defend Tristan Jarry. Pitt fans are agitated. And at least one Steelers fan is already turning on Najee Harris. Now I think we’ve gone too far! Who am I kidding? We go too far in this post every week. So, let’s have...
NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore on taunting penalty, other controversies from Steelers vs. Bears
Former NFL official and CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore made his weekly appearance on WDVE on Tuesday morning and addressed the many rules debates that took place during the Steelers’ controversial 29-27 win over the Chicago Bears. The most hotly contested of many calls — or non-calls — was the...
First Call: Details about Steelers’ interest in Fletcher Cox; Steelers scouted college QB showdown; Marc-Andre Fleury’s new mask
More details are coming out about the Steelers’ alleged trade-deadline pursuit of Fletcher Cox. The team may also have an interest in some high-profile quarterback draft candidates. The Detroit Lions released a player some Steelers fans may remember. And Marc-Andre Fleury may have a new look in the net if...
Tim Benz: Chris Boswell, T.J. Watt, Pat Freiermuth lead ‘Feats of Strength’ after harrowing Steelers win over Bears
It could’ve been a pedestrian win for the Pittsburgh Steelers, right? A plain old 20-something to 12 or 13 victory against a sub-mediocre Chicago Bears team. I mean, that’s the way it was pacing on “Monday Night Football” late in the third quarter when the Steelers went up 20-6. But...
First Call: Steelers already big favorites for next week; James Conner and Le’Veon Bell star in wins with new teams
Monday’s “First Call” is already looking ahead to the Steelers game next week before they play the Chicago Bears Monday night. A pair of former Steelers running backs made the highlight clips Sunday. And the next opponent for the Penguins finally made things go right. Let’s not get ahead of...
Madden Monday: Penguins should sub out goalie Tristan Jarry for shootouts
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry has struggled in shootouts so far this year. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X says the Penguins can’t tolerate that shortcoming. “When you are a borderline playoff team, you can’t have a goalie that (stinks) in shootouts,” Madden said....
Tim Benz: Steelers can now use positive reinforcement for run game — on both sides of the ball
When the Pittsburgh Steelers were scuffling at 1-3, there was plenty of room for negative reinforcement from the coaching staff if it decided to go that route. “Here is what you are doing wrong. Go fix it.” Well, some of that must’ve worked, as the Steelers have won three in...
First Call: Browns assistant coach questions Steelers’ fake field-goal try; Khalil Mack doesn’t practice for Bears
Friday’s “First Call” has an interesting account of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ botched fake field goal. And it comes from the Browns coaching staff. We have odds on where Odell Beckham Jr. may wind up. Andrew McCutchen bids farewell to a former teammate. Plus, the Chicago Bears have injury updates on...
Melvin Ingram doesn’t rip Steelers but admits his situation ‘wasn’t what I thought it was going to be’
Melvin Ingram has arrived in Kansas City. And he’s already practicing with the Chiefs. Boy, amazing how quickly that groin injury healed, huh? The Pittsburgh Steelers shipped the disgruntled linebacker to K.C. in a trade for a sixth-round pick Tuesday afternoon. Ingram visited with the Chiefs this offseason before eventually...
Penguins play-by-play legend Mike Lange discusses retirement, new network broadcasts, Sidney Crosby’s wrist
While I was filling in for Mark Madden this week on 105.9 The X, I had a chance to catch up with former Pittsburgh Penguins play-by-play man Mike Lange. The legendary voice of the franchise stepped away from the broadcast booth before this season started. But he is still keeping...
Tim Benz: Derek Schooley prepares for Robert Morris hockey’s ‘championship game’ this Sunday
Autumn weekends have become very difficult for Derek Schooley. The Robert Morris University men’s hockey coach has a void in his life right now. Those days are usually dedicated to coaching his Colonials in Atlantic Hockey contests. In a normal season, his team would have six to eight games under...
First Call: Chase Claypool’s shot at Cleveland’s Dawg Pound; Bears sign ex-Steeler in advance of Monday night’s game
In Thursday’s “First Call,” a Steelers wideout has some fun at the Dawg Pound’s expense. A former Steeler signs with the Chicago Bears as the two teams prepare to play each other Monday night. Andrew McCutchen reacts to being released by the Phillies. And a few other former Pirates may...
Fake field goal furor, misplaced Pitt angst dominate this week’s ‘U mad, bro?’
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is all about Pitt’s flameout against Miami and the Steelers’ botched fake field-goal attempt. Oh, and one guy who is still angry that I asked Mike Tomlin about those college coaching jobs. Maybe I should change the name of this column to “Let it go,...
Penguins want to avoid getting behind early season Metro Division logjam
How’d that happen so fast? It seems like yesterday when we were praising the Pittsburgh Penguins for winning games and scoring lots of goals without many star players available. Now the team has lost three in a row and is grinding on offense. Over their past three games — all...
First Call: More updates on Melvin Ingram’s trade request; Steelers’ opponents face significant injury concerns
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the latest Pittsburgh Steelers trade rumors regarding linebacker Melvin Ingram III. Some upcoming Steelers foes are dealing with significant injuries. And we look at Pitt’s next opponent. Angry Ingram Trade rumors continue to swirl around Steelers pass rusher Melvin Ingram III. The latest comes from the...
Tim Benz: Steelers back on schedule, despite winding road to get there
A month ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base would’ve gladly signed up for this. In blood. At 1-3, with two AFC losses at home under their belts already, the notion of the Steelers being 4-3 with a win over the Cleveland Browns sounded too good to be true. Especially with...
First Call: Chris Boswell mocks himself with injury update; ex-Steelers in headlines; Pitt out of Top 25
Monday’s “First Call” has an update on Chris Boswell’s health after the Pittsburgh Steelers kicker was injured Sunday afternoon. Also, one ex-Steeler scores a touchdown. Another gets busted for a bad penalty call. And Pitt is out of the Top 25. All is well Despite having to leave Sunday’s game...
Madden Monday: Steelers are lucky failed fake field goal didn’t lead to ‘unmitigated disaster’
The Pittsburgh Steelers managed a 15-10 win against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, despite a first-half fake field goal attempt going horrifically wrong. Not only did the attempt fail, but kicker Chris Boswell got injured in the process. the hit on boswell on that fake field goal pic.twitter.com/40jrRVpZ6Z— Benstonium (@Benstonium)...
Tim Benz: Rush defense, rookie stars top this week’s ‘Feats of Strength’ as Steelers score gutsy win in Cleveland
I’m not sure how the Pittsburgh Steelers got there. But they did. They somehow closed out a gutsy, important 15-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. They lost kicker Chris Boswell to a concussion on a fake field goal. They had more third-down issues on offense. And they committed eight penalties....
First Call: Steelers could face familiar foe vs. Browns; celebrating Sidney Crosby anniversary; James Conner keeps scoring
Friday’s “First Call” tells us that the Steelers better be prepared for a familiar foe when they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Another Browns player is already planning his post-touchdown celebration. We recognize a Sidney Crosby memory. And a former Steeler keeps ringing up points on the scoreboard. Ready...
Tim Benz: Unless Steelers have a better option, don’t give in to Melvin Ingram’s trade request
I apologize. You’ve read this Steelers column from me before. I first wrote it on Aug. 9. Three days earlier, ESPN reports surfaced stating that wide receiver James Washington had asked for a trade. My belief back then was that the Steelers shouldn’t acquiesce to Washington’s request because he’s a...
