Breakfast With Benz category, Page 32
Predictable offensive woes already showing for Pirates
The Pirates have opened their 2025 season at 1-5 in Miami and Tampa Bay. Some preseason warnings have manifested as reasons for the slow start. Through the first six games, we’ve seen the predicted fielding concerns, bullpen issues, and back end of the rotation worries. However, the red flags many...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger has some QB advice for the Steelers; watch Alex Ovechkin score yet again
Wednesday’s “First Call” has advice for the Steelers from former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He also questions the franchise’s full faith in Mason Rudolph. DK Metcalf apparently wanted to leave Seattle long before he was traded to Pittsburgh. And you can watch Alex Ovechkin’s latest step toward breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL...
Tim Benz: There’s 1 clear benefit to Aaron Rodgers’ prolonged decision process
Steelers owner Art Rooney II provided an update on how long his franchise will wait for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide if he wants to join the 2025 roster in Pittsburgh. “Not forever, but a little while longer,” Rooney told reporters in Florida Tuesday afternoon. Gee, Art, I’m sure that’ll...
First Call: Video shows Aaron Rodgers throwing to DK Metcalf; Jets discuss plans for Justin Fields
Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at video of Aaron Rodgers’ throwing session with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. Aaron Glenn discusses the Jets’ plans for former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. Alex Ovechkin’s goal-record chase continues. A pair of former Penguins stand out in Dallas’ latest victory. And the Pirates square...
Tim Benz: Pirates already show anything less than elite from starters will get them burned
The Pittsburgh Pirates have enough flaws that they don’t need much help to be highlighted. Less-than-stellar starting pitching will do exactly that, though. As the Pirates limped through a 1-3 start in Miami, the starting pitching offset the rest of the team’s shortcomings to at least make the Buccos competitive...
Admitting it or not, 1 specific pre-draft goal should exist for Steelers GM Omar Khan
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said so little in his media Q&A at the NFL league meetings in Florida on Monday that he made Mike Tomlin’s comments on Sunday read like a State of the Union address. Take, for instance, what Khan had to say when he was asked...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s latest comments illustrate Steelers’ QB planning problem
Of all the responses Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin gave about his team’s current quarterback situation during a Q&A with reporters in Florida on Sunday, one resonated with me well beyond the others. “I don’t know if we’re identifying anything as ‘Plan A, Plan B or Plan C.’ We’re just...
First Call: Mike Tomlin addresses state of Steelers’ RBs; Steelers players sound off on NFL schedule expansion talkVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” Mike Tomlin addresses the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back room without Najee Harris. We have some banter between former Steelers teammates regarding potential NFL schedule expansion. An ex-Steeler provides a sparkling highlight in the UFL’s first week. And the NCAA’s Frozen Four will have a substantial Western...
Madden Monday: Past Steelers heads ‘would have made the decision by now’ on Aaron Rodgers
On Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that he has yet to give Aaron Rodgers any sort of deadline as to when he would need an answer about playing quarterback for the franchise. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X said that’s...
Plenty of reasons why Cam Heyward is clarifying his remarks about Aaron Rodgers
Cameron Heyward sure sounds like he is walking back his comments about potential new teammate Aaron Rodgers. During his “Not Just Football” podcast last week, Heyward was asked about the drawn-out discussions regarding the Steelers’ vacant starting quarterback job. “I think, just (sigh) … I want to play football,” Heyward...
First Call: Vikings can’t ‘100%’ shut door on Aaron Rodgers; Adam Schefter won’t rule out Rodgers retiring
The Minnesota Vikings aren’t entirely giving up on the prospect of signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, Rodgers may give up on football before signing with them or the Pittsburgh Steelers. Russell Wilson shows off the arm for his new fans in New York. The Steelers interviewed a successful college quarterback...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans resist criticism of Aaron Rodgers; Pirates fans hate MLB economics
I’m heading to New Jersey for the Sweet 16 Thursday after this posts. So, I’m in a March Madness frame of mind. That said, here are our brackets for “U mad, bro?” this week. • Aaron Rodgers is the No. 1 seed in the “What are the Steelers doing at...
