Breakfast With Benz category, Page 190
Tim Benz, Mark Madden talk USWNT, Mike Sullivan, Pirates, Twitter suspension
Mark Madden may be suspended from Twitter (#FreeMarkMadden), but he isn’t suspended from the “Breakfast With Benz” podcast page. We talk at great length about the United States Women’s National Team. They won the World Cup. Have the politics and self-generated sidebar stories surrounding this team outweighed their accomplishments? It...
Fantasy sports podcast: NHL keepers hurt by new teams; MLB run barrage
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week we get into major player changes affecting hockey and basketball fantasy leagues. We’ve seen a ton of player movement in the NHL. Jeff and I each give you one player that has changed teams who could kill...
First Call: Antonio Brown’s gaudy new jewelry; JuJu goes to London
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” the latest major jewelry purchase by Antonio Brown is hilarious. JuJu Smith-Schuster goes to London. Myles Garrett shows us why he is a beast. I see what you did there Antonio Brown has some new jewelry. It’s a dedication to Muhammad Ali. And himself, of course....
U mad, bro? Readers rip Neal Huntington, react to Phil Kessel trade
It’s been a week since I’ve checked my inbox for “U mad, bro.” And a lot has built up while I was on vacation. Penguins fans chime in on the Phil Kessel trade to Arizona. Pirates fans don’t seem to like the idea of dealing Felipe Vazquez. And Neal Huntington...
Tim Benz: Alex Morgan sipping tea is fine; pandering double standards aren’t
The U.S. women’s national soccer team has gotten its fair share of attention for celebrating too much and showing up its opponents during the Women’s World Cup. Even their own social media account was getting cocky after the 2-1 semifinal win against England on Tuesday afternoon. PARTY LIKE IT’S 1776...
First Call: Pro Football Hall of Fame expanding next class; T.J. McConnell could stay with 76ers
In “First Call” Tuesday, T.J. McConnell may be staying with the Philadelphia 76ers. The NFL could expand its next Hall of Fame class. And we keep an eye on Long Island. Staying put in Philly? T.J. McConnell may stay in Philadelphia after all. At the end of the NBA season,...
Tim Benz: All-time Steelers roster misses some marks
The guys over at SteelersWire.com put together their all-time Steelers 53-man roster. Most of the choices are beyond dispute. Although making Scott Campbell the backup to Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback was a bit odd. Kidding. But there were a few strange omissions and choices almost nutty as that one that...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden ponder Penguins’ future post-Phil Kessel
I’m back from Europe. Mark Madden is back from Vegas. It’s a day late. But our “Madden Monday” podcast for the week is up. And there is plenty to talk about concerning the Penguins. We get Mark’s response to the Phil Kessel trade from the standpoint of how the Penguins...
First Call: Phil Kessel thanks Pittsburgh; how Mike Tomlin’s son got to Maryland
In “First Call” Monday, Phil Kessel says goodbye to Pittsburgh. The MLB London series was insane. And the winding story of Dino Tomlin’s recruitment to Maryland. Kessel’s goodbye There have been a lot of reports about acrimony on the way out the door between Phil Kessel and the Penguins. But,...
Tim Benz, Jonathan Bombulie examine Phil Kessel trade, new-look Penguins power play
Not only am I adjusting my body clock back to the Eastern time zone, I’m adjusting the podcast schedule, as well. With my American Airlines debacle of a flight home from vacation, and with Mark Madden traveling back from Las Vegas, we’ll do our usual Madden Monday podcast on Tuesday....
Tim Benz: With Phil Kessel gone, others with Penguins have to answer bell
Penguins fans finally have an answer to a pressing question: “Will the Pens eventually trade Phil Kessel?” On Saturday night, that answer became “yes.” The club hammered out a deal to send its 82-point winger, prospect Dane Birks and a draft pick to the Arizona Coyotes for forward Alex Galchenyuk...
In wake of injuries, Steelers’ Jerald Hawkins keeps positive outlook
One of the easiest guys to root for in the Steelers dressing room is offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins. Unfortunately, fans of the team have barely had a chance to do that during actual games. The affable fourth-year offensive lineman has spent most of his first three years in Pittsburgh either...
Tim Benz: Will Raiders on ‘Hard Knocks’ live up to the hype?
Most football fans have been rooting for it. I’ve made it a mission to advance the cause. And now it’s official. HBO’s all-access training camp show, “Hard Knocks,” will be covering the Oakland Raiders. This isn’t just the “Hard Knocks” season we wanted. This is the “Hard Knocks” season we...
