Breakfast With Benz category, Page 61
First Call: Steelers reportedly move on from Desmond King; Evgeni Malkin snubbed from another Top 100 list
Wednesday’s “First Call” starts with a surprising move by the Pittsburgh Steelers and a surprising omission for the Penguins from an ESPN list. Plus, it was a memorable night for a former Penguin, and an ex-Pirates executive may land a big-time job back in Major League Baseball. Well, that was...
Tim Benz: The time is right, the need is present for Steelers to start Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr.
I want to avoid committing the sports media sin of criticizing someone — in this case, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin — for something they haven’t done yet. But the fact that this is even a conversation at all is worthy of some critical words. Tomlin should end the slow...
Former Steelers blossoming in L.A. after joining Rams
When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Rams on Sunday, they’ll see a pair of former teammates who are thriving in Los Angeles. Ex-Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has started all six games for the Rams and played 94% of the defensive snaps for the Rams so far this year. He has...
First Call: Rams off-field issues and injury news; Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ next opponent is dealing with issues on and off the field. A former Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback after some recent trouble in his personal life. The first college basketball poll of the season is out. And a Duquesne football star is getting some recognition....
Tim Benz: History says this is when the Steelers heat up. History better repeat itself
Over the course of the past six seasons, there have been a pair of obvious constants for the Pittsburgh Steelers. • They haven’t won a playoff game. • They haven’t had a losing season. You’re probably aware of that rather annoying push-pull dynamic by now, aren’t you? There have also...
First Call: Steelers’ next foe brings WR challenge; AFC North goes 3-0 with boost from WPIAL alumni; Titans QB concern
Monday’s “First Call” examines a challenge facing the Pittsburgh Steelers for their first game back from the bye. We take a look at the AFC North after some WPIAL alumni helped the teams go 3-0 this weekend. The idea of a London Super Bowl is still on the table. An...
Tim Benz: Former Penguin’s daughter continues Pittsburgh hockey connection at Robert Morris
When Wayne Primeau was a Pittsburgh Penguin, he was part of one of the all-time memorable playoff runs in Penguins’ history. Acquired in February 2001, he was on the team during the Johan Hedberg “Moose Mania” trip to the Eastern Conference Final during Mario Lemieux’s return season. “He was a...
Madden Monday: Of the 4 games after the bye, Steelers ‘might lose every game, but they won’t win every game’
The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) are coming out of the bye with a game in Los Angeles against the Rams, then home games versus Jacksonville, Tennessee, and Green Bay. Not exactly daunting stuff. The combined record of those teams is 11-12. Yet given the offensive struggles of the team over the...
Tim Benz: ESPN just created the word ‘Tomlining,’ but the definition is up for debate
On Monday morning, following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg invented a new word: “Tomlining.” And I think he meant it as a compliment. Yes, the “Get Up!” host turned the Steelers coach into a verb. He did so during a segment breaking down...
Friday Football Footnotes: Plenty for Steelers fans to watch during team’s bye weekend
The Pittsburgh Steelers are off this week for their bye. But there is plenty to watch in the NFL this weekend through a Black and Gold lens. For this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes,” we give you a list of things to track and monitor while the Steelers take a break...
Tim Benz: 5 ways the Steelers must improve coming out of the bye
It would be foolish to suggest that we could sum up everything that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do to improve themselves coming out of the bye weekend in one column. As far as division-leading teams at the quarter pole go, this one is about as flawed as I’ve ever...
First Call: Fox rates Mike Tomlin 3rd-best coach; James Harrison on T.J. Watt setting the sack record
Thursday’s “First Call” illustrates the love the national media still has for Mike Tomlin. James Harrison applauds T.J. Watt while J.J. Watt discusses the scrutiny of Matt Canada. Also, Connor Bedard scores his first NHL goal, and an ex-Pittsburgh Penguin gets off on the right foot. Laying it on a...
First Call: Update on T.J. Watt’s injured finger sounds nasty; a ‘Fire Canada’ chant at the Penguins game?
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a gnarly update on the finger injury suffered by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. Joey Porter Jr. goes in-depth on his first career interception. The Steelers’ next opponent made a trade. And we have some NHL-opening gambling lines. Dislocated digit Not much attention was paid to...
