Breakfast With Benz category, Page 190
Tim Benz: ‘Adapt or die’ mentality sets in for Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams
So what’s Trevor Williams going to do for an encore? Based on his first start of 2019, maybe 2018 wasn’t his “Stairway to Heaven” after all. There still may be another high to reach. Or, in Williams’ case, another low. Like the stunningly low 1.38 ERA he posted after the...
First call: WR in draft says he could replace Antonio Brown for Steelers
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a draft prospect that wants to come to Pittsburgh as a potential replacement for Antonio Brown. John Tavares scores against the Islanders. The Capitals lose. Ivan Nova shines in his Chicago debut. Bryce Harper goes back to Washington. The next A.B.? One potential NFL draft-choice wide...
Le’Veon Bell’s rap ripped Steelers. Then, an NFL star ripped him.
I’m not one who is going to offer a lot of opinions about what is good or bad when it comes to rap. If you want break down the KISS concert at PPG Paints Arena, though, I’m here for you. However, I will gladly regurgitate the opinions of others on...
Penguins podcast: Tim Benz, Brian Metzer talk about a critical final week
Eventually, Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer and I get around to talking about hockey in this Sided.co podcast. But first, our mandatory review of the KISS show at PPG Paints Arena. Then we try to figure out how — and why — the Detroit Red Wings have gotten so...
First call: Backup draft plan for Steelers; Goldschmidt brings hot start to Pittsburgh
In Monday’s “First Call,” a look at a backup plan for the Steelers if they don’t draft a “Devin.” A big bat for the Cardinals is coming into Pittsburgh hot. And the Blue Jackets may finally be putting it all together. Backup plan Apparently the Steelers have a backup in...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins playoff push, Roethlisberger’s radio show, Pirates opener
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to talk about the Penguins playoff push. How have they survived without Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? We get into Sidney Crosby’s exceptional performance of late, playing strong tactical hockey, and the perfect playoff hole to hit....
Tim Benz: Penguins can’t miss opportunity to finish strong
March came in like a lion and pretty much stayed that way for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They deserve the lamb of a schedule they got to close out the regular season here in April. Too bad they can’t take a deep breath and relax to enjoy it. The Penguins are...
First call: Steelers’ Haden defends Tomlin; ‘Baby Shark’ walk-up song leads to homer
Friday’s “First Call” features Steelers players defending the team. The Dodgers’ mammoth opening day at the plate. And one baseball player is using the song “Baby Shark” as his walk-up song. And it works. Haden has Tomlin’s back In response to the wave of criticism against the Steelers this offseason,...
Penguins podcast: Previewing Predators and a look at playoff prospects
Penguins beat writer Jonathan Bombulie joins me on our Sided.co podcast. We preview the Penguins’ game Friday against Nashville. We also talk about the injuries to Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin, the roster decisions that will follow their return and some NHL rules debates that may be similar to those...
Football footnotes: Rating NFL rules voting on the ‘Riveron Scale’
For this edition of “Friday Football Footnotes,” I thought we should take a look at all the NFL rule changes — and failed changes — this week at the owners meetings. Let’s figure out which ones the league got right and which ones the league botched. We will do so...
Tim Benz: Even Penguins might not have known what they got in Jared McCann
If you weren’t aware of what the Penguins were getting from the Panthers when they acquired Jared McCann as part of the Derick Brassard trade, don’t worry. It appears they may not have been fully aware, either. Obviously, Jim Rutherford had at least a hope that McCann could be productive....
First call: Landry Jones reunites with Antonio Brown; LeSean McCoy not done in Buffalo
In “First Call” Wednesday, you’ll never figure out where Landry Jones signed. There’s still hope for “Shady” in Buffalo. Making sense of a busy night in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. This should be good Guess where Landry Jones is going. I mean, it’s not the Raiders, right? Well, of course,...
Robert Morris Andy Toole handicaps Sweet 16, talks 2019 matchup vs. Pitt
Robert Morris basketball coach Andy Toole joins us once again for our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. He is our unofficial bracketologist for the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Both of our Final Fours are still intact after the first weekend. But this is where it gets dicey. RMU coach Andy Toole handicaps...
