Breakfast With Benz category, Page 90
Tim Benz: Aaron Judge is at the center of MLB’s 2 hottest debates — but answers are easy in both cases
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is at the center of baseball’s two hottest debates right now. And the answers are clear. They are: “yes” and “no.” Yes, he is the 2022 American League Most Valuable Player. No, he is not the all-time single-season Major League home run champion. That’s...
Friday Football Footnotes: We know the Steelers offense is lagging, but what’s going on with the rest of the NFL?
If there is one NFL trend the Pittsburgh Steelers can claim to be a part of, it’s a lack of scoring. The Steelers are averaging only 18 points per game. They ended up at 20.2 a season ago. And keep in mind, seven of their 54 points were the result...
First Call: Pair of former Steelers snag awards; Myles Garrett cited for crash; Minkah Fitzpatrick’s ranking
In Friday’s “First Call,” a pair of former Pittsburgh Steelers pick up NFL awards. Myles Garrett receives a vehicular citation after his car crash earlier this week, and it’s not his first. A league-wide gambling trend is emerging in the NFL. And we find out where Minkah Fitzpatrick is trending...
First Call: 1 Steeler wants less talk, more action on offense; Myles Garrett may play after crash; NHL health updates
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we have a blunt review of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense from one of their alumni in the media. Diontae Johnson has a succinct message for all the players on offense. Myles Garrett is recovering from his injuries sustained in a car wreck earlier this week; we...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans load up an (almost) ‘all Kenny Pickett, all the time’ edition
I have a concern about the Pittsburgh Steelers. What if coach Mike Tomlin does replace Mitch Trubisky with Kenny Pickett? And then, what if Pickett stinks and Tomlin goes back to Trubisky? I mean, what are people going to complain about? This column is going to run out of material...
Tim Benz: When does ‘steady, stable’ become ‘stubborn’ for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin?
The big story in the world — actually, in the universe — this week is that NASA has figured out a way to fly a projectile into an asteroid with the intent of rerouting it. That’s right. NASA actually flew something the size of a “vending machine” into a harmless...
First Call: Browns players call out Chuks Okorafor; Jets dealing with tempers, injuries heading into Steelers game
Tuesday’s “First Call’ has some harsh words from Cleveland for a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman. The New York Jets are dealing with some hot tempers and injuries heading into Pittsburgh on Sunday. And a pair of ex-Pirates pitchers look to boost their lofty win totals. Chapped about Chuks A number...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ increasingly tough schedule makes finding wins, dates to start Kenny Pickett extremely difficult
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is on the record as saying that, “definitively,” he is not looking to replace quarterback Mitch Trubisky with rookie Kenny Pickett. If you listen to many Steelers fans and talk shows in Pittsburgh, they “definitively” are. However, a lot of the potentially friendly launch dates...
Steelers captain Cameron Heyward gives his thoughts on Pro Bowl format change
The NFL Pro Bowl is going away, and one Pittsburgh Steeler who has played in it is on board with that decision. On Monday, the NFL announced that the annual postseason All-Star game will disappear starting this season. It will be replaced by a flag football game featuring the season’s...
Tim Benz: Steelers have no one to blame but themselves for extra-loud ‘elevator music’ on QB situation
Up until now, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has avoided snapping despite repeated speculation about the status of his starting quarterback. He was asked (once again) about the prospect of replacing Mitch Trubisky — and/or offensive play caller Matt Canada — after the team’s 29-17 loss in Cleveland on Thursday...
First Call: Update on Jets plans at QB before playing Steelers; another milestone for Aaron Donald; rebuilding Matt Murray
Monday’s “First Call” looks at the New York Jets quarterback situation in advance of Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also have Aaron Donald’s latest milestone and a big day for a former Steeler in Miami. Plus, an in-depth piece about Matt Murray’s attempt to rediscover his game in...
Madden Monday: Don’t stop with scrutiny of Steelers’ ‘juvenile’ offense; blame defense too
Like everyone else, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X isn’t thrilled with the Pittsburgh Steelers offense during their 1-2 start. “Najee Harris looks clueless. Or hurt. Or both,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “And the offensive play-calling is juvenile. Everything is to the sideline. There’s nothing in...
