Breakfast With Benz category, Page 102
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin makes a good case for a return of old-fashioned, sudden-death overtime
As the NFL seems to be scrambling for a new way to conduct overtime, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has an idea. Make everything old, new again. The current NFL overtime rule is that if the winner of the overtime coin flip goes down the field and scores a touchdown...
Blowout of Red Wings was one thing for Penguins, responding against Rangers would be greater
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust had a succinct assessment of his team’s turnaround from a 5-1 loss in New York against the Rangers on Friday night to an 11-2 drubbing of the Detroit Red Wings at home Sunday. “Tonight was substantially more fun than the other night,” Rust assessed. Indeed....
Tim Benz: Robert Morris trio goes from losing their hockey home to a national championship
For former Robert Morris women’s hockey coach Paul Colontino, the emotions were easy to sort out. It was natural for him to back Ohio State in their 3-2 NCAA championship game win over Minnesota-Duluth on Mar. 20. “You couldn’t be cheering harder. You’re excited and elated for them to have...
First Call: Liberty’s coach thinks Steelers will take Malik Willis if available; Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert say QBs still on table in draft
Monday’s “First Call” checks in on Mason Rudolph’s state of mind as the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback position remains up for grabs. One college coach thinks his quarterback could be Pittsburgh bound. Marc-Andre Fleury’s debut in Minnesota was a success. And there was no rest on Sunday for the NHL’s Eastern...
Madden Monday on Evgeni Malkin: ‘This is the best Geno we have seen in quite a while’
Halfway through March, it was shaping up as a forgettable month for Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin. On March 16, Malkin was riding a six-game pointless streak and had just one goal and two assists in the seven games to start the month. But now, Malkin is in the midst...
First Call: Pitt transfer shines in Arkansas’ upset of Gonzaga; high praise for Mitch Trubisky; Deshaun Watson update
Friday’s “First Call” features a Pitt transfer shining in the NCAA Tournament. Deshaun Watson will not face another criminal charge. High praise for new Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky. And the Carolina Hurricanes extend their lead on the Penguins in the Metropolitan Division. Hog wild Pitt transfer Au’Diese Toney put his...
Tim Benz: Jacksonville reporter tips us off to a job new Steelers linebacker Myles Jack should avoid
When the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired inside linebacker Joe Schobert from the Jacksonville Jaguars for just a sixth-round draft choice last summer, News 4 Jax sports anchor Jamal St. Cyr gave us a good breakdown as to why the Jags were willing to part with him for such a low price....
JuJu Smith-Schuster: ‘I had to choose Chiefs Kingdom’
During an Instagram Live interview with the NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti on Thursday, ex-Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster tried to explain why he left Pittsburgh for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Bisciotti (@taylorbisciotti) “Going with the Steelers and...
First Call: 1 team may have stoked the price on Chuks Okorafor; Steelers attend another quarterback’s pro day
Thursday’s “First Call” tells us which quarterback prospect lured top members of the Pittsburgh Steelers to his pro day. We find out what team may have primed the bidding on Steelers tackle Chuks Okorafor. One report suggests the Steelers are keeping an eye on the safety market in free agency....
Tim Benz: What the Tyreek Hill trade means for him, the Dolphins, Chiefs and even the Steelers
It’s often said in professional sports that a good trade helps both teams involved. But what if a deal is bad for all three parties involved? That was my initial reaction to the big NFL trade announced Wednesday, which resulted in Kansas City Chiefs star receiver Tyreek Hill being dealt...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans get feisty about Mitch Trubisky, Tom Brady, and the idea of tanking a season
The hype over newly signed quarterback Mitch Trubisky — and the confidence in him — continues to grow within the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base. That will probably continue until they draft Malik Willis, Matt Corral or Kenny Pickett at No. 20 in the first round. Given the attention being paid...
Tim Benz: Rickard Rakell’s arrival is one of many variables as Mike Sullivan shuffles Penguins line combinations
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan didn’t bother being coy with his response about long-term plans for Rickard Rakell Monday night. Some were surprised to see the franchise’s prized trade acquisition on the third line with Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen in his debut game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday night....
How Pitt, Penn State, WVU played a role in the Fox-ESPN trade for Joe Buck
We just spent the better part of two weeks debating Steelers free agent signings and Penguins trades. So why not kick around another big deal that went down recently: sports broadcaster Joe Buck getting traded from Fox to ESPN in exchange for one college football game. Oh, and, yes, Pitt,...