U mad, bro? Raiders fans clap back, Steelers accused of racial bias
In “U Mad, Bro?” this week, suggestions of racism are levied against the Steelers. Charges of whining are wielded by Raiders fans. And I was sent the best email I have ever read. Let’s start with this jackwagon. For the record, he didn’t send this tweet to me directly, but...
Tim Benz: Who looks good and bad in released Antonio Brown trade conversation
I have no idea why Antonio Brown would send out the audio that he allegedly did from his trade conversations with Drew Rosenhaus. He sounds moronic in the process and makes some other parties look bad. Oh, well. He apparently put it online anyway. If you haven’t heard it yet,...
First call: Antonio Brown lashes out again; a star wants fighting in football
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at Antonio Brown’s latest shot at the Steelers from Oakland. Eminem thinks he has the answer for football. Tonight could prove to be pivotal in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. This won’t end You didn’t think that Antonio Brown would stop taking shots at the...
Tim Benz: Proposed NFL overtime changes are unnecessary
One of the big debates at the NFL owners meetings is what to do with the league’s overtime procedure. The Chiefs advanced a rule change proposal for overtime. Let’s not kid ourselves. The Chiefs did this because they lost in overtime of the AFC title game thanks to Tom Brady...
Teddy Blueger emerges, Justin Schultz shines for Penguins
Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer joins me for his weekly hockey podcast. We recap Monday’s 5-2 win over the Rangers. I brag about my wonderous predictive powers regarding the rise of Teddy Blueger. We also celebrate Justin Schultz finally getting into the goal column again. Plus, we plow into...
First call: Previewing Penguins-Rangers; support for Tom Izzo
In Monday’s “First Call,” we give you a preview of Monday’s Penguins-Rangers game, a look at the weekend’s impact on the NHL’s Eastern Conference standings, some support for Tom Izzo and some height perspective on UCF’s Tacko Fall. Wrecked Rangers The Penguins get back into action Monday night against the...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins, start of Pirates season, Tom Izzo ‘controversy’
There is a lot to get into for “Madden Monday” this week with Mark Madden of 105.9 the X. We start with the Penguins and the impact of recently acquired forward Denis Sav … uh, I mean … Jared McCann. How about that spin-o-rama goal he scored Saturday night in...
Tim Benz: Potential NFL replay changes make no sense
I don’t understand the NFL competition committee’s approach to its replay expansion proposals. One proposal up for debate at this week’s owners’ meetings suggests the league should allow the review of pass-interference calls for a year on an experimental basis. A second proposal suggests adding replay review for roughing the...
First call: Pouncey defends Roethlisberger; a potential Steelers draft pick to watch for
In “First Call” Thursday, someone in the Steelers locker room sticks up for Big Ben. A wide receiver to watch for the Steelers in the draft. The latest on the rumors about Peyton Manning to “Monday Night Football.” And did we just see the game of the year in the...
Many Penguins issues to discuss heading into matchup vs. Predators
Our Penguins beat writer, Jonathan Bombulie, joins me to talk about the Penguins’ game Thursday in Nashville. He is in Tennessee. There’s plenty to discuss. • What is the biggest problem surrounding the Penguins’ three-game losing streak? • We need to figure out why the goal-scoring has gone dry. •...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey saves season at best possible time
All good things must come to an end. Or, maybe they don’t. That appears to be the case for the Robert Morris men’s hockey team. But you couldn’t blame the Colonials if that truism started to seep into their thinking at some point this season. RMU entered the 2018-19 season...
Tim Benz: Breaking down Le’Veon Bell’s knocks on Steelers
If Antonio Brown’s softball-filled interview on ESPN wasn’t rage-inducing enough for Steelers fans, Le’Veon Bell appears to have gotten just as big of a creampuff platform from Sports Illustrated. Much like the ESPN piece about how Brown forced his departure from the Steelers, Bell’s S.I. interview about how he “bet...
