Breakfast With Benz category, Page 104
Tim Benz: As Penguins face Tampa Bay, plenty of reasons why the Lightning are in legit position for a ‘3-peat’
A brutal stretch of games for the Pittsburgh Penguins resumes Thursday night in Tampa Bay. The Pens face the Lightning at 7 p.m., looking to win a third straight outing. Meanwhile, the Lightning have won five in a row. They are one of seven consecutive opponents for coach Mike Sullivan’s...
First Call: Joe Manganiello narrates Sidney Crosby doc; progress on Aaron Donald contract; Tom Brady update; Gronk to Bills?
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Hollywood star Joe Manganiello channels his Western Pennsylvania roots as narrator of a new Sidney Crosby documentary. Also, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not look kindly on Tom Brady going elsewhere if he comes out of retirement. The Buffalo Bills may try to bring Rob Gronkowski...
Tim Benz: Kevin Colbert’s comments on Najee Harris unexpected, but not unfounded
When it comes to Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, I don’t think he goes out of his way to lie to the media during his rare meetings with us. But I do think he avoids giving direct answers to the best of his ability. It’s as if he has...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans have early barbs for Penguins at trade deadline, the Pirates — even the Maulers
Two treats for this week’s “U mad, bro?” First, because of some scheduling quirks, it’s coming a day early. Second, Pittsburgh fans are so special, they have managed to work their way into complaining about a franchise that hasn’t even held its first practice, rules changes that haven’t even been...
Tim Benz: Denouncing Vladimir Putin isn’t as easy to do for all Russian hockey players as some Americans assume
There is a wave of commentary denouncing some Russian NHL players for failing to take a strong public stance against Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine. I get it. Columnists, talk show hosts and panel members all over our country have taken the time to blast several players for failing to...
Tim Benz: Throwing bodies at the depth chart won’t answer Steelers’ quarterback questions — it will create them
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation, there are many theories as to what the organization should do. A.) Make a big trade for an established veteran like Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr or Russell Wilson. B.) Draft a potential future star in the first round. C.) Do nothing...
First Call: Steelers sparse on NFL.com list of top free agents; Aaron Rodgers update; ticket prices for Coach K’s finale
Tuesday’s “First Call” shows us an apparent lack of appetite for Pittsburgh Steelers free agents. We try to figure out Aaron Rodgers’ future in Green Bay. A tough anniversary for Pittsburgh to celebrate on behalf of Sidney Crosby. And the ticket prices for Mike Krzyzewski’s farewell game at Cameron Indoor...
Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Penguins, Steelers, MLBVideo
The Penguins can and need to do more this season, according to Mark Madden. “I just think they are stale,” says Madden on this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” with Mark Madden and Tim Benz on TribLIVE’s Facebook page. “We’re oozing optimism because they’ve had a very good regular season to...
Tim Benz: Biggest change necessary for NFL overtime? Stop pretending it can make everybody happy
I don’t really care if the NFL’s Competition Committee decides that changes are necessary for overtime rules. I just want a rule in place that precludes everybody from complaining about them. Because it seems like every season we wind up whining over whatever overtime rules are currently in place as...
Madden Monday: Despite recent wins, Mark Madden says ‘stale’ Penguins ‘need a big trade at the deadline’
On Saturday afternoon, it was a 1-0 win for the Pittsburgh Penguins over the New York Rangers, thanks to an Evgeni Malkin power play goal. HE WILL BE FIRE Evgeni Malkin extends his point streak to five games with this power-play tally (3G-3A). Of Geno's eight goals this season, five...
First Call: Steelers GM candidate has deep local roots; mixed bag of a day for Penguins in Metro
Monday’s “First Call” reveals some deep local roots for one of the Pittsburgh Steelers general manager candidates. The Steelers are represented well on a list of HBCU all-timers. It was a busy day in the Metropolitan Division beyond the Penguins game in Columbus. Duquesne is sticking with Keith Dambrot, and...
Penguins have plenty to fix before season’s 1st matchup with Rangers
It’s not often that the Pittsburgh Penguins have to wait until late February to play their Metropolitan Division rival New York Rangers. Now that they get to do so, though, they may want to wait a little longer. After a rotten 6-1 loss to the last-place New Jersey Devils on...
Tim Benz: MLB preparing to cancel games soon — is that a threat or a promise?
According to ESPN.com, Major League Baseball will begin canceling regular-season games if the league and its players’ association can’t reach a new collective bargaining agreement by Monday. The games would not be rescheduled. Well, don’t threaten me with a good time. My first thought when I read that was, “Good....
