Breakfast With Benz category, Page 100
First Call: National outlets see Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett available for Steelers in draft; Alex Ovechkin’s injury status
Tuesday’s “First Call” leads us to believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the clock with their choice of quarterbacks on the board during the NFL Draft Thursday night. There will be some scoreboard watching going on Tuesday in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. And we’ve got an update on Alex...
Tim Benz: NHL playoff expansion ideas are unnecessary, reward mediocrity
There has been a lot of talk this year about the NHL expanding its postseason format so that it becomes akin to what we see in the NBA. A “play-in” type of model that allows for the ninth and 10th seeds in each conference to play their way into the...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s draft preview: Steelers better find an impactful wide receiver
When it comes to the NFL Draft, there is one thing the Pittsburgh Steelers try to avoid at all costs — entering the first round with a glaring hole at one of the 22 starting positions. Coach Mike Tomlin reiterated that stance Monday. “Our goal always is to address all...
Madden Monday: Penguins will ‘lose their first-round playoff series … no matter who they play’
For a while now, I’ve held the opinion that the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be clear underdogs against whatever team they play in the first round of the NHL playoffs. That thought became further entrenched when it became likely that goaltender Tristan Jarry was going to be out —...
First Call: Odds to land Deebo Samuel have Steelers in top 10; Alex Ovechkin injured; MLB player explodes at ump
Monday’s “First Call” puts the Pittsburgh Steelers into the mix for Deebo Samuel. We also look at the NHL’s Eastern Conference standings and an injury to Alex Ovechkin. Plus, one MLB player in Philadelphia has an all-time classic meltdown over balls and strikes. In the hunt? What are the odds...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s draft preview: If Malik Willis is on the board at 20, Steelers ‘will absolutely take him’
In the first of our annual series of pre-NFL Draft podcasts, Steelers Nation Radio host and TribLIVE Steelers film analyst Matt Williamson joined me to break down the quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, you may have seen — or heard — their names mentioned a few...
Tim Benz: The ‘assists before the assists’ make the difference as Penguins blank Boston
Sometimes two assists just aren’t enough. And sometimes it’s the assists before the assists that can help make a difference. That’s something the Penguins personified during Thursday night’s 4-0 victory over the Boston Bruins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night. On the Penguins’ first goal in the first period,...
First Call: Daniel Jeremiah still sees Kenny Pickett as ‘best fit’ if Steelers go QB in draft; Ravens may nab Jordan Davis
At least one NFL draft analyst still sees Pitt’s Kenny Pickett as the Steelers’ best option if they go quarterback in the first round of next week’s draft. However, the team is the betting favorite to land a different quarterback instead. The Baltimore Ravens may scoop up a different player...
First Call: ESPN reporter says Baker Mayfield signs with Steelers ‘the next day’ if cut; Terrell Edmunds still ‘in the mix’ to return
Thursday’s “First Call” advances another “Baker Mayfield to the Steelers” theory. Liberty’s coach lobbies for Malik Willis to be selected as the NFL draft’s top quarterback. Discussion continues regarding a return of Terrell Edmunds to Pittsburgh. And the Washington Capitals have tied the Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan...
Tim Benz: Penguins players throw their weight — and hope — behind Casey DeSmith
Sure. It’s more than a little disingenuous. More than just a bit intellectually dishonest. But for fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins, what are they to do? Just give up when the playoffs start? Not watch the games? Yes. In Pittsburgh nowadays, there’s a lot of talking ourselves into believing when...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans tear into the Penguins, Pirates and even… the Maulers?
You didn’t think that just because the Pittsburgh Maulers are a start-up, minor league, spring football team that plays their home games in Birmingham, Ala., they’ll escape the wrath of “U mad, bro?”, did you? Hey, if “Pittsburgh” is in their name, they are not immune. The Steelers know this....
Tristan Jarry’s injury suddenly increases importance of Penguins’ playoff seeding
For months, my opinion on the state of the Pittsburgh Penguins has remained consistent. Given how clearcut the postseason hierarchy has been in the Eastern Conference, it’s been easy to conclude which teams would make the playoffs and which teams would be left out of the mix. The only question...