First Call: Report says Steelers would ‘pounce’ on Baker Mayfield on open market; Mike Tomlin meets with Malik Willis
Wednesday’s “First Call” delves into a report that actually connects the Steelers to Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Steelers still seem interested in Liberty quarterback Malik Willis. Even after the signing of Mitch Trubisky. We get an update on Aaron Donald’s contract situation. And the NHL’s Metropolitan Division had a...
Penguins look to soak up points before another wave of playoff-worthy competition
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan says newly acquired winger Rickard Rakell is expected to be available for Tuesday night’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. That’s good because the Penguins need to get two points while they’re available. That goes for Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres, too. Because...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ trade for Rickard Rakell is more important than Ron Hextall is letting on
Having been in the Stanley Cup playoffs every season since 2007, trade deadline hoopla has become a predictable part of the Pittsburgh Penguins calendar. The fans and media identify a big-name trade target to improve the club for a playoff run. Usually, that happens around the holidays. Those rumors bubble...
First Call: Josh Dobbs works out for Steelers’ AFC rival; NFL QB movement; ex-Penguins prospects find new NHL homes
Tuesday’s “First Call” clues us in on an NFL team who may be after a Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. A pair of former Penguins prospects are on the move. A Penn State product just got a big contract. And the NFL quarterback carousel never stops spinning. Even at enormous costs against...
Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Penguins’ moves, Steelers’ free agencyVideo
Tim Benz and Mark Madden dive into the Penguins acquiring defenseman Nathan Beaulieu from the Winnipeg Jets on this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” with Mark Madden and Tim Benz on TribLive’s Facebook page. They’re not too excited by the move. But it might be a precursor to other moves. The...
A 6-pack of NCAA Tournament questions to crack open with Mike DeCourcy
Whenever March rolls around I love talking about college basketball with Mike DeCourcy. An alum of Elizabeth Forward, Point Park and The Pittsburgh Press, DeCourcy now covers the sport for Sporting News, Fox Sports and the Big Ten Network. Assuming a few six-packs will be consumed around our region during...
First Call: Mike Tomlin praises specific Steelers draft prospect; advice for JuJu; Jaromir Jagr’s video for Alex Ovechkin
In Thursday’s “First Call,” it’s clear that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has eyes for at least one Georgia Bulldog in the draft. Josh Allen is giving an emphatic thumbs up to Mitch Trubisky. JuJu Smith-Schuster is getting some advice about how to angle his free agency. Jaromir Jagr congratulates...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans lob barbs back and forth over the Mitch Trubisky signing — and my opinions on it
I know, Steelers fans. You now love Mitch Trubisky. The very thought of him replacing Ben Roethlisberger would’ve turned your stomach two years ago. But it’s easy to pretend you never thought that way now. In fact, let’s just say it. Getting Trubisky will work out better for the Pittsburgh...
Tim Benz: If NFL teams have concerns over public relations fallout from acquiring Deshaun Watson, they aren’t showing any
The Steelers surfaced as a rumored trade destination for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson last week. A frequent and immediate response from many who cover the team or root for it was that the franchise couldn’t make such a deal “because it would be a public relations nightmare.” The Steelers...
First Call: Eagles may be out on Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster; Browns may be out on Baker Mayfield; tough night in the Metro
In “First Call” for Wednesday, Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is still looking for work. And he may not find it anywhere else in the state of Pennsylvania. Baker Mayfield is acting like a quarterback who knows he may be traded, even if the Cleveland Browns don’t get Deshaun Watson....
Former Steelers, Bears QB says Mitch Trubisky was ‘being vilified as the problem maker’ in Chicago
Former Steeler Jim Miller knows about quarterbacking in both Pittsburgh and Chicago. He knows what a cluttered QB room is like, having been in that situation with Neil O’Donnell, Kordell Stewart and Mike Tomczak. And he knows the game of new Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky pretty well, too. Miller is...
First Call: Andrew McCutchen heading back to Pirates’ division; ex-Steeler Le’Veon Bell says Antonio Brown ‘misunderstood’
Tuesday’s “First Call” tells us where former Pirates star Andrew McCutchen will play baseball next season. Le’Veon Bell still has fond things to say about Mike Tomlin and Antonio Brown. The Bengals have bolstered their offensive line. And James Conner appears to have found a long-term home. Familiar surroundings Andrew...
