Breakfast With Benz category, Page 80
First Call: Pat Freiermuth says Steelers offense ‘didn’t have hots’; Cam Sutton wants to stay; NFL salary cap revealed
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Pat Freiermuth has an interesting detail about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in 2022. Cornerback Cam Sutton expresses a desire to stay in Pittsburgh before hitting free agency. Plus, a Penn State wide receiver is starting to get some attention from scouts. Also, the NFL has revealed...
Tim Benz: The Penguins ‘roadies’ need to do more to support ‘the band’
It was one thing when the Pittsburgh Penguins decided to keep the band together this past spring. But did they have to keep all of the roadies too? Management’s offseason strategy to find whatever has been missing from this group after four straight years without winning a playoff round clearly...
Tim Benz: Derek Shelton not worried about Bryan Reynolds’ trade request — nor should he be
As much hand-wringing as there is over the trade request of Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, it could prove to be somewhat of a benefit. For everybody involved. Well, for the short term, anyway. If Reynolds truly wants out of Pittsburgh, the most effective way to do that is to...
Madden Monday: ‘Last 2 Pens general managers have been goalies, and the goaltending is in shambles’
As the Pittsburgh Penguins hit their break before the NHL All-Star Game, they have done so by losing three of four games. Their most recent defeat was a 6-4 decision at home against the hapless San Jose Sharks, who have just 15 wins on the season. But during this week’s...
First Call: Pittsburgh products impact AFC, NFC title games; Steelers fans mock Mayor Gainey’s tweet congratulating Eagles
In Monday’s “First Call,” we learn of a linebacker the Pittsburgh Steelers are watching in advance of the NFL Draft. Brian Flores has been passed over for a job on an NFC coaching staff. There was a Pittsburgh imprint on the AFC and NFC Championship games. Adam “Pacman” Jones recalls...
Friday Football Footnotes: Art Rooney II says Steelers will keep Mitch Trubisky, pursue NFL Draft
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” looks at Mitch Trubisky’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also discuss the prospects of the city hosting the NFL draft, and potentially keeping the prospect of AFC Championship home games. Speaking of AFC Championship games, we also have an update on Patrick Mahomes’ injury...
Tim Benz: Ranking the Steelers’ 6 wins, 5 losses in home AFC Championship games
On Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II came out against the idea of having neutral site AFC and NFC Championship games. “I hate the idea,” Rooney said. “I don’t like that at all. My sense is that if you put that up for a vote it wouldn’t pass today,...
First Call: Another interview for Brian Flores; Steelers ‘unsung’ hero; Clint Hurdle on Bryan Reynolds
Thursday’s “First Call” has another job interview for Pittsburgh Steelers assistant Brian Flores. One Steeler is highlighted as an “unsung hero” in the NFL. We recap another busy night in the Metropolitan Division while the Penguins were idle. And former Pirates manager Clint Hurdle shares his thoughts on Bryan Reynolds....
U mad, bro?: Readers angry about Steelers criticism, Tremaine Edmunds speculation, Ivan Provorov column
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are still trying to rationalize another season without a playoff win. We’re already making excuses for the team chumping out in free agency. Some Pirates fans are dubious of Andrew McCutchen’s return. And my Ivan Provorov column was a big hit! What I mean by that is...
Tim Benz: Penguins, Capitals very much in the same boat as they prepare to lock horns
At the start of the NHL season, many expected the Pittsburgh Penguins to be in a dogfight to continue their streak of 16 consecutive playoff appearances. So far, that prediction has played out exactly as foreseen. Through 47 games (out of 82), the Penguins are 24-15-8. That translates to just...
Tim Benz: Penguins reverse some negative trends in wild win over Panthers
If you are looking for things to complain about coming out of Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Penguins’ 7-6 overtime win over the Florida Panthers, the excitement quotient can’t be one of them. “I don’t know if I had a laugh, but it was an entertaining game. I’m sure you guys might have,”...
Duquesne looks to rediscover winning ways against new Atlantic 10 foe
One thing that the Duquesne basketball team has improved upon during the 2022-23 season is stopping a slide before it ever gets going. That’s very different from last year when the Dukes ended the season on a 17-game Atlantic 10 losing streak. This year, at 13-7, the Dukes have yet...
First Call: Comments from Bills GM as Steelers fans track Tremaine Edmunds news; Quincy Roche celebrates return
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some intriguing news concerning a potential Pittsburgh Steelers free-agent target. An ex-Steelers linebacker is coming back to Pittsburgh. The Pitt basketball team is set for an evenly matched ACC clash. And a former Robert Morris hockey player gets quite a conference honor. Keeping an eye out...
