Tim Benz stories, Page 166
Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry’s stock rises while Matt Murray struggles
In this week’s Penguins podcast, I talk hockey with Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer. After we discuss the Def Leppard-Motley Crue-Poison concert, of course. We analyze Tristan Jarry’s efforts to open up the goaltending job. We also flashback to Phil Kessel’s return. The victory over Detroit. And Matt Murray’s...
Tim Benz: Hideous fake punt among grievances in Steelers win over CardinalsVideo
For a guy who was getting “Coach of the Year” hype all week, Mike Tomlin sure made a lot of people mad in Pittsburgh on Sunday. A few of his and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner’s coaching decisions made it into this week’s “Airing of Grievances.” And we don’t stop there!...
First Call: Biggest threat to Steelers playoff hopes; Browns drama continuesVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we look at the biggest outside threat to the Steelers’ playoff hopes. Also, drama continues to swirl around the Browns, even in victory. And a former Steeler has a huge afternoon. Titan-ic effort The Tennessee Titans were once 2-4. Now they are the biggest threat to...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden: Steelers keep winning, Penguins take a pair, Pitt’s lousy bowl
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to talk Steelers, Penguins and college football. We start off by discussing the 23-17 Steelers win over the Arizona Cardinals. Devlin Hodges continues to defy logic with each passing victory. Can he keep it up against a...
Tim Benz: Duck, Diontae, defense lead Steelers’ feats of strength in win over CardinalsVideo
It all makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? An undrafted rookie quarterback from Samford beating back-to-back No. 1 overall picks. Well, that’s what it has come down to for Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The Steelers fourth-string quarterback has managed to beat both Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray in back-to-back weeks. And he...
U mad, bro? Readers sound off on Steelers QBs, NFL refs; Browns fans can’t let it go
I know why you are mad. You are mad because I skipped “U mad, bro?” on Thursday when I took a personal day. That’s fair. You should be. You need it. You love it. You missed it. Let me fix this and make you whole again. Here’s a special Friday...
First Call: Antonio Brown begs for Patriots reunion; Yankees green light huge cash for Gerrit Cole
Friday’s “First Call” gives us Phil Kessel’s unique headgear, Antonio Brown’s plea for a job, Gerrit Cole’s huge contract on the horizon and a Pitt player emerges from nowhere in the NFL. Take me back! Please! Antonio Brown’s online flirtation with the New England Patriots continues. The outcast wide receiver...
Kessel Comeback: Phil Kessel returns to Pittsburgh with 1st-place Coyotes
The “Kessel Comeback” is upon us! Friday night marks the return of Phil Kessel to PPG Paints Arena. The two-time Penguins Stanley Cup champion takes to Pittsburgh ice for the first time since leaving for the Arizona Coyotes in a summer trade. Before Thursday night, Kessel had been struggling. The...
Tim Benz: Steelers contained Baker Mayfield, but Cardinals’ Kyler Murray presents new challenge
Here’s something you’ve probably heard a thousand times this week as the Steelers get ready to visit the Arizona Cardinals. “Don’t sleep on the Cardinals. They can score some points.” OK. But do they really? The 3-8-1 Cardinals average 21.2 points per game. That’s good for just 20th in football....
First Call: Devlin Hodges’ sudden fame; Le’Veon Bell to be traded?; cold Kessel; hot Flyers
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at Devlin Hodges’ sudden fame, Phil Kessel’s struggles, Le’Veon Bell’s uncertain future with the New York Jets, and the Yankees’ flirtations with Gerrit Cole. This is going well Le’Veon Bell’s run in New York is already being labeled a failure. Year 1 isn’t even over yet....
Tim Benz, Kevin Gorman: Will Steelers feel at home against Cardinals?
Kevin Gorman is a jerk. He gets to go to Arizona on the road trip to cover the Steelers for TribLive. They play the Cardinals there on Sunday. Meanwhile, I’ll be pounding out “Airing of Grievances” or “Feats of Strength” at 11:30 at night in 30-degree weather back home in...
Tim Benz: How do Steelers avoid ‘bad Tomlin loss’ to Cardinals? Listen to the coachVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six of their last seven games. They are about to go on the road to play an Arizona Cardinals team that has lost five in a row and is 3-8-1. You can’t blame head coach Mike Tomlin for trying to prop up the opponent in...
