Breakfast With Benz category, Page 74
Tim Benz: Slipping to Steelers in 2nd round will be a blessing in disguise for Joey Porter Jr.
New Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. might not see it like this right now. But the fact that he slipped to the second round is going to wind up being a blessing in disguise. For him and for the Steelers. C’mon. We all heard it. I admit it. I thought...
First Call: Examining AFC North draft picks; a look at the NHL goalie market for the Pens and Tristan Jarry
Friday’s “First Call” looks at what the other AFC North teams did in the NFL Draft after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Broderick Jones. We also preview the Pirates next series, look at Gerrit Cole’s latest strong start and check in on the free agent goalie market in the NHL. Once...
In just 1 inning, the Pirates exemplified what MLB is going for with its new rules
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ agenda to be aggressive on the bases in 2023 has already been well chronicled. If you needed a clear example of how much that dedication to the run game is paying off, it crystalized in the first inning of the Pirates’ 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles...
Tim Benz: Broderick Jones is great for the Steelers. The trade to get him was even better
Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones is the guy I wanted the Pittsburgh Steelers to select in the first round. I wasn’t sure he’d still be on the board when the team was originally supposed to pick at No. 17, and I wasn’t sure that they’d be able to trade up...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. on prospect of falling to Steelers — or beyond; 40 years since Steelers passed on Dan Marino
Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. seems to have the Pittsburgh Steelers in mind as a potential end to his NFL Draft wait Thursday night. Wednesday marked the 40th anniversary of an infamous Steelers draft memory. The Pirates look to take a third straight series from the Los Angeles Dodgers. And...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans still frothing, Steelers fans show little faith ahead of the draft
The Pittsburgh Pirates really must be playing well. A month into the season and not even a mention in this week’s “U mad, bro?” If you just read that after waking up from a month-long nap, you must then assume that the Buccos are in first place — or the...
ESPN reporter says this pass rusher ‘won’t make it past’ Steelers’ 1st-round draft pick
Want a late-to-the-party, out-of-nowhere prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft pick? ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has one for you. Fowler, who now covers the NFL league-wide for ESPN after being on the Steelers beat for multiple years, told 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday that Georgia pass rusher Nolan Smith “won’t...
Tim Benz: In quantity vs. quality draft debate, Steelers should try to move up
For months, it seems like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft decision has come down to a debate between offensive tackle or cornerback in the first round. The bigger picture debate, though, is really quantity versus quality. On the one hand, the Steelers have four picks in the top 80 selections in...
First Call: Odds for Steelers’ draft favorite; Bears may keep 9th pick for specific target; Joe Burrow contract news
In Wednesday’s“First Call,” the guessing games are underway when it comes to trade options for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft. Steelers QB Kenny Pickett revisits a sticking point about his draft experience. A predictable option lands as the favorite for gamblers when it comes...
Pirates have company from other rebuilding MLB teams making early waves in ’23
Despite their 8-7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates are still alone atop the National League Central Division at 16-8. The team finished 62-100 a year ago. But the Pirates aren’t alone in their fast ascent up the standings. Three of the six divisions...
Pirates put momentum to the test against defending N.L. West champion Dodgers
There is no denying the hot start of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023. At 16-7, the Pirates lead the National League Central Division. Thus far, the previously forlorn Buccos: • Have a seven-game win streak • Lead Major League Baseball with 14 quality starts • Lead the National League in...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. on potentially becoming a Steeler; Peter King has an interesting Steelers mock draft pickVideo
Joey Porter Jr. talks openly about the prospect of becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler. Peter King gives a unique prediction of who the Steelers will draft. A Pittsburgh kid gets on the score sheet in the NHL playoffs. And the Pirates get a little help during an off night as they...
Tim Benz: Steelers excited about pick No. 32. Now they better figure out how to use it
For months, Pittsburgh Steelers fans and media members have been gushing about the franchise acquiring the Chicago Bears’ pick in the second round of this year’s NFL draft. They were doing so even before it became obvious that the selection would be the first one in the second round. Even...
