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Breakfast With Benz category, Page 6

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Tim Benz: Steelers couldn’t tell Justin Fields what he wanted to hear — and shouldn’t have said it anyway
On Day 1 of the NFL’s legal negotiating period, it was reported that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields had agreed to a contract with the New York Jets. “NFL Daily” podcast host Gregg Rosenthal said that the Steelers believed Fields would give the club “a Tomlin discount” to stay in...
For Robert Morris, ‘Losing was not an option … We didn’t want to let the city down’
With an 83-62 Horizon League quarterfinal win over Wright State on Thursday night, the Robert Morris men’s basketball team did something we haven’t seen recently in Pittsburgh sports. They delivered. At home. In the postseason. In fact, the Colonials were the last team to do that in March of 2020...
First Call: Christian Kirk courted by Steelers players; watch Alex Ovechkin score again
Thursday’s “First Call” features some Steelers taking to social media as a way to entice a free agent to Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, one AFC veteran is retiring, while another has been released. In the NHL, Alex Ovechkin scores again. And there’s plenty of NCAA postseason women’s basketball on the slate as...
U mad, bro?: Penguins trade talk, Erik Karlsson’s play, criticism of Mike Tomlin drawing the ire of Pittsburgh fans
A lot of things about the Pittsburgh sports scene didn’t exactly go over great with the audience this week. The high NFLPA grades for Mike Tomlin continue to generate angry dialogue. So do Erik Karlsson’s mishaps and Penguins trade rumors. Hey, at least we aren’t talking politics in this week’s...
Tim Benz: Steelers QB quandary could present Catch-22 situation with potential receivers
I’m not quite sure if this qualifies as a “chicken-or-the-egg” kind of problem for the Steelers. But it feels like it can be placed under that tent. Plus, with the price of eggs these days, I’m not sure the Steelers could fit a dozen under the salary cap. But as...
Robert Morris basketball brings ray of sunshine to bleak Pittsburgh sports landscape
Every Pittsburgh sports fan will admit one unfortunate truth these days: The entire local sports scene is at low tide. The Penguins are about to miss the playoffs for a third straight year. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in eight seasons. And the only thing the Pirates can...
First Call: Justin Fields as Steelers’ 1st QB choice may be brewing; a look at chances of landing Davante Adams, Darius Slayton
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some direction for speculation about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation. We have gambling odds on the Steelers acquiring Davante Adams and information on another wide receiver who may be in the mix. Plus, we check in on a former Penguin who is hunting a career milestone,...
First Call: Darius Slay, Mike Hilton may be among available CBs; ex-Steelers DB coach lands NFC job
Tuesday’s “First Call” has details about a future free-agent cornerback from Philadelphia that may be of interest to the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steelers cornerback is in the news as well. An ex-Steelers assistant coach lands a job in the NFC South. We look at the Penguins’ next opponent, and...
Tim Benz: Erik Karlsson is finally playing some defense. Too bad it’s about his no-movement clause
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson seems to have no urgency when it comes to waiving his no-movement clause. “I have full say on whether anything happens or not,” Karlsson said when asked about that notion Sunday. “I have not been asked, and until I do get asked — whenever that...
After passing 1 tough test, Duquesne faces another in Atlantic 10 leader VCU
The Duquesne men’s basketball team just roasted the best defensive team in the Atlantic 10 on Saturday afternoon. Three nights later, they are tasked with doing the same thing again. Virginia Commonwealth University comes to UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. Tuesday atop the A-10 with a 24-5 record overall...
First Call: Derek Carr, Sam Darnold named among Steelers’ backup plans at QB; some Rickard Rakell trade options
Justin Fields may be emerging ahead of Russell Wilson as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top option at quarterback. That said, the team may have some backup plans as well. We have a framework for what Jaylen Warren may cost at running back. And we connect the dots with clubs that may...
Madden Monday: Whether Steelers keep Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, assume they should have done the opposite
For every report that says the Pittsburgh Steelers are leaning toward bringing back Russell Wilson, there seems to be one that says they are actually more likely to keep Justin Fields. And for every rumor that says the Steelers will retain Fields, there’s one that says Wilson will be the...
