Tim Benz stories, Page 194
Steelers’ Antonio Brown joins Cameo. Hilarity ensues.
For a guy who recently claimed he doesn’t need football or its money, Antonio Brown sure seems to be selling out. Brown has linked up with Cameo.com. That’s a place where people can buy a personalized greeting from a celebrity. It is recorded and sent to a friend or a...
Tim Benz: Too late for Penguins’ Sidney Crosby to make MVP push?
Is Sidney Crosby making a late push to get into the MVP conversation? It was a topic on the KDKA Sports Showdown Sunday. It came up on Mark Madden’s show on 105.9 the X Monday. “The Athletic” mentioned it after Crosby’s four-point performance in Montreal. And it was featured on...
First call: Larry Fitzgerald critical of Antonio Brown; Metropolitan Division madness
In “First Call” for Monday, Antonio Brown and the Steelers are haggling again. Larry Fitzgerald has some advice for Brown. The Capitals win a hockey game in a really strange way. It`s on The Steelers are digging their heels in. And so is Antonio Brown. Expect it to be like...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Antonio Brown interviews, Penguins weekend
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I talk about the journalistic atrocity that was the Antonio Brown interview on ESPN. We roast his farce of an appearance on HBO as well. Also, we dive into Kevin Colbert’s quizzical comments about Le’Veon Bell. Would the Steelers really have...
Tim Benz: Duquesne’s Lass targets WNBA. Will she play until 54 like her mom?
On Christmas Day 2016, Duquesne women’s basketball director of operations Melissa Franko stopped by her office at the Palumbo Center. She was en route to Heinz Field for the Steelers-Ravens game. She assumed the facility would be empty. “I walked in, and there’s Kadri-Ann on the court. Shooting. With her...
Tim Benz: Who do you hate more? Antonio Brown or Le’Veon Bell?
So, it’s come to this. As recently as July, the Steelers fan base was proud to boast two of the top five players on the NFL Network’s “Top 100” list. Running back Le’Veon Bell was No. 5. The big-chested wide receiver formerly known as Antonio Brown was No. 2. Their...
First call: Blue Jackets jump Penguins; Carolina fans mad about Antonio Brown
In “First Call” Friday, the Penguins are back outside of the playoff bracket again. Pitt has a huge road challenge. A little perspective on the Bryce Harper signing. Carolina fans are mad at me. Back outside Columbus’ 4-3 win over the Flyers caused some shuffling in the Eastern Conference standings....
Podcast: Previewing critical matchup for Penguins vs. sliding Sabres
The Penguins are in Buffalo on Friday night to play the Sabres. It’s an important game in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres made a push in the wild-card chase, but they’ve bottomed out lately, losing seven of nine. Meanwhile, the Penguins are trying to secure the final playoff spot in...
Analysis: Trade interest in Antonio Brown all over the map
Antonio Brown is an elite player. He plays a position where you need multiple threats. He’s under contract at a relatively affordable rate. His team wants to give him away. And he’d love to craft a new deal that may be more beneficial to him long term, which may massage...
Tim Benz: NFL did Steelers a $9.5M favor with Le’Veon Bell
The NFL may have done a $9.5 million favor for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And no one seemed to pick up on it. When Kevin Colbert hosted his Q&A with local media members Feb. 20, he announced the team wouldn’t use the transition tag on running back Le’Veon Bell. After a...
First call: Mike McCarthy goes off on high school refs; IUP forgets uniforms
In “First Call” on Thursday, Mike McCarthy is getting shamed for his actions at a high school basketball game, Justin Houston is on the trade block and the IUP men’s basketball team had to play a game wearing an opponent’s uniforms. Mad Mike Mike McCarthy has been fired as Packers...
U mad, bro? Steelers angst, Penguins concern, Oscars disagreement
It’s the Feb. 28 edition of “U Mad, Bro?” It features Steelers angst, Penguins concern and disagreement over the Oscars from readers. ••• Somebody calling themselves “Steeler Nation” says the Steelers are not rebuilding, despite my recent column to the contrary. No, I dont think you're rebuilding when you have...
