Breakfast With Benz category, Page 141
Madden Monday: ‘Even at 8-0, I just don’t trust the Steelers. And I certainly do not trust Mike Tomlin.’
The Steelers spent the last two weeks going on the road and beating the Tennessee Titans (5-0) and the Baltimore Ravens (5-1). They did so without playing their best football. In fact, they were pretty lousy for roughly half of both games. So, in a way, that had to make...
Tim Benz: ‘Airing of Grievances’ plenty deep despite ‘Feats of Strength’ as Steelers edge Cowboys
Not gonna lie. I loved that result from the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dallas on Sunday. It was a jagged 24-19 victory over a forlorn Dallas team that sits at 2-7. The Steelers couldn’t have looked much worse in the process. Yet, Mike Tomlin’s team won anyway to improve to 8-0....
Tim Benz: How James Conner is employing tactics to stay ‘combative’ but remain healthy
As Steelers fans read this post about running back James Conner, rest easy. I’m writing it while sitting at a large wooden table. And, yes, I am knocking on it periodically so as to deflect any jinxes about the recent good stretch of Conner’s health. Conner’s career has been one...
First Call: Is Stephon Tuitt still ‘underrated’? A few Cowboys challenges for Steelers. Alex Highsmith shines.
For Friday’s “First Call,” we see some praise for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt. We look at a pair of Dallas Cowboys who could be a pain for the Steelers offense. A Steelers rookie who is getting some recognition. And a rare positive Pittsburgh Pirates memory. Tuitt’s time OK....
Mike McCarthy’s odd QB decision for Steelers game. And why one Cowboys analyst supports it.
The Steelers (7-0) should blow out the Dallas Cowboys (2-6) on Sunday. The Cowboys certainly are no longer “America’s Team.” Unless we are talking about America in 2020. The America that’s been addled by a pandemic, engulfed in social upheaval, ravaged by wildfires, divided by political discord, and immersed in...
First Call: Mike Tomlin’s odds to win NFL Coach of the Year. Antonio Brown’s first Tampa practice and interview clips.
Thursday’s “First Call” goes to Tampa Bay for Antonio Brown’s first practice and first interview as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. One Watt seems unhappy, while another is getting praised for his play. And Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is your new favorite for NFL Coach of the Year. Antonio Brown...
Keith Dambrot discusses Duquesne’s trip into Louisville’s mini-bubble event, LeBron James’ fourth title
On Nov. 5, 2019, the Duquesne Dukes were opening their season with a 94-67 win over Princeton. This year, they are just beginning to figure out their schedule. Hey, at least there is a schedule and there are games to play. That’s a start. With the way things have been...
U mad, bro? Steelers fans think we’re too optimistic, too pessimistic. And they’re mad at John Harbaugh.
For some Steelers fans, being 7-0 and beating the Baltimore Ravens is cause for celebration. For others, it is a certain sign of impending doom. That’s how we start this week’s “U mad, bro?” Then we hear from other Steelers fans who don’t want any criticism of the team at...
First Call: Bruce Arians forecasts Antonio Brown’s role; Avery Williamson already gets Pittsburgh
Our Wednesday “First Call” proves new Steelers linebacker Avery Williamson already has a good sense of Pittsburgh. We’ve got an update on the covid-19 situation from Baltimore. And a look at the looming Tampa Bay debut of Antonio Brown. Small steps for Mr. Big Chest? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have...
Tim Benz: Expanded NFL playoff contingency plan is a bad idea, and not just for Steelers
As the Steelers sit at 7-0, the NFL is considering an expansion of the playoff field from seven teams to eight per conference. For this incredibly strange season only. That means if the Steelers earn the only playoff bye in the AFC, there may not even be a bye to...
Avery Williamson’s role with Steelers should change by Ravens rematch
I believe Mike Tomlin when he says new linebacker Avery Williamson was acquired from the New York Jets to be a complementary part of the inside linebacker rotation. For now. Maybe the next three weeks or so? But by Thanksgiving night, I’ll bet a drumstick Williamson is getting the majority...
First Call: Dallas QB update for Steelers game Sunday; Antonio Brown’s legal team in full gear
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a look at this week’s Cowboys quarterback situation as the Steelers prepare for a trip to Dallas. The Ravens made history during their loss to the Steelers Sunday. John Harbaugh is defending his team’s coronavirus practices. And Antonio Brown’s legal team is working overtime in advance...
Once a possibility to replace Ryan Shazier, can Avery Williamson replicate Devin Bush on Steelers defense?
