Tim Benz stories, Page 190
First call: Are you ready for Antonio Brown TV?
In “First Call” Thursday, will you subscribe to A.B. TV? The Lightning blow a big lead to Columbus. And Jordan Lyles may be a Pirates hidden gem. A.B. TV? Is this what ex-Steeler Antonio Brown meant by not giving us media guys anything else to write about? Within 24 hours...
Ex-Penguins winger Tom Kuhnhackl plays surprising role in Islanders’ Game 1 win
Where Penguins coach Mike Sullivan is getting criticized for his lineup decisions in Game 1 of the Penguins’ playoff series against the Islanders, Barry Trotz is getting praise for one of his. The Islanders coach decided to dress former Penguins winger and two-time Stanley Cup champion Tom Kuhnhackl. And he...
In Twitter rant, Rashard Mendenhall calls Ben Roethlisberger ‘a racist’
Just when you thought the cycle of former Steelers blaming Antonio Brown’s actions on Ben Roethlisberger had ended, you get this accusation from former Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall. He flat out calls the Steelers quarterback a racist. Alright, I’ll end the mystery... B’s racist and @AB84’s black. He had...
Tim Benz: Steelers must meaningfully address pass-rushing depth in draft
In case you missed our “Breakfast With Benz” post about the Dane Brugler mock draft in The Athletic, it’s worth a read. The big reason why is that the piece projects the Steelers using a high-round draft choice on an edge-pass rusher/outside linebacker — Michigan’s Chase Winovich. I love that...
Podcast: What went wrong for Penguins vs. Islanders in Game 1?
It’s our weekly Sided.co hockey podcast with Pens Radio Network host Brian Metzer. He worked the postgame show Wednesday night on 105.9 the X after the Penguins lost 4-3 in overtime on Long Island in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Metzer and I picked it apart top-to-bottom. LISTEN:...
Tim Benz: Plenty to anger Penguins fans in Game 1 loss to Islanders
What does it mean? Big picture. That Game 1 loss of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs for the Penguins against the Islanders. For me, it means a series that I thought would go Pittsburgh’s way in five games will now end in six. That’s all. Otherwise, that 4-3 overtime defeat...
Masters preview: Tiger Woods’ chances, rain, possible winners
Wednesday’s Sided.co “Breakfast With Benz” podcast looks at golf. It’s our annual Masters preview with my former broadcast partner in Salt Lake, Brian Taylor. He is covering his 20th Masters this year. Round 1 is Thursday. The Par 3 tournament is today. We talk about that and how some of...
First call: Steelers mock draft with a WPIAL tie; Devils win NHL draft lottery
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” an encouraging — but odd — mock draft for the Steelers. Ray Shero scores the first pick. And heartfelt goodbyes for Dirk and D-Wade. Mega mock Dane Brugler of The Athletic went through the massive task of doing a full seven-round mock NFL Draft. Here is...
Tim Benz: Penguins defensemen embrace cliches as playoffs loom
It’s playoff time. So that means all aspects of a hockey player’s game should rise. Their skating. Hitting. Defensive intensity. And cliché usage. That’s right. As the stakes rise, so do the amount of regurgitated, empty quotes. Hockey locker rooms usually win the cliché battle among the four major sports...
Tim Benz: Get off Twitter, Antonio Brown. I dare you.
On Tuesday, Antonio Brown said he isn’t giving the media any more “ammo.” I assume that means the endless supply of hand grenades he has gifted us over the past year via social media. Not giving you media fakes no more ammo ........ enjoy my name AB !!! I am...
Podcast: Can Penguins crack Islanders’ top-ranked defense, goaltending?
In Tuesday’s Sided.co podcast, we get a preview of the Islanders from News 12 Long Island Sports Director Kevin Maher. The Penguins open in New York for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday. Among the questions we try to answer: • Can the Penguins crack New York’s...