Tim Benz: Replacing Bryan Rust a challenge for Penguins
Before we start talking about how to best replace Penguins forward Bryan Rust while he is injured, it’s best to establish what has been lost. “Rusty brings a lot,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a good penalty killer. He brings so much speed and puck pursuit to the lines...
Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot discusses his team’s ability to bounce back
Duquesne’s last game was a 19-point comeback victory on the road at George Mason. And it wasn’t the first of its kind in 2019. It was the seventh. That’s right, seven times this year Keith Dambrot’s Dukes have responded from double-digit deficits. Three of those were in the second half....
Tim Benz: Penguins start make-or-break stretch on right foot
The NHL trade deadline is always an identifiable line in any hockey team’s season. The way the last few weeks have gone, Penguins fans should see the first nine games out of the gate following the deadline as a make-or-break stretch in the season. Between Tuesday night and March 14,...
Tim Benz: Ties with owner, Cam Newton could make Antonio Brown a fit with Panthers
Perhaps those fretting about an underwhelming trade market for Antonio Brown have worried prematurely. In recent days, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said he has heard from at least three teams who have expressed an interest in Brown. Both NFL.com and Sports Illustrated advanced the Raiders as a good...
First call: Pirates catcher makes highlight-reel grab; Marc-Andre Fleury gets 30th win
For “First Call” on Wednesday, a Pirates catcher gets attention in spring training. A Bengal may be on the move. A magic mark for Marc-Andre Fleury. Baron von Catch Can your team’s catch of the year happen in spring training? Is that allowed? Take a look at this snag by...
Tim Benz, Jonathan Bombulie discuss Penguins injuries, critical schedule
Even though the NHL trade deadline has come and gone, questions abound for the Pittsburgh Penguins. • Can they wiggle into the playoffs? • How many points can they get during this critical nine-game stretch against fellow Eastern Conference playoff contenders? • How will Mike Sullivan and Jim Rutherford try...
Podcast: Why do the Penguins think Erik Gudbranson can help them?
Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network joins me for our weekly Sided.co hockey podcast. We recap Jim Rutherford’s moves at the trade deadline. Erik Gudbranson largely has flamed out in the NHL at this point. Why do the Penguins think he can help? We dive into why the Penguins...
Tim Benz: Time for Penguins forwards to help defense
On Monday, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford did what he could to help his defensive corps. Now maybe the forwards can help a little, too. With the Olli Maatta injury and Jamie Oleksiak trade, the Penguins defensive group was already stretched thin approaching Monday’s trade deadline. Then Saturday’s injuries to...
Tim Benz: Penguins better heed Jim Rutherford’s wake-up call
In a best-case scenario, the Penguins will make a nice playoff run with newly acquired Erik Gudbranson and Chris Wideman in the press box as scratches. They aren’t all that good. Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford gave away two players who aren’t all that good to get them: Tanner Pearson...
First call: Antonio Brown to appear on LeBron James’ HBO show; John Tortorella loosens up
In “First Call” Tuesday, Antonio Brown’s next public appearance. A former Penguin helps the cause. Dak’s dogs. Kraft’s shame. A.B. on `The Shop` When is the next time we will hear from Antonio Brown? Will he be himself? Mr. Big Chest? A singing hippo? Well, it appears it’ll be on...
First call: Raiders may be willing to trade picks for Antonio Brown; Le’Veon Bell to Eagles?
In “First Call” for Monday, it’s your daily update on Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. The latest on the Capitals and the Columbus trade front. And there’s something fishy in college baseball. Oakland picks for A.B.? At “Breakfast With Benz,” we’ve pointed out on a few occasions that the Raiders...
Tim Benz: Penalties to Patriots owner Robert Kraft can’t extend to field
Few hate the Patriots more than Steelers fans do. OK. Maybe Steelers players, coaches and management. But outside of the 412 and 724 area codes, the list is scant. One of those who qualifies, though, may be Bart Scott. Having played for both the Jets and Ravens in his career,...
Tim Benz: Todd Gurley is the best argument for and against Le’Veon Bell’s big money
No running back — and no team — did more to influence Le’Veon Bell’s contractual course of action than Todd Gurley and the Los Angeles Rams. Gurley did enough damage to the rest of the National Football League his first three seasons that the Rams made him the NFL’s highest-paid...
