Breakfast With Benz category, Page 93
Tim Benz: Steelers go 2 for 3 on Mike Tomlin’s checklist in Jacksonville. The miss was a big one
After the Steelers’ 32-25 victory in their first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, coach Mike Tomlin identified three specific areas of improvement that he wanted to see in Game 2. They were: • Sharper two-minute execution on both sides of the ball • Improved pass protection • Better run...
Friday Football Footnotes: Myles Jack returns to Jacksonville; Deshaun Watson suspension shifts odds
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” features a new Pittsburgh Steeler talking about his old team. We find out about how the betting odds were impacted by Deshaun Watson walking away with an 11-game suspension in Cleveland. We even get into Gaelic football, and an ex-Duquesne player has officially signed with...
First Call: Antonio Brown goes after Tom Brady on Twitter; Fox’s Jay Glazer says Steelers are ‘Mitch Trubisky’s team’
Thursday’s “First Call” features Antonio Brown’s latest social media meltdown. Jay Glazer tamps down any quarterback controversy with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plus, we have updates on Joe Burrow’s health in Cincinnati and Baker Mayfield’s starting status with the Carolina Panthers. A.B. goes after TB12 Antonio Brown is using social media...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans split on booing Mason Rudolph, Pirates fans on edge about Dennis Eckersley’s comments
Some people are mad that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph got booed Saturday night. Others seem to think he got off easy. Some people are angry at what Red Sox broadcaster Dennis Eckersley said about the Pirates. Others seem to think he could have poured it on more. Some people...
Tim Benz: Talk of trading Chase Claypool for Roquan Smith is one thing, dealing him for the sake of it is something else
I’ve been pretty hard on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool over the past year and a half. But even I’m a little hesitant to jump on all the recent talk about him being traded. The latest salvo in that regard came from ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio. Speaking Wednesday on 93.7...
First Call: Omar Khan downplays Mason Rudolph trade talk; ex-lineman has underwhelming review of Steelers guard
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some interesting observations about a new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman. Another quarterback is out of a job. Omar Khan is downplaying Mason Rudolph trade rumors. And an ex-Pirate sparkles on the mound in Atlanta. Baldinger not bullish on Daniels Appearing on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday,...
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on Minkah Fitzpatrick: ‘I’d like to see him get back to the turnover ways’
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin broached the topic on his own Tuesday. So it must be something top of mind for him and the rest of the Steelers coaching staff. How do they rediscover the natural playmaking ability of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick? How do they put him in positions...
Tim Benz: Red Sox broadcast team humiliates Pirates — and hopefully everyone in Pittsburgh applauds what they said
Just another night covering Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in Latrobe. The workday is done. The quotes are transcribed. The photos are attached. The stories are filed. Let’s have a beer or two at Sharky’s, watch the Pirates lose again and call it a night. Rinse. Wash. Repeat in the morning....
Neil Walker on Oneil Cruz: ‘He’s not making adjustments. That’s clear as day… He’s getting exposed.’
The struggles at the plate of Pirates rookie sensation Oneil Cruz can no longer be covered up by highlight clips of missile throws across the field or flashy exit velocity stats on his home runs. Those skill set measurable stats are wonderful. But we can’t pretend that those are the...
First Call: Rumored trade partner for Mason Rudolph emerges; ex-Steeler ILB signs with AFC team; Le’Veon Bell boxing update
Trade rumors are swirling around Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. An ex-Steeler has a new home in the AFC. Gerrit Cole suffers a tough loss. And Le’Veon Bell’s boxing match is on again. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Motor City Mason For some fans in Pittsburgh, the only satisfactory ending...
Mike Tomlin addresses 3 points of concern for Steelers after win over Seattle
In the wake of the Steelers’ preseason-opening victory against the Seattle Seahawks, most of Pittsburgh seems enthused by the outcome because of how well all three quarterbacks played. Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett combined for a 124.9 passer rating en route to the 32-25 win. They totaled 224...
Madden Monday: As far as Mason Rudolph goes, ‘best thing for the Steelers this year’ is keeping all 3 QBs
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE agrees with the main sentiment in Pittsburgh that emerged after the Steelers preseason opener Saturday night. For the most part, all three quarterbacks — Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett — played well. In fact,...
Kordell Stewart still relishes ‘Slash’ role
When former Pittsburgh Steeler Kordell Stewart thinks back to training camp at Saint Vincent, one word comes to mind. “Hot,” Stewart exclaimed during a phone call Wednesday. “Slash” joined me for Thursday’s Bella Construction “Letters from Camp” podcast to discuss a broadcast venture of his own. Stewart is launching a...
