Breakfast With Benz category, Page 169
First Call: OBJ explains mocking Steelers’ Mike Tomlin; Hue Jackson wants Colin Kaepernick in PittsburghVideo
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Hue Jackson wants Colin Kaepernick to wind up in Pittsburgh. Odell Beckham Jr. explains his yawn gesture toward Mike Tomlin. And an NHL ref with Pittsburgh ties has a bad night. Not so boring If Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was bored by the addition of...
Another Penguins-Islanders battle: More scoring, lots of stress
Penguins fans, sick of the New York Islanders yet? I already was after the playoffs last spring. And I sure as heck am now! On Thursday night, we will witness the third game in 14 days between these two clubs. The Penguins won Game 1 of the season series 4-3...
U mad, bro? Readers accuse Mason Rudolph of starting Steelers-Browns brawl, Tim Benz of racism
This may have been the easiest week yet to compile angry responses for “U mad, bro?” Or maybe it was the hardest. In terms of volume, I may have had more feedback on the Myles Garrett helmet attack on Mason Rudolph than I have received on any other single topic....
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Mike Tomlin’s comments on Myles Garrett triggers rage from Browns fans
During his weekly press conference Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made the following comments about Myles Garrett swinging his helmet at Mason Rudolph in last Thursday’s game. He was asked if it was at all a “teachable moment” for his players. “I don’t know that we did anything to...
Red Sox writer shares what Pirates fans should know about Ben Cherington
If you are a Pirates fan looking for a guy to give you great background on the Boston Red Sox during Ben Cherington’s time there, check out Alex Speier. He has covered the Red Sox for 17 years. Speier currently works for the Boston Globe and NESN. He also wrote...
First Call: Antonio Brown’s ‘sincere’ apologies shouldn’t stop with Robert KraftVideo
Antonio Brown is clearly trying to worm his way back into the National Football League. Specifically, by trying to get back into the good graces of the New England Patriots and team owner Robert Kraft. Brown posted this… uh… “heartfelt” apology to Robert Kraft for the early season chaos he...
Tim Benz: Penalty ruins Bryan Rust’s night in Penguins loss against IslandersVideo
What a way to ruin a night. Bryan Rust scored a goal again Tuesday night against the New York Islanders. That’s his seventh in 10 games this season. The Penguins winger nearly assisted on another one before it was waved off for offsides. He was a genuine offensive presence all...
First Call: Which Steelers RBs will make top 100?; Tyler Boyd grousing in CincinnatiVideo
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we see which Pittsburgh Steelers running backs are on the short list for the NFL’s top 100 All-Time Team. Tyler Boyd is grumbling in Cincinnati. And we have video of that NHL spitting incident involving a former Penguin. Franco and the Bus The NFL is revealing...
Fancy stats suggest Penguins are much better than their record indicates. That true?
Want hard-hitting Penguins analysis? You’ve got it! It’s in this week’s hockey podcast with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. Well, after a few minutes of discussion about Tool, Poison, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe and Kiss. Per usual. Then we get into more pressing matters such as Jim Rutherford’s...
Tim Benz: Breaking down Pirates GM Ben Cherington’s ties to Neal HuntingtonVideo
It could just be one of those “funny how things work out” stories. Or, it could make more sense than that. “He was someone who helped me get an interview for an internship with the Cleveland Indians in 1998,” new Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said of his predecessor Neal...
First Call: Steelers’ bad week got worse Sunday; plan for 17-game NFL season leakedVideo
After a beatdown in Cleveland Thursday night, the bad week for the Steelers (5-5) continued through Sunday based on what happened across the AFC. Those holding out hope that the Steelers could track down the Ravens atop the AFC North were dealt a severe blow as Baltimore wrecked the Houston...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Mason Rudolph vs. Myles Garrett, Colin Kaepernick, Ben Cherington
If you were on Twitter this weekend, it was a frustrating place to be. Nothing but people trying to soften Myles Garrett’s actions against the Steelers by way of blaming Mason Rudolph. And people pounding the Colin Kaepernick drum because he threw a nice deep ball or two against air...
Tim Benz: Defending Browns’ Myles Garrett by blaming Steelers’ Mason Rudolph is insanity
When disagreeing with someone’s opinion, there are two important rules to follow in the sports talk radio and sports columnist business. 1. No name calling. 2. Don’t make any broad generalizations about a group of people. With those rules made clear, anyone who thinks Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is to...
