Tim Benz stories, Page 101
Tim Benz: For Penguins, sharpening their game is more important than playoff opponent
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, 16 straight playoff appearances is something to embrace. That’s the longest active streak in North American team sports. Their other two active playoff streaks are ones the organization would desperately like to shake. • Four consecutive series losses. • Three straight years of the franchise losing...
First Call: Kenny Pickett won’t attend NFL Draft bash in Vegas; ex-Pirates pitching battle; Penguins get help in standings
In Friday’s “First Call,” we reveal the players who will be at the NFL Draft in Las Vegas at the end of the month. The Pittsburgh Penguins got some favorable results on Thursday, beyond their own victory. We also celebrate an anniversary for the team that history occasionally overlooks. And...
Tim Benz: Start of 2022 reminds us of the many weird dynamics that go into being a Pirates fan
Everything about being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan is weird right now. Who am I kidding? It’s been weird most of my life. I’m 47. Over that time, I can cognitively remember about seven or eight years when I genuinely felt like this franchise had a chance to compete for a...
U mad, bro: Penguins fans are getting cranky with late-season stumbles; Pirates fans won’t fake optimism
For once, it appears that the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be dominating “U mad, bro?” Very few gripes or complaints from football fans lashing out this week. The Steelers seem done — or close to it — in free agency. The draft is still a few weeks away. “Who will the...
First Call: Steelers website says club has ‘interest’ in Tyrann Mathieu; Steven Nelson’s new home; Baker Mayfield ‘disrespected’
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have eyes on Tyrann Mathieu after all. An ex-Steelers defensive back has a new home. Baker Mayfield isn’t happy. The New York Rangers gain ground on the Penguins. And a Pirates name from days gone by just picked up a major league win. All that in...
Tim Benz: Penguins earn a point, but there’s plenty to clean up before rematch with Islanders
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, there were some things to like en route to grabbing a point on the road against the New York Islanders. Jake Guentzel had two goals and an assist. Jake Guentzel’s 18 even-strength goals on the road are tied for second in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/QHywV61GdX— Pittsburgh Penguins...
First Call: Dwayne Haskins’ family makes 1st statement; Melvin Ingram visits AFC team; son of Steelers All-Pro in draft
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” multiple services are planned to honor the memory of recently deceased Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Former Steeler Melvin Ingram is making the free agent rounds. The son of a Steelers Pro Bowler is entering the NFL draft at a position of need for his father’s...
Tim Benz: How do Pirates evaluate Derek Shelton in vacuum of their own reality?
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday marked the third home opener at PNC Park for manager Derek Shelton. But it was the first one approaching what he dreamed of having before the word “coronavirus” became part of our everyday vocabulary. “You know your fans are...
Robert Morris volleyball player Emily Devlin becomes 2nd local athlete to get extended look from WWE
Another local college athlete is getting a shot to make it big in pro wrestling. Robert Morris volleyball player and Seneca Valley High School graduate Emily Devlin is heading to Orlando in June for a 60-day extended tryout at the WWE performance training center. Devlin is set to graduate from...
Tim Benz: Evgeni Malkin’s suspension gives Penguins time to experiment with Rickard Rakell on Sidney Crosby’s wing
During Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and recently acquired Rickard Rakell were only on the ice together for two minutes, seven seconds. But they sure made the most of that time together. All three of the Penguins goals were scored with those two...
First Call: ESPN’s Adam Schefter apologizes for Dwayne Haskins tweet; Brett Michaels lobbying Steelers for specific QB in draft
Adam Schefter is apologizing for his reporting on the death of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Odds are out on T.J. Watt’s perceived chances of repeating as NFL Defensive Player of the Year. A celebrity Pittsburgher is lobbying for a specific quarterback to land with the Steelers. And a busy...
Tim Benz: Another ‘gotta have it’ game for Penguins goes the right way this time
In the Pittsburgh Penguins’ latest “gotta have it” game, they actually got it. They didn’t get it Thursday against the New York Rangers when it felt like the Penguins had to secure a win against an opponent most hockey observers in Pittsburgh have long assumed they would face in the...
Madden Monday: There is no Penguins goalie debate, and Evgeni Malkin should not be suspended
Lately, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling to string together wins. With only three victories in their last 10 games, two of the wins have been with Casey DeSmith in net. Tristan Jarry, meanwhile, has lost five starts in a row and six of seven, and he hasn’t beaten a...
