Breakfast With Benz category, Page 115
The 2 biggest issues facing the Steelers coming out of the bye and heading into Cleveland
There are plenty of areas where the Steelers can improve coming out of their bye week as they head into a crucial game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Let’s pick two. One on offense. One on defense. One — theoretically — is fixable. The other? I’m not so sure....
Tim Benz: Penguins lineup battles get interesting as stars work their way back to health
It’s impressive that Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was even able to spit out the soundbite with his tongue planted so firmly in his cheek. “I’m pretty confident that Sid is going to get a spot back in the lineup,” Sullivan joked after Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay...
First Call: Browns getting healthy ahead of Steelers game; troubling Pitt-Miami trends; Penguins prepare for red-hot Flames
Thursday’s “First Call” lets us know which Cleveland Browns are tracking to play against the Steelers Sunday. T.J. Watt’s brother, J.J., may be done for the rest of the season. The Calgary Flames are on fire heading into Thursday’s game against the Penguins. And Pitt’s game against Miami may be...
U mad, bro?: Readers dislike my Pitt column, questions for Mike Tomlin and college football OT format
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is peppered with Pittsburgh Steelers fans who resent me for asking Mike Tomlin about some vacant college coaching jobs. Others voice their displeasure with the new college football overtime format. And prickly Pitt fans are … well … just being true to who they have...
Tim Benz: Question about college coaching rumors was appropriate. So was Mike Tomlin’s response.
It sure seemed like Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hated one of my questions at his weekly press conference Tuesday. That’s OK. I loved his response. After 21 minutes of on-field and health-related inquiries in advance of the team’s game in Cleveland, I figured an appropriate amount of time had...
Penguins get a different view of Lightning in early rematch
Coming into Tuesday night’s game against the Penguins, the Tampa Bay Lightning had one of the more bizarre stats in the NHL. They had yet to enjoy a lead in a game before it ended. The two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions arrived at PPG Paints Arena 2-3-1. But one of...
Carson Palmer adds Mike Tomlin, James Franklin into the mix for USC job
On Monday, former USC quarterback Carson Palmer appeared on the “Dan Patrick Show” and said that Mike Tomlin is a “wild card” for the vacant coaching position at his alma mater if Tomlin “wants out” of his current job with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler also...
First Call: Updates on Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb as Steelers-Browns game looms; fan invades Ravens broadcast booth
Tuesday’s “First Call” has a health update on a bunch of banged up Cleveland Browns as they prepare to host the Steelers Sunday. The Tampa Bay Lightning are still scuffling as they get ready to face off against the Penguins Tuesday night. Pitt’s success is getting the attention of oddsmakers....
First Call: Steelers OLB Melvin Ingram reportedly subject of trade talks; T.J. Watt fined for punches at ball in Seattle game
Monday’s “First Call” features a Steelers trade rumor, a fine for T.J. Watt, a sack for Bud Dupree and World Series gambling odds with a Pittsburgh twist. Already on the way out? The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 2, and Melvin Ingram may be one on the move. NFL Network...
Madden Monday: Steelers vs. Browns, Penguins’ hot start, Kenny Pickett’s Heisman Trophy chances
Many football fans in Pittsburgh are hoping that the Steelers (3-3) will get on a roll coming out of the bye weekend and make a push for the postseason. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X said that effort better start this Sunday...
Tim Benz: As Pitt beat Clemson, the better team just took care of business, now it needs to keep doing so
Saturday’s game against Clemson wasn’t the kind of showdown where Pitt’s football team had to rise to the occasion. It was a day when the Panthers just needed to take care of business. Pitt came in as a three-point favorite. With the higher ranking. A better spot in the ACC...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are fixating on Mike Tomlin, frothing over NFL officiating and frustrated with Pirates … uniforms?
The Steelers may have a bye week. But “U mad, bro?” does not. This one has a lot of salty Steelers fans who are mad at coach Mike Tomlin, the officiating at the end of Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks and media members for being too critical. I guess...
First Call: Steelers-Seahawks replay debate sparks Twitter spat; Von Miller trash talks Browns tackles; praise for Kenny Pickett
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some social media fallout from the Steelers-Seahawks replay controversy Sunday night. There was an ex-Bucco battle on the mound in the NLCS Tuesday. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is getting a strong endorsement from one of Clemson’s coaches. And Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is talking...
