Tim Benz stories, Page 132
Tim Benz: Looking for a perfect end to Ben Roethlisberger’s Steelers career? Too late.
If we want to be honest, Ben Roethlisberger’s Steelers career effectively ended as the opening snap of this year’s wild-card game sailed over his head. All the discussion since then has essentially been nothing more than figuring out how both sides can best accept that reality. Frankly, it’s already become...
Plenty of key Kevin Colbert quotes about Steelers besides the Ben Roethlisberger talk
When I read Kevin Colbert’s quote on Wednesday about the status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s future, my antenna went up. “As we sit here today, Ben is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Well. That came off as, um, non-committal, to say the least. But when I saw the video...
First Call: Offensive tackles the Steelers may draft; Titans admit interest in J.J. Watt
Friday’s “First Call” has a look at the offensive tackle draft class Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert seems to like so much. Another AFC playoff team admits to kicking J.J. Watt’s tires. We saw a full slate of games for the Penguins and the rest of the NHL’s Eastern Division....
Tim Benz: If Ben Roethlisberger splits from the Steelers, where might he play if he doesn’t retire?
If the Pittsburgh Steelers eventually decide to release Ben Roethlisberger, the question remains if he would want to continue his career in a new city or retire. Should such a scenario develop, the most likely destination appeared to be the Indianapolis Colts. But then the Colts decided to make a...
First Call: Potential destinations for Steelers RB James Conner; another AFC contender wants J.J. Watt
Thursday’s “First Call” speculates about the future of Steelers running back James Conner. We celebrate Steelers greats, Jack Ham and Jerome Bettis. A candidate has emerged on the Deshaun Watson trade block. And yet another AFC franchise wants to be a part of the J.J. Watt conversation. Shufflin’ off to...
What numbers say about how much help Penguins’ goalies are (or aren’t) getting
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is a big hockey fan. A regular at Penguins games. He’s into Robert Morris’ program at the college level, too. Colbert said something Wednesday about his own team that I think translates quite nicely into a discussion about the Penguins. He answered a question about...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans rant about Maurkice Pouncey retiring and all the J.J. Watt talk
This week’s “U mad, bro?” has Steelers fans popping off about J.J. Watt and Maurkice Pouncey. Penguins fans speak up about Jim Rutherford. And cancel culture wants a piece of William Shakespeare. Lord, what fools these mortals be. We start with Tony. He hated last week’s “U mad, bro?” “All...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster recruiting J.J. Watt to Steelers; Mason Rudolph ‘Instagram official’ with Eugenie Bouchard
Wednesday’s “First Call” looks at the latest Steeler to tempt J.J. Watt to Pittsburgh. Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph finds himself in another celebrity romance. The Pirates’ misery loves company. And video of Adam “Pacman” Jones’ barroom brawl video has hit the internet. JuJu woos J.J. Other teams may be courting...
Tim Benz: What a free agent contract for JuJu Smith-Schuster may look like and why the projections make sense
If the Steelers were to prioritize signing receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, what would that contract look like? And what other teams might set the market? As mentioned in a recent edition of “First Call,” NFL insider John Clayton speculated on 93.7 The Fan that the Las Vegas Raiders would be a...
J.J. Watt to Browns instead of Steelers? Signals from Cleveland and Houston lean that way.
Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt may not join his brothers with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But he may come to the AFC North. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Watt is “seriously considering” a contract with the Cleveland Browns. Because, according to sources she has, the Browns have salary...
Might Penguins get late scheduling edge in Eastern Division race?
Here’s one thing the Penguins may have going for themselves as the 2021 NHL season rolls along. They have yet to play what appear to be the two weakest teams in the tightly compacted Eastern Division. And they won’t do so until March 11. That’ll be the Penguins’ first game...
First Call: Does Steelers RB James Conner need a fresh start?; Penguins TV ratings boost
Tuesday’s “First Call” begins with the prospect of a fresh start for Steelers running back James Conner. More problems for Steelers fan-favorite Adam “PacMan” Jones. Pitt’s basketball team has an all-too-familiar look to it. And Penguins television ratings are off to a strong start. Rejuvenating James Heading into NFL free...
Tim Benz: Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement frames an unfortunate reality for some Steelers stars
The retirement of center Maurkice Pouncey raises an unfortunate reality for this current era of Steelers. We are witnessing a batch of truly accomplished players who may never get to play in a Super Bowl. And that may dilute their position in the pantheon of Steelers legends. Pouncey was on...
