Breakfast With Benz category, Page 20
First Call: Mike Tomlin reportedly buying in on Shedeur Sanders; Browns ‘really high’ on Kenny Pickett
Mike Tomlin is reportedly a fan of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Plus, he may be a fit for Arthur Smith’s offense. In Wednesday’s “First Call,” we investigate both of those angles to the Steelers’ ongoing quarterback search. Plus, we get some good news about Kenny Pickett from Cleveland. College hockey...
Aaron Rodgers ‘entering critical stretch’ for his decision to sign with Steelers, says Adam Schefter
The Aaron Rodgers saga may finally be getting to a pivotal point. That’s according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on his own podcast. “I think we are entering the critical stretch for Aaron Rodgers’ final decision about whether or not to sign,” Schefter said. “The Pittsburgh Steelers’ voluntary offseason workout program...
Tim Benz: Forget slow starts. Slow recognition of larger problems is Penguins’ real offseason concern
In the aftermath of a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan sounded like a guy who was at the end of his rope. Sullivan was asked about the team’s slow start in that game. “Slow start? It was a slow game. Period,”...
First Call: Details of Aaron Rodgers pitching himself to Vikings; Shedeur Sanders working out for Giants
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an interesting angle to Aaron Rodgers’ attempt at latching on with the Minnesota Vikings. A new team may be in the running for Rodgers’ services in 2025. We know Rodgers is losing something of importance before next year, regardless of where he winds up. And Shedeur...
Dylan Crews says former LSU teammate Paul Skenes is ‘on another planet’
When Dylan Crews spoke about Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes before Monday night’s game at PNC Park, the Washington Nationals outfielder referred to his former LSU teammate as “on another planet.” Once the game began, for a change, Skenes didn’t have to be intergalactically good to get a win for...
Tim Benz: If T.J. Watt really is upset about his contract negotiations, that’s not a bad thing
No one knows what Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt really meant by his now infamous “peace sign” Instagram post. Many think that Watt was saying “peace out” because his contract negotiations are going poorly. That was roughly the interpretation of both “Pat McAfee Show” Steelers’ correspondent Mark Kaboly and the...
First Call: Report says Steelers have WR target if George Pickens trade happens; see goal of the year from future No. 1 NHL pickVideo
Are the Pittsburgh Steelers quietly planning to trade George Pickens? If so, they may also have a plan to replace him. Support is growing for Shedeur Sanders after an initial slip down the draft board. We look at the Pirates’ next opponent as they return home for a full week...
Tim Benz: Pirates offense tells us Bob Nutting is either lying, or he believes his own baloney
Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting is either a liar, or he believes his own line of B.S. I’m not sure which is worse, but his team’s impotent offensive lineup would suggest he’s guilty of the latter. Prior to last week’s home opener at PNC Park, Nutting had the temerity to...
First Call: New theory about T.J. Watt’s cryptic social media post; Shedeur Sanders calls Steelers’ visit ‘a 10’
The football world is trying to figure out what T.J. Watt meant by his recent social media post. We will try to ascertain if it’s connected to his contract negotiations during Friday’s “First Call.” Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers just hosted Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders on a pre-draft visit. Now, another...
Tim Benz: Ray Shero’s sense for the moment served him, and the Penguins, quite well
When I heard about the untimely death of former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero Wednesday afternoon, a specific memory of interviewing him quickly came to mind. I think about it often, independent of hockey, the Penguins, or, up until Wednesday, even independent of Shero himself. In over 30 years...
First Call: No Aaron Rodgers reveal at ‘Big Night Aht,’ ‘Sell The Team’ chants with Paul Skenes on stage
Thursday’s “First Call” recaps an uncomfortable moment for Paul Skenes at Pat McAfee’s “Big Night Aht” event. Ben Roethlisberger gets candid about Arthur Smith. Justin Fields avoids specifics about his time in Pittsburgh. And an opponent for the Steelers’ trip to Ireland may not be set in stone just yet....
U mad, bro?: April anger from Pirates fans is already boiling over
We are way beyond April Fools’ Day. But there are plenty of fools in Pittsburgh Pirates management. They seem to be proving that on a daily basis. Obtuse quotes from the owner. One public relations fumble after another. And the construction of an offense utterly incapable of extending a rally....
