Breakfast With Benz category, Page 64
First Call: Steelers minority ownership shuffling; scouting report on CB Desmond King II
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we look at Desmond King II, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ latest addition to the cornerback unit. We also have some news about the franchise on the ownership front. A former Pitt tight end has a new home. And Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson proves how tough of...
Tim Benz: Nick Caserio defends Kendrick Green trade, takes jab at Ben Roethlisberger
Former Steelers offensive lineman Kendrick Green had a really rough go of it during his three years in Pittsburgh. Forced into service prematurely as a rookie starting center in 2021, Green struggled badly to learn the position on the NFL level after playing a lot of guard at Illinois. To...
U mad, bro?: Steelers’ roster cuts; Pirates’ haircuts; Guns N’ Roses at PNC Park
Not to go all Dennis Eckersley on you fine folks, but this week’s “U mad, bro?” is kind of a hodgepodge of nothingness. We’ve got a nutty trade idea for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a worse roster suggestion for the Steelers, a complaint about the Pirates’ hairstyles, and a reference to...
First Call: How Steelers rookies influenced roster cuts; former rival offers advice; predictions for Calvin Austin, Joey Porter Jr.
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some advice for young Pittsburgh Steelers from a former rival of the club. A number of ex-Steelers and Pitt Panthers didn’t survive NFL cutdown day. And we look at how the success of the Steelers draft class ended up influencing the depth chart. Betting on Benton...
AT&T SportsNet changing ownership ‘doesn’t look great’ for Pirates
When word came out that Fenway Sports Group, ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins, purchased regional Pittsburgh sports channel AT&T SportsNet, three questions went through my mind. • What does this mean for the average Pittsburgh area sports viewer? • What does this mean for the Penguins? • What does this...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey coaches happy to have the coaching ‘stomach acid’ back
Starting this week, Robert Morris hockey coaches Derek Schooley and Logan Bittle are taking on a significant job change. They are actually coaching again. Instructing players. A full team. On the ice. Getting ready for a real season. For the first time in two years. “It’s just a super exciting...
Aaron Donald likely won’t retire with Steelers, in case you ever thought he might
Los Angeles Rams star defensive lineman Aaron Donald apparently has no intention of returning to his hometown of Pittsburgh and retiring as a Steeler. For anyone who was truly wondering if that was a possibility. “Football Morning in America’s” Peter King broached that topic in his weekly post on Monday...
First Call: Mike Tomlin’s spot among coaches in AP poll; Josh Dobbs’ chances of starting in Arizona
Tuesday’s “First Call” features Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and his place among other NFL coaches. We also take a look at Josh Dobbs’ chances of becoming a starter in Arizona. And we have some wild stats about Johan Oviedo’s complete game win for the Pirates in Kansas City on...
Tim Benz: ‘We played Wiffle Ball almost every day … When you were pitching, you were Teke’
A young baseball player in the 1970s, John Wehner grew up in Pittsburgh as a massive fan of the Pirates and their 1979 World Series championship team. Now a broadcaster for the Pirates after wearing the uniform himself for nine years, those memories have not faded for the Carrick High...
First Call: ESPN projections for Steelers’ playoff chances; ex-Steeler already trade bait?
Monday’s “First Call” pins a percentage on the Steelers’ playoff chances. A former Steeler may be on the way out with his new team. The Pirates are about to battle one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball, and Robert Morris’ hockey teams are officially back at practice for...
Madden Monday: ‘There’s just not anything to dislike’ about Kenny Pickett’s preseason for Steelers
After a 3-0 preseason for the Steelers, many in Pittsburgh are bumping up their 2023 win total predictions by multiple games. Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X has a more conservative approach. “I might be coerced into 10-7 instead of 9-8. But, for me, there’s still plenty of...
Tim Benz: Reestablishing ‘the standard’ for ascending Steelers — and let’s remember it all the way through January
Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers are giddy in anticipation of the opening game for the 2023 season on Sept. 10. Based on how the preseason went, they should be. Not only did the club win all three of its games, but the first-team offense sparkled under the direction of the...
First Call: Ex-Steelers QB could start in Arizona; pricey Roberto Clemente bat auction; Aaron Donald’s new ring trend
Friday’s “First Call” sees a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback on the move. John Lynch’s real opinions on the Nick Bosa situation may be shining through in San Francisco. A piece of Roberto Clemente memorabilia is up for auction. And Penn Hills product Aaron Donald may have started a very unique...
