Breakfast With Benz category, Page 80
First Call: NFL Star to host ‘SNL’; surprising Steeler named ‘most improved’; could Super Bowl go pay-per-view?
A surprising name is listed as the Pittsburgh Steelers most improved player. Might we see the Super Bowl go to pay-per-view? A Kansas City Chiefs star player is slated to host “Saturday Night Live” — and it’s not MVP Patrick Mahomes. Plus, we wrap up a three-pack of games from...
NFL may ban Eagles’ QB sneak, making some current, former Steelers very happy
Here’s a potential NFL rule change some Pittsburgh Steelers defensive players will actually embrace for a change. Pro Bowl defensive lineman Cameron Heyward recently ripped the idea of the NFL implementing a “hip-drop tackle” ban. But he may like the latest possible addendum to the rule book. Heyward is one...
Tim Benz: Atop ACC — yet unranked — perception of Pitt raises questions about NCAA hoops evaluations
It’s the week of Valentine’s Day in Pittsburgh. It’s been well above 60 degrees the last few days. And the Pitt men’s basketball team is tied for the ACC lead. What’s next? Snow on the Fourth of July and the Pirates leading the National League Central? Honestly, back in early...
Atlantic 10 commissioner, many coaches embrace NCAA Tournament expansion
It’s almost time for March Madness. So get your field-of-96 bracket ready to go! OK. Maybe not this year. But start warming up to the idea of an expanded NCAA Tournament field for the men and the women. Because it certainly feels like momentum is building within NCAA basketball circles...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fan still crusty; NFL referees absorb some shots; Pirates cynicism
Lingering bitterness from Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Agitation over NFL officiating. Cynicism about the Pirates. And disinterest in the Super Bowl. It sure seems like our readers weren’t hugged enough on Valentine’s Day. Or at all. Like, ever. I mean, going back to when they were kids. That’s why I put...
First Call: Another ex-Steeler critical of the offense; Brian Flores discusses time with Steelers; a Rex Ryan return to coaching?
Thursday’s “First Call” has more criticism of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense from another former employee. Damar Hamlin is wrapped up in an off-field controversy. Brian Flores speaks about his time in Pittsburgh while accepting his new job. And an old friend of the Steelers may be getting back into coaching....
Commitment, tactical changes driving Duquesne’s defensive improvement
Duquesne basketball coach Keith Dambrot grabbed his phone after Wednesday’s practice and opened up a spreadsheet that illustrated his team’s defensive improvement in recent weeks. Not to brag. Just to confirm the numbers. And maybe to convince himself a little bit that the jump in defensive performance is as legit...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster ignites Twitter spat with Eagles; Steelers AFC rival loses QB; Alex Ovechkin out in D.C.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster ignited a post-Super Bowl Twitter spat with some angry Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers will meet a frequent AFC rival with a new quarterback next year. The Capitals are facing a stretch of games without Alex Ovechkin. And it was a wild night in the Metropolitan...
Tim Benz: Preparing for XFL coaching debut, Hines Ward embraces Steelers ‘standards’ from Mike Tomlin, Bill Cowher
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward is doing that thing you do when you get older. That thing where you catch yourself saying something to your kids, and you realize you sound just like your mother or father. Except in Ward’s case, he’s not a parent educating a child. He’s a...
‘NFL on CBS’ rules analyst Gene Steratore on late penalty in Super Bowl: ‘It needs to be called’Video
Ever since the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35, there have been complaints from fans about the officiating. Specifically, a defensive holding call against Philadelphia’s James Bradberry on Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster with 1:54 left in the game, deep in the Eagles defensive...
Tim Benz: Jerome Bettis’ critique of Mike Tomlin’s offense should resonate
In his post-retirement life, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis has done his fair share of media work at ESPN, NBC and locally at WPXI. At no point has anyone ever labeled Bettis a “hot-take artist.” At no point has The Bus garnered the reputation of a flamethrower, spewing...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster describes recruitment to K.C.; predictions for Cam Sutton’s contract; big Super Bowl TV ratings
Tuesday’s “First Call” features some interesting offseason predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers, including one about Cam Sutton’s future. JuJu Smith-Schuster describes how his recruitment to Kansas City began. The Super Bowl television ratings were gigantic. And the Pitt basketball team looks to stay hot against Boston College. Recruitment revealed Wide...