Tim Benz: No power plays? No complaints from Penguins’ Mike Sullivan
If ever there was a Pittsburgh Penguins game that could’ve used a few power plays, this was it. Too bad there weren’t any. Thankfully, the Pens and Dallas Stars reached 3-on-3 overtime tied at 1-1 Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. There was finally a little flow with multiple chances...
Tim Benz: Penguins enjoying scoring from unlikely sources when it is most needed
Once you get beyond the names Kris Letang and Jeff Carter atop the Penguins score sheet, you’ve got to be impressed with how the team has managed to start the season 2-0-1. After all, a line chart featuring the likes of Drew O’Connor, Dominik Simon, Evan Rodrigues and Danton Heinen...
First Call: Browns will be missing stars for Steelers game; debunking Joe Haden to Dallas rumors; Ravens red hot
Tuesday’s “First Call” sees a quiet start and a quick end to a Steelers trade rumor. The Cleveland Browns injury report is pretty deep. The Baltimore Ravens are red hot. And the Dallas Stars are logging some air miles heading to Pittsburgh. Nothing to it There was a flicker of...
Former NFL referee on Steelers’ complaints about controversial replay review: ‘It’s a valid point’
If Sunday night’s Steelers-Seahawks game had been on CBS, former NFL referee and current rules analyst Gene Steratore could’ve stated any opinion he wanted about what happened on that wild sequence at the end of regulation. But since the game was broadcast on a different network (NBC), the Washington, Pa....
Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Steelers’ win over SeahawksVideo
Columnists Tim Benz and Mark Madden talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night on this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” on TribLIVE’s Facebook page. While the Steelers were able to hold on and win 23-20 in overtime, Madden says they are a “below-average football team.”...
Madden Monday on Steelers: ‘I can’t call that an elite defense anymore. I’m through pretending that it is.’
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, 105.9 The X radio host and TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden is fed up with the Steelers defense. And I can’t blame him. The Steelers defense was outperformed three weeks in a row by the offenses of the Raiders, Bengals and Packers. A week ago,...
First Call: Browns badly banged up in loss; ex-Steeler a hero for Jaguars; Le’Veon Bell scores; Pitt favored to beat Clemson
The Steelers’ next opponent after a bye is the Cleveland Browns. Yet, it’s the Browns who need a bye more than just about any team in the league. In Monday’s “First Call,” we get a lengthy medical report from Cleveland. A former Steeler plays the role of hero in London....
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances after Steelers beat Seahawks: Replay controversy, missed tackles, T.J. Watt’s heroics
I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how that Steelers-Seahawks game ended Sunday night. I’m still trying to figure out how the Steelers blew that two-touchdown lead to a backup quarterback, yet still managed to win And I’m still trying to figure out how a team this flawed has...
Steve Blass on retirement, hope for current Pirates, goofy minor league promos, and cow patty bingo
With seven years of minor league baseball under his belt, former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Steve Blass thought he had seen every possible goofy baseball promotion or fundraiser. Cow milking and greased pig catching while with the Kinston Eagles in 1962 leap to mind. “I lost horribly (at cow milking),” Blass...
First Call: Antonio Brown credits Ben Roethlisberger; Seahawks injuries; Myles Garrett’s Halloween tombstone decorations
Friday’s “First Call” has a Pittsburgh Steelers story you thought you’d never see: Antonio Brown giving credit to Ben Roethlisberger. Myles Garrett is enjoying Halloween. Cameron Heyward is still getting better. And the Seahawks have some injury concerns beyond just their starting running back and Russell Wilson. Mr. Big Numbers...
Tim Benz: Story of Steelers-Seahawks game will be written by wide receivers
Much of the attention heading into Sunday night’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Seattle Seahawks game has focused on who is throwing the football for both teams. For Seattle (2-3), it’ll be Geno Smith instead of Russell Wilson at quarterback. For the Steelers (2-3), it’ll be Ben Roethlisberger, coming off of his most efficient...
Tim Benz: Lightning coach’s quotes tell story of Penguins’ win in Tampa — and how they need to play moving forward
What a win for the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night. They went on the road in front of a hostile crowd for the season opener and convincingly upset one of the favorites to win at least the conference championship. I now fully expect them to lose to Vegas, Cincinnati and Green...
