Tim Benz stories, Page 160
Tim Benz, Mark Madden tackle Penguins’ recent losses, Pitt violations, Steelers’ needs, Pirates spring training
Last Monday, it was tough to come up with a negative thing to say about the Pittsburgh Penguins. This Monday, it’s tough to find something good. The Pens have lost three games in a row. They’ve given up 14 goals in the defeats, and the Philadelphia Flyers are closing in...
Tim Benz: The NCAA rule book is dumb. And so were Pitt’s violations of it.Video
The NCAA rule book is far too dense. The application of those rules is woefully random. And its allocation of discipline when those rules are broken is horribly inconsistent. Technically, those are just my opinions. But I dare you to find me a fan of college athletics who doesn’t presume...
Tim Benz, Jerry DiPaola take deep look into Pitt athletics violations
Pitt’s athletic program has been placed on three years’ probation, and both the football and men’s basketball teams were given penalties for rules violations and cover-ups between August 2015 and March 2018. Oh no! Does that mean the legendary 7-7 football team that went to the ACC Championship Game has...
First Call: Antonio Brown mocks himself with video of weightlifting accident
Friday’s “First Call” pays a visit to a familiar destination. Antonio Brown’s Twitter account. In an effort to maintain his self-titled nickname of “Mr. Big Chest,” the former Steelers receiver may have earned another. Mr. Big Headache. Actually, come to think of it, he has earned that nickname already, hasn’t...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ honey-do lists should keep Kevin Colbert busy
ESPN.com’s Bill Barnwell took on the heavy task of outlining the top five needs for every NFL team. Essentially, a team-by-team to-do list. It’s a good post. Some worthwhile suggestions. Especially for all the clubs in the AFC North. Definitely worth a read. We’ll take a look at his ideas...
First Call: Carly Zucker wins Twitter; Tom Brady and Chris Kreider updates; XFL ratings
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a Tom Brady update. Where is Chris Kreider going to wind up? Jason Zucker’s wife wins Twitter for a night. Destination TBA The Penguins decided to go in a different direction than Chris Kreider. The New York Rangers forward was believed to be a target of...
Lawyer discusses what could happen if Mason Rudolph sues Myles Garrett for defamation
Of all the ridiculous things that were said by ESPN panelists over the past week regarding the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph situation, one of them genuinely made me laugh. In the moments after Mike Tomlin’s interview on “First Take” where he defended Rudolph against Garrett’s reiterated charge of a racial slur,...
U mad, bro? Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph issue leads to most angry week yet
I know what you are thinking. Easiest “U mad, bro?” week … ever! Wrong. Oh. In terms of volume? Yes. For sure. In the wake of Myles Garrett reiterating his charge that Mason Rudolph used a racial slur against him, Rudolph’s denial of it, and my opinions on it, I...
Tim Benz: Max Talbot on nuances of being winger for Sidney Crosby vs. Evgeni Malkin
Maybe too much was made of it. But the quote did kinda just hang out there. After Jason Zucker’s first game with the Pittsburgh Penguins — a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning last week — captain Sidney Crosby probably thought he was giving Zucker a compliment. “Regardless of...
Tim Benz, Brian Metzer: How Jason Zucker is fitting in with Penguins, getting more from Patric Hornqvist, another trade?
Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast features our usual hockey chat with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. The two of us discuss how Jason Zucker is fitting in. We also analyze the various line combinations head coach Mike Sullivan is trying. Injuries continue to be a story. Brian Dumoulin...
First Call: Mason Rudolph responds to Mike Tomlin’s interview, ex-Browns GM backs Myles Garrett, Andrew McCutchen update
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Mason Rudolph responds to Mike Tomlin’s support. Myles Garrett’s corner is rallying, too. And Andrew McCutchen is trying to make a comeback in Philadelphia. Thanks, Coach Steelers coach Mike Tomlin publicly supported quarterback Mason Rudolph Monday. He vehemently refuted Myles Garrett’s reiterated claim that Rudolph used...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins’ big weekend, Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph racism claims
There’s a lot of ground to cover in this week’s “Madden Monday.” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to talk Penguins hockey, football and the start of another Major League Baseball season. We begin with the Penguins and their wins Friday and Sunday. They beat up on the...