A wish list for the Penguins heading into an important game against the Panthers
Believe it or not, the Pittsburgh Penguins are on a four-game point streak. It may not feel that way because the team has lost two of those four games. However, the defeats were in overtime — Wednesday in Ottawa (5-4) and Sunday in New Jersey (2-1). The loser points are...
First Call: Hear Tom Brady’s expletive-filled reaction to a question about his future; a Steeler gets postseason honors
Tom Brady has a NSFW reaction to a question about his NFL future. A former Pittsburgh Steeler is joining the college coaching ranks. Two current Steelers get postseason recognition. And the Penguins had a good night without even taking the ice. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Blustery Brady Tampa...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans may hope for Cincinnati’s offense, but San Francisco’s is the more logical model
As the NFL playoffs move along without the Pittsburgh Steelers involved, I’ve noticed a lot of conversation on sports talk radio and on social media to the following effect: ”If Kenny Pickett continues to develop, can the Steelers offense ever become what the Cincinnati Bengals have with Joe Burrow?” I...
First Call: Ex-Steeler calls out Ben Roethlisberger; Brian Flores’ Arizona interview; the cash Lamar Jackson rejected
In Monday’s “First Call,” an ex-Steeler is starting up some Twitter beef with Ben Roethlisberger. We are getting some financial details about Lamar Jackson’s contract situation. Steelers assistant Brian Flores has a job interview today. And the Ravens may be trying to poach an assistant from the Cleveland Browns’ staff....
Madden Monday on long-range NHL playoff prospects: ‘I don’t think the Penguins will make it’
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ latest overtime defeat came Sunday afternoon in New Jersey. It was a 2-1 loss to the Devils, courtesy of a Doug Hamilton game-winning goal. The shot that won it for the Devils came on a power play after the Penguins were busted for too many men on...
Tim Benz: Where Andrew McCutchen’s presence may best benefit the Pirates — if he’s willing to go there
When Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen made the comment, I figured it was simply the right thing to say. “I want to win,” McCutchen said during a press conference to announce his return to Pittsburgh after a five-year absence. “Specifically, I want to win here. I know what it feels...
First Call: Where the Penguins sit after a busy night in the Metro; potentially rebooting the original Winter Classic
Friday’s “First Call” looks at where the Pittsburgh Penguins sit in the standings after a busy night in the Metropolitan Division. Plus, we look at the prospect of rebooting the original Winter Classic. And we fill up the local college basketball dance card for Saturday. Back where it all began...
Friday Football Footnotes: Kenny Pickett’s 2 big goals; more Brian Flores news; Steelers fans won’t like ESPN’s new 30 for 30
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” includes some specific goals stated by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. I’ll share some thoughts on Byron Leftwich’s firing. Another job interview is in the books for Brian Flores. John Harbaugh discusses Lamar Jackson’s future in Baltimore. Plus, Steelers fans are likely to give “two...
Tim Benz: I’m not a fan of Ivan Provorov’s Pride Night jersey boycott, but also dislike hypocritical media fallout
I disliked Ivan Provorov’s refusal to skate in the Philadelphia Flyers pregame warmup Tuesday night. He boycotted because he didn’t want to wear the same LGBTQ+ Pride Night warmup jersey the rest of the team was wearing. But I also disliked a lot of the hypocritical media fallout from his...
First Call: Former Steelers assistant to interview for Patriots OC job; Brian Flores to Arizona ‘buzz is real’
With Matt Canada staying in place as the Steelers offensive coordinator, Thursday’s “First Call” examines if there was ever really any interest by the franchise when it came to potentially hiring Byron Leftwich. A former Steelers assistant may be in the running for the Patriots offensive coordinator job. A current...
Tim Benz: With Matt Canada staying, here’s where he needs to improve the offense
Matt Canada is officially coming back for a third season as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And there’s nothing that can be done about it. The fans can’t wish his dismissal into existence. And the media can’t write it (or speak it) into existence. It wasn’t for a lack...
U mad, bro?: A lack of playoff football is forcing Steelers fans to lash out against Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger, the media
What else should I expect in Pittsburgh when the Steelers season ends with so much postseason football left to be played? People are on edge. Some are angry at the team for coming up short in the regular season. Others are angry at those people for … being angry, I...
