Breakfast With Benz category, Page 167
Tim Benz: What Steelers QB ‘Duck’ Hodges actually said that motivated the Bills
Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Shaq Lawson used a perceived slight from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges for motivation during his team’s 17-10 win at Heinz Field Sunday night. He claims Hodges referred to the Bills defense as “normal.” Devlin Duck Hodges apparently called the #Bills "just another defense" this...
Tim Benz: Pirates need to let manager Derek Shelton truly be in charge
A frequent criticism of the Pittsburgh Pirates in recent years has been that the franchise employed one of the most expensive managers in Major League Baseball but had one of the lowest payrolls. In August 2018, USA Today published a deep dive into why managerial contracts were dipping. Clint Hurdle’s...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden break down Steelers’ debacle vs. Bills, debate QB scenariosVideo
Should Duck still fly as the starting quarterback? Tim Benz and Mark Madden debate the state of the Steelers after Sunday night’s loss to the Buffalo Bills and whether Devlin “Duck” Hodges should remain under center in Week 16 at the New York Jets. The guys have different opinions on...
Mark Madden, Tim Benz dissect Steelers’ loss to Bills, Bryan Rust shining with Penguins
“Madden Monday” for this week isn’t exactly a pick me up. Nor should it be after what we saw Sunday night at Heinz Field. I’m joined by Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 the X as we go over the many things that went wrong for the Steelers against...
First Call: Watch Patriots’ video of Bengals sideline; Texans help Steelers
In this Monday’s “First Call,” you can see what the Patriots filmed on the Bengals sideline. Three former Nittany Lions have big afternoons in the NFL. And the Steelers get a little help from Houston. View for yourself On their Sunday NFL pregame show, Fox aired the footage of what...
Tim Benz: Airing of grievances after Steelers’ ‘Duck’ Hodges was ‘fowl’ vs. Buffalo
I guess Duck finally killed ‘em. That’s what it looks like when a fourth-string quarterback faces a top-notch NFL defense. Not pretty. Devlin “Duck” Hodges seemed capable in his three previous starts against a Browns defense without three starters, the shoddy Arizona Cardinals and the lackluster Los Angeles Chargers. But...
First Call: Antonio Brown struts his Google status, John Tortorella pouts after Pens lossVideo
In “First Call” Friday, Antonio Brown is bragging about his wild “popularity,” John Tortorella wasn’t happy after Thursday’s loss in Pittsburgh, and Rob Gronkowski is staying retired. This made his day Antonio Brown spent most of the day melting down on social media again Thursday. I simply think he has...
Tim Benz: Josh Allen the latest mobile quarterback to test Steelers — in a whole new way
Another one of these stories? Yup. Another one of these stories. Not my fault. I didn’t make the NFL schedule. Or create the opposing rosters of the Pittsburgh Steelers. But if the Steelers keep facing this string of mobile quarterbacks, I’m going to keep writing about them. Mainly because Mike...
Previewing the Steelers-Bills matchup — from Buffalo’s point of view
We’ve broken down just about every angle of the Steelers-Bills game from a Pittsburgh perspective. Now, we try to figure out how it looks from Buffalo’s point of view. The Bills come in at 9-4. Their defense is almost as good as the Steelers’ overall, and it is better in...
First call: Goodell on Antonio Brown’s status, Chara fights Wilson, hoops player knocks out ref
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the NFL’s continued attempts to wait out Antonio Brown’s social media insanity. A college basketball player accidentally punches out an official. Le’Veon Bell continues to brag about his second career as a bowler. Lamar Jackson may play against the Jets after all. Tom Wilson fights...
Penguins podcast: Pittsburgh looking for bounce back outing against Columbus
It’s our weekly Pittsburgh Penguins podcast with TribLive beat writer Seth Rorabaugh. Lots to get into here, after a rotten second period spoiled Tuesday night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. We get into why it happened and who was at fault. Tristan Jarry wasn’t quite as sharp in goal as...
Tim Benz: Steelers, Bills do it differently on defense, but see same stellar results
When I look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Buffalo Bills, I keep seeing the numbers “10” and “9” flashing in my head. As in the final score. I just wish I had a clearer picture of which team’s logo was next to the bigger number. Then I pause...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell brags about bowling, Antonio Brown’s new song, potential Starling Marte trade partnerVideo
In “First Call” Wednesday, Le’Veon Bell brags about his bowling night out, Antonio Brown tries his hand at music, and a logical trade partner for Starling Marte emerges. Bell’s bowling boast Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis was renowned as a great bowler, with a perfect game under his belt....