After Pro Bowl inside linebacker Ryan Shazier suffered a career-ending spinal injury in December 2017, the Steelers scurried to find a free agent replacement for him in the 2018 offseason. They tried to fill the void with veteran journeyman Jon Bostic, special teamers such as Tyler Matakevich and L.J. Fort,...
Tim Benz: 2020 Steelers look to improve on old history by erasing recent memories
The nicest compliment any modern Steelers team can receive is a comparison to the sainted teams of the 1970s. Around these parts, that’s like telling a basketball player that he shoots like Larry Bird. Or a singer that he sounds like Pavarotti. So when the 2020 Steelers beat the Baltimore...
Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Steelers win over Ravens to remain unbeatenVideo
Tim Benz and Mark Madden return for this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” on TribLive’s Facebook page to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Heinz Field. The Black and Gold remain unbeaten and improve to 7-0 on the season. The game played out in...
First Call: Avery Williamson humorously posts about trade to Steelers; Ravens WR pouts after loss
In Monday’s “First Call” Avery Williamson posts about his looming trade to the Steelers. The statistics suggest the Steelers’ 7-0 start means “can’t miss” for the playoffs. Le’Veon Bell had a rough day against his former team. And a pouting Raven on social media. Rekindled? Since taking over for Devin...
Madden Monday: Ravens ‘should be displeased by how stupid they played’ vs. Steelers
This week’s Madden Monday podcast poses an in-depth question about the Steelers victory in Baltimore. What was the bigger reason for the 28-24 outcome? Did the Steelers steal it? Or did the Ravens give it away? I gave you my thoughts after the win in Maryland. TribLive columnist and 105.9...
Tim Benz: Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances as Steelers stay unbeaten in Baltimore
The calendar flipped to November, and the Pittsburgh Steelers flipped the script on last week’s game in defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 28-24, on Sunday. Last Sunday in Tennessee, the Steelers managed to hold off a surging Titans comeback in the second half after going into the locker room up 24-7....
First Call: Baltimore media jabs fallen Ben Roethlisberger, Big Ben on Antonio Brown, Ravens injury news
A Baltimore television station is ramping up the trash talk for Sunday’s Steelers-Ravens game. And Ben Roethlisberger is in the crosshairs. Big Ben also talks about that big signing in Tampa Bay. We’ve got Baltimore injury news, too. And the latest on a familiar face potentially quarterbacking the Dallas Cowboys....
View from Baltimore: Steelers ‘playing better,’ Ravens still really good, but not like last year
Even at 6-0, it still may not be easy for fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers to envision a win for their team Sunday in Baltimore. But Mike Tomlin’s club is certainly better poised to beat the Ravens than it was last season. For one, Ben Roethlisberger is healthy at quarterback....
First Call: Tom Brady discusses Antonio Brown signing. Crazy Steelers-Ravens stats. Super Bowl seating.
Thursday’s “First Call” features some unreal stats about the Steelers-Ravens rivalry. Tom Brady makes his first comments about being reunited in Tampa with former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. A former Steeler has been traded to a division rival. And Super Bowl seating is being debated. Quoth the Raven Exactly how...
Guess who is posing as Steelers receiver Chase Claypool in Ravens’ practice
If the first five years of Chase Claypool’s career are as good as the first five years of Dez Bryant’s career, Steelers fans will wind up being quite happy. Well, on the field anyway. That would mean 381 catches, 5,424 yards, and 58 touchdowns. Now, the Baltimore Ravens are simply...
U mad, bro? Readers skeptical of too much Steelers praise. Angry with Pirates, Pitt, too.
Some Steelers fans want us to pump the brakes on all this happy talk after a 6-0 start. Other readers are mad at the Pitt football team. For various reasons. And still others made the mistake of watching the World Series. Which plunged them further into depression about being Pirates...
First Call: Steelers fan confidence grows; Ravens, Super Bowl gambling lines shrink
For Wednesday’s “First Call” we look at how much confidence is rising within the Steelers fanbase. We also see a correlation in the gambling world. And can things really get worse for the Dallas Cowboys? Yes. Yes, they can. Direct correlation As confidence grows in the 2020 Steelers, the gambling...
Antonio Brown officially signs with Tampa Bay … in forcefully understated fashion
It’s official. A.B. is in T.B. with TB 12. Antonio Brown is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. The former Steelers All-Pro is now on his third team since forcing his way out of Pittsburgh at the end of the 2018 season. It’s been known that the Bucs were planning on signing...