Tim Benz: After watching the Maulers’ 1st game, the new USFL has some things going for it … and at least 1 huge challenge
The newly rebooted USFL has some things going for it. But it’s got a few major hurdles to overcome if it wants to buck the trend of failure that other startup professional football leagues (not named the NFL) have endured. Including its 1980s predecessor with the same name. A good...
First Call: Is Diontae Johnson’s contract keeping him away from workouts? Tampa Bay mocks Maulers’ chicken salad saga
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Diontae Johnson seems displeased about a tweet from a Pittsburgh radio personality. Another free agent receiver from Johnson’s draft class may be of interest to the Steelers. Sidney Crosby reached out to a former Team Canada teammate after his comeback. And Todd Haley couldn’t let the...
Tim Benz: Penguins players praise Boston College’s Jerry York for historic career in wake of his retirement
When Boston College hockey coach Jerry York retired last week after 28 years on the job, he did so without all the fanfare that was directed toward Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. But York leaves his sport with a resume that is every bit as impressive. He does so while...
Madden Monday: After Tristan Jarry’s injury, Penguins are ‘hitting the trifecta of doom’
Many Penguins fans had talked themselves into a state of optimism regarding their team’s playoff chances during the regular season. And much of that hope was built on the premise that goaltender Tristan Jarry’s All-Star-worthy regular season was proof he had rebounded from his awful playoff series against the New...
First Call: Ohio State quarterback honors Dwayne Haskins; NFL team shows late interest in Kenny Pickett
Monday’s “First Call” takes a look at how former Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was honored by his college football alma mater over the weekend. Another NFL team is being tied to Kenny Pickett in advance of the draft. There was action in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. And we examine the...
Tim Benz: For Penguins, sharpening their game is more important than playoff opponent
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, 16 straight playoff appearances is something to embrace. That’s the longest active streak in North American team sports. Their other two active playoff streaks are ones the organization would desperately like to shake. • Four consecutive series losses. • Three straight years of the franchise losing...
First Call: Kenny Pickett won’t attend NFL Draft bash in Vegas; ex-Pirates pitching battle; Penguins get help in standings
In Friday’s “First Call,” we reveal the players who will be at the NFL Draft in Las Vegas at the end of the month. The Pittsburgh Penguins got some favorable results on Thursday, beyond their own victory. We also celebrate an anniversary for the team that history occasionally overlooks. And...
Tim Benz: Start of 2022 reminds us of the many weird dynamics that go into being a Pirates fan
Everything about being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan is weird right now. Who am I kidding? It’s been weird most of my life. I’m 47. Over that time, I can cognitively remember about seven or eight years when I genuinely felt like this franchise had a chance to compete for a...
U mad, bro: Penguins fans are getting cranky with late-season stumbles; Pirates fans won’t fake optimism
For once, it appears that the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be dominating “U mad, bro?” Very few gripes or complaints from football fans lashing out this week. The Steelers seem done — or close to it — in free agency. The draft is still a few weeks away. “Who will the...
First Call: Steelers website says club has ‘interest’ in Tyrann Mathieu; Steven Nelson’s new home; Baker Mayfield ‘disrespected’
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have eyes on Tyrann Mathieu after all. An ex-Steelers defensive back has a new home. Baker Mayfield isn’t happy. The New York Rangers gain ground on the Penguins. And a Pirates name from days gone by just picked up a major league win. All that in...
Tim Benz: Penguins earn a point, but there’s plenty to clean up before rematch with Islanders
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, there were some things to like en route to grabbing a point on the road against the New York Islanders. Jake Guentzel had two goals and an assist. Jake Guentzel’s 18 even-strength goals on the road are tied for second in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/QHywV61GdX— Pittsburgh Penguins...
First Call: Dwayne Haskins’ family makes 1st statement; Melvin Ingram visits AFC team; son of Steelers All-Pro in draft
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” multiple services are planned to honor the memory of recently deceased Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Former Steeler Melvin Ingram is making the free agent rounds. The son of a Steelers Pro Bowler is entering the NFL draft at a position of need for his father’s...
Tim Benz: How do Pirates evaluate Derek Shelton in vacuum of their own reality?
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday marked the third home opener at PNC Park for manager Derek Shelton. But it was the first one approaching what he dreamed of having before the word “coronavirus” became part of our everyday vocabulary. “You know your fans are...
