Tim Benz stories, Page 162
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster comments on Antonio Brown; Tom Brady’s mystery tweet
In Friday’s “First Call” JuJu Smith-Schuster speaks about Antonio Brown, Tom Brady sets the internet ablaze with a mysterious photo and there is potential for a local weekend sweep in college basketball. Taking the high road A frequent target of scorn for Antonio Brown in recent months has been former...
First Call: Terry Bradshaw’s new reality show, Myles Garrett update, Penguins trade talk
Thursday’s “First Call” features a new venture for Terry Bradshaw, updates on the Myles Garrett and the New England Patriots video-taping controversies, and trade talk surrounding the Penguins. Here’s some irony Over the last few decades, I think many Steelers fans have questioned Terry Bradshaw’s views on reality. Now, in...
Former NFL scout previews Super Bowl, player-prop bets, Steelers draft, Hall of Fame
The Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs is Sunday. So let’s get an educated breakdown from my “ESPN Pittsburgh” radio colleague Matt Williamson. He joined me on “105.9 the X” Monday, when I filled in for Mark Madden. As a former NFL scout, Matt has...
U mad, bro? Some Pirates fans bash Starling Marte trade. Others bash Tim Benz for bashing it.
This week’s “U mad, bro?” was easy. Everybody was mad about the Pirates trading Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two 19-year-old prospects, who are years away from making their big-league debuts. You are either mad about the trade. Or you are mad at those being critical of it....
First Call: Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski explains outburst; Ray Lewis endorses Steelers’ Hall of Fame candidates
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Mike Krzyzewski explains his odd outburst at his own student section during a win over Pitt Tuesday. Pitt football loses a legend. Shaquille O’Neal discusses the loss of Kobe Bryant. Ray Lewis and Rod Woodson endorse both Troy Polamalu and Alan Faneca for the Hall of...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Alan Faneca has grown ‘wary’ of Hall of Fame process. Me too.
If former Steelers All-Pro Alan Faneca is feeling good about his chances of election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, he’s hiding it. “I feel about it like I do every time,” Faneca told me Monday on 105.9 the X .“You are excited. You never know which...
Tim Benz: If Pirates are serious about getting a real MLB center fielder, here’s an ideaVideo
Here are the options for the Pirates in the outfield now that Starling Marte has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. 1. Move Bryan Reynolds to center field and have newly acquired Guillermo Heredia play left field. 2. Keep Reynolds in left field and have Heredia play center. 3. Move...
First Call: Diamondbacks bask in Starling Marte trade; Montana’s advice for Brady; big games for Pitt and Duquesne
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Arizona is celebrating the Starling Marte trade in a way we might not like. Joe Montana has advice for Tom Brady. LeSean McCoy talks about his reduced role. Jeff Capel’s return to Duke. And stunning numbers for Duquesne’s big game Wednesday. Hey! You can’t do that!...
A look at Penguins depth on defense, trade mentality, goalies, competition
A week off for the Penguins doesn’t mean a week off for Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. He joins us for his weekly hockey chat even though the Penguins are continuing their break until Friday. Brian gives us his thoughts on the All-Star weekend and breakout media star...
Tim Benz: Different melody, same lyrics from Pirates after Starling Marte trade
Ask someone more social media savvy than me. You know, one of “these kids today.” But I think now that Ben Cherington has made his first significant trade as Pirates general manager, this would be an appropriate time to go with the Spider-Man meme that I see on Twitter all...
First Call: T.J. Watt shines at Pro Bowl, Kris Letang’s son becomes All-Star media darlingVideo
Monday’s “First Call” features T.J. Watt’s big play in the Pro Bowl. Kris Letang’s son was the star of stars at the NHL All-Star Game. NBA and NFL players honor Kobe Bryant. Cameras capture Tiger Woods’ reaction to the news about Bryant in real time. TD for T.J. Pittsburgh Steelers...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden: Kobe Bryant’s death, PiratesFest futility, Penguins second half, Super Bowl preview
This week’s “Madden Monday” starts on a somber note as we address the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Mark Madden and I discuss his legacy, his place in NBA history, what made him unique, and the sad memories Pittsburghers may have of Roberto Clemente’s passing as a result. After...
