Tim Benz stories, Page 123
As bad as Pirates are, another team is playing even worse; both could be losing for a long time
Pirates fans should circle the dates of July 19-21. It’s the second series coming out of the All-Star break. That’s when the Pirates (23-44) visit the Arizona Diamondbacks (20-50). So unless Major League Baseball implements ties between now and then, one of those teams is guaranteed to claim a victory....
First Call: Some confidence in Steelers’ Chuks Okorafor; an award for Sidney Crosby as his coach is snubbed
Friday’s “First Call” has some faith in Steelers tackle Chuks Okorafor. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby gets a little love while his head coach does not. Plus, a confusing look at the future of NHL divisional play. And a milestone for a local hockey program. Take a chance on Chuks One...
Tim Benz: More money, more responsibility, but Steelers’ Cameron Sutton is still moving around so others can flash
Even as he ascends the Steelers depth chart at cornerback, Cameron Sutton’s role may not be changing all that much. For now, he’s still the guy who plays in the secondary wherever he’s asked based on whoever else is on the field at a given time. That’s not exactly untraveled...
U.S. Open preview: Can Phil Mickelson shock us again? Torrey Pines’ tricks. The money behind Bryson vs. Brooks ‘rivalry.’
Before last month’s PGA Championship, long-time Real Golf Radio host Brian Taylor joined me to preview the tournament, discuss its history and the return of fans to golf, analyze the Kiawah Island course and predict which golfers might contend. About the only thing Taylor didn’t break down was how Phil...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are fretting; Penguins fans are pushing back; Pirates fans are just fed up
This edition of “U mad, bro?” touches all the bases. Oops. Sorry. Too soon? Ke'Bryan Hayes hits a home run for the Pirates, but missed first base. #Dodgers win the challenge. It remains 0-0 pic.twitter.com/uLa7FzTFVP— AM 570 LA Sports (@AM570LASports) June 9, 2021 This week we’ve got Steelers fans fretting...
Tim Benz: Alex Highsmith’s 3-point plan to replace Bud Dupree as T.J. Watt’s OLB running mate
We already know that Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is one of the team’s biggest variables heading into 2021. Replacing Bud Dupree effectively will be no small task. Dupree had a total of 19.5 sacks and six forced fumbles over his last 27 games as a Steeler prior to...
First Call: Mike Tomlin avoids Steelers minicamp health questions; Tyler Glasnow blames MLB pitch-grip policy for injury
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is playing coy about some injury questions at minicamp. Tyler Glasnow went off about his injury and a possible connection to pitch-grip regulations. Marc-Andre Fleury is the new Conn Smythe favorite. And former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue still has concerns about gambling. All that...
Tim Benz: Potential hurdles for 12-team College Football Playoff as 2nd round of approval looms
The recently released plan to incorporate a 12-team College Football Playoff was largely met with applause last week. But it’s still a long way from becoming a reality. Remember, the idea was merely crafted by a CFB playoff subcommittee comprised of Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey,...
Stats show Matt Canada’s approach and Ben Roethlisberger’s preferences even further apart than Steelers may have thought
For those of us in the media suggesting Matt Canada’s offense will be a big change for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, we were wrong. It’s actually going to be gigantic. Well, it will be if Canada decides to incorporate many of his tendencies and preferences from his college coaching days...
First Call: Tyrann Mathieu claps back at Le’Veon Bell; Tyler Glasnow injured; Marc-Andre Fleury outduels Carey Price
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Le’Veon Bell is now getting heat from ex-teammates in Kansas City after ripping Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Super Bowl winner Chris Godwin looks back on how his Penn State days aided his career. Marc-Andre Fleury claims Game 1 in his goalie duel against Carey Price. Tyler Glasnow...
Antwaan Randle El on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot, Steelers Super Bowl memories, being a QB 20 years too soon
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randle El wasn’t on the other end of a FaceTime conversation. It was just a phone call. But as soon as the question was asked, you could easily picture the smile coming across his face. You could certainly hear it in his voice during the answer....
Tim Benz: Adam Frazier’s unique skill set leads to a remarkable start in 2021
Monday night’s 3-2 Pittsburgh Pirates loss to the Washington Nationals was rare. Not because the Pirates lost. We’re all used to that. It was rare because it didn’t feature a hit from Adam Frazier. It was just the second time in his last 16 games that the Pirates second baseman...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell doubles down on Andy Reid criticism; former WPIAL standout still on market if Steelers want him
Monday’s “First Call” gives us a fired up Le’Veon Bell. We look at some important variables on the 2021 Steelers roster. The notion of bringing a former WPIAL star back to Pittsburgh may be in the cards for the Steelers. And one Kansas City Chiefs superstar sees a Steelers rival...
