Breakfast With Benz category, Page 164
U mad, bro? Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph issue leads to most angry week yet
I know what you are thinking. Easiest “U mad, bro?” week … ever! Wrong. Oh. In terms of volume? Yes. For sure. In the wake of Myles Garrett reiterating his charge that Mason Rudolph used a racial slur against him, Rudolph’s denial of it, and my opinions on it, I...
Tim Benz: Max Talbot on nuances of being winger for Sidney Crosby vs. Evgeni Malkin
Maybe too much was made of it. But the quote did kinda just hang out there. After Jason Zucker’s first game with the Pittsburgh Penguins — a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning last week — captain Sidney Crosby probably thought he was giving Zucker a compliment. “Regardless of...
Tim Benz, Brian Metzer: How Jason Zucker is fitting in with Penguins, getting more from Patric Hornqvist, another trade?
Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast features our usual hockey chat with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. The two of us discuss how Jason Zucker is fitting in. We also analyze the various line combinations head coach Mike Sullivan is trying. Injuries continue to be a story. Brian Dumoulin...
First Call: Mason Rudolph responds to Mike Tomlin’s interview, ex-Browns GM backs Myles Garrett, Andrew McCutchen update
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Mason Rudolph responds to Mike Tomlin’s support. Myles Garrett’s corner is rallying, too. And Andrew McCutchen is trying to make a comeback in Philadelphia. Thanks, Coach Steelers coach Mike Tomlin publicly supported quarterback Mason Rudolph Monday. He vehemently refuted Myles Garrett’s reiterated claim that Rudolph used...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins’ big weekend, Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph racism claims
There’s a lot of ground to cover in this week’s “Madden Monday.” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to talk Penguins hockey, football and the start of another Major League Baseball season. We begin with the Penguins and their wins Friday and Sunday. They beat up on the...
First Call: NFL player says Ben Roethlisberger tanked 2019, RMU coach explodes on refs
Monday’s “First Call” features an NFL player suggesting Ben Roethlisberger tanked last season. Robert Morris got robbed on the basketball court Saturday. And a major twist in the NFL CBA that could impact the Steelers. Hot Take Thomas Last year, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Thomas Davis led his team in...
Tim Benz: ESPN coverage of Myles Garrett vs. Mason Rudolph was a disgrace
The only thing more maddening than the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph situation has been ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” coverage of it. It was biased, agenda-driven and, at times, vengeful. Not just toward Rudolph. But toward the Steelers as well. On Thursday, ESPN released a condensed version of an interview between Mina...
First Call: Jarrod Dyson’s hilarious, honest answer when asked about joining Pirates
For Friday’s “First Call,” I want to introduce you to my new favorite Pittsburgh Pirate. It’s recently signed center fielder Jarrod Dyson. He just inked a one-year contract for $2 million. I know. I know. I previously endorsed Kevin Pillar as my choice to replace Starling Marte. But forget him....
Can Penguins’ Jason Zucker work with Sidney Crosby long term? Or will he fit with Evgeni Malkin?
Friday may be “French Language Night” at PPG Paints Arena, but TribLIVE Penguins beat writer Seth Rorabaugh and I made the executive decision to do our weekly hockey podcast in English, anyway. Or, “en anglais,” s’il vous plaît? Sorry to disappoint. But if we tried to do it in French,...
Tim Benz: New MLB postseason proposal stinks so badly, it must be on purpose
Is it too late for another “U mad, bro?” entry? How about a celebrity nomination? This one is from Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer. He’s obviously ticked at Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred because of potential plans to expand and overhaul the MLB postseason format. No idea who made...
First Call: Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger fills in as WVU mascot; Andy Dalton likely done with BengalsVideo
It’s a football-heavy “First Call” today. Ben Roethlisberger and his beard were on display in Morgantown Tuesday. It looks like Andy Dalton is out in Cincinnati. And being a Browns and Bengals fan isn’t an excuse to get high in Ohio after all. New gig? If Ben Roethlisberger is looking...
A look at Jason Zucker from Wild’s point of view — on and off the ice
What are the Penguins really getting in former Minnesota Wild player Jason Zucker? On one hand, it appears that the recently acquired forward is the most simple guy in the world. Pretty much every scouting report you hear is the same thing. A straight-ahead winger. Fast. Good shot. Honest. Good...
