Tim Benz Columns category, Page 90
Tim Benz: What the Tyreek Hill trade means for him, the Dolphins, Chiefs and even the Steelers
It’s often said in professional sports that a good trade helps both teams involved. But what if a deal is bad for all three parties involved? That was my initial reaction to the big NFL trade announced Wednesday, which resulted in Kansas City Chiefs star receiver Tyreek Hill being dealt...
Tim Benz: Rickard Rakell’s arrival is one of many variables as Mike Sullivan shuffles Penguins line combinations
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan didn’t bother being coy with his response about long-term plans for Rickard Rakell Monday night. Some were surprised to see the franchise’s prized trade acquisition on the third line with Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen in his debut game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday night....
How Pitt, Penn State, WVU played a role in the Fox-ESPN trade for Joe Buck
We just spent the better part of two weeks debating Steelers free agent signings and Penguins trades. So why not kick around another big deal that went down recently: sports broadcaster Joe Buck getting traded from Fox to ESPN in exchange for one college football game. Oh, and, yes, Pitt,...
Penguins look to soak up points before another wave of playoff-worthy competition
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan says newly acquired winger Rickard Rakell is expected to be available for Tuesday night’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. That’s good because the Penguins need to get two points while they’re available. That goes for Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres, too. Because...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ trade for Rickard Rakell is more important than Ron Hextall is letting on
Having been in the Stanley Cup playoffs every season since 2007, trade deadline hoopla has become a predictable part of the Pittsburgh Penguins calendar. The fans and media identify a big-name trade target to improve the club for a playoff run. Usually, that happens around the holidays. Those rumors bubble...
A 6-pack of NCAA Tournament questions to crack open with Mike DeCourcy
Whenever March rolls around I love talking about college basketball with Mike DeCourcy. An alum of Elizabeth Forward, Point Park and The Pittsburgh Press, DeCourcy now covers the sport for Sporting News, Fox Sports and the Big Ten Network. Assuming a few six-packs will be consumed around our region during...
First Call: Mike Tomlin praises specific Steelers draft prospect; advice for JuJu; Jaromir Jagr’s video for Alex Ovechkin
In Thursday’s “First Call,” it’s clear that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has eyes for at least one Georgia Bulldog in the draft. Josh Allen is giving an emphatic thumbs up to Mitch Trubisky. JuJu Smith-Schuster is getting some advice about how to angle his free agency. Jaromir Jagr congratulates...
Tim Benz: If NFL teams have concerns over public relations fallout from acquiring Deshaun Watson, they aren’t showing any
The Steelers surfaced as a rumored trade destination for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson last week. A frequent and immediate response from many who cover the team or root for it was that the franchise couldn’t make such a deal “because it would be a public relations nightmare.” The Steelers...
Former Steelers, Bears QB says Mitch Trubisky was ‘being vilified as the problem maker’ in Chicago
Former Steeler Jim Miller knows about quarterbacking in both Pittsburgh and Chicago. He knows what a cluttered QB room is like, having been in that situation with Neil O’Donnell, Kordell Stewart and Mike Tomczak. And he knows the game of new Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky pretty well, too. Miller is...
Tim Benz: Remember recent history when it comes to the Steelers signing Mitch Trubisky
Here’s a little historical reference before dissecting the Steelers’ decision to sign quarterback Mitch Trubisky. On March 4, 2021, the Steelers reworked Ben Roethlisberger’s contract for one final season in the fall. On March 18, Trubisky signed a contract to be the Buffalo Bills backup quarterback after getting no offers...
Tim Benz: Penguins-Hurricanes regular season battles did little to reveal clues for a potential playoff showdown
Often after Penguins games, head coach Mike Sullivan seems to draw a pretty thick line between the process and the result. The Penguins may win a game but not necessarily play well en route to victory. Under those circumstances, Sullivan has a hard time hiding his agitation. After other games,...
Tim Benz: Should we buy Brian Burke’s hard sell about the idea of a quiet trade deadline for the Penguins?
Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke is doing a really hard sell on not buying at the trade deadline. So much, in fact, that every time he addresses the topic, I now find myself more convinced that the Pens are going 180 degrees the other way toward being the...
Tim Benz: Tying Deshaun Watson to Steelers feels like QB’s camp trying to speak a hope into existence
Former NFL quarterback Shaun King explained his tweet from Wednesday that suggested if Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson receives a favorable outcome in his legal battle Friday, he’d likely be heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hearing if things go well friday Deshaun Watson to the steelers is happening soon after......
