Breakfast With Benz category, Page 145
Mike Tomlin will have an easier time blocking Myles Garrett storyline than the player himself
Speaking about Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett on Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said you have to be “mindful of his location.” I’m particularly mindful of Garrett’s last location versus the Steelers. That was at the end of Cleveland’s 21-7 win on Nov. 14 when he was standing near...
Tim Benz: So, about that Chase Claypool vs. J.K. Dobbins debate …
“How do you like Chase Claypool now???!!!” Um, I like him. A lot. How could anyone have a different reaction after Claypool put up four touchdowns in one game against the Philadelphia Eagles? Just the beginning ?? FOX ? pic.twitter.com/fEzTUM6BvN— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 11, 2020 But, in typical Twitter...
Steelers, Penguins fan Steve Byrne drops Pittsburgh references into directorial film debut
It’s natural for any filmmaker, right? You’re a week away from your first written and directed big-screen release. You’re worrying about how the premiere will be staged. You have press lined up all week. You’re coordinating with producers, actors and family. Above all else, though, one thing is weighing on...
Tim Benz: Like the idea of Tuesday night NFL games? Good. You’ll see them again.
“Are you ready for some football?? A Tuesday night party??” The Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans are. I think. Hank Williams Jr. should get back in the studio to re-record the old “Monday Night Football” open. Because thanks to a covid-19 scheduling backlog, I don’t think this evening’s game will...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell ‘likes’ criticism of Jets; Big Ben erased from Browns record books; Pitt, WPIAL QB promoted in Dallas
Former Steeler Le’Veon Bell disses his coach on Twitter. Ben Roethlisberger is finally erased from the Cleveland Browns record books. The Dallas Cowboys may turn to a Pittsburgh product at quarterback if Andy Dalton gets hurt. “Ground Chuck” is still in playoff form. All that and more in Tuesday’s “First...
Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Steelers win over Eagles, Penguins’ moves, moreVideo
Tim Benz and Mark Madden return for this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” on TribLive’s Facebook page to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Heinz Field. The Steelers are 4-0 this season, but Madden doesn’t think the Steelers have had a convincing win yet....
First Call: Will Baker Mayfield play vs. Steelers? Aaron Donald dominates. Steelers opponent loses QB.
In Monday’s “First Call,” Baker Mayfield wants you to know how tough he is heading into Steelers week. Just ask his “momma.” Also, a future Steelers opponent just lost their quarterback. A division rival beats up on another one. Aaron Donald wrecks Alex Smith’s return. And Robert Morris’ hockey team...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ hot start is ‘least impressive 4-0 in history’; Pitt is like its coach
The Steelers won the battle of Pennsylvania Sunday. Sorry, “BENsylvania.” The Penguins traded a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender. Sorry, a two-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender. And the Pitt football team lost in unbelievable fashion. Sorry, completely typical Pitt fashion. So it was quite a week. Mark Madden and I recap all of...
Tim Benz: ‘Feats of Strength’ (7-11 connection) and ‘Airing of Grievances’ (pass coverage) as Steelers outscore Eagles
I could make things really easy this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-29, on Sunday to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 1979. And pretty much the entire week all anyone will talk about is two things. So let’s keep it brief. Feats of Strength?...
Pitt, Boston College are opponents Saturday, but fighting the same battles
On Saturday, the Pitt and Boston College football teams will be opponents. Most of the rest of the year, though, these two teams fight many of the same battles. They are city schools in pro sports towns, trying to reestablish the national pulse they had in the 1980s. Doing the...
First Call: Tight ends will be big in Steelers vs. Eagles. Cole vs. Glasnow in Game 5.
Friday’s “First Call” looks at a key matchup in Sunday’s Steelers-Eagles game. The Steelers defensive front gets some high first-quarter grades. Robert Morris hockey has found a special story and a special skater. And the Duquesne Dukes may be part of an Atlantic 10 renaissance. Tale of the tight ends...
Tim Benz: Steelers-Eagles should be a tale of the trenches
Analysis of Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Philadelphia Eagles comes down to two specific things. Check that. The analysis isn’t even that complicated. Simply put, the Steelers should win. Period. And they should cover the seven-point spread bouncing around most gambling outlets. But how easily the Steelers win —...
NFL covid-19 disruptions are causing chaos in fantasy football world, too
Want a “fantasy,” Steelers fans? Here’s a fantasy. How about an NFL week without the specter of games being postponed or moved around? That’s a fantasy in my world. It’s also a fantasy in most fantasy football leagues. And while the real-life logistics of maneuvering around the covid-19 landmines are...