On Russ, Rodgers, Rudolph: A brief history of the Steelers’ recent QB tragic comedy
Bon voyage, Russell Wilson. We hardly knew ye! Oops, sorry. We hardly knew yinz. The veteran free-agent quarterback signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants on Tuesday. After just one season and 12 games as the Steelers starting quarterback, the Wilson era is over practically before it began....
First Call: Pat Freiermuth contacts Aaron Rodgers; Russell Wilson can still help Steelers from New York
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Aaron Rodgers is making contact with at least one Pittsburgh Steelers target on offense. We investigate how Russell Wilson still may be able to help his now-former team. There is an update on the recovery of ex-Steeler James Daniels. We tell you if Alex Ovechkin is...
Tim Benz: A completely logical, totally achievable wish list for the 2025 Pirates
Last year, I ended up being a little too optimistic in my projection for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The BetRivers over-under win total was 78.5. I had them at 81 wins. They came in under with 76. I’m not going to allow myself to be disappointed again. This year BetRivers’ over-under...
Steelers’ QB waiting game highlights plenty of other roster issues
The football world is waiting with simmering impatience to see if the Pittsburgh Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers to be their next starting quarterback. But as “Ayahuasca Aaron” ruminates over the decision, by extension another truth has come to light. The Steelers have plenty of other issues besides quarterback — especially...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers’ decision expected ‘within the next few days’; Steelers talking with a college QBVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an optimistic spin on the Aaron Rodgers watch for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. In the meantime, the Steelers are talking to a college quarterback in advance of the NFL Draft. A depth defensive lineman may be on their wish list too. We’ll preview...
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes is right. The Pirates owe the city more. Time to pay up
I’m not exactly sure who Paul Skenes was talking about. Maybe Skenes doesn’t even know. But while the young Pittsburgh Pirates ace was speaking with Alex Stumpf for a recent feature on MLB.com in advance of Thursday’s 2025 season opener in Miami, Skenes made some noteworthy comments about the state...
Tim Benz: The unfortunate reality of the Steelers’ QB situation
For all the podcast downloads, talk show air time, column space and television segments that have been dedicated toward figuring out what the Pittsburgh Steelers are doing at quarterback, one unfortunate reality exists: None of the feasible candidates that have been discussed offer much hope that the team is going...
Madden Monday: Mike Tomlin’s ‘rep is fading,’ that’s why he wants Aaron Rodgers
On Friday, free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers paid a visit to Pittsburgh. By Sunday night, ProFootballTalk.com was saying that Rodgers was a “safe bet” to become a Steeler. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X, said that the Steelers would be making a shortsighted decision...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers called a ‘safe bet’ for Steelers; Russell Wilson still in the mix with Giants
Monday’s “First Call” passes along a pair of reports involving Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. We look at two defensive linemen that may be on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ radar in the NFL Draft. And Megan McConnell put on another show as Duquesne stayed alive in the WNIT. Is there such...
Tim Benz: Pirates hopes of winning ‘in the margins’ is easier said than done
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton laid out the key to his team’s 2025 improvement on a 76-86 record a year ago. “I think you win in the margins, very much so,” Shelton told reporters in Bradenton, Fla. “We have to win those margins.” Exactly how wide are these “margins” we...
For ‘locked in’ Robert Morris vs. Alabama, the goal is to play like they’ve practiced
When coaches want to get more out of their players in between games they may implore them to practice like they play. For Robert Morris heading into their massive first-round NCAA Tournament challenge against No. 2 seed Alabama, head coach Andy Toole wants them to play like they’ve practiced. “We’ve...
First Call: ‘Ongoing dialogue’ between Steelers and Aaron Rodgers; team interested in college QBs
Thursday’s “First Call” has the latest spin on the Aaron Rodgers saga from a Pittsburgh perspective. There’s news about some potential college quarterbacks in the draft, as well. The Steelers are lobbying for some changes to free agency. And we have career updates regarding a pair of former Steelers. One...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans want more heat on ownership and more optimism about QBs
What did I learn from “U mad, bro?” this week? Hmm. Well, let’s see. I learned that I am too hard on the Pittsburgh Steelers, but I’m not hard enough on the owner. I learned that Steelers fans are somewhere between irrational optimism and hopeless depression. And I learned that...