First Call: 6 teams high on Steelers’ receiver; Giants like Mitch Trubisky; Brian Burke challenges Kasperi Kapanen
Thursday’s “First Call” sees heavy interest in a quarterback the Pittsburgh Steelers might want to sign and a wide receiver they may want to keep. Brian Burke refuses to mince words about a struggling Penguins forward. The Washington Capitals lose, but still gain ground on the Penguins. And a blossoming...
Tim Benz: Accelerated development of Mounir Hima a bright spot for Duquesne in 2022
Duquesne center Mounir Hima didn’t play any basketball as a child. Growing up in Tillaberi, Niger, soccer was his sport. “Me playing basketball is a destiny. I never thought about basketball,” Hima said Monday. “Basketball where I came from wasn’t a priority sport. You don’t even have a lot of...
Mitch Trubisky discusses prospect of playing with Steelers: ‘I think of a legendary franchise’
Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers are “out” on Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers (if they were ever “in” to begin with), it’s time for Pittsburgh to recalibrate expectations on what will happen with the franchise’s quarterback position in 2022. The fanbase can start working itself into a lather over Malik...
Tim Benz: Let’s stop the blame shifting when it comes to Calvin Ridley’s gambling suspension
Long ago, the National Football League surpassed Major League Baseball as America’s favorite pastime. In part that’s true because another favorite American pastime is gambling on America’s favorite pastime. Unfortunately, if you are a player in the NFL, you aren’t allowed to gamble on the NFL. That’s what Atlanta Falcons...
Tim Benz: I’m skeptical of the Aaron Rodgers story, too. But the Steelers should be doing what was reported
If this weekend’s ProFootballTalk report about Aaron Rodgers is true, then the Steelers are exactly where they should be in the process. Granted, that is a massive “if,” but let’s start at that point. PFT ran a story over the weekend, citing anonymous sources that “Rodgers has specific deals lined...
Tim Benz: Feeling nostalgic about college basketball after a rough year for the sport in Western Pa.
Nostalgia can be a wonderful thing in sports. Just look at the way Pittsburgh recently basked in the memories of Ben Roethlisberger’s career as he faded into retirement in January. We are also just getting back from our extended trip in the “way back machine” to relive Sidney Crosby’s journey...
McConnell brothers show pride as sister Megan carries on family tradition at Duquesne
In advance of his team’s Atlantic 10 tournament opener against St. Joseph’s on Thursday (5 p.m.), Duquesne women’s coach Dan Burt was discussing second-year guard Megan McConnell. For Burt, the description is easy. “Simply, she’s a McConnell,” Burt said. For those that follow basketball in the Pittsburgh area, that succinct...
Tim Benz: As Penguins face Tampa Bay, plenty of reasons why the Lightning are in legit position for a ‘3-peat’
A brutal stretch of games for the Pittsburgh Penguins resumes Thursday night in Tampa Bay. The Pens face the Lightning at 7 p.m., looking to win a third straight outing. Meanwhile, the Lightning have won five in a row. They are one of seven consecutive opponents for coach Mike Sullivan’s...
Tim Benz: Kevin Colbert’s comments on Najee Harris unexpected, but not unfounded
When it comes to Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, I don’t think he goes out of his way to lie to the media during his rare meetings with us. But I do think he avoids giving direct answers to the best of his ability. It’s as if he has...
Tim Benz: Denouncing Vladimir Putin isn’t as easy to do for all Russian hockey players as some Americans assume
There is a wave of commentary denouncing some Russian NHL players for failing to take a strong public stance against Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine. I get it. Columnists, talk show hosts and panel members all over our country have taken the time to blast several players for failing to...
Tim Benz: Biggest change necessary for NFL overtime? Stop pretending it can make everybody happy
I don’t really care if the NFL’s Competition Committee decides that changes are necessary for overtime rules. I just want a rule in place that precludes everybody from complaining about them. Because it seems like every season we wind up whining over whatever overtime rules are currently in place as...
Madden Monday: Despite recent wins, Mark Madden says ‘stale’ Penguins ‘need a big trade at the deadline’
On Saturday afternoon, it was a 1-0 win for the Pittsburgh Penguins over the New York Rangers, thanks to an Evgeni Malkin power play goal. HE WILL BE FIRE Evgeni Malkin extends his point streak to five games with this power-play tally (3G-3A). Of Geno's eight goals this season, five...
