Breakfast With Benz category, Page 191
First call: Le’Veon Bell explains absence from Steelers; Hurricanes ‘Duck Hunt’ Penguins
Wednesday’s “First Call” features Le’Veon Bell’s wandering explanation about his absence from the Steelers, the Hurricanes’ latest postgame celebration, a recap of the Metropolitan Division results impacting the playoff picture. What’s he trying to say? Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell did an interview with Sports Illustrated. He tried —...
Penguins podcast: Blown leads, mental mistakes, giving away points
We waited until Wednesday to get Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer on the Sided.co podcast for his weekly hockey segment. For good reason. We wanted to wrap up the Penguins’ big game in Raleigh Tuesday night. And they lost. Again. Carolina won 3-2 in a shootout. It was a...
U mad, bro? Penguins fans losing it, Steelers fans … still losing it
A lot is going on in this week’s “U mad, bro?” Penguins fans are mad at blown leads. Steelers fans are mad at Josh Harris. Rage continues about Antonio Brown. And at least one reader is angry about my pessimistic Steelers forecast. ••• “Manofmyster1” leaves no mystery to this tweet....
Tim Benz: Now with Raiders, how can Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict be cool with each other?
This was enough to make my stomach turn. As we pointed out yesterday, the Raiders were on the verge of signing Vontaze Burfict. Well, that signing is official now, according to the NFL Network. The outlet says Burfict will get a one-year deal worth $5 million. Keep in mind, a...
Tim Benz: A little tweak to make the NCAA Tournament’s First Four better
You may not have even submitted your bracket yet, and the 2019 NCAA Tournament is one night old. One potential 16th-seeded Cinderella — Prairie View A&M — is already going home. Another — either North Carolina Central or North Dakota State — will get eliminated Wednesday night. All that before...
First call: Bruce Gradkowski debunks Ben Roethlisberger ‘Fumblegate’ theory
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a look at one of the most important nights of the season in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Antonio Brown has a Twitter message for those of us in the media. And Bruce Gradkowski chimes in on “Fumblegate.” Response piece Not every ex-Steeler is buying Josh Harris’...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Roethlisberger, Bell, Penguins’ bad weekend, Pirates infield
Thanks to an off-day, this week’s “Madden Monday” comes on a Tuesday. We get into: • Josh Harris’ accusation that Ben Roethlisberger fumbled on purpose against the Bengals. Why is this information just coming out now? • Le’Veon Bell’s failed contract. The spin continues! LISTEN: Mark Madden, Tim Benz discuss...
Analysis: Could Vontaze Burfict end up with Raiders and Antonio Brown?
This is too good to be true. Probably. Because I’m guessing it’ll never happen. Oh. But I wish it could. The Bengals have released Pittsburgh’s public enemy No. 1: Vontaze Burfict. You know. The venomous linebacker who did this to Antonio Brown — when Pittsburgh still loved Antonio Brown. pic.twitter.com/9OSiXDWAnz—...
How Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown moves will impact fantasy football
It’s time we get to what really matters when it comes to the departures of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Your fantasy team. Obviously there will be major implications at the top of 2019 fantasy drafts with those two joining new clubs. Dynasty and keeper leagues will definitely feel the...
First call: Antonio Brown buys ‘Thank you, Pittsburgh’ billboard, visits new QB Derek Carr
In “First Call” Thursday, Antonio Brown will annoy you from afar. Lamar Jackson may be channeling his inner A.B. A look at the Metropolitan Division rundown for the evening. Laying it on thick Drew Rosenhaus bought a farewell billb …. Oops, I mean, Antonio Brown bought a farewell billboard in...
Tim Benz, Jonathan Bombulie discuss Penguins’ strong push, injury updates
It’s our weekly Sided.co Penguins podcast with Tribune-Review beat writer Jonathan Bombulie. We open up wondering if labor peace in the NHL could be a model for the NFL. Then we talk about how the Penguins have blended good play with entertaining hockey of late. LISTEN: Penguins making strong push...
