Tim Benz stories, Page 152
Madden Monday: How MLB and NHL are getting in their own way, Steelers talk
After a week off, the “Madden Monday” podcast is back. Mark Madden and Tim Benz take a long look at attempts to reboot the NHL and MLB seasons. Why are both leagues constantly getting in their own way? From a hockey perspective, the issue seems to be how long things...
Tim Benz: Steelers players miss the mark by blaming the media for Drew Brees controversy
A lot of blame can be thrown around for a lot of different issues these days. There’s no shortage of it. A heaping tablespoon can be served to media members (and outlets) regarding coverage and commentary surrounding the covid-19 pandemic and civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s death...
Why Steelers WR Diontae Johnson could be a breakout fantasy star. And 1 thing holding him back.
If Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson was really injured most of 2019, how good can he be in 2020? That’s a question Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner is going to have to ask. Opposing defenses, too. Not to mention who really matters — YOU! When your fantasy football draft comes...
First Call: A subtle reason why the NFL’s 4th-and-15 onside kick alternative failed to pass
For our final “First Call” before vacation, we look at that dippy NFL proposal to have a fourth-and-15 alternative for an onside kick. Owners decided to table the proposal after an initial show of hands revealed a split 16-16 vote, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. In the...
U mad, bro? Readers rant about Steelers outlook, college football, NHL reboot, Antonio Brown
I’m not mad today. I know. That’s rare. I’ve got a week of vacation coming up. So I’m in a good mood. As good of a mood as one can have given the circumstances of the present day. But, apparently, some things in the sports world still have you fine...
How and when you watch the Penguins in the rebooted NHL may be a little different
Nothing about the partially completed plan to resume NHL play is normal. Hub cities. Quarantine. Buildings without fans. The playoff structure itself. Just to scratch the surface. Something else that may be odd is how we watch the games. From their start times to how they are called. We’ve all...
Tim Benz: Don’t underestimate what the loss of college football could really mean
There have been a lot of frustrating angles to covering sports during the coronavirus pandemic. Most notably, of course, has been the complete and total shutdown of them. I’ve found that … bothersome. You? A close second, though, is the cavalier reaction from some claiming that, “Sports aren’t important at...
First Call: Antonio Brown working out with Redskins QB; more Minkah Fitzpatrick honors
Thursday’s “First Call” tells us which quarterback is flirting with Antonio Brown now. Anthony Chickillo talks about his new home in New Orleans. And more praise for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Mr. Big Chest goes to Washington? Well, not yet. But it seems as if he’d like to. The latest quarterback to...
Tim Benz: The NHL’s return to play address wasn’t a plan. It was more of an update.
When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made his return to play announcement Tuesday, was I the only one who walked away feeling like Clark W. Griswold in “Christmas Vacation”? Many of us were expecting details, dates, locations and playoff systems. Instead, we got a subscription to the “Jelly of the Month”...
First Call: A deeper look at Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s odds for coach of the year
Wednesday’s “First Call” looks at why there was no push for Mike Tomlin in the NFL Coach of the Year gambling odds. We fix a “Super Snub.” And a little free advice for Peyton Manning. Money on Mike? You may have seen that NFL Coach of the Year odds are...
Tim Benz: If Minkah Fitzpatrick starts moving around, which Steelers move with him?
Minkah Fitzpatrick has made his opinion known. The Steelers safety would like to move around on defense more often. At the Pro Bowl this year, Fitzpatrick said he may like to do something besides just play the deep middle or one half of the field. It’s Fitzpatrick’s belief that his...
First Call: ESPN’s ‘Lance’ documentary isn’t ‘The Last Dance.’ And that’s OK.
For Monday’s “First Call,” we review Episode 1 of the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about Lance Armstrong. “Lance” depicts the complicated story of the cancer-beating, EPO-using, self-absorbed cycling champion-turned-cautionary tale. And if you are coming to the 9 p.m. Sunday time slot to find the sequel Michael Jordan’s “The...
Tim Benz: Sorry, Penguins fans. A 2020 NHL relaunch was never going to be perfect.
Let’s get this out of the way right now, Penguins fans. From everything we are hearing about the return-to-play format for the NHL, it does put the screws to your favorite team. It may result in the Pens being eliminated during a play-in round. This despite finishing the pre-pandemic regular...