U mad, bro? Readers defend and attack Penguins trade, lash out at Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Bud Dupree
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is laced with Penguins fans who don’t like the trade for Jason Zucker. Then there are those who want me to like it more than I do. We also get the usual bile for Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and Bud Dupree. Also, we sprinkle in...
First Call: Bold claim about Steelers view of Ben Roethlisberger; Alex Galchenyuk’s debut with Wild
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” someone is calling for Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. Alex Galchenyuk made his Minnesota Wild debut. A frightening NHL event. Michigan State may have its coach. “Monday Night Football” games may get flexed. You might be a little early on this Former NFL player-turned-NFL analyst Chris Canty plunged...
Mike Eruzione on how legend of 1980 Olympic team continues to thrive
I’ve gotta be on the cusp. Don’t I? Completely on the outer edge of the age range. I mean, if you are even a few months younger than me you probably don’t remember. Right? At 45 years old, my earliest sports memories were largely constructed in those few months between...
Tim Benz: Sorting through Jason Zucker trade and his Penguins debut
For almost two days now, I’ve been trying to find my bottom-line stance on the Penguins’ decision to acquire Minnesota Wild winger Jason Zucker. And after seeing him in black and gold for about 62 minutes Tuesday night in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, I’m still...
First Call: When the Browns called on Bill Cowher; saying no to Bud Dupree; praising Jason Zucker
Tuesday’s “First Call” features Bill Cowher’s dance with the Cleveland Browns, panning Bud Dupree, Jason Zucker’s impressive past, and the mean streets of the XFL. Bill almost a Brown? There was always some belief that the Cleveland Browns went after former Steelers coach Bill Cowher to coach their football team...
Tim Benz: Minkah Fitzpatrick doesn’t need to move in Steelers defense. Stats, video tell the story.Video
Is Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick perpetually unhappy with his job description? Or does he have a point? When Fitzpatrick requested a trade from the Miami Dolphins early last season, apparently part of his reasoning for doing so was that he was switching positions too much for his liking within the...
Jason Zucker is coming to Pittsburgh. Was he worth the price? How will he fit?
Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford got his man. The second time. Rutherford wanted to get Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker as part of the return for Phil Kessel last summer. But Kessel rejected that deal. No such problems this time. The left winger comes to Pittsburgh in exchange for a...
First Call: Antonio Brown dissed in boxing challenge; potential Penguins trade target scores; Larry Fitzgerald winsVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” Antonio Brown’s potential boxing opponent throws an internet haymaker. The XFL’s ratings are off to a good start. A crazy mascot dunk. Larry Fitzgerald wins a title. And watching a potential Penguins trade prospect. A.B. KO’d in video Former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is passing...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins injuries, Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick quotes, MLB news
We are all over the map when it comes to our “Madden Monday” podcast this week. Mark Madden and I touch on the Penguins, Steelers, Pitt football and two major baseball issues. We start with the Penguins splitting two games in Florida and how they will deal with their latest...
Tim Benz: Ex-Pirate Charlie Morton accepts scorn for Astros’ cheating. More need to do the same.
In the wake of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, one player I’ve been anxiously waiting to hear from is Charlie Morton. After his stint in Pittsburgh, Morton was traded to Philadelphia then to Houston where he ended up winning Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. It is that 2017...
First Call: Outlet tabs Steelers, Chiefs as potential trade destinations for Le’Veon BellVideo
Friday’s “First Call” features some wild speculation about Le’Veon Bell and the Steelers. The Penguins’ next opponent is sliding. And Charles Barkley has an epic insult for one of his former teams. Green means … go? If the New York Jets do trade Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers and the Super...
Fantasy sports podcast: Impact of the Mookie Betts trade, Josh Bell’s future, quarterback movement
Hey, Red Sox fans. Welcome to how the other half lives. OK, maybe not the other “half.” How about the bottom of the lower third? Whatever. This is what it is like to be a small market team, Boston. Selling off your best players in the prime of their careers....
Tim Benz: Antonio Brown’s interview was maddening. Now let’s talk about where he was right.
Antonio Brown’s first Pittsburgh radio interview since he left the Steelers was 22 minutes of rambling inconsistencies, inaccuracies and illogical denials. That being said, let’s try to do what you may think is impossible. Let’s talk about where Brown was right. Because, believe it or not, A.B. was actually on...
