Breakfast With Benz category, Page 181
Podcast: JuJu Smith-Schuster will outperform Antonio Brown; Pirates’ trade activity
Jeff Erickson is off this week for our fantasy sports podcast. Kevin Payne, also of Rotowire, pinch hits. NFL training camps are underway. It’s time to start thinking about your fantasy draft. Payne tells us whether JuJu Smith-Schuster or Antonio Brown will have a bigger year. His answer may surprise...
First Call: Former Steeler may become a Patriot, another tears ACL
In “First Call” Wednesday, one former Steeler may become a Patriot. Another is out for the year. A baby shark. A sinkhole horse. And a second cycle. New life in New England? Pittsburgh Steelers fans kept waiting for athletic wide receiver Justin Hunter to morph into a decent weapon for...
Podcast: View from Seattle on challenges Penguins legend Ron Francis will face as GM
Seattle is getting an expansion NHL franchise. And they are getting a Penguins legend to run it. Hall of Famer Ron Francis is getting a second crack at being a general manager. This time it’ll be in the Pacific Northwest for the yet-to-be-named expansion team. Francis went 0 for 4...
Tim Benz: 13-year-old Franklin Park kart star looking for major win
It could’ve been really bad. A blow to the face after a Little League game. Right around the eye. He got knocked out. “I was walking home, drinking my apple juice,” said Franklin Park’s Luca Mars, describing the worst injury of his life. “And a girl on the swings with...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden preview Steelers training camp, discuss Pirates’ stumble
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to preview the 2019 Steelers training camp. Are we relying too much on “addition by subtraction” for hope this year? We also kick around a few position concerns such as cornerback, safety and kicker. Then we get...
First Call: Questions about fan on field at PNC Park during Pirates-Phillies game
In “First Call” Monday, I have so many questions about that fan who got on the field at PNC Park. Also tarp terrors and a Big Ten coach should just keep preachin’ on. I’m so confused A fan casually walked up to home plate in the middle of the Pirates-Phillies...
Tim Benz: Le’Veon Bell channels Antonio Brown in social media rant
Did former Pittsburgh Steeler Le’Veon Bell just have a “Mr. Big Chest” moment? It sure looks that way. OK, he didn’t dye any of his facial hair blonde. Nor did he rant on a treadmill during a midnight workout session. But at least Antonio Brown did that stuff in the...
First Call: Ron Francis introduced in Seattle, Phillies closer pops off
Friday’s “First Call” features Ron Francis’ introduction in Seattle, power from a former Pittsburgh Pirate, injury issues with the Ravens, Aaron Boone’s fully translated fit of rage in New York, and emotions getting out of control from Philadelphia’s bullpen. Francis fans Former Penguins star Ron Francis made his debut in...
U mad, bro? Opinions fly about Mike Tomlin, Pirates, and Steelers of the past
It’s a strange—but highly entertaining—collection of entries for this week’s “U mad, bro?” Some attack the Pirates. Others defend them. And I get attacked for being negative toward Mike Tomlin … in a column that I authored intending to defend him. Oh, also, some guy thinks Deshea Townsend was a...
NFL’s potential regular season split could pinch fantasy sports interest
The fantasy sports landscape could suffer quite a shake-up if that 18-16 regular season split is adopted by the NFL. Imagine how that would impact fantasy lineups and strategies. I see none of that being for the better — in fantasy sports or real life. We talk to Jeff Erickson...
‘Pawn Stars’ helps former Pitt star Mark May recover his Super Bowl rings
Former Pitt football star Mark May is getting his Super Bowl rings back. The Panthers Hall of Fame offensive lineman won the rings with the Washington Redskins during his NFL playing days. According to ABC 15 in Arizona, May was wearing the rings at a charity event in Scottsdale, Ariz....
First Call: Le’Veon Bell’s latest rap, JuJu Smith-Schuster tries the aging app
Thursday’s “First Call” features Le’Veon Bell’s latest rap attempt. Baker Mayfield pops off. And a former Pirate goes yard. Le’Veon’s latest Le’Veon Bell is releasing a new rap album on July 25. That’s the same date as the start of training camp for the Jets. Because, well, why not, right?!...
If you could bring back any Steeler from any era, who would it be?