Tim Benz: Old storylines emerge in season-opening loss for ‘whole new group’ of Penguins
So the Chicago Blackhawks came to Pittsburgh and spoiled a Penguins party. If Mike Lange was still doing play-by-play, this would be a perfect spot to drop in, “I’ve seen that fish before.” There was one significant difference between the Blackhawks winning 5-2 at PPG Paints Arena in the Pens’...
Tim Benz: Biggest questions in need of answers heading into Penguins’ opening night
The Pittsburgh Penguins open their season Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the first of 82 games and the start of six months worth of angst, tension, excitement and agony. That’s why we love it. Here are the five biggest questions I...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger calls Steelers’ pass game ‘non-existent,’ gives thoughts on Matt Canada’s future
Tuesday’s “First Call” features some opinions from former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the state of the franchise’s offense. We check in on a former Penguins goalie. And we have some honors for Robert Morris hockey and Duquesne football. Big Ben’s big advice During his latest “Footbahlin’” podcast, retired...
First Call: Ravens explain weird 2nd-quarter decision; looking at Steelers’ 1st opponent after the bye
Monday’s “First Call” has an explanation for a weird moment in Sunday’s Steelers-Ravens game. We review some of the odds for this weekend’s college football action. There’s a hockey trade involving a former Penguin. We take a look at what may be lying ahead for the Steelers after their bye....
Madden Monday: After Steelers’ win, fans calling for Matt Canada’s firing won’t get their wish
It’s not often Pittsburgh Steelers fans come up with a nightmare scenario that involves their team winning. But for those who wanted offensive coordinator Matt Canada fired, this was it. All week, the various possibilities had been discussed. If the Steelers get blown out by the Baltimore Ravens, will they...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Steelers’ splash plays outweigh offensive struggles to beat Ravens
All week long, it’s been hard to explain how the Pittsburgh Steelers lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans last week. Now it might be even harder to explain how they beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The boos and “Fire Canada” chants were cascading down from the Acrisure Stadium seats...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey players embrace emotions surrounding Saturday’s return to the ice
Butler’s Paul Maust remembers exactly where he was in May 2021 when he found out that the Robert Morris hockey teams were getting cut from the school’s athletic department. The Mercyhurst player was working out at the Baierl Ice Complex in Warrendale with two members of the Colonials team —...
First Call: An ex-Steeler just bought a hockey team; Aaron Donald’s plan to stop Eagles QB sneak
For Friday’s “First Call,” we’ve got a surprising career choice for a former Steeler. An ex-Raven is stirring the pot when it comes to the Steelers rivalry. Aaron Donald thinks he may be able to combat the Philadelphia Eagles’ allegedly unstoppable play. And the internet is having a field day...
Friday Football Footnotes: An all Steelers-Ravens rivalry edition
Neither the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) nor the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) are playing like they were in 2010 when they were both 12-4. But the rivalry between the clubs is still strong. And with the entire AFC North already beating itself up and a bye looming in Pittsburgh, refusing to let...
Tim Benz: Pirates know next step will be harder than this one
It takes a special talent to lose 100 games in Major League Baseball. Or, in the case of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a special lack of talent. The only thing that prevented the Pirates from losing 100 games three years in a row from 2020-22 was the small matter of a...
First Call: Ravens LB has a grudge against Mike Tomlin; Cooper Kupp should be ready to face Steelers in L.A.
Thursday’s “First Call” features a Baltimore Raven with an axe to grind against Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. A potential threat to the Steelers in a few weeks is returning to practice. So is former Penn State star Saquon Barkley. And we now have a diagnosis on that knee injury suffered...
U mad, bro?: After a 30-6 loss in Houston, angry Steelers fans swarm on Mike Tomlin, Kenny Pickett, Matt Canada
After a 30-6 loss in Houston Sunday, the sharks are circling for Steelers coaches and players. And even the media that covers them. If they lose again at home to Baltimore this weekend, well…. Enjoy the apricot brandy. Here’s this week’s edition of “U mad, bro?” We start with Calvin....
