Breakfast With Benz category, Page 191
Tim Benz: Plenty to anger Penguins fans in Game 1 loss to Islanders
What does it mean? Big picture. That Game 1 loss of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs for the Penguins against the Islanders. For me, it means a series that I thought would go Pittsburgh’s way in five games will now end in six. That’s all. Otherwise, that 4-3 overtime defeat...
Masters preview: Tiger Woods’ chances, rain, possible winners
Wednesday’s Sided.co “Breakfast With Benz” podcast looks at golf. It’s our annual Masters preview with my former broadcast partner in Salt Lake, Brian Taylor. He is covering his 20th Masters this year. Round 1 is Thursday. The Par 3 tournament is today. We talk about that and how some of...
First call: Steelers mock draft with a WPIAL tie; Devils win NHL draft lottery
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” an encouraging — but odd — mock draft for the Steelers. Ray Shero scores the first pick. And heartfelt goodbyes for Dirk and D-Wade. Mega mock Dane Brugler of The Athletic went through the massive task of doing a full seven-round mock NFL Draft. Here is...
Tim Benz: Penguins defensemen embrace cliches as playoffs loom
It’s playoff time. So that means all aspects of a hockey player’s game should rise. Their skating. Hitting. Defensive intensity. And cliché usage. That’s right. As the stakes rise, so do the amount of regurgitated, empty quotes. Hockey locker rooms usually win the cliché battle among the four major sports...
Podcast: Can Penguins crack Islanders’ top-ranked defense, goaltending?
In Tuesday’s Sided.co podcast, we get a preview of the Islanders from News 12 Long Island Sports Director Kevin Maher. The Penguins open in New York for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday. Among the questions we try to answer: • Can the Penguins crack New York’s...
First call: Shannon Sharpe flip-flops on Antonio Brown; new Steeler says ‘screw the Patriots’
In “First Call” Tuesday, calling out Shannon Sharpe for his Antonio Brown double talk. A new Steeler comes into Pittsburgh with Patriots hate in his heart. And Chris Davis sets the 0-fer mark. Now that’s a 180 If NFL coaches knew Shannon Sharpe could backpedal like this, he might have...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ loss to Cubs a comedy and tragedy
I’m not sure if it was more comedy or tragedy. But I know one thing about the Pirates’ loss to the Cubs Monday afternoon. I sure don’t want to see a sequel. Chicago whipped the Pirates, 10-0, in the Cubs’ home opener. Perhaps better said, the Pirates stumbled off a...
First call: Shazier’s remarkable progress; Brown’s remarkable stupidity toward JuJu
In Monday’s “First Call,” the remarkable progress of Ryan Shazier. The remarkable stupidity of Antonio Brown. The remarkable early-season struggles of the Cubs. On the bright side Buried under the avalanche of negative headlines surrounding the Steelers this offseason, we can be inspired by the steady progress of Ryan Shazier....
Tim Benz, Mark Madden talk Penguins-Islanders, Antonio Brown vs. JuJu, Pirates bats
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden and I hit on the big three: The Penguins, Steelers and Pirates. We start with the Penguins and their upcoming series with the Islanders. Mark likes the Penguins in six games. I’m thinking five. Yet somehow, I’m still expecting every game to be...
Tim Benz: Winning with bats a good sign for Pirates
They needed that. Yeah. It’s early in the season. And yes, what Pittsburgh baseball purist doesn’t like back-to-back 2-0 wins? That’s what high-grade starts from Jordan Lyles and Joe Musgrove gave the Pirates on Thursday and Friday nights against the Reds. Twelve combined innings of starting pitching, no runs allowed....
First call: Pirates pitchers performing, hitters failing; Capitals clinch division
In “First Call” Friday, some interesting early numbers for the Pirates. The Capitals win the Metro. And the Lightning continue to chase history. That’s a good `start` A week into the season, the Pirates starting rotation has been every bit as good as you think it has. Granted, they have...
They’re in, so now what? Breaking down Penguins playoff scenarios
For those who remained at PNC Park in the ninth inning of the Pirates 2-0 win over Cincinnati, they may have felt a big gust of wind coming across Allegheny River. It was the collective sigh of 18,574 Penguins fans up the hill at PPG Paints arena. The Penguins finally...
Football footnotes: Steelers interested in West Virginia wide receiver?