First call: Shannon Sharpe flip-flops on Antonio Brown; new Steeler says ‘screw the Patriots’
In “First Call” Tuesday, calling out Shannon Sharpe for his Antonio Brown double talk. A new Steeler comes into Pittsburgh with Patriots hate in his heart. And Chris Davis sets the 0-fer mark. Now that’s a 180 If NFL coaches knew Shannon Sharpe could backpedal like this, he might have...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ loss to Cubs a comedy and tragedy
I’m not sure if it was more comedy or tragedy. But I know one thing about the Pirates’ loss to the Cubs Monday afternoon. I sure don’t want to see a sequel. Chicago whipped the Pirates, 10-0, in the Cubs’ home opener. Perhaps better said, the Pirates stumbled off a...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ Jake Guentzel goes from question to constant in exactly 1 year
At this time last year, Jake Guentzel wasn’t a constant. He was a question. A big one. A year ago to this day, I wrote about how crucial it was for Guentzel to snap out of a massive slump and start scoring again to give the Penguins any hope in...
First call: Shazier’s remarkable progress; Brown’s remarkable stupidity toward JuJu
In Monday’s “First Call,” the remarkable progress of Ryan Shazier. The remarkable stupidity of Antonio Brown. The remarkable early-season struggles of the Cubs. On the bright side Buried under the avalanche of negative headlines surrounding the Steelers this offseason, we can be inspired by the steady progress of Ryan Shazier....
Tim Benz, Mark Madden talk Penguins-Islanders, Antonio Brown vs. JuJu, Pirates bats
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden and I hit on the big three: The Penguins, Steelers and Pirates. We start with the Penguins and their upcoming series with the Islanders. Mark likes the Penguins in six games. I’m thinking five. Yet somehow, I’m still expecting every game to be...
Tim Benz: Winning with bats a good sign for Pirates
They needed that. Yeah. It’s early in the season. And yes, what Pittsburgh baseball purist doesn’t like back-to-back 2-0 wins? That’s what high-grade starts from Jordan Lyles and Joe Musgrove gave the Pirates on Thursday and Friday nights against the Reds. Twelve combined innings of starting pitching, no runs allowed....
Tim Benz: For Penguins, it’s minimum expectations vs. maximum anticipation
Kris Letang summed it up perfectly. The Penguins defenseman was answering questions just a few minutes after the club secured a playoff berth. His team had just beaten the Red Wings, 4-1, Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena to clinch a spot. This is the 13th year in a row...
First call: Pirates pitchers performing, hitters failing; Capitals clinch division
In “First Call” Friday, some interesting early numbers for the Pirates. The Capitals win the Metro. And the Lightning continue to chase history. That’s a good `start` A week into the season, the Pirates starting rotation has been every bit as good as you think it has. Granted, they have...
They’re in, so now what? Breaking down Penguins playoff scenarios
For those who remained at PNC Park in the ninth inning of the Pirates 2-0 win over Cincinnati, they may have felt a big gust of wind coming across Allegheny River. It was the collective sigh of 18,574 Penguins fans up the hill at PPG Paints arena. The Penguins finally...
Football footnotes: Steelers interested in West Virginia wide receiver?
Our “Friday Football Footnotes” finds a team taking more heat than the Steelers, a West Virginia draft prospect who may wind up in Pittsburgh and a popular name linked to the Steelers who may be overrated. Bad Baker? If you missed Thursday’s NFL Draft podcast with “Draft Analyst” contributor Tony...
Tim Benz: Joe Musgrove’s health essential to Pirates rotation fulfilling promise
It was said so many times last year, it almost became a running joke. “You know, that Joe Musgrove. He’s more than just a pitcher. He’s an athlete!” If you heard it once, you heard it a thousand times. From teammates, coaches, fans and media that cover the team. “Joe...
First call: Jets QB Sam Darnold already ‘loves’ Le’Veon Bell
In today’s “First Call,” Sam Darnold can’t wait to get Le’Veon Bell in the huddle in New York. Mad money for Stephen A. Smith at ESPN. The nightmare fallout for AAF players. Lovin’ Le’V Sam Darnold is already in love with Le’Veon Bell. The Jets quarterback can’t wait to start...
Can Steelers get either of ‘The Two Devins?’ NFL draft analyst discusses
In Thursday’s Sided.co podcast, Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com joins me to preview the NFL Draft. We talk about the prospect of the Steelers getting one of “The Two Devins.” No doubt, Steelers fans have zeroed in on the prospect of the local team grabbing either LSU’s Devin White or Michigan’s...
U mad, bro? Pirates fans already spent, Steelers fans burned out
In “U mad, bro?” this week, Pirates fans already are fed up. Readers challenge my coverage of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Plus my motives are brought into question for suggesting Ben Roethlisberger should give up his radio show. A Twitter follower named “havy23” fired off this message as Kolten...
