Tim Benz stories, Page 121
Tim Benz: Forget those other lists and rankings, Steelers fans. Here’s one that’ll really get you upset
This time of year, Pittsburgh Steelers fans spend a lot of time getting fired up over lists and rankings published by various NFL media entities. Where Ben Roethlisberger ranks on the list of quarterbacks in the AFC North. Where T.J. Watt stands on the pass rusher rankings. Where Mike Tomlin...
First Call: Troy Polamalu planning Pittsburgh return; Dwayne Haskins breaks tooth in Las Vegas incident
Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu may return to Heinz Field. Backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins reportedly lost a tooth during an incident in Las Vegas. An update on when Pirates fans may get to see Jacob deGrom. And we’ll let you know how WPIAL and Pitt product Cam Johnson did in...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans love their prospect rankings, but hate anyone who doesn’t feel the same way
Pittsburgh Pirates fans reminded me of a valuable lesson this week. Media members are not allowed to pass negative judgement on any aspect of a Major League Baseball draft for at least five years. You can, however, declare it a spectacular, franchise-altering, paradigm-shifting success overnight. That’s how things went this...
‘Cash’ing in a chance: Derek Schooley puts fundraising atop of the list of needs for a potential Robert Morris hockey comeback
For Robert Morris men’s hockey coach Derek Schooley, it sounds like he’s employing some good ol’ fashion hockey cliches. Right out of Hockey Media Relations 101. One play at a time. One shift at a time. One period at a time. One game at a time. For Schooley, though, there’s...
First Call: Steeler takes a swat at his time in New England; differing national opinions on Ben Roethlisberger; RMU hockey updates
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a Steeler ripping the New England Patriots, on-air hosts singing very different tunes about Ben Roethlisberger and a few nuggets about the Robert Morris hockey teams. Cassius chimes in Steelers linebacker Cassius Marsh is taking another swat at one of his former teams: the New England...
Tim Benz: Just enough for Pittsburgh sports fans to get you through the mid-summer lull
We are still about two weeks away from Steelers training camp. The Stanley Cup Finals are over. So is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Home Run Derby and the draft. Besides the Pirates grinding toward a potential 100-loss season, what can Pittsburgh sports fans watch to get their fix...
First Call: Steeler most likely to make Pro Bowl debut; Steelers draftee who almost missed his call; Pierre McGuire’s new job
Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a peek at potential Steelers who could make their Pro Bowl debuts. One Steeler almost missed Mike Tomlin’s draft day phone call. Remembering “Mr. Wonderful’s” football career. And a new job in the NHL for Pierre McGuire. Sounds like a good idea Last week, NFL.com compiled...
Tim Benz: You’re happy about the Pirates draft. I’ll be happy when ‘prospects’ become good MLB players.
Congratulations on the Pittsburgh Pirates clinching a 2027 World Series berth. Okay, maybe 2028. Regardless, order your tickets now! By that point, all of the guys the Pirates drafted in the first few rounds of this week’s 2021 Major League Baseball draft should be with the big league club. Most...
Madden Monday: Penguins fans ‘will be amazed by how much they stand pat’
Now that the 2021 Stanley Cup has been awarded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, it’s time for Pittsburgh Penguins fans to focus on what moves their team may make in the offseason. Or according to our Mark Madden, what moves they won’t make. “I think we’ll be amazed by how...
First Call: A former Steeler retires; is Ben Roethlisberger tipping off plays before the snap?
Monday’s “First Call” gives us news of a former Steeler retiring. We examine the details of Ben Roethlisberger allegedly tipping plays pre-snap. Pirates All-Star Adam Frazier is in pretty exclusive company. Ex-Pirates pitchers in the Bronx are finding a better rhythm. And we had some sassy tempers in a Pirates...
Tim Benz: 20 years after the Jaromir Jagr trade, former Penguin Kris Beech has found peace
If the call had come on the 10th anniversary of the Jaromir Jagr trade, Kris Beech may have had a different reaction. He probably still would’ve done the interview. Just with a little less enthusiasm and a lot less perspective. But after 20 years of reflection, the former Penguins forward...
First Call: ESPN analyst sees Ben Roethlisberger benched by midseason; Eagles CB recruiting Steven Nelson
Friday’s “First Call” brings us a Doomsday scenario prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, the Eagles may still be in play for Steven Nelson. We’ve got some Steelers birthdays, a bold prediction from a Steelers rival and Home Run Derby gambling odds. Big Ben ‘is going to be bad’ Former...