Tim Benz: All 3 Steelers QBs deserve praise. And Mason Rudolph deserves a break
It’s not like the boos were raining down from Acrisure Stadium when Mason Rudolph was introduced as the second quarterback during the Steelers preseason opener Saturday night. It was more of a grumbling murmur. A disgruntled undercurrent. Whatever you wanted to call it, it got louder when Rudolph took his...
Football Footnotes: Browns may go after Jimmy Garoppolo; Malik Willis’ debut; Antonio Brown’s witty response to meme
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” has an update on Cleveland’s plans at quarterback if Deshaun Watson’s suspension becomes longer. Malik Willis had some highlights in his NFL preseason debut with the Tennessee Titans. The NFL finally does something right in terms of quarterback contact. And Antonio Brown actually did something...
Tim Benz: A Pirates-worthy set list for ‘The Stadium Tour’ at PNC Park
I’ve been sitting on tickets for the Stadium Tour concert at PNC Park since it was announced in December 2019. Motley Crue, Poison, Def Leppard and Joan Jett? C’mon! It’s the 1980s and ‘90s soundtrack of my youth. Of course, I’m going. But it’s been delayed twice because of coronavirus....
Tim Benz: Kordell Stewart discusses his time in Pittsburgh as ‘Slash,’ his outlook for ‘rebuilding’ Steelers in 2022
When former Pittsburgh Steeler Kordell Stewart thinks back to training camp at Saint Vincent College, one word comes to mind. “Hot,” exclaimed Stewart during a phone call Wednesday. “Slash” joined me for Thursday’s Bella Construction “Letters from Camp” podcast to discuss a broadcast venture of his own. Stewart is launching...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans simmer over stadium name, safety helmets, ESPN ‘GOAT’ list; Pirates fans fume about Hall of Fame
You might think that by this point, Pittsburgh Steelers fans would get over their angst surrounding the Heinz Field name change, the Guardian Caps on NFL helmets and Diontae Johnson’s contract. You might think that. You’d be wrong. Way wrong. That’s to say nothing of their opinions surrounding the NFL...
First Call: Steelers fans won’t like list of potential destinations for Roquan Smith; Jose Quintana solid again for St. Louis
Thursday’s “First Call” wonders if the Pittsburgh Steelers can land Chicago Bears star Roquan Smith in a trade. If they can’t, who will? Also, a former Pirate is shining for his new team. A former Penguin is now a college coach. And a former Steeler may not be able to...
Considering recent precedent, was Diontae Johnson’s Steelers contract struck with long-term future in mind?
Diontae Johnson’s time with the Pittsburgh Steelers doesn’t have to end when his new contract extension expires following the 2024 season. At least that appears to be the sentiment of the team’s general manager Omar Khan. Last week, Johnson signed a two-year, $36.7 million extension, which gave him a $17...
First Call: Seahawks name starting QB for game with Steelers; Penguins fans will hate the news from New York
Wednesday’s “First Call” finds out which Seattle Seahawks quarterback will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. The Jordan Addison transfer is getting more attention. The Browns lost a player thanks to a long-term injury. And we have some hockey news that could drive Penguins fans bonkers. Smith versus Steelers...
Tim Benz: Reasons for optimism about Steelers offensive line — beyond the belief that 2021 was as bad as it could get
If there is a reason to predict optimism about the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in 2022, it can be boiled down to the simple explanation of, “Well, it can’t be any worse than last year. So I guess it has to be better.” Based on some of the stats from...
First Call: Steelers signee at OLB provides spark at practice; clarity on injury for Ravens rookie; Justin Tucker’s new contract
A new Steeler provides a highlight at training camp. An IUP player is on the Steelers’ radar. The Baltimore Ravens are already dealing with an injury concern. And Justin Tucker is by himself as the NFL’s highest paid kicker again. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” The new ‘Bus’? Credit...
Tim Benz: Larry Ogunjobi shows Steelers — and himself — that his injured foot is ready to go
Post-practice media interviews at Steelers training camp certainly aren’t Mike Tomlin’s favorite part of the day. But after Monday’s workout at Latrobe Memorial Stadium, an ear-to-ear grin slowly crept across Tomlin’s face when he realized one of the questions was about Larry Ogunjobi’s debut. “It didn’t take long for his...
First Call: Steelers still look to improve RB depth; NFL tweaks helmet rule; ex-Pirates pitcher continues to shine out west
Monday’s “First Call” shows the Pittsburgh Steelers are still attempting to strengthen depth at running back. Some interesting tinkering with the NFL rule book is taking place. And a former Pirates pitcher continues to dominate in the National League West. A little help? The Steelers are still looking to get...
