Breakfast With Benz category, Page 193
First Call: New pressure for Le’Veon Bell; Penguins scoring in bunches at Worlds
In “First Call” Tuesday, something to watch for Le’Veon Bell in New York. Penguins players keep pumping in goals at the World Championships. The Warriors make history. And the next opponent for the Pirates just can’t buy good luck. Something to watch Many people are wondering how Le’Veon Bell will...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers drama, Josh Bell’s power explosion
This week’s “Madden Monday,” comes a day late after my trip to the Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus. So, obviously, music comes up at some point. Like Joan Jett still performing … at 60! Mainly, though, we focus on the continuation of Steelers drama even as Ben Roethlisberger tries to...
Tim Benz: It’s not smart, but Ben Roethlisberger might continue radio show
Ben Roethlisberger’s 93.7 FM radio show is widely heard and often quoted. Plus, it has been the source of consternation for current and former teammates, namely Antonio Brown. The program has also been the catalyst of speculation when it came to Roethlisberger’s relationship with Todd Haley, his thoughts on retirement...
First Call: Dominik Simon finally scores; Bruins keep Eastern sweeps alive
In Friday’s “First Call,” we finally see Dominik Simon score a goal. Not for the Penguins, of course. John Daly’s pants are better than his game. And the Bruins keep the sweep trend rolling in the Eastern Conference. Deadly Dominik So when is Dominik Simon going to score? Oh. Now?...
‘Seinfeld Night’ can be properly hosted by only 1 team … and they’re doing it
Take a wild guess which team is hosting “Seinfeld Night” at their ballpark? Of course, it’s Jerry Seinfeld’s beloved New York Mets. Their July 5th game at Citi Field will have a Seinfeld theme and giveaways. Here's the bobblehead the Mets will give away for this event.Jerry Seinfeld is also...
Pirates’ Josh Bell is ripping up fantasy leagues, too
After a week off, I check in with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire for our usual fantasy sports podcast. We start off by looking at what had been some of the early warning signs for Josh Bell’s huge start to the year. Melky Cabrera’s performance over the first month and a...
Tim Benz: Does the Steelers’ pass-rush production match its reputation?
Is Bud Dupree better than we make him out to be? Is the Steelers’ pass-rush as good as its sack numbers indicate? Is the Steelers’ offensive line pass-protection as good as we say it is? Based on some numbers compiled by ESPN’s Next Gen player-tracking stats those answers are: •...
First call: Big Ben’s big bash, NHL officials under fire again, Shaq’s awful attire
In “First Call” Thursday, Ben Roethlisberger does some image repair. Kasper Björkqvist already has PPG Paints Arena experience. Shaq’s wardrobe needs help. So do NHL officials. Bad leader Ben? Remember when Antonio Brown trashed Ben Roethlisberger as a leader, in part, because “he has an owner’s mentality” and never invited...
Penn State men’s lacrosse seeks its first Final Four
The Penn State lacrosse team is No. 1 in the country and just one win away from the Final Four over Memorial Day weekend. In Philadelphia, by the way. The Nittany Lions won their first-round game, 25-10, over UMBC last week. That was the first NCAA tournament win in school...
First call: Antonio Brown’s odd goodbye; Patrick Peterson trade talk returns
Today’s “First Call” features Antonio Brown’s odd goodbye to his home in Western Pennsylvania, Patrick Peterson trade talk returning and the idea of an NFL draft lottery. Kimbo comes with the house? Since we are talking about Antonio Brown, this shouldn’t surprise us. The former Steelers receiver was back in Pittsburgh...
Surprising stats on Steelers’ Roethlisberger, Dupree, pass-rush, O-line
I heard a really interesting conversation on ESPN Radio Saturday. Brian Burke was on Bill Barnwell’s show. Burke is one of the analytics experts at ESPN.com. He did some fascinating work via the Next Gen Stats NFL player tracking data in three areas Steelers fans should have a specific interest:...
U mad, bro? Readers attack Mike Tomlin, replay, race, baseball contracts
In “U mad, bro?” this week, we have race, rage and replay. Hence, things get a bit tense. My column about lagging baseball interest got a lot of response. None more interesting than this email from someone simply calling themselves “k l.” “The media believes fewer whites means more diversity,...
Tim Benz: Tweaks the Pirates can make to stay hot
With a 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks Tuesday night, the Pirates have now won four of their last five games. Joe Musgrove got back on track with seven shutout innings. Chris Archer returns to pitch Wednesday afternoon in Arizona. And clearly no one should mess with Josh Bell ever again....