Tim Benz: Fancy stats prove a simple notion in Chiefs’ Super Bowl win — coach, QB shine en route to victory
Sometimes we oversimplify NFL coverage. We make everything about the coach and the quarterbacks. Sometimes, though, that is the case. And sometimes fancy stats can be used to highlight a simple premise. All that was proven true in Super Bowl LVII as the Kansas City Chiefs outscored the Philadelphia Eagles...
First Call — Super Bowl edition: Where are Terry Bradshaw’s rings? JuJu Smith-Schuster’s fashion; WPIAL star Skyy Moore scoresVideo
In a post-Super Bowl “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw reveals the whereabouts of his four championship rings. New Kensington product Skyy Moore scores in the Super Bowl. JuJu Smith-Schuster steals the Super Bowl Sunday fashion show. A veteran Baltimore Raven announces that he’ll be back for a 16th...
Madden Monday: After watching the Super Bowl, the Steelers are ‘nowhere close to being in a game like that’
Let’s try to view the results of Sunday’s Super Bowl victory for the Kansas City Chiefs over the Philadelphia Eagles through the lens of what it means for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE offers a rather blunt assessment....
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers not in the Super Bowl? Here’s how to gamble your way into a rooting interest
It’s another Super Bowl without the Steelers. The 12th in a row, unfortunately. And a clear rooting interest doesn’t seem to exist for Pittsburgh. On one hand, the Kansas City Chiefs are fast becoming the constant goliath out of the AFC. On the other hand, what are you going to...
First Call: NFL experts debate Kenny Pickett’s ceiling; J.J. Watt declares his Steelers fandom; Roger Goodell backs refsVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” features a declaration of Pittsburgh Steelers loyalty from a retired All-Pro. Commissioner Roger Goodell discusses the state of NFL officiating. There are differing opinions on a comparison for Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. And LeBron James celebrates the 500th win for Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot. Waving the towel...
U mad, bro?: Readers send Valentines on Steelers predictions, Mike Tomlin’s recent record, Ron Hextall’s roster
This is our final “U mad, bro?” before Valentine’s Day. Obviously, Pittsburgh sports fans are feeling the love. Some of you are fawning over Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Others are swooning over Penguins general manager Ron Hextall. And then there are all of you who just can’t get enough of...
Tim Benz: If anyone is happy about ‘hitting the reset button’ for Penguins, it should be Kris Letang
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was clear in his directive for his struggling players upon their return from the All-Star break. The Penguins limped into their week off by dropping two games in a row and four of six. So Sullivan told his squad to “hit the reset button” before...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s food trash talk; Terry Bradshaw still hates ‘dumb’ tag; ex-Steeler pans Super Bowl XLV play calling
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster takes Super Bowl trash talk to a whole new level. We tap into some old emotions from Steelers Super Bowls gone by with Terry Bradshaw and Max Starks. There’s an update on Myles Garrett’s Pro Bowl injury. And we...
Duquesne players look to serve coach Keith Dambrot some more ‘gravy’ with his 500th win
In a way, the ultimate compliment to Keith Dambrot as he approaches 500 college basketball coaching victories came from one of his peers in the Atlantic 10, LaSalle head coach Fran Dunphy. “To be perfectly honest, I’m surprised he doesn’t have it already because of all the great work that...
First Call: Former Steelers coach goes to Patriots; Tom Brady’s future open-ended; big hits, fights between Rangers-Flames
Tuesday’s “First Call” sees a former Pittsburgh Steelers coach return to the NFL after a short stint in college. Tom Brady seems to want to keep all of us guessing. There was madness at the Garden as hockey resumed after the All-Star break. Pitt should be in a good position...
Tim Benz: NFL must listen to Cam Heyward and other defensive players on ‘hip-drop’ penalty consideration
If the NFL just wants to govern itself by Twitter, I hope it follows the account of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward. Because at least he’s tweeting something reasonable. No, seriously. Someone is actually doing that in 2023. It appears the NFL is strongly considering the elimination of the...
A trade scenario Ron Hextall is looking to avoid and some Penguins history he may want to replicate
While meeting with the media Sunday, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall had to deal with a lot of hypothetical questions. About how the team may create salary-cap room. About how it may approach various methods to make his roster better. About what he is going to do with the...
Madden Monday: Why Ron Hextall ‘shouldn’t trade a 1st-round draft pick under any circumstances’
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall met with the media Sunday, and he was asked about a wide range of topics. He didn’t necessarily answer all of the questions that were asked. At least not directly. But when it came to the idea of trading a first-round pick as a...
