Breakfast With Benz category, Page 41
Tim Benz: This clear-cut skill has made Paul Skenes an All-Star in just 10 starts
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes deserves to be an All-Star based on merit since his promotion to the Major Leagues in May. From an entertainment perspective, he should be the starter in the game as well. There is one skill in particular that has made Skenes All-Star worthy: his...
Tim Benz: Steelers should’ve been ready for long suspension of Cam Sutton. If they weren’t, they shouldn’t have signed him
If the Steelers are surprised about Cameron Sutton’s eight-game suspension, they shouldn’t be. And if the club is suddenly worried about what this news may do to the defense, then maybe the front office should’ve addressed slot-corner in a different way. The NFL took that action against the 29-year-old defensive...
First Call: Joe Burrow praises T.J. Watt, pans Acrisure Stadium turf; hurdles falling for Paul Skenes to start All-Star Game
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some interesting quotes from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow about T.J. Watt and the field conditions at Acrisure Stadium. Some roadblocks are falling between Paul Skenes and a potential start in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Plus, at least one national source isn’t optimistic about...
In his new book, coordinator Dick LeBeau has some ‘legendary’ tales about the historic ’08 Super Bowl Steelers’ defense
On Sunday, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is hosting a launch for a new book about the 2008 Super Bowl champion Steelers defense. It’s entitled “Legendary: The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Defense, the Zone Blitz, and My Six Decades in the NFL.” The book is authored by the 2008 team’s defensive...
First Call: Local pitching product, multiple ex-Pirates make MLB All-Star Game; Martavis Bryant still wants the NFLVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has All-Star game nods for a few former Pirates and a Western Pa. product out in Oakland. Also, one ex-Steeler is hoping to make a comeback from injury, and another is trying to make a comeback into the league. Former Pirates parade While Paul Skenes and Bryan...
Tim Benz: Kyle Dubas gave the same speech to his young players that he did to the fans. Now Penguins must make it happen
Before last month’s NHL draft in Las Vegas, Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas made a clear statement about the direction he wants to go with the organization. “We need to make sure that we have the flexibility and the options to bring in younger, hungrier...
Madden Monday: Starting Pirates’ Paul Skenes would give the All-Star Game ‘a bit more meaning this year’
The Major League Baseball All-Star selection process got it right. Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes has been named to the National League team. Now NL manager Torey Lovullo needs to do the right thing as well and name Skenes the starter. That’s just my opinion, but the numbers make a...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh brings a lot of baggage to the ‘1 jersey’ conversation for Penguins core 3
When it comes to the debate over how important it is that the Penguins’ core three finish their careers in black and gold, I feel like many of us in Pittsburgh bring a lot of baggage to the conversation. Because, as we are seeing now, the desire to keep some...
First Call: Bill Cowher gives a lot of helium to Payton Wilson; an odd Pirates trend
In our final “First Call” before the Fourth of July, Bill Cowher pumps the tires of a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie. We look at a funky Pirates stat that tells a significant story. Aaron Judge continues to set Major League Baseball on fire. And the Duquesne Dukes know their draw for...
U mad, bro?: Pre-Fourth fireworks on state of the Penguins, insufficient Pirates, Mike Tomlin’s recent playoff fade
Thursday is Independence Day. So I plan on celebrating my independence from work. Hence, we are posting “U mad, bro?” a day early this week. Don’t worry. I’m offering up plenty of fireworks about the Penguins’ current roster, the Pirates’ ups and downs and Mike Tomlin’s recent track record. This...
Entering Year 2 of their return, Robert Morris happy to ‘just get back to being Colonial hockey’
For Robert Morris men’s hockey, the second season of the program’s reboot doesn’t begin on the ice until October. It’s feeling real now, though. The schedule was released Tuesday. The roster is set. After a return to play from a two-year hiatus last fall, the rhythm is back. The cycle...
Tim Benz: If Kyle Dubas’ message can be summed up with Ben Cherington quotes, it’s not great news for Penguins
Here’s a quote from Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas during his press availability with reporters following Day 1 of free agency on Monday: “We have more players that can improve — by far — than the number we can acquire. Just think about the math. How do you get...
First Call: What the Steelers are worth vs. other NFL teams; lots of ex-Penguins on new teams
Tuesday’s “First Call” compares the value of the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the rest of the NFL. We also preview the upcoming Pirates-Cardinals series, recap some team-hopping from a bunch of ex-Penguins, and get news about a Robert Morris hockey player who is getting a look from one of the NHL’s...