This weekend’s Frozen Four will have a heavy Western Pa. influence
As college hockey crowns a men’s national champion at this weekend’s Frozen Four in St. Louis, the event will have a significant Western Pa. influence. Nine skaters from the region will be on rosters from the four teams participating. Wexford’s Brian Kramer will be on defense for the Western Michigan...
First Call: Shedeur Sanders and Donovan McMillon to visit Steelers; Jaxson Dart meets with Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to meet with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Meanwhile, Jaxson Dart met with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. The Steelers are also trying to learn more about Pitt safety Donovan McMillon. One of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets is holding off on reworking his contract in New...
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes’ rough outing continues typically dreary start for Pirates
On Tuesday night, Paul Skenes actually looked human. Fortunately, there was barely anyone in the ballpark to see it. Even the draw of seeing the Pittsburgh Pirates ace in his 2025 home debut wasn’t enough to lure more than 8,291 out to PNC Park on a 38-degree night against the...
‘Eternal’ and ‘evergreen’ game of Sidney Crosby has aged as well as many predictedVideo
After scoring three goals against the Dallas Stars on Saturday, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby was asked if netting a hat trick ever gets old. “No,” Crosby replied via audio provided by the team. “They don’t come along often. They are definitely fun to get.” Crosby’s hat trick over the...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers’ decision expected before draft, but not before Pat McAfee appearance
Tuesday’s “First Call” tries to figure out when a contract between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers might be signed. There’s another defensive lineman on the Steelers’ draft radar. Paul Skenes is facing a familiar opponent in his 2025 home debut. And some Penguins goaltenders are getting recognized for their...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington’s Paul Skenes-Pedro Martinez comp misses a crucial ingredient
During his weekly radio show on Sunday afternoon, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was asked if he had ever seen anyone like Paul Skenes. The name he pulled was Pedro Martinez. “I was with the Red Sox during part of Pedro’s prime. They’re very different pitchers. They do it...
First Call: Steelers among teams with most interest in QB Jaxson Dart; Penguins stars congratulate Alex OvechkinVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has congratulations for Alex Ovechkin from the Pittsburgh Penguins’ biggest stars. The Steelers appear intrigued by a quarterback prospect in this year’s NFL Draft. The St. Louis Cardinals make their first visit to Pittsburgh this week. We honor the life of a former Steeler who died over...
Madden Monday: For Alex Ovechkin, there’s a difference between most goals and greatest goal-scorer ever
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin set the all-time NHL goal record Sunday afternoon, scoring on a power play against the New York Islanders to net the 895th of his career. With the goal, Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky for the all-time mark in 1,487 regular season games. Gretzky played exactly that...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington tells Pirates players to ‘take a breath’ as fan rancor swirls
It’s a little early to start thinking about the Pearl Jam concerts at PPG Paints Arena on May 16 and 18. But Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington wants his players to channel their inner Eddie Vedder and “Just Breathe.” “In the clubhouse, what I see is maybe just taking...
‘The book is guys like Judge’: Paul Skenes, Aaron Judge similar in ways beyond stature, skill
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton doesn’t profess to know Aaron Judge beyond a cordial hello. What he has heard about the New York Yankees slugger, though, makes him think of the superstar in his own dugout who might be on a similar career arc. “I have many friends on the...
Tim Benz: Opening Day crowd should open the ears of the Pirates (and the owner)Video
Losing is one thing. How you lose and when you lose is another. Ask the Pittsburgh Steelers. For many NFL franchises, a 10-7 record and a playoff berth might sound like a pretty good year. When you lose five poorly played games in a row to close out the season...
3rd time’s a charm: Winding road leads former RMU skater, Wexford native Brian Kramer to Frozen 4Video
When the Frozen Four gets underway next week in St. Louis, nine college hockey players with Western Pennsylvania ties will be on the ice. Seven of them will be on Penn State’s roster, as the Nittany Lions have qualified for the national semifinal for the first time in program history....
First Call: Finances may be a holdup for Aaron Rodgers; Steelers miss out on depth QB trade targetVideo
Friday’s “First Call” wraps up the week with news that complicates the Aaron Rodgers storyline. The Pittsburgh Steelers missed out on a young, project quarterback they liked. An ex-Steelers receiver is heading to Chicago. The Pirates are bracing for the New York Yankees’ offense on Opening Day, and the Penguins...
