Tim Benz stories, Page 167
Tim Benz: Is Mike Tomlin too committed to Mason Rudolph as Steelers’ QB?Video
Me? What would I do at the Steelers quarterback position? I’d start Devlin “Duck” Hodges Sunday versus the Cleveland Browns. That takes a lot for me to say. I was a big fan of Mason Rudolph coming out of Oklahoma State, and I lauded the Steelers’ decision to draft him...
First Call: Browns player hopes Steelers start Mason Rudolph, AFC playoff picture is tightVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we take a look at the AFC Wild Card race. A Cleveland Brown taunts Mason Rudolph. An ugly hockey injury. And a heartwarming football moment. Sassy Sheldon Browns defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson wants to see the Steelers start Mason Rudolph next week when the teams play...
Mark Madden, Tim Benz: For Steelers, is it Devlin Hodges or Mason Rudolph?
“Madden Monday” this week starts off talking about a Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback controversy between Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges. It ends with a conversation about “Man in the High Castle.” That’s a television show set in an alternate reality in which the Allied Forces lost World War II. I’m not...
Tim Benz: Airing of grievances after all-too-difficult Steelers win over BengalsVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers won a divisional road game with their third-string quarterback to move back into a playoff position. So what’s to complain about, right? Well, when the result was a scattered 16-10 nail-biter in the shadow of the Cincinnati Bengals 0-11 “Escaloser” at Paul Brown Stadium, I hope you’ll...
Tim Benz: Feats of strength after excruciating Steelers win over BengalsVideo
You know how it’s going to go this week. All “Duck vs. Mason.” All the time. Not that Devlin Hodges doesn’t deserve credit for sparking the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16-10 comeback win. He does. But aside from one pass, Hodges was only 4-for-10 for 39 yards. And he threw a really...
Tim Benz: Browns’ Myles Garrett should be suspended for what he did off the field, too
Not only should you dismiss Myles Garrett’s claim that Mason Rudolph uttered a racial slur. You also should dismiss Garrett’s defense of making it. At his hearing to reduce his suspension for ripping off Rudolph’s helmet and swinging it during Week 11 of the NFL season, Garrett apparently made the...
What, exactly, are the 0-10 Bengals trying to do heading into Steelers matchup?
So, wait. The Steelers play on Sunday? They actually have another game? See, I thought we were just going to argue about the last 14 seconds of the defeat in Cleveland last Thursday for the final six weeks of the season. I must’ve gotten some bad information. That’s probably Mason...
First Call: Patriots reportedly consider Antonio Brown reunion; mockery of Myles Garrett
In Friday’s “First Call,” are the Patriots really thinking about trying to get Antonio Brown back on their roster? Myles Garrett’s celebrity twin. The Bengals have many problems. We focus on one in particular. And former Pitt basketball star Steven Adams brings the funny in a new commercial. `Kicking the...
Tim Benz: Should Steelers bring back wildcat vs. Bengals again?Video
It felt a little dirty, didn’t it? Digging that deep into your bag of tricks. To beat that team. At home. That was my reaction after the 0-3 Steelers frequently busted out the “wildcat” look en route to beating the 0-3 Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football back on Sept....
First Call: OBJ explains mocking Steelers’ Mike Tomlin; Hue Jackson wants Colin Kaepernick in PittsburghVideo
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Hue Jackson wants Colin Kaepernick to wind up in Pittsburgh. Odell Beckham Jr. explains his yawn gesture toward Mike Tomlin. And an NHL ref with Pittsburgh ties has a bad night. Not so boring If Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was bored by the addition of...
Another Penguins-Islanders battle: More scoring, lots of stress
Penguins fans, sick of the New York Islanders yet? I already was after the playoffs last spring. And I sure as heck am now! On Thursday night, we will witness the third game in 14 days between these two clubs. The Penguins won Game 1 of the season series 4-3...
U mad, bro? Readers accuse Mason Rudolph of starting Steelers-Browns brawl, Tim Benz of racism
This may have been the easiest week yet to compile angry responses for “U mad, bro?” Or maybe it was the hardest. In terms of volume, I may have had more feedback on the Myles Garrett helmet attack on Mason Rudolph than I have received on any other single topic....