First Call: Antonio Brown avoids arrest on child support charge; former Pitt AD Scott Barnes hospitalized
Monday’s “First Call” recaps an eventful week for former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. Former Pitt Athletic Director Scott Barnes is recovering from a medical event in California. The Pirates were the beneficiaries of a huge inning from a Red Sox rookie. And an ex-Penguin is still showing some scoring touch...
Tim Benz: ‘Gentlemen’ on the base paths, Pirates race to the NL lead in stolen bases
Among all the other things that have been going right for the Pittsburgh Pirates so far in 2023, they’ve also quietly become one of the best base-stealing teams in baseball. During their 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, the Pirates stole three bases, giving them 25 on the...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ 1st-round draft choice ‘will be one of these 3 players’
After months of speculation in Pittsburgh, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X isn’t changing his prediction about who the Steelers will take in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL Draft. He’s still convinced the franchise will select Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., son of former Steelers...
NFL Network analyst gives scouting forecast for Pitt players in advance of draft
We’ve speculated for months on who the Steelers should select in the NFL Draft. But what’s the evaluation of some of the draft eligible Pitt Panthers? During a conference call Thursday, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked specifically about Pitt as a program and about some Panthers products...
First Call: T.J. and Derek Watt receive honor in Wisconsin; Tom Brady won’t let the Dolphins rumors die
Friday’s “First Call” has an honor for Steelers star T.J. Watt and his brother Derek. It looks like Tom Brady is still flirting with the Miami Dolphins. Saquon Barkley is stuck in a contract stalemate. And ex-Pirate Jameson Taillon is dealing with an injury issue again. Numbers up T.J. and...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ efficiency key to hot start, wins over struggling opponents
After four consecutive last-place finishes and two consecutive 100-loss seasons, the Pirates really don’t care who they are beating. They just care that they are winning. “We are hot. And we know it. There is no denying that,” said Pirates outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe. They are. And we can’t. Usually...
First Call: ESPN reports Allen Robinson passes physical with Steelers; Pirates look to stay hot; ex-Pens score in playoffs
Thursday’s “First Call” has an update on the Steelers trade for Allen Robinson. The Pirates hope to kick another opponent while they are down. A pair of WPIAL baseball stars faced off in Oakland. And a pair of ex-Penguins scored for their team in the NHL playoffs, while another struggled...
Tim Benz: Reading the tea leaves for what Allen Robinson’s arrival means for Steelers’ draft strategy
Now that Allen Robinson has reportedly passed his physical, the former Los Angeles Ram can be added to the mix of wide receivers on the Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart. That has made some people wonder if the Steelers now have no plans to make further additions to that position group...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans aren’t done ranting. Nor should they be
The Penguins put their fan base through six months of dreadfully up-and-down, painfully inconsistent hockey. You didn’t think that just one week of venting after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006 was enough, did you? Of course not! It’s time for the “All Penguins Angst” edition of...
Tim Benz: Penguins need more than just a wake-up call after missing the playoffs
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was cleaning out his locker last Saturday in the wake of missing the playoffs for the first time since his rookie year. Just a day after seeing general manager Ron Hextall and president of hockey operations Brian Burke fired. The three-time Stanley Cup champion was...
First Call: Jalen Carter may be gone before Steelers could trade up to draft him; WPIAL pitching star to make debut
Wednesday’s “First Call” takes another look at that Jalen Carter-to-the-Steelers conversation. A familiar name in the AFC North may get moved out. We examine the NHL television ratings for the regular season. And a WPIAL standout pitcher is getting called up to the Major Leagues. No crack at Carter? If...
Cornerback or tackle?: Former NFL GM has specific opinions on Steelers draft options
While a lot of names are being thrown around as candidates for the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft at pick No. 17, a popular plan of attack seems to have emerged within the fan base. Get the best remaining offensive tackle at 17, then the best remaining cornerback with the pick...