Tim Benz: When it comes to help for Pirates’ offense, Ben Cherington says little while speaking a lot
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington made his weekly radio appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Sunday. With the season now halfway finished, he was asked what it would take for his team to make the playoffs. What followed was an eight-minute, uninterrupted soliloquy that was basically a long-winded way...
First Call: Tampa set to sign Jake Guentzel; Livvy Dunne boosts Pirates merch; Brandon Aiyuk ‘for sure’ wants to stay with 49ers
After trading to acquire his rights, it looks like the Tampa Bay Lightning will work out a deal with former Penguin Jake Guentzel. Brandon Aiyuk claims that he wants to stay in San Francisco. A pair of second-year Steelers are getting their tires pumped at NFL.com. Livvy Dunne is influencing...
Madden Monday: As NHL free agency starts, Penguins ‘can’t win — not with this group’
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Kevin Hayes and a second-round pick from the St. Louis Blues over the weekend in exchange for future considerations. Hayes is about to begin the sixth year of a seven-year contract. His salary cap hit is $7,142,857. But, thanks to a trade from Philadelphia last...
U mad, bro?: Pirates’ lineup, Steelers concerns, Skenes’ future
We are taking a few days off here at “Breakfast With Benz.” But even if an off day falls on Thursday, we will make sure “U mad, bro?” gets posted. One can’t keep all that rage pent up for an extra seven days. Especially with so much agitation bubbling up...
First Call: Looming questions about Penguins goalies, Mike Tomlin’s player appeal, Steelers radio play-by-play job
Aside from posting “U mad, bro?” on Thursday morning, “Breakfast With Benz” is taking a quick break for a few days. This will be the final “First Call” for the week. We’ll get back in gear Monday. For Wednesday’s “First Call,” I thought I’d do something different and address a...
Tim Benz: Despite Pirates’ pop vs. Reds, Derek Shelton’s defense of Andy Haines falls short
The Pittsburgh Pirates have posted 14 runs in their first two games at Cincinnati this week, but their season-long offensive woes are far from conquered. During his weekly radio appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Derek Shelton acknowledged the Pirates’ offensive problems in 2024, but stopped short of endorsing the idea...
First Call: NFC team emerges in Brandon Aiyuk trade conversation; ex-Steeler released from Chiefs
There is a twist in the Brandon Aiyuk story that Pittsburgh Steelers fans won’t like. An ex-Steeler is getting cut. An ex-Penguin may be looking for a new team. And a new Ravens QB may get a position change. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Mr. Aiyuk going to Washington?...
Tim Benz: For Paul Skenes, the process has been even more impressive than the numbers
Thus far, the results have been impressive for Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Over the first eight games of his career, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick is 4-0 with an ERA of 2.14. Through 46⅓ innings pitched, the LSU/Air Force product has yet to leave a game with...
Tim Benz: Even if it’s an actual Sunday, no more ‘Sunday lineups’ for Paul Skenes, please
Whenever Paul Skenes is pitching, the Pittsburgh Pirates can’t roll out their Sunday lineup. Even if it is actually a Sunday. The Pirates learned that lesson this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays during an afternoon when Skenes allowed a leadoff home run, then nothing else after that. Paul Skenes...
First Call: More Dak Prescott-to-Steelers in 2025 talk; Skenes, Jones may be best ‘1-2 combination’ Tampa manager has seen this yearVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” a second wave of conversation about Dak Prescott joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 is washing ashore. There may be a market for Brandon Aiyuk’s salary demands outside of San Francisco. The Pirates’ pitching rotation left an impression on Tampa Bay’s manager. And Tyler Glasnow keeps...
Madden Monday: No way Najee Harris gets a Rhamondre Stevenson contract from the Steelers or anywhere else
In Friday’s “First Call,” we outlined why Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris should’ve taken acute interest in the contract extension recently signed by New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson. As a refresher, Harris was the first player at the position selected in the 2021 draft. The Steelers picked...
Tim Benz: If Ben Cherington truly wants to help the Pirates ‘stay in it,’ there’s an obvious way to make that happen
The last two times Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has spoken publicly, he’s had a slightly different message about his plans when it comes to potentially adding help to the 2024 roster. Back on June 8, Cherington said, “We want to do everything we can to put our team...