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Mike Tomlin’s comments on Myles Garrett triggers rage from Browns fans
During his weekly press conference Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made the following comments about Myles Garrett swinging his helmet at Mason Rudolph in last Thursday’s game. He was asked if it was at all a “teachable moment” for his players. “I don’t know that we did anything to...
Red Sox writer shares what Pirates fans should know about Ben Cherington
If you are a Pirates fan looking for a guy to give you great background on the Boston Red Sox during Ben Cherington’s time there, check out Alex Speier. He has covered the Red Sox for 17 years. Speier currently works for the Boston Globe and NESN. He also wrote...
First Call: Antonio Brown’s ‘sincere’ apologies shouldn’t stop with Robert KraftVideo
Antonio Brown is clearly trying to worm his way back into the National Football League. Specifically, by trying to get back into the good graces of the New England Patriots and team owner Robert Kraft. Brown posted this… uh… “heartfelt” apology to Robert Kraft for the early season chaos he...
Tim Benz: Penalty ruins Bryan Rust’s night in Penguins loss against IslandersVideo
What a way to ruin a night. Bryan Rust scored a goal again Tuesday night against the New York Islanders. That’s his seventh in 10 games this season. The Penguins winger nearly assisted on another one before it was waved off for offsides. He was a genuine offensive presence all...
First Call: Which Steelers RBs will make top 100?; Tyler Boyd grousing in CincinnatiVideo
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we see which Pittsburgh Steelers running backs are on the short list for the NFL’s top 100 All-Time Team. Tyler Boyd is grumbling in Cincinnati. And we have video of that NHL spitting incident involving a former Penguin. Franco and the Bus The NFL is revealing...
Fancy stats suggest Penguins are much better than their record indicates. That true?
Want hard-hitting Penguins analysis? You’ve got it! It’s in this week’s hockey podcast with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. Well, after a few minutes of discussion about Tool, Poison, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe and Kiss. Per usual. Then we get into more pressing matters such as Jim Rutherford’s...
Tim Benz: Breaking down Pirates GM Ben Cherington’s ties to Neal HuntingtonVideo
It could just be one of those “funny how things work out” stories. Or, it could make more sense than that. “He was someone who helped me get an interview for an internship with the Cleveland Indians in 1998,” new Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said of his predecessor Neal...
First Call: Steelers’ bad week got worse Sunday; plan for 17-game NFL season leakedVideo
After a beatdown in Cleveland Thursday night, the bad week for the Steelers (5-5) continued through Sunday based on what happened across the AFC. Those holding out hope that the Steelers could track down the Ravens atop the AFC North were dealt a severe blow as Baltimore wrecked the Houston...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Mason Rudolph vs. Myles Garrett, Colin Kaepernick, Ben Cherington
If you were on Twitter this weekend, it was a frustrating place to be. Nothing but people trying to soften Myles Garrett’s actions against the Steelers by way of blaming Mason Rudolph. And people pounding the Colin Kaepernick drum because he threw a nice deep ball or two against air...
Tim Benz: Defending Browns’ Myles Garrett by blaming Steelers’ Mason Rudolph is insanity
When disagreeing with someone’s opinion, there are two important rules to follow in the sports talk radio and sports columnist business. 1. No name calling. 2. Don’t make any broad generalizations about a group of people. With those rules made clear, anyone who thinks Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is to...
First Call: How Cleveland media reacted to Myles Garrett hitting Mason Rudolph with helmet
Nationally, there has been a slew of reactions to Vontaze Garrett — uh, excuse me — Myles Garrett’s helmet-swinging incident Thursday night. Hey, Myles, if O.J. Simpson is the one having your back, you probably weren’t in the right. But what are they saying in Cleveland? Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey shouldn’t be suspended for defending Mason Rudolph in Myles Garrett melee
Anyone outside of Pittsburgh will disagree with this stance, but who cares? The NFL should not suspend Maurkice Pouncey for his role in that Steelers-Browns brawl Thursday night. The Steelers center started punching and kicking Myles Garrett after Garrett swung a helmet and struck Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph during the...
How long can the Penguins survive the loss of Sidney Crosby?
Welcome to life without Sidney Crosby. At least for a little while. It’s probably going to feel like forever, though. Crosby is out at least six weeks after hernia surgery. TribLIVE Penguins beat writer Seth Rorabaugh is on hand in New Jersey as the team takes the ice for its...