Feats of Strength: Perfect Pickett delivers unbeaten preseason
I’m not going to be the one to remind you that the Steelers went 3-0 in the preseason last year, too, and missed the playoffs. Wait, I did that already. This feels different, though, doesn’t it? The Steelers sparkled in all areas, sweeping through their three-game preseason. It culminated with...
Tim Benz: Fantasy football tips, Steelers projections, as draft season is upon us
The Steelers and the rest of the NFL are wrapping up the preseason this weekend. That means it’s fantasy football draft time. My team, “Hodgepodge of Nothingness” (thanks for the inspiration, Dennis Eckersley), won my league last year. I could offer you some advice. Or I could offer you the...
First Call: 49ers reveal QB depth chart for opener vs. Steelers; new ACC expansion talk; will McCutchen hit 300th vs. Cubs?
Thursday’s “First Call” gets the full breakdown of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback depth chart as they prepare for the regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also have the network broadcast team for that game, and a little Steelers-Niners history from an opening-day perspective. Plus, we examine the latest...
U mad, bro?: Steelers preseason hype, RB1 debates, SMU in the ACC and lanternflies
There is only one thing that has truly made me mad this week. Lanternflies. Gawd, do I hate those things! I feel like I’m in the Battle of Stirling scene from “Braveheart.” “We’re outnumbered … at least three to one!” Watch the video I posted of the war zone that...
Pumped-up Steelers optimism not yet impacting gambling lines
Two strong preseason results and a training camp free of injuries to star players has yielded wild optimism about the Steelers within the team’s fanbase. On Monday, I was listening to our colleague Mark Madden on his talk show on 105.9 The X. He was taking numerous calls from fans...
First Call: 49ers sign ex-Steeler in advance of opener; Antonio Brown in trouble yet again
The San Francisco 49ers don’t have Nick Bosa in the fold yet, but they do have a pretty good resource for information on the Steelers. Antonio Brown is in hot water again, and the Steelers may be on their way to tackling the NFL’s next marketing genius. All that in...
Tim Benz: This position group will result in the hardest cuts for Steelers coaches
Heading into Thursday night’s preseason finale in Atlanta, one good thing about the 2023 Steelers is that it doesn’t appear there will be many players kept on cutdown day (Aug. 29) just to round out the depth chart. That hasn’t necessarily been the case at the bottom of the roster...
Tim Benz: Steelers defense views preseason finale against Falcons as ‘great test’ for 49ers in regular season opener
On the surface, one might think that a road game in Atlanta may not be the most effective tune-up for the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary in its final preseason game. After all, no team in the NFL ran the ball more times (559) than the Falcons did last season. With the...
First Call: Star is returning to future Steelers opponent, while another stays away; Ravens finally lose in preseason
Tuesday’s “First Call” eyes up some opponents on the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule. The Baltimore Ravens saw an end to their record-setting preseason win streak. Nick Bosa may be in jeopardy of missing the season opener at Acrisure Stadium for the San Francisco 49ers. The Las Vegas Raiders should be getting...
Matt Canada on carries for Steelers RBs: ‘Najee (Harris) is our 1. There’s no doubt about that’
Something pretty well-known about Pittsburgh sports fans is that we really do love our backups. The backup quarterback. The backup goalie. The young prospects on the farm for the Pirates. Players who we have seen in brief flashes that we immediately believe will be better than the guy who is...
Tim Benz: Even with fast start, Steelers coaches have plenty to examine during preseason finale vs. Falcons
Everyone in Pittsburgh seems excited about how the Steelers have looked so far, and rightfully so. In their two victories to open up the preseason, the Steelers offense has been potent. The defense has created numerous splash plays. The special teams have been a plus. Considering the amount of good...
First Call: Surprising retirement for an ex-Steeler; Brock Purdy gets a preseason start; will Steelers see Bijan Robinson?
Monday’s “First Call” has word of a surprising retirement for a former Pittsburgh Steeler. We find out how the San Francisco 49ers are shaping up in advance of their regular-season debut at Acrisure Stadium. We check in on Atlanta’s plans when it comes to Bijan Robinson’s playing time against the...