Tim Benz: Duquesne coach shares his memories of playing in NBA against Kobe BryantVideo
How many charges do you think a guy takes by the time he makes it to the NBA? Hundreds probably. Thousands, maybe? Of them, how many do you think a player actually remembers? Well, Duquesne assistant basketball coach Carl Thomas certainly has one that stands out. Because it came from...
Antonio Brown ordered to seek mental health evaluation, drug and alcohol testing
A judge has ordered former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown to seek a mental health evaluation within 10 days of his release from jail. ESPN reported the former All-Pro’s bond was set at $110,000 for charges including felony burglary with battery. Brown made an appearance in front of a judge...
First Call: Video of Antonio Brown turning himself in; NFL draft tight end emerges
For Friday’s “First Call,” you can watch Antonio Brown turn himself in as he goes to jail. Maybe the Steelers should pay attention to a small conference tight end who is emerging at the Senior Bowl. Pitt and Duquesne hit the road in college hoops. Robert Morris has a big...
Stan Savran reflects on 45 years of broadcasting Pittsburgh sports
After four-and-a-half decades in Pittsburgh sports media, Stan Savran has done it all. Yes, yes. Even this podcast. Twice now! In honor of Savran’s 45th anniversary on the air in our city, he joined me to discuss some of his many memories of covering sports in the Western Pennsylvania market....
Tim Benz: Ben Roethlisberger, his draft peers and QB mortality
On Wednesday, I got this text from someone who covers another NFL team besides the Steelers. He was at the Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala. “(Mike) Tomlin is standing right here watching quarterbacks pretty closely.” Sure. I admit it. Upon reading that, my brain went places for a cheap...
Taking stock of Penguins’ health, goaltending and trade mentality at break
A break for the Pittsburgh Penguins means a break for our hockey beat writer Seth Rorabaugh. But not before we get one more podcast out of him prior to the All Star game. While the rest of hockey returns on Monday, the Penguins don’t come back until Jan. 31. And...
U mad, bro? Prickly Pitt fans, Matt Murray defenders, Barry Bonds debaters sound off
How are we going to start this week’s “U mad, bro?” With me being mad. That’s how. I was mad because I got locked out of my email. My stupid password expired. Why do they make me update that thing so often?! So I couldn’t get to my usual material...
Tim Benz: Penguins better come back sharp from break. And fast.
That didn’t go as hoped. Aside from the obvious goal of grabbing two points against the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game before a 10-day break, the Penguins had some other items on their agenda. “We want to put a full game together,” captain Sidney Crosby said after Sunday’s exciting...
First Call: Watt brother to host ‘SNL’, Chris Archer rips Astros, Todd Graham’s new job, Kansas hoops brawl
In Wednesday’s “First Call”: J.J. Watt to host SNL. Chris Archer fires at the Houston Astros. A major basketball brawl. A new home for Todd Graham. Live! From New York … How big of a personality is Houston Texans star J.J. Watt? Big enough to host “Saturday Night Live” on...
Mike DeCourcy talks huge night for Duquesne, Pitt hoops; Ben Roethlisberger; Super Bowl
It’s a big night for Western Pennsylvania college basketball on Wednesday. Pitt plays host to Boston College at 9 p.m. Duquesne visits Rhode Island at 7 p.m. And Penn State visits Michigan at 7 p.m. So we turn to college basketball expert Mike DeCourcy from The Sporting News and the...
Tim Benz: Let’s break down this list of potential Steelers free agent targets
The Steelers don’t have a first-round draft choice this year. No, Minkah Fitzpatrick doesn’t count. Again. So will they try to fill some holes via free agency instead? We should hope. My colleagues at USA Today’s Steelers Wire listed a few potential candidates. Let’s see which ones make sense. Teddy...
First Call: Browns to hire offensive line coach that some Steelers fans wanted in Pittsburgh
At the end of the NFL regular season, if you did a Twitter search of Bill Callahan’s name, you got a ton of people suggesting the Steelers should hire him as a special assistant to help coach the offensive line. Or just get him to flat-out replace Shaun Sarrett. The...
Tim Benz, Brian Metzer talk Penguins’ Matt Murray’s state of mind, brutal schedule after break
It’s our usual Tuesday hockey podcast with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. And by usual, I mean typically unusual. Eventually we get to hockey, after much more pressing debates about Godzilla movies, baby Jabba versus baby Yoda, and Led Zeppelin covers. Following all those important topics, we get...
