Breakfast With Benz category, Page 112
Fox’s Jay Glazer on Steelers’ exit plan for Ben Roethlisberger, succession strategy at quarterback, Mason Rudolph’s future
Fox NFL analyst Jay Glazer is known to have a good connection with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. A month ago, Glazer insisted that Tomlin doesn’t want to start over with a rookie quarterback next year if Ben Roethlisberger does retire at the end of 2021. While appearing on...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans enraged, defensive, confused after disheartening tie against Lions
The Pittsburgh Steelers tied the 0-8 Detroit Lions at home in a game that featured 15 total penalties, injuries to star players, three Steelers turnovers and some rotten play calling. Exactly how else did you think this week’s “U mad, bro?” was going to go? Take it away, Stiller nation....
Tim Benz: Penguins players grasp recent struggles — now it’s time to follow their own advice
Is Fenway Sports Group really sure it wants to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins? Based on the way things have gone on the ice of late, principal owner John Henry might want to keep his money in his wallet. If Henry does still feel like spending, though, maybe he can buy...
First Call: Ugly tie affects Steelers’ odds; Penguins’ latest chance to get right; Loyola Chicago joins A-10
Wednesday’s “First Call” shows us that the Steelers’ 16-16 tie against Detroit has influenced some gambling odds. The Lions have some significant injury concerns after that game as well. Plus, we serve up some local college basketball news and a potential tonic for the lackluster Pittsburgh Penguins. After effects It...
Chargers’ covid-19 news about Bosa, Tillery could hone Steelers’ offensive game plan
The Pittsburgh Steelers may not be the only team at SoFi Stadium worried about coronavirus absences. We know that they might be playing without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick due to positive tests. Now the Los Angeles Times is reporting that L.A. Chargers’ Pro Bowl edge...
Unfiltered: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Steelers’ tie with LionsVideo
Columnists Tim Benz and Mark Madden talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tie with the Detroit Lions on Sunday on this edition of “Unfiltered” on TribLIVE’s Facebook page. While Steelers running back Najee Harris didn’t realize teams could tie in the NFL, Benz says that that’s OK, since most Steelers fans...
First Call: Steelers already positioned as underdogs against Chargers; Penguins’ next opponent battling similar tough stretch
Monday’s “First Call” turns the page on the 16-16 Steelers tie against Detroit. We look at Sunday night’s game between the Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers. We check on the Penguins’ next opponent and look for plenty of points in Pitt’s next game. And the Duquesne Dukes have another home...
Madden Monday: ‘It’s time to stop pretending the Steelers are all that good, because they are not’
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ apologist spin cycle is in full gear after the team’s embarrassing 16-16 tie against the Detroit Lions Sunday. “It’s no big deal. The Steelers played with their backup quarterback. Every other top team in the AFC has suffered a surprising loss within the last few weeks. At...
Tim Benz: Horrible tackling, untimely turnovers among grievances to air after Steelers’ rotten tie against Detroit
On a few occasions before the 2021 season began, I sarcastically predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers would go 8-8-1 in the NFL’s first 17-game regular season. That way, we could still say, “Well, you know, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season!” I thought I was kidding. Now, after Sunday’s...
First Call: Steelers hope to continue minimizing opponents’ top threats; John Harbaugh says Ravens ‘outplayed’ in loss
In Friday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers know where to focus their defensive attention when the Detroit Lions come to town Sunday afternoon. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is upset with someone very specific in the wake of his team’s loss in Miami on Thursday night. The Penguins’ next opponent is...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ desire to always avoid a rebuild illustrated by Lions’ never-ending process
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward said he won’t be able to fully appreciate it until he retires. The fact that the team that drafted him has never had to go through a season like the one Sunday’s opponent, the Detroit Lions, are going through. For Heyward, a bad season...
Yankees, Mariners among teams allegedly interested in trading for Pirates All-Star Bryan Reynolds
A few Major League Baseball teams are looking for a center fielder. Their eyes are locking on Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Bryan Reynolds. According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, a significant market is building for Reynolds, with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners in front of the pack....
Tim Benz: 5-on-5 play crucial as Penguins look to grab 2 points against Panthers
On one hand, the Pittsburgh Penguins have gathered points in eight of their 11 games. On the other, they are currently in last place in the Metropolitan Division. It is far too early to make season-long declarations about this team. Especially since they have yet to play a game with...
