Breakfast With Benz category, Page 120
Tim Benz: Steelers take steps forward in some areas where biggest strides are needed
No one is a bigger Pittsburgh Steelers worrywart than me. Hey, knowing is half the battle. Based on how 2020 ended, though, there is plenty to worry about when it comes to the upcoming edition of the team. That said, many of the most glaring points of concern showed signs...
Dermontti Dawson paved the road to the Hall of Fame for Steelers teammate Alan Faneca
As Alan Faneca awaits his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, it’ll be easy for Pittsburgh football fans to conjure up memories of another Steelers Hall of Famer. Former center Dermontti Dawson. Both Dawson and Faneca have secured their spots as elite NFL offensive linemen. Both got to play in...
From WPIAL to S.I. swimsuits, Apollo’s Dessie Mitcheson launching boutique with body-positive messageVideo
Former WPIAL athlete Dessie Mitcheson left Pittsburgh area fairways for international runways a long time ago. Now she’s going from a big-time model to a small business owner. And she’s doing so back home in Western Pennsylvania. Mitcheson — who was a golfer and regionally top-15 ranked diver at Kiski...
U mad Bro: Pirates fans grumble about trades, ‘media bias’; Pens fans carp about goaltending
This week’s “U mad, bro?” has Pittsburgh Pirates fans split between ripping me about the MLB draft and ripping Ben Cherington about his recent trades. Penguins fans are split among themselves over how worried they should — or shouldn’t — be about the goaltending. And Steelers fans are … oddly...
First Call: Hall of Fame still hopeful Steelers’ Troy Polamalu will attend; Tyler Boyd says Joe Burrow’s knee still ‘iffy’
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we try to figure out if Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu will be able to attend his own enshrinement at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tyler Boyd isn’t 100% sold on Joe Burrow’s knee rehab in Cincinnati just yet. We check in on some former...
First Call: Former Steeler Mike Hilton’s interesting quote; Ben Roethlisberger praises Hall of Fame teammates
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some eyebrow-raising comments from a former Pittsburgh Steeler. Ben Roethlisberger has high praise for some former teammates. Max Starks is excited about his new job. And big bucks are coming to a pair of former WPIAL basketball stars. Safety First? Old allegiances die quickly in the...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin reflects on relationship with Bill Cowher in advance of Cowher’s Hall of Fame induction
During an interview in advance of his upcoming Hall of Fame induction, former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher had one request. He wanted current coach Mike Tomlin to allow him to call one more defensive play during the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys. “Let...
Ryan Malone on his tech-savvy sports business venture, state of the Penguins, Sidney Crosby memories
When former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ryan Malone gutted up to return to play after taking a puck to the face in Game 5 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Final, it was a moment Penguins fans of that era will never forget. Nor will they ever forget his two power-play goals...
First Call: Steelers have ‘1% chance’ to win Super Bowl; Chase Claypool’s bold prediction; Fleury’s nudge to join Blackhawks
Tuesday’s “First Call” shows us that one national outlet isn’t painting a pretty picture for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl chances. Coronavirus is getting in the way of the Steelers’ takeover of Canton for the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions this weekend. Marc-Andre Fleury looks strange in red. Adam...
Mike Sullivan on coaching Team USA, facing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, belief in Penguins goalies and revamping the bottom 6
Mike Sullivan rattled off the names as if he was reciting his current Penguins roster. However, it was a roster from 41 years ago. And it wasn’t the Penguins. “Mike Eruzione. Jim Craig. Jack O’Callahan. David Silk,” Sullivan said. “Those were the four guys from BU (Boston University) where I...
Tim Benz: Despite crowded depth chart, off-the-radar receivers drawing praise at Steelers training camp
If there is one position where the Steelers have depth — and it really may be just one position — it’s wide receiver. Well, when those receivers hold onto the ball anyway. The 2020 issue of drops aside, the Steelers can boast four wide receivers who seem to have at...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey teams need clarity from administration, not an NCAA extension
For the Robert Morris University hockey teams, this was a weekend where no news wasn’t necessarily good news. Robert Morris had previously put a fundraising deadline of July 31 as the end date for the men’s and women’s hockey programs to generate enough funds to keep their programs alive. This...
First Call: Ravens sign player Steelers considered, watch Marc-Andre Fleury’s announcement to play in Chicago
Monday’s “First Call” has some high expectations for two young Pittsburgh Steelers. We have an update on Marc-Andre Fleury’s decision regarding the Chicago Blackhawks. And a player the Steelers considered signing is going to the Baltimore Ravens instead. We even have a heartwarming Olympic moment, hurling and Gaelic football. Not...