U mad, bro? Tim Benz vs. national media on Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell
Welcome to the most contentious “U mad, bro?” yet. It’s mainly me getting mad at the national media because the national media seem to be mad at the Steelers organization, the NFL, Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. That’s more politically correct, I guess, than being mad at Antonio Brown and...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ speed starting to dominate again
The comment from Nick Bjugstad resonated after the Pittsburgh Penguins blanked the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-0, on March 7. “It’s a little different style than what I was used to,” the former Florida Panther forward said. “These guys play … fast! It’s a fun way to play.” Even with Bjugstad’s...
Analysis: Twitter doesn’t hold back on Le’Veon Bell’s Jets contract
Reviews are in on Le’Veon Bell’s new contract with the New York Jets. And they aren’t pretty for the former Steelers running back. The basics are that Bell agreed to a four-year deal with the Jets that is reportedly worth somewhere between $52 million and $61 million, with $35 million...
Podcast: How the Antonio Brown deal came together for the Raiders
And I thought I had a lot of jobs! Marcus Mosher works for Bleacher Report, Pro Football Weekly and The Athletic (Dallas). But most importantly, for our purposes, he’s the managing editor of TheRaidersWire.com, of the USA Today NFL platforms. In Wednesday’s Sided.co podcast, Mosher joins me to talk about...
First call: Where were the Steelers as NFL free agency was going nuts?
In “First Call” Tuesday, the first look at Antonio Brown as a Raider. Kinda. What were Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin doing as the NFL free agent frenzy was taking place? A funny check on Le’Veon Bell and Adisa Bakari. The Penguins can’t gain ground in the Eastern Conference. Sneak...
As Jets start dishing out contracts, could Le’Veon Bell be next?
As the pain of the Antonio Brown saga fades, we wait to see where Le’Veon Bell may wind up. Everyone wants to see if his odyssey to free agency pays off the way that he thought it would. Of course, Bell wants us to think that teams are falling all...
First call: Even WWE in Pittsburgh piles on Antonio Brown departure
In “First Call” Tuesday, even the WWE is piling on Antonio Brown’s departure. A local kid impacts the NHL last night. And the Eastern Conference playoff picture is still chaotic. Who wants to walk with A.B.? Plum native and WWE star Elias played the bad-guy role perfectly in a recent...
Podcast: How many points will Penguins get in 4 games this week?
Brian Metzer of the Penguins radio network joins me for our weekly Sided.co hockey podcast. We talk about Matt Murray’s steady play. Was he the star of the weekend? And can he hold up against the Capitals on Tuesday night? We get into the emergence of the Florida guys, particularly...
Former Steelers teammate: Ben Roethlisberger fumbled on purpose
You know the “Steelers circus” Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney II insist never existed? The one that is a total media creation and fabrication? Well, here’s another imaginary dancing bear to throw into the ring. Former Steelers running back Josh Harris — someone even die-hard Steelers fans may not remember...
Feeling down? Here’s a way to make yourself laugh at the Antonio Brown trade
If you don’t laugh, you are going to cry. I prefer to do that first thing. There is no way for Pittsburgh to put a happy face on how the Antonio Brown situation ended. They will get only third- and fifth-round draft choices from the Oakland Raiders. Brown will get...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Antonio Brown trade, Penguins’ split weekend
This week’s edition of Madden Monday comes to you from the catacombs of PPG Paints Arena. Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me as we exhale after that Penguins win against the Bruins on Sunday night. Man, was that huge for the Penguins after the loss in Columbus Saturday....
Tim Benz: Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell cases prove NFL needs CBA changes
If the Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell situations have illuminated one thing, it’s this: It’s time for the NFL to change its salary cap system. Because right now, in a collective bargaining agreement set up to give the players no power, the players are starting to realize they do have...
Plenty to praise as Penguins take 1st of back-to-back games vs. Blue Jackets
In the most important stretch of the season, the Penguins are starting to get hot. Thursday night, they won the first of two crucial games against the Blue Jackets, with a return match coming Saturday in Columbus. The Penguins blanked the Blue Jackets, 3-0. And a lot went right along...
First call: Todd Haley said what about Antonio Brown?
Friday’s “First Call” features some unbelievable quotes about Antonio Brown from Todd Haley. Ramon Foster channels his inner Will Ferrell. And Marc-Andre Fleury continues to climb the ladder of all-time wins. Todd Haley said what? Todd Haley spent six years as the Steelers offensive coordinator from 2012-2017. All of them...
