Breakfast With Benz category, Page 67
U mad, bro?: Aliens have arrived — and they have angry opinions on Steelers, Pirates
Even the Pittsburgh Steelers reporting to training camp was dwarfed by the UFO hearings in front of Congress on Wednesday. Not only do I now believe in aliens, I believe they are coming for Christian Kuntz’s massage chair. The Steelers’ specialists massage chair saga continues, but it’s in the dorm...
Tim Benz: Steelers training camp challenge — the defense must make the offense better
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has a lot to accomplish between now and the end of training camp. Coordinator Teryl Austin’s unit has to: • Straighten out any communication issues that may result from weaving a fistful of new players into the secondary — many of whom are playing in multiple...
Tim Benz: A different spin on the Pittsburgh sports ‘GOAT Mountain’ list
On Monday, Sporting News writer Mike DeCourcy took us for a hike up Pittsburgh’s “GOAT Mountain.” Last summer, the outlet decided on a Mount Rushmore style, greatest-of-all-time list for 13 of America’s cities that have all four major pro sports teams (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL). This year, they expanded the...
A 6-pack of tasks that should be on Mike Tomlin’s to-do list at Steelers training camp
There’s no doubt what the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top priority should be for their training camp when it begins Thursday. It has to be expanding the offensive playbook and developing Kenny Pickett as the quarterback. Hopefully, they’ve been working on those matters since the instant last season ended. But there are...
First Call: Ex-Steeler finalizes deal in Baltimore; Benny Snell may head west; 2 former Steelers look to Philly
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Arthur Maulet finishes off the news about him signing with a Pittsburgh Steelers’ divisional rival. The Eagles are looking at two former Steelers. There are some early season complications for two Steelers opponents. And we track what’s going on with Benny Snell. Maulet to Maryland On...
First Call: Ex-Steeler may join Ravens; trade interest in David Bednar; potential domino falls on Erik Karlsson watch
A domino may have fallen in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ pursuit of Erik Karlsson. A former Steelers draft choice has a new home, while another may be closing on a deal with Baltimore. Plus there is trade interest in Pirates closer David Bednar. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” What does...
Tim Benz: Backslide from Mitch Keller is most concerning aspect of 2023 Pirates
A lot has gone wrong for the Pittsburgh Pirates since their 20-8 start to open up the season. By “a lot” I mean pretty much … everything. • As a team, the Pirates have sunk to 44-56, good for a last place in the National League Central division. • Because...
Tim Benz: Complaints by NFL running backs swallowed up by reality
On Sunday, a group of NFL running backs did what a lot of us did during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. They hopped on Zoom with each other and complained. The only difference is, these running backs are griping over how many more millions of dollars they should be...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ team-building approach only good enough to beat lesser NFL teams
There’s no doubt what the main topic is heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2023 training camp. It’s tracking the growth of the offense as the franchise embarks on its second year with Kenny Pickett as the quarterback. As Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X said during this week’s...
First Call: Najee Harris joins other RBs in strategy session; news on 2 former Steelers
Steelers running back Najee Harris is part of a group of players at his position trying to influence change in the NFL’s cost structure that is deflating their salaries. There’s news regarding two former Steelers in other cities and surrounding the Cleveland Browns. Plus we see how the Pittsburgh Steeltoes...
Erik Karlsson tells Swedish outlet he has spoken to Penguins, and he’s not OK with staying in San Jose
We still don’t know if the San Jose Sharks are going to trade defenseman Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins. But now we do know that he has spoken to the Pens, and we know he doesn’t want to stay with his current franchise. Karlsson confirmed both angles to the...
Tim Benz: Plenty of Steelers issues to criticize of late — but not offense/defense payroll disparity
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to sign outside linebacker Alex Highsmith to a $68 million extension has been applauded by some. Others see it as overspending on an above average, but not great, player. One thing is for sure, the signing has kicked up another wave of scolding the Steelers for...
LSU baseball coach ‘1,000%’ confident Pirates’ Paul Skenes could win an MLB game right now
My first question to LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson regarding Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft choice Paul Skenes was pretty simple. What are the Pirates getting in this guy? “You can’t get a better pitcher. And you can’t get a better person,” Johnson instantly replied. On the personality side, during his...