Madden Monday: Steelers will give JuJu Smith-Schuster what he wants and play him outside more often; Penguins vs. Isles fallout
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster keeps talking about his desire to play outside more often this year. That may not be a great idea. Smith-Schuster is good in the slot, and if bouncing outside takes away snaps from Chase Claypool or potentially Diontae Johnson, that doesn’t sound like a...
Tim Benz: Pitt? Duquesne? Chatham? Who picks up the torch of Pittsburgh DI hockey if Robert Morris folds programs?
Hopes of saving the Robert Morris hockey teams are on life support. So the question needs to be asked if any other local universities might be interested in stepping up and filling the void for Pittsburgh area NCAA DI hockey that would be created if the Colonials can’t stay on...
First Call: Ravens looking at Todd Gurley; Browns DBs getting healthy; Robert Morris rink negotiations appear dead
Steelers fans will be interested in Friday’s “First Call” as we have updates on two AFC North rivals. The Cleveland Browns are getting healthy in the secondary, and the Baltimore Ravens’ deep group of running backs may be adding another familiar name. Meanwhile, we celebrate the present and the past...
Despite sweep by Dodgers, Pirates insist they have ‘good momentum’ heading into tough June stretch
Because the Pirates are, well, the Pirates, any analysis has to be done through the prism of what they are versus what they are not. What they are not is a Major League team with any goal of challenging for a playoff spot in 2021. What they are is a...
Tim Benz: College football playoff expansion idea is good, but don’t go too far
The new college football playoff proposal is a case of a good idea that’s going half a step too far. According to multiple national reports Thursday, the current four-team format would extend to 12 schools. It’d be composed of the six highest-ranked conference champions, followed by the six highest-ranked at-large...
First Call: Steelers’ Devin Bush ‘100%’ sure he can cover Browns’ Jarvis Landry; Ray Shero’s new job; Dave Parker turns 70
Thursday’s “First Call” features a bold Devin Bush, as the Steelers linebacker talks about tough tasks in coverage. There are a few newsworthy items about some former Penn State stars. A familiar Penguins face is heading out to Minnesota to reunite with Bill Guerin. Plus, we wish a happy birthday...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick says ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Agreed. But how ’bout a tune up?
This week at Steelers organized team activities, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was asked about the prospect of his role in the 2021 defense and if it will change much from his first two All-Pro seasons in Pittsburgh. “I don’t think too much is going to change,” Fitzpatrick replied. “If it ain’t...
U mad, bro?: Pirates pitiful mishaps, odious ownership, putrid Penguins playoff goaltending have readers ranting
A precarious Penguins future. Pathetic Pirates performances. Odious ownership. Oh, and, of course, last week’s edition of this column. That’s what has readers ravenous in this week’s “U mad, bro?” But that’s pretty standard by now, isn’t it? We kick things off with a tweet about the Penguins from Wayne....
First Call: Minkah Fitzpatrick wanted fifth-year option for Steelers’ teammate; Gerrit Cole’s awkward Spider Tack response
Wednesday’s “First Call” features interesting comments by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on some recent front office decisions. Gerrit Cole gives a bizarre explanation about Spider Tack. Levon Kirkland sees a lot of himself in a potential NFL star linebacker. And yet another entertaining game out west between the Colorado...
Robert Morris hockey players withholding transfer announcements to show solidarity with Colonials programs, ex-teammates
With every passing day, it’s getting harder and harder to resuscitate the Robert Morris hockey programs. It’s been almost two weeks since the university abruptly eliminated the successful men’s and women’s teams. While supporters and alumni are scurrying to come up with funds to keep them alive — or plans...
Tim Benz: Steelers QB Mason Rudolph is certain about his uncertainty, and that’s OK with him
There’s one thing Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph can’t buy with his one-year, $5 million contract extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Certainty. Peace of mind? Maybe. To a degree, anyway. But certainty? No. All that contract means (announced an hour before the 2021 NFL Draft on April 29) is that Rudolph...
First Call: High hopes for Steelers’ Najee Harris; Bruce Arians gets bump in pay; long range depth for Ravens O-line
Expectations are already high for Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Najee Harris. Bruce Arians is getting a bump in pay for winning a Super Bowl ring. Depth is coming for the Baltimore Ravens offensive line. But not this year. And now we have an idea of how the Duquesne basketball...