First Call: Josh Dobbs speaks about going to Cleveland from Steelers; ex-Penguins star nets a hat trick
In Monday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Josh Dobbs discusses his move to Cleveland. A former Penguin puts up a hat trick. The Washington Capitals keep winning. And we reflect on the loss of a former Penn State football standout. Change of allegiance New Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh Dobbs...
Tim Benz: South Park’s Reggie Wells embraces coaching role at Duquesne, relives tie to Steelers’ Super Bowl history
The epic Super Bowl XLIII interception return for a touchdown by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison lasted 13 seconds. For South Park High School graduate Reggie Wells, his memory of it will last a lifetime. And, as an offensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals that day, part of his role...
U mad, bro?: Readers bubbling over Mitch Trubisky’s future, state of Pirates for Opening Day
I’ve got nothing to be angry about this week. I’m taking off a day early. I’m going to Boston for the Frozen Four. I’ll see some of my family that I haven’t seen since the pandemic hit. I cleaned up at the casino on some Final Four and hockey bets....
First Call: Steelers meet with college safety, see pro safety sign elsewhere; Pat Narduzzi on Kenny Pickett’s preferred team
Thursday’s “First Call” starts with more news about the Pittsburgh Steelers safety position. Pitt’s coach shares some details about Kenny Pickett. We have a look at the Penguins game against the New York Rangers. And another local college athlete is getting into business with the WWE. Search still on One...
Duquesne football player Roman Macek gets offer to pursue pro wrestling dream at WWE performance center
For Duquesne football player Roman Macek, he figured it was worth a try. What’s the worst that could happen? They laugh him out of Texas? He’d only be gone for a few days. His coaches and teammates were behind him. The flight would land early enough Saturday that he could...
Tim Benz: Some things the Penguins can do better in rematch with Avalanche
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan didn’t think that his team’s 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Denver deserved too much disappointment. “It was just a really good hockey game. It was a well-played game on both sides,” Sullivan said after the defeat. “It was a real competitive hockey game.”...
First Call: Multiple storylines emerge about Steelers safety position while 1 draft pick trade could impact team
Tuesday’s “First Call” sees some possible movement soon at the safety position for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and movement in front of them on the draft board may influence the quarterbacks available. We check in on the health of the Penguins and Avalanche in advance of Tuesday night’s game. And there...
Tim Benz: How North Carolina played itself into a unique position in sports
As the North Carolina Tar Heels ride into Monday night’s NCAA Tournament Championship game against Kansas, they are in one of the most unique sports positions in recent memory. A blue-blood, high-profile, historically elite college basketball team. Yet it’s somehow in the underdog, “playing with nothing to lose” role at...
Madden Monday: Mitch Trubisky could be biggest factor if Steelers contend for playoffs
During many of our “Madden Monday” podcasts throughout this NFL offseason, Mark Madden and I have both expressed our skepticism about the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. But in this week’s edition, Madden advanced an optimistic scenario. And it has to do with new quarterback Mitch Trubisky. “Do you know the...
First Call: Phil Kessel grabs active consecutive games streak lead; Pirates face nemesis on Opening Day
Monday’s “First Call” shows us how former Pittsburgh Penguin Phil Kessel took over the NHL’s consecutive games streak. A pair of Metropolitan Division teams suffered home losses. The Eastern Conference has its first team locked into the playoffs. And the Pirates will be facing a familiar opponent on Opening Day...
First Call: Ravens lose out on free-agent target; ex-Pitt star may grab St. Peter’s job; RMU coach tired of ‘Coach K’ coverage
In Friday’s “First Call,” the Baltimore Ravens miss out on a star free agent signing. A Pitt basketball legend may be getting his first head coaching gig. Robert Morris’ head coach is no fan of the hype surrounding Mike Krzyzewski’s last trip to the Final Four. And we recap another...
Mike Eruzione on his friendship with Mario Lemieux; legacy of the ‘Miracle on Ice;’ Pittsburgh’s special ties to 1980 team
Mike Eruzione’s friendship with Penguins legend Mario Lemieux started decades ago. Back to when he got to know the Hall of Famer through golf tournaments Lemieux set up with one of Eruzione’s Massachusetts hockey pals, former Penguins goalie Tom Barrasso. It’s no surprise the two men remained close over the...