Our “Friday Football Footnotes” finds a team taking more heat than the Steelers, a West Virginia draft prospect who may wind up in Pittsburgh and a popular name linked to the Steelers who may be overrated. Bad Baker? If you missed Thursday’s NFL Draft podcast with “Draft Analyst” contributor Tony...
Tim Benz: Joe Musgrove’s health essential to Pirates rotation fulfilling promise
It was said so many times last year, it almost became a running joke. “You know, that Joe Musgrove. He’s more than just a pitcher. He’s an athlete!” If you heard it once, you heard it a thousand times. From teammates, coaches, fans and media that cover the team. “Joe...
First call: Jets QB Sam Darnold already ‘loves’ Le’Veon Bell
In today’s “First Call,” Sam Darnold can’t wait to get Le’Veon Bell in the huddle in New York. Mad money for Stephen A. Smith at ESPN. The nightmare fallout for AAF players. Lovin’ Le’V Sam Darnold is already in love with Le’Veon Bell. The Jets quarterback can’t wait to start...
Can Steelers get either of ‘The Two Devins?’ NFL draft analyst discusses
In Thursday’s Sided.co podcast, Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com joins me to preview the NFL Draft. We talk about the prospect of the Steelers getting one of “The Two Devins.” No doubt, Steelers fans have zeroed in on the prospect of the local team grabbing either LSU’s Devin White or Michigan’s...
U mad, bro? Pirates fans already spent, Steelers fans burned out
In “U mad, bro?” this week, Pirates fans already are fed up. Readers challenge my coverage of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Plus my motives are brought into question for suggesting Ben Roethlisberger should give up his radio show. A Twitter follower named “havy23” fired off this message as Kolten...
Tim Benz: Penguins veterans weigh in on Lightning’s quest for Red Wings’ record
The version of the Detroit Red Wings we will see Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena couldn’t hold a candle to the 1995-96 club that set the NHL wins record of 62. Although you may have thought so Tuesday night, when this year’s 32-win edition of the franchise dusted the...
First call: Penguins get no help; Bryce Harper’s dramatic return to Washington
Our “First Call” for Wednesday starts with a look at how the Penguins playoff picture was impacted by Eastern Conference results last night. Pitchers make an argument against the DH. The Bryce Harper return to Washington was great theater. And whatever happened to Zion Williamson’s exploding shoe? Not done yet...
Robert Morris coach Andy Toole handicaps Final Four
Robert Morris basketball coach Andy Toole joins us again as our bracketologist to preview the Final Four this weekend. We talk about the two stunners who made it all the way to the semi-finals: Texas Tech and Auburn. Give Toole credit. He liked Texas Tech from the start of the...
Steelers on TMZ: JuJu has no beef with Antonio Brown, Joe Haden ‘happy’ for Cleveland
ESPN and Sports Illustrated couldn’t be counted on to ask the right questions of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Let’s see if TMZ can do any better with a pair of different Steelers. The celebrity website caught up with both Joe Haden and JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday. And for those...
Tim Benz: ‘Adapt or die’ mentality sets in for Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams
So what’s Trevor Williams going to do for an encore? Based on his first start of 2019, maybe 2018 wasn’t his “Stairway to Heaven” after all. There still may be another high to reach. Or, in Williams’ case, another low. Like the stunningly low 1.38 ERA he posted after the...
First call: WR in draft says he could replace Antonio Brown for Steelers
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a draft prospect that wants to come to Pittsburgh as a potential replacement for Antonio Brown. John Tavares scores against the Islanders. The Capitals lose. Ivan Nova shines in his Chicago debut. Bryce Harper goes back to Washington. The next A.B.? One potential NFL draft-choice wide...
Le’Veon Bell’s rap ripped Steelers. Then, an NFL star ripped him.
I’m not one who is going to offer a lot of opinions about what is good or bad when it comes to rap. If you want break down the KISS concert at PPG Paints Arena, though, I’m here for you. However, I will gladly regurgitate the opinions of others on...
Penguins podcast: Tim Benz, Brian Metzer talk about a critical final week
Eventually, Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer and I get around to talking about hockey in this Sided.co podcast. But first, our mandatory review of the KISS show at PPG Paints Arena. Then we try to figure out how — and why — the Detroit Red Wings have gotten so...