Tim Benz: NCAA needs to be fixed, not eliminated. Focus on solutions, not fake outrage
This happens from time to time at “Breakfast With Benz.” I get an email, tweet or a post in the comments section that I want to use for “U mad, bro?” However, sometimes that comment itself gets me mad enough that I find myself writing a response so long, it...
Marcelo Mayer’s coach compares Pirates’ potential top draft pick to another former No. 1 from the same high school
As Sunday’s Major League Baseball draft approaches, all signs continue to indicate that the Pittsburgh Pirates will choose Eastlake High School (Chula Vista, Cali.) shortstop Marcelo Mayer with the No.1 overall pick. For some people (yours truly included) who believe that drafting Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter is a better route...
First Call: Steelers’ Devin Bush says he is being monitored, ‘fined’ for Twitter activity; Benny Snell welcomes roster challenges
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us more odd Twitter ramblings from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. Benny Snell discusses the crowded Steelers running back room. We look at a potential oversight of the Steelers in the new Kurt Warner movie. And there are some interesting numbers heading into this weekend’s Pirates-Mets...
Tim Benz: Sports Illustrated reporter sees 2 teams out front in the Adam Frazier trade sweepstakes
Wednesday’s 14-3 Pirates loss to the Atlanta Braves featured another multi-hit day for All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier. Pirates fans better enjoy those moments while they can because there likely won’t be too many games between the All-Star Game next week and the July 30 trade deadline before the team...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans sound off about big picture, fret about future
The Pirates have won three of their last four, but that doesn’t seem to matter in this week’s “U mad, bro?” inbox. Buccos fans are fretting about the future, bummed about the big picture and “on tilt” about ownership. Get back to me when they’ve won 10 in a row...
First Call: A Steeler who might get cut; a player the Steelers should sign; unique WPIAL showdown at PNC Park
A running back the Steelers might cut. An offensive lineman the Steelers might sign. And high praise for Najee Harris, Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Plus, a WPIAL alumni showdown at PNC Park. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Bye-bye, Benny? ESPN.com found one NFL veteran from each...
Tim Benz: No, Twitter. Tampa Bay Lightning don’t need an asterisk if they win back-to-back Stanley Cups.
Regardless of what happens the rest of the way in the Stanley Cup Final, the Tampa Bay Lightning are about to accomplish something monumental. They’ll either eliminate the Montreal Canadiens with their next victory to become a rare squad that can boast back-to-back championships. Or they’ll blow a 3-0 series...
New Steelers guard Trai Turner thinks return to Pro Bowl form is on the horizon
Newly signed offensive lineman Trai Turner is talking about his decision to join the Pittsburgh Steelers. Turner joined the NFL Network Tuesday. The 28-year-old guard seems confident that he’ll return to the Pro Bowl form he flashed throughout much of his career. “I believe in my game. I think I’m...
First Call: Steelers’ MLB 1st-pitch fun; T.J. Watt deemed NFL 2nd-best pass rusher
According to ESPN.com, T.J. Watt is the second-best pass rusher in the NFL. In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we’ll tell you who finished atop the voting. Also, some Steelers first-pitch fun. Highlights for a current Pirate and a former Buccos star. Plus, Tampa Bay’s mayor gets her wish. Now let’s see...
Madden Tuesday: Steelers leadership, or lack thereof, on display through Devin Bush’s Twitter ramblings
To the best of my knowledge, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush didn’t go on a midnight treadmill rant. Nor did he dye his mustache blonde. Come to think of it, does he have a mustache? Maybe he could dye that ponytail of his blonde instead if he still has it....
Tim Benz: Pirates can embrace the future without so obviously spitting in the face of the present
It was just one thought from Ben Cherington during an 18-minute interview. And it was said in almost a throw-away fashion by the Pirates general manager. But I hope he was paying attention to the words coming out of his own mouth. On 93.7 The Fan Thursday, host Andrew Fillipponi...
Sean McDonough on his new NHL play-by-play role, the league’s move to ESPN and hockey broadcasting history
When news broke in March that the NHL was heading to ESPN and Turner Sports next season, many hockey fans had two consistent questions: • How will broadcasts change, if at all, from NBC’s approach? • Will ESPN really prioritize hockey coverage more in its highlight-intensive sports news shows and...
First Call: Will Steven Nelson come back? More talk of discipline for Steelers over handling of David DeCastro’s injury
Thursday’s “First Call” raises a red flag for the Steelers when it comes to the release of David DeCastro. Former Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree gushes about his time in Pittsburgh. Could Steven Nelson come back to the Steelers secondary? The Pirates have their work cut out for them with the...
