Breakfast With Benz category, Page 147
Tim Benz: Steelers lineman Stefen Wisniewski deserves praise for his team-first approach
If new Steelers guard Stefen Wisniewski misses any time during training camp with an undisclosed “upper body injury,” I’m going to assume it’s a badly bitten tongue. Because for a guy who has a right to complain, he sure isn’t saying anything. The Penn State and Central Catholic alum signed...
Fantasy Sports podcast: QB draft strategy. Sliding RBs atop the board. ‘Stacking’ debates.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this column. This will be my last post. I mean, after drafting two absolutely perfect fantasy football teams on back-to-back nights, I am already counting my winnings as I fully expect to roll through my leagues undefeated. I will no doubt win dozens — if not...
Will the Giants play their opener against the Steelers? Saquon Barkley won’t rule out boycotts.
Of course, Steelers fans want to get off to a 1-0 start against the New York Giants. They don’t want it to happen this way, though. On Thursday, New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley said he and his teammates aren’t ruling out the possibility of boycotting games this...
First Call: Steelers, Ravens considering Clowney? Nebraska players sue Big Ten.
Friday’s “First Call” starts with an unlikely free-agent target for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steelers coach makes some headlines discussing our nation’s civil unrest. The Big Ten is getting sued over its football cancellation. And an honor for Tony Dungy that may help the late, great Bill Nunn’s legacy....
TribLIVE TV columnist Rob Owen on sports ratings, new ‘MNF’ crew, T.J. Watt’s show, Mike Milbury and Thom Brennaman
Thursday marks the debut post at TribLive for “TV Talk” columnist Rob Owen. During his 22 years covering the television and media scene in Pittsburgh, Owen was a frequent guest of mine on radio. And he makes our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast debut here today to talk about his new...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell disputes injury; Steeler assistant on head coaching radar?; JuJu Smith-Schuster addresses future
A Steelers assistant coach is on the ascent. Le’Veon Bell’s practice time in New York was on the decline Wednesday. JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Hockey and politics don’t mix. And Plaxico Burress has us all very confused. All that is in “First Call” Thursday. All ‘A’s’ for...
U mad, bro? Pittsburgh fans angry over Penguins moves, ESPN’s jab at Big Ben, playing high school sports
Why should everybody be mad about the same thing all at once? Let’s spread around the agitation for this edition of “U mad, bro?” This week, Pittsburgh sports fans are frustrated about Penguins trades, Minkah Fitzpatrick and my dismissal of Ben Roethlisberger’s skills. Except I didn’t dismiss Roethlisberger’s skills. I...
First Call: Pirates might be ‘trying to sell everything,’ how they were no-hit by White Sox
Wednesday’s “First Call” is all about the Pirates, as we take a closer look at how they got no-hit in Chicago. Then we kick around some trade rumors involving the organization. South Side celebration Wanna know what it sounded like on Chicago’s South Side when White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito...
Tim Benz: Are Steelers doing the right thing at right tackle? T.J. Watt may help decide.
How are those new right tackles looking for the Steelers? Um, hard to say. They are going against outside linebacker T.J. Watt all the time in practice. After an AFC-leading 14.5 sacks last year, Watt is providing baptism by fire for Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner as they battle for...
Tim Benz and Joe Bartnick: Differing views on Penguins’ trade for Kasperi Kapanen
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Penguins decided to reacquire Kasperi Kapanen from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The cost was this year’s first-round draft pick (No. 15 overall). Also included in the deal were forward Evan Rodrigues, prospect Filip Hallander and emergency defenseman David Warsofsky. Coming to Pittsburgh along with Kapanen are...
Is rooting against Flyers enough to keep Penguins fans engaged in NHL playoffs?
Gritty is the Philadelphia Flyers mascot. He’s a real-life version of what happens when you look at your lint trap while on bath salts. This week, Gritty was trying to make it up to the NHL playoff hub in Toronto. He got confused and went to Toronto, Ohio. instead of...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger is the worst QB in the AFC North? Buy Terry Bradshaw’s condo.
Ben Roethlisberger is the worst starting quarterback in the AFC North. That’s according to one former NFL executive. Another one tells us why Earl Thomas got cut in Baltimore. We tell you about how to buy Terry Bradshaw’s condo. And some injury issues in Cleveland. Plus the debate over fans...
Tim Benz: If this is really the Steelers approach with Minkah Fitzpatrick, it’s the right one
On Monday, All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was asked whether the long-discussed theory of moving him to various places in the Steelers defense was going to materialize in 2020. “I don’t really see myself moving around a whole lot,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think last year we were successful with what we...
Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Pirates highlights, Penguins moves, NHL’s need to sell ticketsVideo
Tim Benz and Mark Madden return for this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” on TribLive’s Facebook page to discuss the Pirates recent winning streak, Penguins possible move, NHL needs to sell tickets to keep going, and more. Madden and Benz talk about the good weekend for the Pirates. Gregory Polanco had...
First Call: Marc-Andre Fleury discusses ‘backstabbing’ tweet; Wheeling 4-year-old’s hole-in-one; Lamar Jackson’s injury
It’s a busy “First Call” for Monday morning. Former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury finds himself at the center of a controversy — thanks to his agent’s Twitter account. A West Virginia four-year-old gets a hole-in-one. Lamar Jackson is nicked up. The Cleveland Browns avoid a coronavirus scare. And Luka Doncic...
Tim Benz: One thing needs to be found in an otherwise lost Pirates season
In a season gone this wrong for the Pittsburgh Pirates, at least one thing needs to get right. Perhaps it started to happen this past weekend. The Pirates’ 5-4 win Sunday afternoon at PNC Park completed a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers. They scored 24 runs in three days....
Madden Monday: Will Steelers consider signing Earl Thomas? Possible destinations for Matt Murray.
I know what some Steelers fans are thinking. Stop thinking it. The Steelers shouldn’t sign Earl Thomas. I know. I know. They could use another safety to complement Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Baltimore Ravens just cut Thomas. It’d be a great way to goose the Ravens. But Thomas just squawked his...
U mad, bro? Fans rant about Bryan Rust, grouse about Gov. Wolf, get ticked off about Mike Tomlin vs. Mike Sullivan
This week’s “U mad, bro?” gets into some pretty choppy waters. Mike Sullivan versus Mike Tomlin. Bryan Rust versus trade talk. Governor Tom Wolf versus high school sports. And me versus copyright infringement. Read carefully. This could get dicey. Let’s start with James. He really enjoyed my recent column about...
First Call: Steely McBeam shunned, case for Cam Heyward, NFL playoff bubble talk, typical Torts and Tom Wilson
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the prospect of an NFL playoff bubble. Some stats to back up Cameron Heyward’s call for a contract extension. Bad news for Steely McBeam. And a pair of Penguins fan favorites do what they do best. NFL playoff bubble? The NFL won’t be played in...
Tim Benz: September Mourn! Steelers need to get off to faster start in 2020
Here’s one way the Steelers need to get better in 2020. And no, this has nothing to do with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returning. Because he’s been on the field for much of this problem in recent years. The issue is starting better in September. The Steelers’ failure to win a...
First Call: Pirates speak about Fernando Tatis Jr. controversy, Pens prospect moves on, Steelers have a new ‘piece’
Wednesday’s “First Call” features the Pittsburgh Pirates reaction to the Fernando Tatis Jr. controversy. Steelers tight end Vance McDonald makes a Pittsburgh folklore faux pas. A former Penguins prospect has a new home. And a tip of the cap to Roberto Clemente on his birthday. Taillon on Tatis The big...
Tim Benz: Sports sees competitive flattening in restarts. Will the NFL? If so, could we tell?
No one needs to float this idea past Pittsburgh Penguins fans. They’ve already gotten the message. But one trend is becoming noticeable in the coronavirus-era rebooted sports world. Reformatted training camps, empty stadiums, herky-jerky schedules and covid-19-related absences have heightened competitive balance within the leagues. The playing field is a...
Former Steeler, Olympian looks to aid mental health of fellow athletes in HBO documentary
In the big picture, former Pittsburgh Steeler Jeremy Bloom led a charmed life. Hometown college football star. NFL player. He even made the Olympics as a freestyle skier. Twice. But he also knows the emotional pain of coming so close to your lifelong goals and coming up just short. The...
Tim Benz: Wide mix of reasons for widely mixed results of sports TV ratings since restarts
On Monday afternoon, I visited five websites to track how sports on television ratings were tracking amid the pandemic restarts. I got four different answers. Monday’s news from NBC was that the first two days of the Stanley Cup Playoffs official first round “averaged 620,000 viewers across NBC Sports’ TV...
First Call: Like the new ‘Monday Night Football’ crew? It has Pitt representation. Vote with your opinion.
For Tuesday’s “First Call,” we take a look at the new NFL “Monday Night Football” broadcast booth. And there’s some Pittsburgh representation. Former Pitt Panther Louis Riddick is going to be part of the crew. He’ll be one of the color-commentary analysts, along with former NFL quarterback Brian Griese. Steve...