Friday Football Footnotes: Determining ‘Truth or Fiction’ in the NFL during the Steelers ‘mini-bye’ weekend
If you are like me, you had concerns regarding every aspect of the Steelers’ offense. You wondered if the run defense was really fixed. You questioned the depth of the defense beyond its three stars. And you wondered if coaching warts would be exposed in close games after losing a...
Airing of Grievances: Browns exploit Steelers’ numerous deficiencies on both sides of ball
For a while, things weren’t looking bad in Cleveland for the Steelers on “Thursday Night Football.” Mike Tomlin’s club had a 14-13 halftime lead. Both touchdowns actually came on offense. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky had a passer rating of 94.7. They were averaging 5.5 yards per rush to the tune of...
First Call: Todd Haley has a specific concern about Steelers offense; Pat Narduzzi is convinced Kenny Pickett will be ready
Thursday’s “First Call” has a different view of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive woes from a former coordinator. Pitt’s coach thinks his former QB can get the job done as soon as he is allowed to play. Things aren’t great for the Cleveland Browns. And the New York Yankees did something...
Alan Faneca’s take on Steelers’ biggest offensive problem, Hines Ward’s Hall of Fame candidacy
When it comes to the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, Hall of Fame guard Alan Faneca is echoing the sentiments of a current offensive lineman. Center Mason Cole recently said that the Steelers’ biggest problem isn’t quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Rather, his assessment is that top-to-bottom, the unit lacks identity....
U mad, bro?: Fans tee off on Mitch Trubisky, Steelers defense, Sidney Crosby’s quote and … gremlins
In the midst of Pittsburgh Steelers season, normally I can just load up “U mad, bro?” with angry complaints about the Black and Gold, every week for 18 weeks in a row. Even when they win. Based on how the offense is looking, we may be heading down that path....
First Call: Steelers lineman draws praise; Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury reunite; new heights for Duquesne soccer
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some Pro Football Focus research into a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman. Former Penguins teammates Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury relive old times. Plus, there were some big TV ratings for those dueling Monday night NFL games. And Duquesne has something to celebrate for one of its...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans change their tune on Mitch Trubisky with Kenny Pickett on the sideline
When it comes to the play of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky — and the analysis of it from the fanbase — I wish I had some truth serum. And a time machine. Who has one of those lying around? Because I’d love to see how many Steelers fans and...
Browns broadcaster pans team for complaining about being booed; Nick Chubb takes blame for loss
The Cleveland Browns stunningly managed to blow a 13-point lead with less than two minutes remaining against the New York Jets on Sunday. So the fans booed. No surprise there, right? But Cleveland defensive lineman Myles Garrett took exception. “These guys are still putting their (rear ends) on the line...
First Call: Former Steeler defends O-line in run game, looks at Najee Harris; Pirates brace for Yankees; Direct TV’s apology
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some strong views of the Pittsburgh Steelers run game from a former offensive lineman. The Pirates are gearing up for two games against the high-powered New York Yankees. Plus, DirecTV had to apologize to NFL fans. Also, Robert Morris hockey is celebrating another pro contract for...
Tim Benz: As Steelers offense searches for its ‘identity,’ it may not like what it finds
I’m going to have to disagree with Pittsburgh Steelers center Mason Cole. Not with the meaning of what he said. Oh, he’s 100% accurate there. I’m just going to quibble with his turn of phrase. While speaking with the media on Monday after his team’s 17-14 loss to the New...
Ben Roethlisberger wants more ‘shots down the field’ from Steelers offense, less heat from fans on Mitch Trubisky
Big Ben wants bigger plays from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. In the latest edition of his “Footbahlin’” podcast, the team’s former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a conversation with former Steeler and NFL analyst Merril Hoge. Roethlisberger said that he’d like to see the Steelers be more aggressive on offense. “Go...
First Call: What in the world happened in the AFC North on Sunday?
For Monday’s “First Call,” we are just going to focus on one thing and that is: What in the world happened to the AFC North this weekend??!! No, the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t the only team to have a rough day in the division. The Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland...
Madden Monday: ‘Steelers offense has the stench of death. … They should fire Matt Canada’
Here is what we know about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense so far: • The run game isn’t any better than what it was a season ago. In fact, it looks worse. Najee Harris has only 72 yards over two games. • None of the receivers have really found a rhythm...