First Call: Chase Claypool’s injury was initially feared to be season threatening; Lions odds; RMU hockey update
Thursday’s “First Call” has an interesting angle on Chase Claypool’s injury. The Detroit Lions have some mixed health updates as they prepare to visit Pittsburgh. The odds on the Steelers-Lions game make more sense the deeper you study them. And the displaced Robert Morris University hockey teams appear to be...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans prickly about Tristan Jarry criticism; Najee Harris taking heat; Pitt fans percolating
In this week’s “U mad, bro?”, Penguins fans defend Tristan Jarry. Pitt fans are agitated. And at least one Steelers fan is already turning on Najee Harris. Now I think we’ve gone too far! Who am I kidding? We go too far in this post every week. So, let’s have...
NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore on taunting penalty, other controversies from Steelers vs. Bears
Former NFL official and CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore made his weekly appearance on WDVE on Tuesday morning and addressed the many rules debates that took place during the Steelers’ controversial 29-27 win over the Chicago Bears. The most hotly contested of many calls — or non-calls — was the...
First Call: Details about Steelers’ interest in Fletcher Cox; Steelers scouted college QB showdown; Marc-Andre Fleury’s new mask
More details are coming out about the Steelers’ alleged trade-deadline pursuit of Fletcher Cox. The team may also have an interest in some high-profile quarterback draft candidates. The Detroit Lions released a player some Steelers fans may remember. And Marc-Andre Fleury may have a new look in the net if...
Tim Benz: Chris Boswell, T.J. Watt, Pat Freiermuth lead ‘Feats of Strength’ after harrowing Steelers win over Bears
It could’ve been a pedestrian win for the Pittsburgh Steelers, right? A plain old 20-something to 12 or 13 victory against a sub-mediocre Chicago Bears team. I mean, that’s the way it was pacing on “Monday Night Football” late in the third quarter when the Steelers went up 20-6. But...
First Call: Steelers already big favorites for next week; James Conner and Le’Veon Bell star in wins with new teams
Monday’s “First Call” is already looking ahead to the Steelers game next week before they play the Chicago Bears Monday night. A pair of former Steelers running backs made the highlight clips Sunday. And the next opponent for the Penguins finally made things go right. Let’s not get ahead of...
Madden Monday: Penguins should sub out goalie Tristan Jarry for shootouts
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry has struggled in shootouts so far this year. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X says the Penguins can’t tolerate that shortcoming. “When you are a borderline playoff team, you can’t have a goalie that (stinks) in shootouts,” Madden said....
Tim Benz: Steelers can now use positive reinforcement for run game — on both sides of the ball
When the Pittsburgh Steelers were scuffling at 1-3, there was plenty of room for negative reinforcement from the coaching staff if it decided to go that route. “Here is what you are doing wrong. Go fix it.” Well, some of that must’ve worked, as the Steelers have won three in...
First Call: Browns assistant coach questions Steelers’ fake field-goal try; Khalil Mack doesn’t practice for Bears
Friday’s “First Call” has an interesting account of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ botched fake field goal. And it comes from the Browns coaching staff. We have odds on where Odell Beckham Jr. may wind up. Andrew McCutchen bids farewell to a former teammate. Plus, the Chicago Bears have injury updates on...
Melvin Ingram doesn’t rip Steelers but admits his situation ‘wasn’t what I thought it was going to be’
Melvin Ingram has arrived in Kansas City. And he’s already practicing with the Chiefs. Boy, amazing how quickly that groin injury healed, huh? The Pittsburgh Steelers shipped the disgruntled linebacker to K.C. in a trade for a sixth-round pick Tuesday afternoon. Ingram visited with the Chiefs this offseason before eventually...
Penguins play-by-play legend Mike Lange discusses retirement, new network broadcasts, Sidney Crosby’s wrist
While I was filling in for Mark Madden this week on 105.9 The X, I had a chance to catch up with former Pittsburgh Penguins play-by-play man Mike Lange. The legendary voice of the franchise stepped away from the broadcast booth before this season started. But he is still keeping...
Tim Benz: Derek Schooley prepares for Robert Morris hockey’s ‘championship game’ this Sunday
Autumn weekends have become very difficult for Derek Schooley. The Robert Morris University men’s hockey coach has a void in his life right now. Those days are usually dedicated to coaching his Colonials in Atlantic Hockey contests. In a normal season, his team would have six to eight games under...