Mark Madden on ‘superficial’ Steelers, ‘cowardly’ Pitt, ‘creep’ Vince McMahon
This week’s “Madden Monday” podcast comes at you a day later than normal because of the Memorial Day weekend. But that just gives us more content to unearth. We start with Mark’s column over the weekend. It examines the Steelers’ locker room culture. Mark believes it has become too superficial....
Debate rages over Gov. Wolf’s comments about return of sports in Pa.
I feel like Dante in the movie “Clerks.” “I’m not even supposed to be here today!” Yeah, this was supposed to be an off day. Extend the holiday weekend a bit. But I got a call from one of our editors last night, asking if I’d be willing to do...
Tim Benz: Gov. Wolf’s comments about sports fans were arrogant and inaccurate
While exploring the prospect of major sports events returning to Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf put his foot in his mouth. Even while wearing a facemask. Yup, for this guy, that’s possible. Apparently, Wolf isn’t satisfied telling Pittsburgh’s quarterback whether he can get his haircut. He’s also telling Pittsburgh fans whether...
What makes a good linemate for Sidney Crosby? And what makes him so great?
Thursday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast features Sonny Sachdeva. He’s the Sportsnet.ca writer who put together the piece about Sidney Crosby’s linemates over the years. He chronicled the likes of Patric Hornqvist, Colby Armstrong, Chris Kunitz and many others — dating all the way back to juniors. It’s a really interesting...
First Call: Sleepers may prove to be biggest contributors from 2020 Steelers draft
NFL first-round picks are usually supposed to contribute in at least some significant capacity as rookies. Just look at the Steelers’ track record over the past decade. Maurkice Pouncey started all 16 games as a rookie center in 2010. T.J. Watt started 15 at outside linebacker in 2017. David DeCastro...
Tim Benz: Gov. Wolf’s comments about sports fans were arrogant and inaccurate
While exploring the prospect of major sports events returning to Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf put his foot in his mouth. Even while wearing a facemask. Yup, for this guy, that’s possible. Apparently, Wolf isn’t satisfied telling Pittsburgh’s quarterback whether he can get his haircut. He’s also telling Pittsburgh fans whether...
‘U mad, bro?’: Fans hot over Harrison’s envelope, Pirates payroll, Crosby comparisons
This week’s “U mad, bro?” hits on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates alike. So all the Pittsburgh pro sports fan bases can be satisfied with those who are unsatisfied! We look for balance here at “Breakfast With Benz,” and we aim to please. Or agitate. Whatever comes first. It...
First Call: How to bet on Big Ben. Why some national guys won’t. Bad options for his backup.Video
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” we look at how you should — or shouldn’t — bet on some individual Pittsburgh Steelers. One national take on the Steelers I like. One I don’t. And the ugly reality of the NFL quarterback situation. Who wants to bet big on Big Ben? FoxBet.com has...
Curtis Martin on Pitt Hall of Fame, advice for James Conner, beating Steelers in playoffs
Curtis Martin’s relationship with football has always been complicated. Especially since it seems like the sport chased him more than he pursued it. Martin’s mother, Rochella, essentially dragged her son onto the field to keep him occupied and out of trouble. So, for his senior year at Taylor Allderdice High...
First Call: Odell Beckham Jr. jabs Myles Garrett over helmet swing; Watt brothers’ ‘Ultimate Tag’ to debut
How do you connect the dots between ESPN’s “Last Dance” documentary about Michael Jordan and the Pittsburgh Steelers? Follow along. One of the scenes from Monday’s finale of the documentary depicted some exaggerated backside slapping between Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone during the 1998 NBA Finals. Cleveland Browns defensive lineman...
Some goals. Some goons. A brawl. A building. The top 20 Penguins grudges of all time.
Last week, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan published a list of unresolved grievances for every NHL team. She got an assist from ESPN producer and Pittsburgh-area product Denny Wolfe for some perspective. And it’s a pretty good list of the unresolved anger issues Penguins fans hold in the pit of their gut....
Tim Benz: A link between the Rooney Rule and the NFL Draft is bad. What it says about the league is worse.
The NFL’s plan to expand the Rooney Rule is bad. The commentary the league is making about itself for even considering such a proposal is even worse. The NFL has only four minority head coaches (Mike Tomlin, Steelers; Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins; Anthony Lynn, Los Angeles Chargers; and Ron Rivera,...