Tim Benz: Where Omar Khan’s positive spin on George Pickens may be coming from
If you squint, you can maybe see a path that wide receiver George Pickens can walk down with the Pittsburgh Steelers for at least one more year. And based on how general manager Omar Khan spoke about Pickens this past week at the NFL scouting combine, he started doing exactly...
First Call: Another round of Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors; Roman Wilson was ‘at no point’ NFL game ready for Steelers
Get ready for another round of Brandon Aiyuk trade drama. We give you some more texture to Roman Wilson’s lack of participation during the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers season. You’ll be introduced to a potential Steelers draft prospect with a local connection. Plus, we preview the Penguins’ busy weekend and update...
Despite tough 3-game test, Duquesne looks to replicate last year’s late-season surge
Because the 2023-24 season for the men’s basketball team at Duquesne ended with such exhilarating high notes in March, it’s easy to forget where they were at the end of February. Exactly where they are this year. A year ago, Duquesne’s last game in February was a win over La...
U mad, bro?: Fans gripe over NFL player grades for Mike Tomlin; Omar Khan’s quotes; Penguins losing
In this week’s “U mad, bro,” we’ve got some people rolling their eyes at Omar Khan’s quotes about the Steelers roster. We have lots of people fed up with the Penguins. And there are a surprising amount of people agitated about the Eagles’ Tush Push. Ah! Enjoy spring training, Pirates....
Pierre McGuire on Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist: ‘He looked really small in goal’
Since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Pittsburgh Penguins are 0-3 and have allowed 19 goals. Alex Nedeljkovic has given up 11, and Joel Blomqvist has yielded seven. Plus, there has been one empty netter by the New York Rangers to secure a 5-3 win on Sunday afternoon at...
First Call: Steelers to meet with Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty; former WR trade target may be off limits 
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet with a Heisman Trophy finalist at the NFL Scouting Combine. A former trade target of the team may be off the market. Both the Duquesne men’s and women’s basketball teams are in action Wednesday. And Alex Ovechkin has done it again....
First Call: 49ers pledge Deebo Samuel trade; Max Talbot talks up ‘Shhh!’ legacy ahead of Penguins’ bobblehead night 
“First Call” for Thursday looks at increased prospects of a Deebo Samuel trade. We introduce you to another running back to remember on NFL Draft weekend for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Max Talbot expands the legend of the “Shhh!” The Duquesne basketball teams pull off a mid-week sweep. And Robert Morris’...
Tim Benz: Playing the WR ‘butterfly effect’ game with Omar Khan isn’t getting the answers Steelers fans want
If we are going to play the “butterfly effect” game with the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers, let’s at least talk about the right butterfly. While addressing Steelers media members Tuesday, general manager Omar Khan was asked how he evaluated the midseason trades for Mike Williams and Preston Smith and if he...
Rivalry or not, Alex Ovechkin’s goal-record quest provides NHL interest for Pens fans
The 4 Nations Face-Off is complete. The Pittsburgh Penguins are in last place of the Metropolitan Division. So local hockey fans are going to have to get creative to sink their teeth into something with a little bit of importance surrounding the sport. Well, Alex Ovechkin … I can’t believe...
First Call: Steelers have ‘shown interest’ in Matthew Stafford; latest on Eagles’ White House visit debate
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the latest on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ alleged interest in quarterback Matthew Stafford. We get a health update on a Penn State star in advance of the NFL combine. The Cleveland Browns make a move in the secondary, and there is a new twist in the controversy...
Tim Benz: Debate over banning Eagles’ ‘Tush Push’ is stupid and needs to stop
Complaining about the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Tush Push” play is the most overwrought debate in sports and it needs to stop. That’s impossible now, though, because according to The Athletic, the Green Bay Packers have submitted a proposal to the league’s competition committee to ban the play. So, plenty more conversations...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ dud of a return from break is a (not so) sobering reality check for fans
The Pittsburgh Penguins returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off this weekend and lost two home games. They fell 8-3 to Washington on Saturday and 5-3 to the New York Rangers on Sunday. The Pens are in last place of the Metropolitan Division with 57 points. The Buffalo Sabres (51 points)...
Madden Monday: NHL already seeing residue of ‘Faustian bargain’ with international play
Hockey’s 4 Nations Face Off was a big success. Now, what can the NHL do for an encore? In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X says, so far, with its own product, things aren’t going great for the league. “Even the fast teams...


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