Tim Benz: Young Jedi Tristan Jarry should rebound after Penguins’ ‘Star Wars’ night loss
AT&T SportsNet’s Penguins reporter Dan Potash got into the mood for “Star Wars” night at PPG Paints Arena Tuesday. The Force is with me...how about you?? Puck drop is seconds away! -DP #StarWarsThemeNight @penguins @NHLNetwork pic.twitter.com/QaAPxD9Yqk— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) December 11, 2019 Unfortunately for the Pens, the Montreal Canadiens...
Who will come out on top in Steelers-Bills defensive duel?
It’s our weekly “Breakfast With Benz” podcast wrapping up Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s press conference. TribLive Steelers beat writer Joe Rutter hops on with me this week. We pick apart the huge game looming against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. And there’s a lot of meat on the bone....
U mad, bro? Readers agitated over fake punts, Steelers play calls, NFL refs, Pitt tweetsVideo
You were mad because “U mad, bro?” was late last week. Well, we heard you. So we are back on schedule this week. And your discontent is just as obvious as ever. This week’s complaints from readers range from Steelers play calling, to our coverage of the team, to NFL...
Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry’s stock rises while Matt Murray struggles
In this week’s Penguins podcast, I talk hockey with Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer. After we discuss the Def Leppard-Motley Crue-Poison concert, of course. We analyze Tristan Jarry’s efforts to open up the goaltending job. We also flashback to Phil Kessel’s return. The victory over Detroit. And Matt Murray’s...
Tim Benz: Hideous fake punt among grievances in Steelers win over CardinalsVideo
For a guy who was getting “Coach of the Year” hype all week, Mike Tomlin sure made a lot of people mad in Pittsburgh on Sunday. A few of his and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner’s coaching decisions made it into this week’s “Airing of Grievances.” And we don’t stop there!...
First Call: Biggest threat to Steelers playoff hopes; Browns drama continuesVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we look at the biggest outside threat to the Steelers’ playoff hopes. Also, drama continues to swirl around the Browns, even in victory. And a former Steeler has a huge afternoon. Titan-ic effort The Tennessee Titans were once 2-4. Now they are the biggest threat to...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden: Steelers keep winning, Penguins take a pair, Pitt’s lousy bowl
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to talk Steelers, Penguins and college football. We start off by discussing the 23-17 Steelers win over the Arizona Cardinals. Devlin Hodges continues to defy logic with each passing victory. Can he keep it up against a...
Tim Benz: Duck, Diontae, defense lead Steelers’ feats of strength in win over CardinalsVideo
It all makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? An undrafted rookie quarterback from Samford beating back-to-back No. 1 overall picks. Well, that’s what it has come down to for Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The Steelers fourth-string quarterback has managed to beat both Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray in back-to-back weeks. And he...
U mad, bro? Readers sound off on Steelers QBs, NFL refs; Browns fans can’t let it go
I know why you are mad. You are mad because I skipped “U mad, bro?” on Thursday when I took a personal day. That’s fair. You should be. You need it. You love it. You missed it. Let me fix this and make you whole again. Here’s a special Friday...
First Call: Antonio Brown begs for Patriots reunion; Yankees green light huge cash for Gerrit Cole
Friday’s “First Call” gives us Phil Kessel’s unique headgear, Antonio Brown’s plea for a job, Gerrit Cole’s huge contract on the horizon and a Pitt player emerges from nowhere in the NFL. Take me back! Please! Antonio Brown’s online flirtation with the New England Patriots continues. The outcast wide receiver...
Kessel Comeback: Phil Kessel returns to Pittsburgh with 1st-place Coyotes
The “Kessel Comeback” is upon us! Friday night marks the return of Phil Kessel to PPG Paints Arena. The two-time Penguins Stanley Cup champion takes to Pittsburgh ice for the first time since leaving for the Arizona Coyotes in a summer trade. Before Thursday night, Kessel had been struggling. The...
Tim Benz: Steelers contained Baker Mayfield, but Cardinals’ Kyler Murray presents new challenge
Here’s something you’ve probably heard a thousand times this week as the Steelers get ready to visit the Arizona Cardinals. “Don’t sleep on the Cardinals. They can score some points.” OK. But do they really? The 3-8-1 Cardinals average 21.2 points per game. That’s good for just 20th in football....