First Call: NFL player says Ben Roethlisberger tanked 2019, RMU coach explodes on refs
Monday’s “First Call” features an NFL player suggesting Ben Roethlisberger tanked last season. Robert Morris got robbed on the basketball court Saturday. And a major twist in the NFL CBA that could impact the Steelers. Hot Take Thomas Last year, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Thomas Davis led his team in...
Tim Benz: ESPN coverage of Myles Garrett vs. Mason Rudolph was a disgrace
The only thing more maddening than the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph situation has been ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” coverage of it. It was biased, agenda-driven and, at times, vengeful. Not just toward Rudolph. But toward the Steelers as well. On Thursday, ESPN released a condensed version of an interview between Mina...
Tim Benz: NFL must stop Myles Garrett from making racism claims against Mason Rudolph
After Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was reinstated by the NFL this week, he reiterated his claim that Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph called him a racial slur. And, Garrett said, that’s what touched off the helmet-swinging brawl which occurred between the teams last season. I am just as convinced...
First Call: Jarrod Dyson’s hilarious, honest answer when asked about joining Pirates
For Friday’s “First Call,” I want to introduce you to my new favorite Pittsburgh Pirate. It’s recently signed center fielder Jarrod Dyson. He just inked a one-year contract for $2 million. I know. I know. I previously endorsed Kevin Pillar as my choice to replace Starling Marte. But forget him....
Can Penguins’ Jason Zucker work with Sidney Crosby long term? Or will he fit with Evgeni Malkin?
Friday may be “French Language Night” at PPG Paints Arena, but TribLIVE Penguins beat writer Seth Rorabaugh and I made the executive decision to do our weekly hockey podcast in English, anyway. Or, “en anglais,” s’il vous plaît? Sorry to disappoint. But if we tried to do it in French,...
Tim Benz: New MLB postseason proposal stinks so badly, it must be on purpose
Is it too late for another “U mad, bro?” entry? How about a celebrity nomination? This one is from Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer. He’s obviously ticked at Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred because of potential plans to expand and overhaul the MLB postseason format. No idea who made...
First Call: Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger fills in as WVU mascot; Andy Dalton likely done with BengalsVideo
It’s a football-heavy “First Call” today. Ben Roethlisberger and his beard were on display in Morgantown Tuesday. It looks like Andy Dalton is out in Cincinnati. And being a Browns and Bengals fan isn’t an excuse to get high in Ohio after all. New gig? If Ben Roethlisberger is looking...
Report: Steelers QB Mason Rudolph’s $50K fine upheld for role in Browns brawl
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph’s fine for his role in the team’s brawl with the Cleveland Browns reportedly has been upheld. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday that the NFL “recently” upheld the $50,000 fine levied on Rudolph. Actually, to put a bow on this one, Rudolph's fine was upheld...
A look at Jason Zucker from Wild’s point of view — on and off the ice
What are the Penguins really getting in former Minnesota Wild player Jason Zucker? On one hand, it appears that the recently acquired forward is the most simple guy in the world. Pretty much every scouting report you hear is the same thing. A straight-ahead winger. Fast. Good shot. Honest. Good...
U mad, bro? Readers defend and attack Penguins trade, lash out at Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Bud Dupree
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is laced with Penguins fans who don’t like the trade for Jason Zucker. Then there are those who want me to like it more than I do. We also get the usual bile for Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and Bud Dupree. Also, we sprinkle in...
First Call: Bold claim about Steelers view of Ben Roethlisberger; Alex Galchenyuk’s debut with Wild
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” someone is calling for Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. Alex Galchenyuk made his Minnesota Wild debut. A frightening NHL event. Michigan State may have its coach. “Monday Night Football” games may get flexed. You might be a little early on this Former NFL player-turned-NFL analyst Chris Canty plunged...
Mike Eruzione on how legend of 1980 Olympic team continues to thrive
I’ve gotta be on the cusp. Don’t I? Completely on the outer edge of the age range. I mean, if you are even a few months younger than me you probably don’t remember. Right? At 45 years old, my earliest sports memories were largely constructed in those few months between...
Tim Benz: Sorting through Jason Zucker trade and his Penguins debut
For almost two days now, I’ve been trying to find my bottom-line stance on the Penguins’ decision to acquire Minnesota Wild winger Jason Zucker. And after seeing him in black and gold for about 62 minutes Tuesday night in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, I’m still...