First Call: How Cleveland media reacted to Myles Garrett hitting Mason Rudolph with helmet
Nationally, there has been a slew of reactions to Vontaze Garrett — uh, excuse me — Myles Garrett’s helmet-swinging incident Thursday night. Hey, Myles, if O.J. Simpson is the one having your back, you probably weren’t in the right. But what are they saying in Cleveland? Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey shouldn’t be suspended for defending Mason Rudolph in Myles Garrett melee
Anyone outside of Pittsburgh will disagree with this stance, but who cares? The NFL should not suspend Maurkice Pouncey for his role in that Steelers-Browns brawl Thursday night. The Steelers center started punching and kicking Myles Garrett after Garrett swung a helmet and struck Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph during the...
How long can the Penguins survive the loss of Sidney Crosby?
Welcome to life without Sidney Crosby. At least for a little while. It’s probably going to feel like forever, though. Crosby is out at least six weeks after hernia surgery. TribLIVE Penguins beat writer Seth Rorabaugh is on hand in New Jersey as the team takes the ice for its...
Tim Benz: Airing of grievances from Steelers’ loss to Browns … before the brawl
A lot of preconceived notions Pittsburghers had about the Cleveland Browns were confirmed Thursday night during their 21-7 win over the Steelers. Like for instance, Myles Garrett is a hot-headed jerk. Myles Garrett doing the unthinkable and unimaginable. pic.twitter.com/Y0UXzrCskn— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2019 The prosecution rests. As a...
First Call: Guess who’s going to Colin Kaepernick’s workout; Antonio Brown a chef?Video
In Thursday’s “First Call,” the Patriots are in on the Colin Kaepernick workout. Antonio Brown has some mad culinary skills. And the Washington Capitals are red hot. Kap and the Pats ‘Pfft! C’mon. Who is really going to be interested in attending Colin Kaepernick’s workout? I mean, after all, he...
Who is most to blame for Browns’ slow start?
The Steelers and Browns on play on “Thursday Night Football” this week. We’ve heard everything possible about the matchup from a Pittsburgh perspective. For Thursday’s podcast, we get the view from Cleveland. Kenny Roda of 1480 WHBC radio joins us to figure out why things haven’t been better than 3-6...
U mad, bro? Readers grouse over Ryan Switzer, Antonio Brown, Steelers offense, Tim Benz
Even during a four-game win streak, there is plenty of anger to be found in Steeler Nation. Granted, most of it is directed at Antonio Brown. And me. But there is anger nonetheless. We set it free in this week’s “U mad, bro?” Jolen is unhappy with Ryan Switzer. He...
Tim Benz: Steelers think they have a plan to slow Browns’ receiving tandemVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defenders weren’t shy about saying it. They knew the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive plan of attack on third down. “We knew what they were doing,” safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “They like to target certain players on third downs, and we just went out there and executed our...
First Call: Steelers rare history as underdogs vs. Browns; Ben Cherington as Pirates GM?
They’ve tied. They’ve needed overtime to win. They relied on Landry Jones. But the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t lost to the Cleveland Browns since 2014. It was a 31-10 beat down by the Browns in Week 6 of that year. And it wasn’t even that close. That was also the last...
What’s going on with Sidney Crosby … and the Penguins’ power play?
Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast features Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer. He joins me for our weekly hockey chat. The biggest topic of conversation is Sidney Crosby. • How badly hurt is he? • How long can the Penguins get by without him? • What will the roster look...
Tim Benz’s airing of grievances: What Steelers must fix vs. Browns
Fittingly, Bob Dylan was just in town performing in Moon Township on Sunday. Because, “times they are a-changin’”! The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone from 1-4 to 5-4. So things are looking up. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement, though. And a lot of it must happen fast. Because...
First Call: Browns might have helped Steelers; Ravens run wildVideo
Before their upcoming battle against the Steelers Thursday night, the Cleveland Browns may have helped their foes from Pittsburgh. And many others in the AFC, too. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens look dominant. Robert Morris is quite a turnaround story. And LSU taunts Alabama. Bills beatdown As everyone in Pittsburgh...
