Tim Benz stories, Page 99
Tom Brady’s ‘unretirement’ reportedly had a big influence on NFL schedule makers. Might it impact Steelers?
Tom Brady’s late decision to play in 2022 may also dictate some changes in plans for the NFL schedule makers. Who knows, maybe the Steelers, too? Via Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times, the gurus who figure out the schedules and national television broadcasts had to do a reboot once...
Tim Benz: The Penguins have suddenly reduced Igor Shesterkin from bold to broken
OK. Now, this is what it looks like to break a goalie. Penguins fans should know. They’ve seen it before. Penguins vs. that-season Vezina winners in playoffs, past 40 yrs-'96Rd1 WSH Jim Carey*✅'00Rd1 WSH Olaf Kolzig✅'01Rd2 BUF Dominik Hasek✅'16Rd2 WSH Braden Holtby✅'17Rd1 CBJ Segei Bobrovsky✅'22**Rd1 NYR Igor Shesterkin❓(*-lost job; **-presumed)...
Madden Monday: Some technical elements of Louis Domingue’s game the Rangers may try to exploit
Something I frequently hear about the Penguins-Rangers first-round playoff series is that Pens goalie Louis Domingue is an “X-factor” or a “variable” in the series. I don’t see it that way. Quite the opposite. Based on what we’ve seen from Domingue so far — he allowed five goals in his...
Tim Benz: Bad time for Pirates to have a massive step up in competition
It’s been a while since we’ve really checked in on the Pirates. The NFL Draft and the Penguins playoff push has kept us pretty busy. That stuff and, well, the abject inability to be competitive and the organizational disinterest in trying. Those things come into play as well. But, hey,...
First Call: ESPN report says Mitch Trubisky knew the Steelers may draft Kenny Pickett before signing; Baker Mayfield conspiracy theory
Monday’s “First Call” looks at the looming Steelers quarterback battle. We find an interesting Steelers-related conspiracy theory about Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Gambling odds have Kenny Pickett as the favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year. And the Pirates are getting ready for a step up in competition. What’s...
Tim Benz: Penguins, Rangers treat fans to 3 games in 1 night as ‘roller coaster’ series continues
During that triple-overtime Game 1 of the Penguins-Rangers Eastern Conference playoff series, the teams played what was almost the equivalent of two full games. Then, in Saturday’s Game 3, they basically played three separate games in one night. The Penguins dominated the first period, taking a 4-1 lead into the...
First Call: 2 names emerge to start 2nd round of Steelers GM interviews; how Malik Willis learned of Kenny Pickett’s selection
Friday’s “First Call” zooms in on a second round of Pittsburgh Steelers’ general manager interviews. The Seattle Seahawks may not be at the top of the Baker Mayfield sweepstakes after all. We also found out how Malik Willis discovered the Steelers were drafting Kenny Pickett instead of him. And the...
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert’s revealing take on how NFL ready Kenny Pickett may truly be
As I look ahead to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp this summer, my brain actually goes back to Saint Vincent College in 2010. That’s when we knew Ben Roethlisberger was going to be suspended for at least the first four (and perhaps six) games of the season. So we were all...
Tim Benz: Penguins still have a long way to go before they figure out Igor Shesterkin
How did Don Henley put it? “In a New York minute Everything can change In a New York minute Things can get pretty strange” OK. Maybe not a minute. But that was the experience in New York City over less than 48 hours for goaltender Louis Domingue and the rest...
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert addresses Stephon Tuitt situation, reveals plans for DeMarvin Leal
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line, the team is still trying to figure out if Stephon Tuitt is going to play in 2022. He missed all of 2021 due to a knee injury and because he was dealing with the grieving process of his brother’s death in...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans launch all sorts of opinions on Kenny Pickett, draft strategy, Devin Bush
This week’s “U mad, bro?” has all manner of heated reactions to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. Others question the overall draft strategy. There is some push back to a column I wrote about Devin Bush. Plus, we have gratuitous shots at the Pirates … …...
First Call: Antonio Brown makes onstage return to Pittsburgh; Marc-Andre Fleury bounces back in playoffs
Former Steeler Antonio Brown will soon return to Pittsburgh to show off his musical talents. Marc-Andre Fleury is back on the winning track in Minnesota. A pair of former Penguins are looking for new coaching jobs. We look at the other Eastern Conference playoff series besides Penguins-Rangers. And the Pirates...