First Call: Trace McSorley’s new gig; Max Scherzer’s shiner; NHL rule changes
For Thursday’s “First Call,” Trace McSorley expands his horizons. Can the NHL do what the NFL can’t? A youth umpire brings about parental chaos. Max Scherzer’s black eye is a golden moment. What’s next? Penn State product Trace McSorley may be returning punts for the Ravens. McSorley has always wanted...
Sam Clancy basks in becoming a Pitt Hall of Famer
Last week, Pitt announced its Athletics Hall of Fame class for 2019. The list was quite esteemed. It included the likes of All-Americans in football and basketball such as Don Hennon, Mark May, Jimbo Covert, Joe Schmidt and football head coach Johnny Majors. Also highlighting the marquee is Sam Clancy,...
U mad, bro?: Readers pop off about Penguins trades, Pirates’ Ray Searage, NFL replay
In this week’s “U mad, bro?” readers pop off about Pirates pitching, defend Jim Rutherford, and attack instant replay. Greg wasn’t a fan of my thoughts on Jim Rutherford’s mixed messages about any more potential trades. A GM isnt being honest with the media and fans..this is a stunning event....in...
Tim Benz: Don’t feel bad for Pirates GM Neal Huntington. He doesn’t.
It wasn’t a conversation we meant to have. It just kind of wound up happening. On a recent edition of the KDKA Sports Showdown, I was on the panel with Rich Walsh (KDKA-TV), Chris Mueller (93.7 The Fan), and Will Graves (Associated Press). And an overarching discussion about the Pirates...
First Call: Penguins rivals making moves; ‘He Hate Me’ is safe
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” there’s news about two rivals of the Penguins. “He Hate Me” has been found. And Trevor Williams isn’t the only guy making a comeback Wednesday at PNC Park. What are they up to? The Flyers are making moves. Philadelphia acquired San Jose Sharks defenseman Justin Braun...
Fantasy sports podcast: Penguins lead hockey interest, MLB offense soars, NBA chaos
We’ve moved up our Rotowire fantasy sports podcast for the week. Good timing. There’s a lot to get to in the fantasy sports world with Jeff Erickson. That record-setting Padres-Rockies series over the weekend was reason enough. Then there is the injury to Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard and the improvement...
Tim Benz: For Steelers, what will ‘The Hybrid’ Sutton Smith be?
Sixth-round draft pick Sutton Smith is as engaging and energetic an interview as the Steelers have drafted in years. Can we give “The Chief Award” to a rookie? What if he doesn’t make the team out of camp? Does that matter? During minicamp, the Northern Illinois product — and St....
Tim Benz: Eliminate drafts? Please. Stop feeling bad for athletes
In the NFL this offseason, we heard a lot of wailing on behalf of Le’Veon Bell because he was a victim of that mean ol’ franchise tag. And some even praised Antonio Brown for forcing his way out of a valid contract in Pittsburgh. Because, you know, those nasty owners...
First Call: Josh Bell maintains All-Star lead; what could Penguins trade 1st-round pick for?
In “First Call” Tuesday, the Pirates need to get fat against the Tigers. Josh Bell still leads in All-Star voting at first base, but not by much. Draft picks are good currency in the NHL. And Lavar Ball continues to act like a moron. Terrible Tigers Boy, the Tigers are...
Blackhawks reporter: Penguins winger Dominik Kahun worthy of positive reviews
I’ve given a wholehearted endorsement of the Penguins-Blackhawks trade. It feels like most fans and media types in Pittsburgh have, as well. Are we perhaps overrating Dominik Kahun as the return for Olli Maatta, though? Well, if you are expecting Mark Recchi circa 1991, maybe. But if you are buying...
Tim Benz: Sifting through Jim Rutherford’s mixed messages about Penguins
Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford is sure sending a lot of smoke signals. Either that or Rome is burning. Maybe both. For the first time since 2006, a Penguins season ended without the team securing at least one playoff victory. And after the season ended, Rutherford said changes needed to...
First Call: Carl Hagelin stays with Capitals; another Carmody commits to Notre Dame
For “First Call” Monday, the Stanley Cup celebration in St. Louis was quite a show. There were a few hockey signings of note for Penguins fans. And another WPIAL star is heading to South Bend. Home for Haggy Carl Hagelin is staying with Washington. The former Penguin played in Pittsburgh,...
