Tim Benz stories, Page 192
First call: Previewing Penguins-Rangers; support for Tom Izzo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we give you a preview of Monday’s Penguins-Rangers game, a look at the weekend’s impact on the NHL’s Eastern Conference standings, some support for Tom Izzo and some height perspective on UCF’s Tacko Fall. Wrecked Rangers The Penguins get back into action Monday night against the...
Tim Benz: Emmanuel Sanders joins party of bashing Kevin Colbert, Steelers
The latest ex-Steeler to pile on the franchise is current Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Last week, Sanders told 104.3 “The Fan” in Denver about how he left the Steelers. “The Steelers offered me a crappy deal,” Sanders told the radio station. “They offered me three years, $9 million, $1...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins, start of Pirates season, Tom Izzo ‘controversy’
There is a lot to get into for “Madden Monday” this week with Mark Madden of 105.9 the X. We start with the Penguins and the impact of recently acquired forward Denis Sav … uh, I mean … Jared McCann. How about that spin-o-rama goal he scored Saturday night in...
Tim Benz: Potential NFL replay changes make no sense
I don’t understand the NFL competition committee’s approach to its replay expansion proposals. One proposal up for debate at this week’s owners’ meetings suggests the league should allow the review of pass-interference calls for a year on an experimental basis. A second proposal suggests adding replay review for roughing the...
First call: Pouncey defends Roethlisberger; a potential Steelers draft pick to watch for
In “First Call” Thursday, someone in the Steelers locker room sticks up for Big Ben. A wide receiver to watch for the Steelers in the draft. The latest on the rumors about Peyton Manning to “Monday Night Football.” And did we just see the game of the year in the...
Many Penguins issues to discuss heading into matchup vs. Predators
Our Penguins beat writer, Jonathan Bombulie, joins me to talk about the Penguins’ game Thursday in Nashville. He is in Tennessee. There’s plenty to discuss. • What is the biggest problem surrounding the Penguins’ three-game losing streak? • We need to figure out why the goal-scoring has gone dry. •...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey saves season at best possible time
All good things must come to an end. Or, maybe they don’t. That appears to be the case for the Robert Morris men’s hockey team. But you couldn’t blame the Colonials if that truism started to seep into their thinking at some point this season. RMU entered the 2018-19 season...
Tim Benz: Breaking down Le’Veon Bell’s knocks on Steelers
If Antonio Brown’s softball-filled interview on ESPN wasn’t rage-inducing enough for Steelers fans, Le’Veon Bell appears to have gotten just as big of a creampuff platform from Sports Illustrated. Much like the ESPN piece about how Brown forced his departure from the Steelers, Bell’s S.I. interview about how he “bet...
First call: Le’Veon Bell explains absence from Steelers; Hurricanes ‘Duck Hunt’ Penguins
Wednesday’s “First Call” features Le’Veon Bell’s wandering explanation about his absence from the Steelers, the Hurricanes’ latest postgame celebration, a recap of the Metropolitan Division results impacting the playoff picture. What’s he trying to say? Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell did an interview with Sports Illustrated. He tried —...
Penguins podcast: Blown leads, mental mistakes, giving away points
We waited until Wednesday to get Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer on the Sided.co podcast for his weekly hockey segment. For good reason. We wanted to wrap up the Penguins’ big game in Raleigh Tuesday night. And they lost. Again. Carolina won 3-2 in a shootout. It was a...
U mad, bro? Penguins fans losing it, Steelers fans … still losing it
A lot is going on in this week’s “U mad, bro?” Penguins fans are mad at blown leads. Steelers fans are mad at Josh Harris. Rage continues about Antonio Brown. And at least one reader is angry about my pessimistic Steelers forecast. ••• “Manofmyster1” leaves no mystery to this tweet....
Tim Benz: Now with Raiders, how can Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict be cool with each other?
This was enough to make my stomach turn. As we pointed out yesterday, the Raiders were on the verge of signing Vontaze Burfict. Well, that signing is official now, according to the NFL Network. The outlet says Burfict will get a one-year deal worth $5 million. Keep in mind, a...