One of my colleagues at SteelersWire.com is Neal Coolong. He posed a great question on Twitter recently. Bring back one former #Steelers player (played at least one season with the team) to play just for the 2019 season. You're paying him up to the cap ceiling. Who is it?— Neal...
Tim Benz: Even Mike Tomlin’s critics should find this ranking unjust
I’m not one who has a reputation for taking it easy on Mike Tomlin. But even a critic like me can’t agree with this opinion of the Pittsburgh Steelers coach from Elliot Harrison at NFL.com. He published a list ranking the 32 head coaches. And he has Tomlin ninth. That’s...
First Call: 1 Steeler loves his ‘Madden’ rating; Penguins legend Ron Francis gets new gig
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” at least one Steeler is happy with his EA Sports “Madden NFL 20” ranking. Brooks Koepka is big-timing Tiger Woods. And a new gig for a Penguins legend. Madden madness The EA Sports ratings are out for this year’s “Madden NFL 20” video game. And everybody...
British Open preview: Possible challenge for Koepka; McIlroy’s homeland pressure; Tiger lays low
As is always the case when we get ready for a major golf championship, Brian Taylor of Real Golf Radio joins us on the Breakfast With Benz podcast. Brian comes on to speak with us about the British Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Among the topics we outline:...
Tim Benz: Can Penguins coach Mike Sullivan be empowered by his contract extension?
It’s our final “money quote” post, looking at the interview Trib columnist Mark Madden conducted with Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan on 105.9 the X last week. Here, we examine Sullivan’s recent contract extension. Empowering the head coach rarely has been a priority for the Penguins. That’s not to...
Tim Benz: Pirates better off ‘living in the past’ than the present
If current Pittsburgh Pirates players are upset about their organization living in the past, I have an idea to fix that. Do something worth remembering in the present! A recent report stated some Pirates players asked management to stop showing a promotional video that was geared around them watching Willie...
First Call: Mike Tomlin likes that ‘Steeler Nation is (ticked) off’
Tuesday’s “First Call” features Mike Tomlin’s annual trip to Hampton Roads. Martavis Bryant may come back to the NFL. And the Pirates weren’t the only team in their system to have a rough night. Tomlin talks This is an annual tradition. Something to mark on the Steelers media calendar. Every...
Tim Benz, Stan Savran discuss Wimbledon and possibly ‘greatest tennis match of all time’
Tennis doesn’t get a lot of run in the United States anymore. After what we saw at Wimbledon, you can see why fans of the sport say it deserves more attention. And I’m glad to see that there was a little pop to the coverage given how much of a...
Tim Benz: NFL contract issues aren’t just for the Steelers anymore
I was in Ireland recently. At a pub. Shocker, right? I walked up to get a beer. An Irish guy was conversing with two Americans about sports. One of the Americans seemed to be talking about the differences between U.S. sports with and without salary caps, as opposed to transfer...
First Call: Antonio Brown mad at Madden video game; competitive-eating scandal
In Monday’s “First Call,” Antonio Brown doing what Antonio Brown does. Perhaps the most impressive point Wimbledon has ever seen. Ranking the Steelers offensive trio. And a competitive-eating scandal. A.B. on brand This is right from the Mr. Big Chest playbook. Antonio Brown is mad that he didn’t get a...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Pirates disaster vs. Cubs, Penguins chemistry, NFL schedule
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Tim Benz and Mark Madden take a look at what went wrong with the Pirates during their disastrous series in Chicago to start the second half of the season. Not only did the Pirates come out of the All-Star break cold, they helped the...
Tim Benz: The potential issues that make NFL’s 18-game plan terrible
In recent days. there has been increased discussion over the prospect of an 18-16 split for the NFL regular season. In other words, every team would play 18 games. But individual players would be forced to sit out two of them. The hope is that the league could increase revenue...
First Call: Redskins’ Josh Norman leaps over bull; Jagr trade anniversary; stealing 1st base
In Friday’s “First Call,” an NFL player tries “bull jumping.” A dumb rule change is on trial in minor league baseball. And an unhappy Penguin anniversary. Is this covered in his contract? There is a leaping penalty in football. But I don’t think this is it. Redskins cornerback Josh Norman...