Madden Monday: If Penguins don’t improve goaltending ‘it will be an error of monumental proportions’
So much for my hope that the Penguins might find a way to get Marc-Andre Fleury back to Pittsburgh. And so much for Mark Madden’s advice to Fleury that he shouldn’t report to Chicago as part of that trade between the Blackhawks and the Vegas Golden Knights. Fleury put all...
Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association hosts hurling; Gaelic football Midwest finals this week in Indiana Township
In Gaelic, the motto on the crest of the Pittsburgh Hurling Club reads “Neart agus Misneach.” Or, in English, “Strength and Courage.” If you’ve seen what the sport of hurling looks like at full speed, you understand why that fits. If you haven’t, you can see it on a championship...
Tim Benz: SEC expansion isn’t just about trying to dominate the NCAA; it’s preparing for a world after the NCAA
As the drama continues to swirl around the Southeastern Conference’s attempt to absorb Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12, many characterize the advance as an SEC attempt to form a “super conference.” Wait. I thought that’s what the SEC was already. No? A lot has been written and said...
First Call: Steelers work on addressing drops; ex-Steeler on covid list; Andrew McCutchen back at PNC Park
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at the sticky situation of not-so-sticky hands from Steelers receivers. Bad news for Bud Dupree. The Pirates prepare to welcome back Andrew McCutchen. An update on the Robert Morris hockey front. And a Pittsburgh kid gets a big NHL contract. Addressing the issue Last...
U mad, bro?: Some Penguins fans don’t want Marc-Andre Fleury back; Pirates fans didn’t want Adam Frazier to go
Apparently not all Penguins fans are happy with the idea of the Penguins bringing The Flower back to Pittsburgh. Pirates fans are tired of seeing good players like Adam Frazier traded. And the Team USA Olympic basketball squad is leaving people flat. All that in this week’s “U mad, bro?”...
First Call: An argument for Aaron Rodgers to Steelers in ’22; Adam Frazier’s debut with San Diego; Larry Fitzgerald’s future
Wednesday’s “First Call” assesses the chances of Aaron Rodgers becoming a Steeler next year. Some Steelers fans think T.J. Watt got snubbed by the EA Sports Madden ratings system. We try to figure out what Larry Fitzgerald is thinking. And we get you up to date on Adam Frazier’s San...
Tim Benz: A return of Marc-Andre Fleury to Penguins makes sense beyond sentiment
The Vegas Golden Knights’ trade of former Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was a stunner to many in hockey circles on Tuesday. Not so much in the sense that Vegas shipped away the NHL’s reigning Vezina Trophy winner. After all, they had a Goalie-1 and Goalie-1A situation with Fleury and Robin...
Marc-Andre Fleury discusses future, has advice for current Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry
If anyone knows what it is like to take the heat from Pittsburgh Penguins fans after disappointing playoff results in goal, it’s Marc-Andre Fleury. With five trips to the Stanley Cup Final under his belt and three Stanley Cup rings on his fingers, Fleury has known lots of postseason success....
Madden Monday: Ripping U.S. Olympic basketball team; debating Steelers money spent on Melvin Ingram vs. Steven Nelson
This week’s “Madden Monday” podcast comes from Lake Placid, N.Y. I’m out here in support of my sister who was competing in the Ironman Triathlon. And, no, the irony wasn’t lost on me Sunday morning as I was watching one of American basketball’s most ignominious Olympic defeats from the friendly...
Tim Benz: A response to Bart Scott’s ‘compliment’ about the Steelers’ atmosphere at Heinz Field
During an episode of ESPN’s “First Take” last week, panelist Bart Scott gave a little love to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets linebacker was asked for his favorite playoff atmosphere. And he said Steelers fans at Heinz Field (at 1:22:16 of this clip). Scott...
3 fantasy football trends to watch as you get ready for your league draft
Now that training camp has hit full stride for the Steelers this week, it’s time for Pittsburgh football fans to start focusing on another team as well. Their own fantasy football team. Jeff Erickson of Rotowire joins me for this week’s fantasy sports podcast. And he outlines three big trends...
Tim Benz: Cast aside by same team, Trai Turner and Melvin Ingram look to reboot their careers with Steelers
After the Pittsburgh Steelers signed castoff free agents Melvin Ingram and Trai Turner, it was completely fair of Steelers fans to wonder if either player has much left in the tank. Turner spent most of last year hurt, playing only nine games thanks to ankle and groin injuries. When he...