Tim Benz: A little tweak to make the NCAA Tournament’s First Four better
You may not have even submitted your bracket yet, and the 2019 NCAA Tournament is one night old. One potential 16th-seeded Cinderella — Prairie View A&M — is already going home. Another — either North Carolina Central or North Dakota State — will get eliminated Wednesday night. All that before...
First call: Bruce Gradkowski debunks Ben Roethlisberger ‘Fumblegate’ theory
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a look at one of the most important nights of the season in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Antonio Brown has a Twitter message for those of us in the media. And Bruce Gradkowski chimes in on “Fumblegate.” Response piece Not every ex-Steeler is buying Josh Harris’...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Roethlisberger, Bell, Penguins’ bad weekend, Pirates infield
Thanks to an off-day, this week’s “Madden Monday” comes on a Tuesday. We get into: • Josh Harris’ accusation that Ben Roethlisberger fumbled on purpose against the Bengals. Why is this information just coming out now? • Le’Veon Bell’s failed contract. The spin continues! LISTEN: Mark Madden, Tim Benz discuss...
Analysis: Could Vontaze Burfict end up with Raiders and Antonio Brown?
This is too good to be true. Probably. Because I’m guessing it’ll never happen. Oh. But I wish it could. The Bengals have released Pittsburgh’s public enemy No. 1: Vontaze Burfict. You know. The venomous linebacker who did this to Antonio Brown — when Pittsburgh still loved Antonio Brown. pic.twitter.com/9OSiXDWAnz—...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ free agency moves shouldn’t impact draft strategy
Last year, the Steelers signed a 29-year-old free agent safety they thought could play like a linebacker. This year they signed a 29-year-old linebacker they think could play like a safety. This year’s move should be more of a sure bet seeing as how the candidate has been a full-timer...
Tim Benz: How the new AFC North might look
We begin our “Friday Football Footnotes” with a preemptive statement: What you are about to read is a projection, not a prediction. What you are about to read is an initial reaction to the early days of free agency, not a declaration of who is going to win the AFC...
How Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown moves will impact fantasy football
It’s time we get to what really matters when it comes to the departures of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Your fantasy team. Obviously there will be major implications at the top of 2019 fantasy drafts with those two joining new clubs. Dynasty and keeper leagues will definitely feel the...
First call: Antonio Brown buys ‘Thank you, Pittsburgh’ billboard, visits new QB Derek Carr
In “First Call” Thursday, Antonio Brown will annoy you from afar. Lamar Jackson may be channeling his inner A.B. A look at the Metropolitan Division rundown for the evening. Laying it on thick Drew Rosenhaus bought a farewell billb …. Oops, I mean, Antonio Brown bought a farewell billboard in...
Tim Benz, Jonathan Bombulie discuss Penguins’ strong push, injury updates
It’s our weekly Sided.co Penguins podcast with Tribune-Review beat writer Jonathan Bombulie. We open up wondering if labor peace in the NHL could be a model for the NFL. Then we talk about how the Penguins have blended good play with entertaining hockey of late. LISTEN: Penguins making strong push...
U mad, bro? Tim Benz vs. national media on Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell
Welcome to the most contentious “U mad, bro?” yet. It’s mainly me getting mad at the national media because the national media seem to be mad at the Steelers organization, the NFL, Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. That’s more politically correct, I guess, than being mad at Antonio Brown and...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ speed starting to dominate again
The comment from Nick Bjugstad resonated after the Pittsburgh Penguins blanked the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-0, on March 7. “It’s a little different style than what I was used to,” the former Florida Panther forward said. “These guys play … fast! It’s a fun way to play.” Even with Bjugstad’s...
Analysis: Twitter doesn’t hold back on Le’Veon Bell’s Jets contract
Reviews are in on Le’Veon Bell’s new contract with the New York Jets. And they aren’t pretty for the former Steelers running back. The basics are that Bell agreed to a four-year deal with the Jets that is reportedly worth somewhere between $52 million and $61 million, with $35 million...
Podcast: How the Antonio Brown deal came together for the Raiders
And I thought I had a lot of jobs! Marcus Mosher works for Bleacher Report, Pro Football Weekly and The Athletic (Dallas). But most importantly, for our purposes, he’s the managing editor of TheRaidersWire.com, of the USA Today NFL platforms. In Wednesday’s Sided.co podcast, Mosher joins me to talk about...