Suggestions for an all-Pirates set list when Metallica plays at PNC Park in August
We found out Thursday that Metallica is going to headline a concert at PNC Park on Aug. 14. The heavy metal band pumped out its first album in 1983 and has built up quite a library. So I thought I might help out by suggesting a Pirates-specific set list for...
First Call: Art Rooney II on Stephon Tuitt, Heinz Field’s name; ex-teammate advances Carson Wentz’s name for Steelers QB job
Friday’s “First Call” starts with a former Philadelphia Eagles teammate who thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers may be a good fit for quarterback Carson Wentz. Steelers owner Art Rooney II speaks about two lingering topics surrounding his team. Thursday was bad all-around for the Penguins. And the Pitt hockey team is...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans voice opinions on Super Bowl aspirations, Kenny Pickett, JuJu and the Pats, even T.J. Watt’s allergy
The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason doesn’t mean that the team is off the radar. At least not with Steelers fans who read “Breakfast With Benz.” As usual, this week my inbox and Twitter interactions are flooded with Steelers fans giving their opinions on all sorts of topics. You know, like JuJu...
First Call: New job for ex-Steelers assistant; Brian Flores absolves, praises Bill Belichick; a Steeler who may be better elsewhere
A current Pittsburgh Steeler may be destined for a new address. Brian Flores doesn’t want to call out Bill Belichick. A former Steelers assistant coach has a new gig in college. And the Penguins have a great chance to gobble up two points Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. All...
Time to channel a little extra motivation if Duquesne is going to upset Davidson
Since Tuesday marked the 42nd anniversary of the 1980 Team USA hockey win over the Russians, maybe Duquesne basketball coach Keith Dambrot caught a rerun of the movie “Miracle” on television. Perhaps he can gin up a Herb Brooks-esque pregame speech. I mean the Dukes do wear red, white and...
First Call: Predicted landing spot for JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency; Antonio Brown flips on Tom Brady again
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a possible free agent landing spot for JuJu Smith-Schuster. Ray-Ray McCloud is angling for a new contract to stay in Pittsburgh. Antonio Brown is back to sniping at Tom Brady. Jarvis Landry is getting itchy in Cleveland. And a local college hockey team is preparing for...
Tim Benz: Plenty for Steelers to learn from outside candidates in general manager search
When Kevin Colbert leaves his post as Steelers general manager after this spring’s NFL Draft, he’ll leave behind a 22-year legacy of constructing teams that went to three Super Bowls, won two Vince Lombardi trophies and qualified for the playoffs 14 times. He’ll also leave behind a legacy of essentially...
Penguins-Hurricanes game a sign of things to come for regular season Metro Division rematches — maybe beyond
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal apologized for the hit on his former Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin. “That was my bad,” Staal said. “I saw him late. He was kind of coming the other way. I was going the other way. He’s a big, heavy boy. I’m glad that he...
Tim Benz: Of all the things Kevin Colbert discussed Monday, Stephon Tuitt’s status may be the most pressing
Outgoing Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert held his annual offseason get-together with selected Steelers media members Tuesday. Many issues were discussed. The plans to replace him after he retires following the draft. The offseason gameplan about what will be done at quarterback to replace the retired Ben Roethlisberger. What...
First Call: NFL Scouting Combine ‘bubble boycott’ avoided; former Steelers QB cut in CFL; Penguins get no help from Flyers
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an update on that planned boycott of the NFL Scouting Combine. A former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback couldn’t cut it in the CFL. Troy Polamalu’s uncle gets a new gig coaching in the NFL. The Flyers can’t give the Penguins an assist. And one of Duquesne’s women’s...
Madden Monday: Hurricanes ‘the more fundamentally sound team’ in first Metro Division showdown with Penguins
Sunday’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes was the first of three between now and March 13. Who knows, maybe those three contests will be a precursor for a best-of-seven playoff series this spring. The teams entered Sunday’s affair tied for first place in the Metropolitan Division with...
First Call: Ex-Steeler on Mason Rudolph, ‘He’s a backup’; college hoops coaches ignite skirmish; NFL Combine boycott?
Monday’s “First Call” features another former Pittsburgh Steeler doubting quarterback Mason Rudolph. There may be a boycott of the NFL scouting combine. A local NHL product hits a milestone. There was a fight between coaches in the Big Ten basketball ranks. And maybe Tampa Bay wasn’t all paradise for Tom...