First call: Terry Bradshaw’s apology; ex-Penguins shine for Blues
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” a Terry Bradshaw apology, a potential tight end for the Steelers and some former Penguins stand out in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bradshaw apologizes Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw is backtracking on some comments he made during Fox’s “upfront” presentation Monday. The network NFL host was...
76ers fans praise T.J. McConnell as time in Philadelphia possibly ends
The City of Philadelphia is awash in heartbreak following Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater, which ended the playoffs for the 76ers. KAWHI CALLED SERIES AT THE BUZZER ?Presented by @TISSOT pic.twitter.com/znckcOTkn6— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 13, 2019 That miracle shot sent Toronto onto the Eastern Conference Finals and sent Philly in...
Tim Benz: For Steelers defense, talk is cheap when it comes to turnovers
Every Steelers fan should agree with what inside linebacker Vince Williams tweeted over the weekend. To a point. It’s easy to score points in the NFL. The game is made to score. That’s why defense is the ultimate troll move. Most defensive players are natural jerks. We love seeing things...
First call: Kawhi Leonard’s dagger, Putin’s hockey stumble, LeBron being that dad
In “First Call” Monday, Kawhi Leonard’s unreal Game 7 buzzer-beater for Toronto. Vladimir Putin’s on-ice stumble. LeBron James is every sports dad you’ve ever known. Is this the dagger? That was play-by-play man Kevin Harlan’s question on TNT as Kawhi Leonard chucked up a potential series-winning shot to send Toronto...
Tim Benz: 5 things to love about Pirates’ win to take series vs. Cardinals
There was plenty to like about Sunday’s 10-6 Pirates win over the Cardinals. It was a third-straight victory. It secured a series win over a division rival. The team came out strong early, came back after losing the lead then added on once they got it back. And Josh Bell...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden on Steelers RB situation, Pirates’ series win, Penguins model
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 the X and the Tribune-Review joins me to talk about finding interest in the NHL playoffs without the Penguins’ participation. Are the Bruins more of a model for the Penguins’ reconstruction than the Islanders ever were? We get into the...
Looking at the Pirates’ logic for keeping pitcher Mitch Keller in the minors
Nick Kingham starts for the Pirates on Wednesday against Texas. Mitch Keller pitches, too, but for Indianapolis. With the injuries in the starting rotation — Jameson Taillon and Chris Archer — some think that should be reversed. We look at Neal Huntington’s explanation as to why the Pirates are keeping...
First call: Pat Maroon plays Game 7 hero; stunning shootout goal; ex-Pirates steady
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Game 7 NHL drama. A head-scratching shootout goal. Catching up with Cutch. The Texas Rangers are your new second-favorite baseball team. Feel familiar? Whenever they see a Game 7 playoff contest go to double overtime, Pittsburgh Penguins fans think of this. Thank you, Chris Kunitz. Thank...
U mad, bro? Penguins, Steelers, horse-racing fans air frustrations
In “U mad, bro?” this week, Pens fans pop off about a lack of toughness and too much trade talk. People sure are touchy about the Kentucky Derby. And some Steelers fans want to pretend Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown no longer exist. Bob is boiling down all the Penguins’...
Tim Benz: Reevaluating Mike Tomlin’s contract situation with Steelers
Highbrow sports columnists such as myself refer to it as “having a developing opinion.” The real world says, “I’m changing my mind, n’at.” Trolls on Twitter say, “You’re flip-flopping.” However you choose to phrase it, I’m altering my view on Mike Tomlin’s contract situation based on some new information. That’s...
First call: Martavis Bryant vies for reinstatement; Therrien, Yeo to coach Flyers
In “First Call” Tuesday, Martavis Bryant wants to be reinstated in Oakland. Mike Yeo and Michel Therrien are getting reunited in Philadelphia. Gerrit Cole may be finding his groove in Houston. And bees are taking over Cincinnati. Bryant back? Former Steelers — and Raiders — receiver Martavis Bryant apparently wants...
Podcast: Robert Morris men’s lacrosse coach talks return to NCAA Tournament
The Robert Morris men’s lacrosse team is heading to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season after an NEC championship victory against Hobart last weekend. LET'S GO, BOBBY MO!From 1-7 to @necmlax champs for the second year in a row, @RMUMLacrosse is headed back to the @NCAALAX tournament after...