First Call: Another Antonio Brown social media screwup, Cardinals’ messy defense
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Antonio Brown keeps burning bridges. The Cardinals defense is primed to be picked apart. The Penguins have a tough challenge in their rematch against St. Louis. Oh boy, A.B. Former Steeler Antonio Brown still seems to be confused about the best path to getting back into...
Tim Benz, Brian Metzer: Rash of injuries may have caught up to Penguins
This week’s hockey podcast with Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer is the usual 15-20 minutes in length. See if you can listen to the whole thing without getting word that another Pittsburgh Penguin has gone down with an injury. Recent history suggests you won’t be able to make it...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Mike Tomlin needs to believe in own praise for ‘Duck’ HodgesVideo
Mike Tomlin is in on his own joke. So, let’s let him have fun with it. To a point. The theme expressed by the Steelers head coach going into his team’s game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday was that he simply didn’t want new starting quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges to...
First Call: Steelers RB Benny Snell’s magic mouthguard, AFC playoff pictureVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we straighten out the AFC playoff picture, and we try to figure what is going on with Benny Snell’s mouthguard. Besides that, does anything else matter? Spin-o-rama It looks like “Benny Snell Football” may be on his way to a “Benny Snell endorsement deal.” The Steelers...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden break down Steelers’ win over Browns, Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges’ play, Penguins’ woes
A lot of dogs were fed turkey scraps over Thanksgiving weekend. The Cleveland Dawg Pound got a healthy serving of “Duck” on Sunday. And they didn’t like it. Day 121: they still do not suspect I am a duck pic.twitter.com/Qkd8TLNrcI— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 1, 2019 Duck Hodges3-0 as the...
Tim Benz: Airing of grievances even after Steelers’ win over BrownsVideo
Sure. Pittsburgh loves the “Duck.” Almost as much as it loves beating Cleveland. And it was especially sweet this time around. But that 20-13 victory over the Browns Sunday at Heinz Field wasn’t perfect. Far from it, in fact. Here’s a look at some things the Steelers can do better...
Tim Benz: Feats of strength as Steelers finish it against the BrownsVideo
Despite what they’ve been saying in Cleveland since Myles Garrett attacked Mason Rudolph with his own helmet, Pittsburgh didn’t “start it.” Pittsburgh Started It Shirt pic.twitter.com/UWrwOK6wXR— Sinbadtee (@Sinbadtees) November 23, 2019 But on Sunday at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh finished it anyway. (And they made T-shirts.) Don't look now Browns...
Tim Benz: Steelers look to improve pass rush results vs. Baker MayfieldVideo
Of the many problems facing the Steelers against the Browns this Sunday, the biggest will be their ability to get Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield to the ground. Mayfield was only sacked once, and the Steelers forced no turnovers in the first meeting between the clubs this season. That was largely...
Tim Benz, Kevin Gorman break down Mike Tomlin’s QB decision, preview Steelers-Browns
For our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast Wednesday, TribLive columnist Kevin Gorman joins me to talk about Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to bench Mason Rudolph in favor of Devlin “Duck” Hodges. There’s a lot to unpack there. But the off ramps of Tomlin’s decision are far reaching. Why is...
U mad, bro? Steelers, Browns fans go off about Mason Rudolph, Myles Garrett, Devlin HodgesVideo
In this week’s “U mad, bro?”, readers are angry about the Steelers’ quarterback controversy. And my take on it. And my view of the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph debate. And my support of Devlin Hodges. And my partnership with Mark Madden. And pretty much anything else I’ve said the past week....
Tim Benz: It’s time for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to support Devlin HodgesVideo
This isn’t a change Mike Tomlin wants to make. He has to make it. On Tuesday, the Steelers head coach couldn’t have made that sentiment more clear if he tried. Come to think of it, he basically did. In describing why he made the decision to replace struggling quarterback Mason...
First Call: Baker Mayfield’s skills, ruffled Raven, Casey DeSmith highlightsVideo
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at what Baker Mayfield is doing right lately for the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens and Rams weren’t happy with each other after their Monday night game. And Casey DeSmith sparkles in the AHL. Keep an eye on it Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield got...
Tim Benz, Brian Metzer: Finally, Penguins win in overtime, Alex Galchenyuk scores
After losing three straight overtime games, the Pittsburgh Penguins finally won one. After playing 14 games as a Penguin, Alex Galchenyuk finally scored a goal. Those were the two biggest stories emerging from the Penguins’ 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames Monday night. That’s where Brian Metzer and I start...