First Call: Mike Tomlin rated NFL’s 2nd best coach; teams show interest in former Steelers DB
Friday’s “First Call” rebukes Pro Football Talk’s NFL head coach rankings, which place Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin second. We also find out who may sign former Steeler Arthur Maulet and what Steelers’ connection exists in the new ownership of the Washington Commanders. Plus, a new professional sports team in...
San Jose Sharks reporter still thinks ‘it will be Karlsson to the Penguins’
If it feels like the trade speculation surrounding Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins has dragged on for a long time, that’s because it has. The Penguins first seemed to crop up as a potential trade target for the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman at the outset of free agency on July...
U mad, bro?: Pirates’ failures, Penguins’ trade talks have fans on edge
About a month from now, it’s going to be all-Steelers, all the time in “U mad, bro?” So for the time being, let’s enjoy the variety. You know, like a 12-pack of those seasonal beers from Sam Adams. This week pounding the Pittsburgh Pirates ownership will serve as the flagship...
First Call: Lions snag reported Steelers trade target; Derek Shelton addresses booing from Pirates crowd
Thursday’s “First Call” begins with a Pittsburgh Steelers trade that never happened. We also look at the Pirates’ trip to visit Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels. Plus, Derek Shelton is getting heat, and there is Duquesne basketball news too. Motor City Mims The Detroit Lions have acquired New...
A Penguins-specific setlist for The Eagles to play at PPG Paints Arena
We found out Wednesday that The Eagles are going to headline a concert at PPG Paints Arena. Don’t worry, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a bye that week. It’s part of the band’s Long Goodbye tour. So I thought we should continue the tradition we began at “Breakfast With Benz” when...
Tim Benz: For Paul Skenes, ‘living life hard’ has a different meaning — one he’ll need as a Pirate
Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft pick Paul Skenes throws hard. He’s been known to hit 103 miles per hour. It’s part of the reason why he posted a 1.69 ERA in 122⅔ innings pitched with 209 strikeouts at LSU this season. The 6-foot-6 right hander lives life hard too. When I...
First Call: Biggest potholes for Erik Karlsson trade for Penguins, Hurricanes; Kevin Colbert’s thoughts on Kenny Pickett
Wednesday’s “First Call” has the latest on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ alleged pursuit of Erik Karlsson. We give you some thoughts on Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett from the man who drafted him. Plus the Vezina Trophy odds are out, and the Pirates are the latest victims of one of the hottest...
Tim Benz: Additions, key retentions have Keith Dambrot optimistic at Duquesne
After a few years of experience, Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot now has a feel for what roster-building is like with college basketball in the NIL/transfer portal era. “The roster situation is never going to be the same like it used to be 10 years ago. You just have to keep...
First Call: Steelers QB Kenny Pickett promises ‘bounce back year’ for Diontae Johnson; Najee Harris rips RB pay
Tuesday’s “First Call” features Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris ripping the NFL’s pay structure for players at his position. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett endorses the use of play-action and promises bigger things from Diontae Johnson. Plus, rookie tight end Darnell Washington is being tied to a college payment scandal...
Tim Benz: For Pirates ‘the future is here.’ Which also means that the present has already passed yet again
I understand where Andrew McCutchen was coming from when he gave his rah-rah speech Sunday after the Pittsburgh Pirates were swept by the San Francisco Giants. It’s the kind of veteran leader “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” stuff you have to say after a 10th loss in 12 tries....
First Call: How 2 NFL signings may impact Steelers; injury update for key Pirates prospect
Monday’s “First Call” looks at how a pair of NFL signings may impact the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is positive news regarding a Pirates prospect. And we identify what Quinn Priester will be facing in his Major League Baseball debut for the Pirates. What’s in the ‘HOP’per The Tennessee Titans have...
Tim Benz: Building from scratch a bit easier this time around for RMU hockey coaches
For Robert Morris men’s hockey coach Derek Schooley, the process isn’t entirely new. Building a team virtually from scratch. He did it before when the Colonials program took the ice for its inaugural season in 2004-05. Now he’s doing it again in 2023-24 as both the men’s and women’s teams...