First Call: Titans illegal practice session before Steelers game? J.J. Watt’s clash with Bill O’Brien. Ex-Pirates pitchers shine.
Steelers fans want to know what exacerbated the Tennessee Titans coronavirus outbreak. Thursday’s “First Call” tries to bring that into focus. Also, J.J. Watt apparently had a burr under his saddle about former coach Bill O’Brien. The Duquesne basketball team is thinking mini-bubble. And more ex-Pirates pitchers are impacting the...
U mad, bro? Steelers fans are smoldering. Pitt fans upset. Penguins fans ‘fond farewell’ to Matt Murray.
I’ve gained a whole new respect for Steelers fans. They’ve proven to me that they can get just as uncontrollably agitated about a game the Steelers didn’t even play as they can get about a game that the Steelers didn’t win. I mean, this Tennessee Titans postponement really has Western...
First Call: Steelers pass rush facing banged up Eagles O-line. Vegas struggling to trade Marc-Andre Fleury.
Wednesday’s “First Call” outlines some offensive line problems in Philadelphia as the Eagles get ready to face a fearsome Steelers pass rush. The Vegas Golden Knights are struggling to trade Marc-Andre Fleury. And Ex-Pirates aplenty put their stamp on last night’s Yankees-Rays playoff game. More problems up front In advance...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin noncommittal on NFL forfeit question. That’s smart. For many reasons.
This 2020 NFL season has to be a special kind of torture for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Almost all coaches from pee-wee football to the NFL pound a message of “controlling the controllables.” In other words, focus only on your team. Your own job within that team. On that given...
Pirates middle infield is full of options for 2021. It’s also full of questions
As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for 2021, a vast amount of uncertainty exists. When will games start? Will fans be allowed? What will the length of the schedule be? What about payroll? Who knows? One thing I can pretty much guarantee, though, is that the Pirates will not be allowed...
Potential destinations for Matt Murray, Penguins fans won’t have Jack Johnson to kick around anymore
I’m not sure about much when it comes to the 2020-21 Pittsburgh Penguins. I’m not sure who will be on the roster. I’m not sure if they’ll make the playoffs. I’m not even sure if head coach Mike Sullivan will make it through the season. But I am sure that...
First Call: Browns working around big injury. Titans may face discipline. Happy ‘Sid’iversary, Pens fans.
After the NFL postponed a Steelers game in Nashville this Sunday due to coronavirus concerns, the Tennessee Titans appear to be turning the corner when it comes to controlling the spread. But will they get disciplined for protocol violations after failing to take proper measures to prevent its introduction to...
Tim Benz: Preemptive shortening of NFL season is not the way to go
In each of the last two years, the Steelers have suffered crushing late-season losses over the final four weeks that have prevented them from making the playoffs. In 2018, the Steelers inexcusably lost to the Raiders in Oakland in Week 13. Then they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in New Orleans...
Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Steelers ‘bye’ week, NFL covid issues, Penguins movesVideo
Tim Benz and Mark Madden return for this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” on TribLive’s Facebook page to talk about the Steelers unexpected bye week and their upcoming games. The guys also preview Monday night’s football doubleheader, the NFL’s handling of covid, the Penguins goaltending situation and more. The Steelers were...
First Call: Rough week to watch! During Steelers ‘bye,’ division and conference rivals win.
The Steelers had an unexpected day off Sunday thanks to the postponement of their game against the Tennessee Titans. And if they spent it watching the rest of NFL, they didn’t like what they saw. All three of their AFC North rivals ended up winning. A pair of other AFC...
Madden Monday: NFL covid-19 problems. Pat Narduzzi is ‘a blowhard.’ Metro Division fit for Marc-Andre Fleury?
No Steelers content to discuss for our “Madden Monday” podcast this week, as the team is coming off its surprise bye weekend. That’s thanks to the postponement of their scheduled game against the Tennessee Titans. Mark Madden and I start the show talking about how the NFL is handling their...
Tim Benz: NFL dancing through raindrops of covid-19, but a bigger storm is coming
This was bound to happen. Now the NFL has to brace for being unable to stop it. Or wish it away. Before this week, the covid-19 pandemic had been an ominous rumble of thunder in the distance. Now it’s become a daily rain cloud over the league. At least the...