First Call: Kevin Colbert shares background on drafting Kenny Pickett; interesting contract twist for Melvin Ingram
Wednesday’s “First Call” features some background on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. Former Steeler Melvin Ingram is part of a little-used contract ploy. Ex-Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon has been a big part of the New York Yankees’ torrid start. We check out the Eastern Conference playoff...
Penguins go into ‘survival’ mode immediately as they win Game 1 versus Rangers
Based on how the regular season wrapped up, I would’ve been impressed if the Pittsburgh Penguins had simply survived Game 1 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series against the New York Rangers. Actually, considering how things started Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, I’m just happy they were able...
Tim Benz: Following Kevin Colbert, new Steelers GM will have big shoes to fill, big decisions to make
Outgoing Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is leaving behind a towering legacy. He helped build rosters of three AFC Champions, two of which won Super Bowls. The Steelers enjoyed 226 regular-season wins under his guidance, 15 more in the playoffs. Not to mention drafting Pro Bowlers such as Casey...
First Call: Steelers stole draft pick from Ravens; ‘Honey Badger’ finds a team; ex-Penguin has playoff hat trick
Tuesday’s “First Call” features the Pittsburgh Steelers getting one over on the Baltimore Ravens during the NFL Draft. We now know the destination of the Honey Badger, and it’s no surprise. Plus, highlights from the first night of the 2022 NHL playoffs are dotted with big moments from ex-Penguins and...
How playing the matchups could impact the Penguins-Rangers series; and how the Pens can avoid the ones they don’t want
When it comes to analysis of the upcoming Penguins-Rangers Eastern Conference playoff series, there isn’t much need to go beyond the basics. • Pittsburgh’s star players need to score. Something they have failed to do well enough in each of their three first-round losses over the past three years. •...
Tim Benz: Praise of Kevin Colbert’s success with Steelers meets acknowledgment of Devin Bush’s failure
It’s a strange juxtaposition for outgoing Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. Since the 2022 draft has ended — Colbert’s last one before he retires from the position once a successor is named — he has been appropriately lauded for his 22 years of positive influence on the organization. From...
First Call: Steelers may have been trying to to move up in Round 1; Ravens still need a receiver; checking on Rangers
Monday’s “First Call” shows an interesting twist to the Pittsburgh Steelers draft. We preview the injury situation with the New York Rangers as they prepare to play the Penguins. The Ravens still need to know what’s going on at wide receiver. And we preview the Pirates’ next series in Detroit....
Tim Benz: Question the Steelers draft strategy if you like, let’s just debate the right things
For the most part, I liked the Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 draft class and the team’s approach to building it. That’s because while I’m not in the “Kenny Pickett, future Hall of Famer” camp just yet, I do think he’s got the potential to be at least an above-average NFL quarterback....
Madden Monday: Mitch Trubisky ‘should feel hoodwinked’ after signing with Steelers
When it comes to who should start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE feels that the decision is obvious. Who cares if Mason Rudolph has been with the team the longest? Who cares if Mitch Trubisky was signed to be...
Tim Benz: Injury could prevent Tristan Jarry from silencing year-long playoff narrative
For Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry, it must hurt on many levels. Not just the physical pain of his foot injury. Not just the emotional toll of missing out on the start of the playoffs after turning in an All-Star season. The hurt is about next season, too. Knowing that...
Tim Benz: You know who the Steelers got in the NFL draft. Let’s talk about what they didn’t get
It’s time again for the column you hate to love: “What the Steelers didn’t get in the draft.” Well, I love this column. My readers seem to hate it. But you sure do fill up my inbox and Twitter mentions to tell me as much. So you must at least...
Tim Benz: We’ve established Kenny Pickett’s ‘high floor,’ how high can his ceiling be?
When it comes to writing a sports column or hosting a sports talk show, there should be no easier topic to formulate a hot take about than the local NFL franchise drafting a first-round quarterback for the first time in 18 years. So, here’s mine as it relates to the...
First Call: Cameron Heyward already jabbing Steelers QB Kenny Pickett; Lamar Jackson unhappy with Ravens trade
Friday’s “First Call” features Cameron Heyward starting early with some online rookie mockery of new Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is unhappy with the trade of an offensive weapon. The Capitals keep losing which (theoretically) helps the Penguins. A Pittsburgh area hockey prospect is part of a...