First Call: Steelers are favorites to sign J.J. Watt; celebrating Jaromir Jagr’s birthday
Monday’s “First Call” looks at who is chasing the Steelers to sign J.J. Watt on the gambling odds boards. A grim assessments of the Steelers by a pair of national outlets. We celebrate Jaromir Jagr’s birthday. Plus a Marc Andre-Fleury shutout. No. 49 for No. 68 Jaromir Jagr’s birthday is...
Madden Monday: Evgeni Malkin’s future; might T.J. Watt eventually follow J.J. instead of the other way around?
Last week on his 105.9 The X radio show, Mark Madden said he was hearing that Penguins center Evgeni Malkin was not going to be traded and that an extension may be looming. But during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, based on some new information, those assertions have been tempered....
Tim Benz: 4 questions to answer before you buy that Steelers J.J. Watt jersey
Now that three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt has been released by the Houston Texans, that news has opened the spigot for speculation that he may join the Steelers to play with his brothers, T.J. and Derek. While such a move would do wonders for social media...
Tim Benz: If Pens fans are skeptical of Hextall-Burke duo, praise from Philadelphia may help
Some Penguins fans may be a bit slow to fully embrace Ron Hextall as the team’s new general manager because of his history with the Philadelphia Flyers. Or, perhaps better phrased, quicker to turn on him if he is not an instant success. That said, some of the loudest approvals...
Tim Benz: Fun subplot to trade rumor of Marc-Andre Fleury coming back to the Penguins
When I heard the report that the Pittsburgh Penguins tried to reacquire former goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (twice) from the Vegas Golden Knights in recent months, a lot ran through my head. Via Vegas Hockey Now, TSN’s Bob McKenzie said on NBCSN Wednesday that “the Penguins have tried ‘very hard’ since...
First Call: Penguins may extend Evgeni Malkin; potential destinations for Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown
Friday’s “First Call” will quell concerns of those who were worried that Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin might get traded. Or, on the other hand, it might anger those who wanted to see him moved. Also, Tom Brady is scheduled for surgery. One outlet predicts that Antonio Brown is staying...
Friday Football Footnotes: Who was the ‘Most improved’ Steeler in 2020? Is Al Villanueva a ‘must keep’?
Pittsburgh Steelers fans, we haven’t done “Friday Football Footnotes” at “Breakfast With Benz” for a while, have we? Well, now is as good a time as any. There are lots of little Steelers nuggets to digest. Plus, I’ve spent way too much time shoveling the snow off my sidewalk and...
Tim Benz: If Pens fans are skeptical of Hextall-Burke duo, praise from Philadelphia may help
Some Penguins fans may be a bit slow to fully embrace Ron Hextall as the team’s new general manager because of his history with the Philadelphia Flyers. Or, perhaps better phrased, quicker to turn on him if he’s not an instant success. That said, some of the loudest approvals of...
First Call: Jets and Raiders for JuJu?; TE draft prospect for Steelers; boozin’ Tom Brady; cussin’ Bruce Arians
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us a potential destination for JuJu Smith-Schuster. Two, actually. And some money projections as well. Also, a tight end draft projection for the Steelers. Remembering the departure of a Steelers legend. And Tom Brady may have been overserved at the Super Bowl party in Tampa. JuJu...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans defend Big Ben, City of Champions rep, rip Tom Brady
So let me get this straight, Pittsburgh sports fans. The Penguins just hired their boogeyman from the 1980s to be their new general manager. His new boss is a guy who openly jabbed the franchise on two different occasions. The power play is a mess. And Tristan Jarry is about...
First Call: Bruce Arians describes dismissal from Pittsburgh; Steelers linked to Bengals free agent
Wednesday’s “First Call” features an interesting free agency theory for the Steelers. Also, Bill Cowher’s goodbye to Marty Schottenheimer. And admission from Bruce Arians about his dismissal from the Steelers. And a new job for Antwaan Randle El. Plus, a former Pitt star earns a Super Bowl ring. And a...
Alan Faneca’s Hall of Fame-worthy account of his signature Steelers moment
As is the case with many Pro Football Hall of Famers, most of the Steelers in Canton, Ohio, delivered a “Hall of Fame moment.” That one iconic piece of video. That one unforgettable highlight which captures the player’s essence. Usually on a big stage like the playoffs or the Super...
