Breakfast With Benz category, Page 86
Friday Football Footnotes: Pittsburgh native in charge of Bears’ plans for Chase Claypool; Steelers’ next opponent faces Ravens
Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a bye this Sunday. But there is plenty of NFL action to keep you intrigued this weekend. For this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes,” we tell you what the plans are for Chase Claypool’s debut in Chicago. Monday night’s game has lots of Steelers implications. And...
First Call: Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones mocks newest Steeler; Mitch Trubisky backs up Kenny Pickett’s concerns
A hated rival of the Pittsburgh Steelers is mocking their recent acquisition of William Jackson III. One Steelers quarterback is backing up the opinions of the guy who took his job. Speaking of quarterbacks, which one will Pitt see from Syracuse when the Orange visit Acrisure Stadium on Saturday? We...
Tim Benz: Sharper goaltending would help, but Penguins’ pattern of blown leads goes well beyond that
After the Pittsburgh Penguins’ latest loss, a 6-3 defeat in Buffalo on Wednesday night, head coach Mike Sullivan tamped down any suggestion that second-string goalie Casey DeSmith was to blame. As he should have. “I thought Casey competed hard for us tonight,” Sullivan insisted. “I thought the goals they got...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans have their say on Chase Claypool trade, Najee Harris, criticism of Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers got blown out again. They made a trade. Despite being 2-6, head coach Mike Tomlin isn’t making changes to his staff, and the former No. 1 pick running back is struggling and carping about the blocking. So, yeah, I had plenty of material at my disposal for...
First Call: Chase Claypool ‘didn’t have the full opportunity to show what I could do this year’; Ron Rivera on William Jackson III
Thursday’s “First Call” has Chase Claypool’s reaction to being traded away from the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also hear from Aaron Rodgers on the Packers losing out on Claypool. Plus, Ron Rivera discusses what happened to William Jackson in Washington. And Paul Posluszny wonders about what could have been if NIL...
Fixing how the Penguins play with the lead begins with diagnosing the root of the problem
I know what went wrong with the Pittsburgh Penguins en route to blowing a three-goal lead Tuesday night. During their “Pittsburgh Night” festivities, with the team up 5-2 in the second period over the Boston Bruins, the Pens decided to play “Renegade” as an homage to the Steelers. Let’s just...
First Call: 1 team may have helped boost Steelers’ return for Chase Claypool; reported off-field reasons for trade
Wednesday’s “First Call” looks at a number of angles surrounding the trade of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool — from reaction in Chicago, to theories as to why the deal was made to depth concerns now that Claypool is gone. All that, plus a team that may have helped...
Tim Benz: Chase Claypool trade is a win for Steelers’ front office, a loss for Steelers’ image
The trade of wide receiver Chase Claypool looks like a win for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office. It’s also a loss for the entire narrative surrounding Steelers football. Both outcomes are the result of the same necessary reality check this organization just made at the halfway point of its rotting...
First Call: Jason Kelce addresses Batman mask during blowout of Steelers; NHL honors for Marc-Andre Fleury
Tuesday’s “First Call” gets clarification about a sideline moment from the Steelers-Eagles game. Pitt is getting a watered-down version of Syracuse Saturday. A former Penguin gets NHL honors. And the Penguins are facing two of the Atlantic Division’s best this week. The Dark Knight recognizes Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce...
Tim Benz: Even the most optimistic spin on Steelers after bye rings hollow
There are two main bullet points when it comes to Pittsburgh Steelers fans talking themselves into how their team can be competitive after this bye week. My suggestion is to enjoy the bye while it lasts. At least it’s an entire weekend when you know the Steelers can‘t possibly lose....
Penguins showing Pittsburgh’s offensive woes not limited to Steelers
The Pittsburgh Penguins are struggling so much offensively of late, I think there is only one solution to their problems. They should fire Matt Canada. I mean, it couldn’t hurt. Right? Seriously, I checked this TribLIVE Twitter poll yesterday, and after the first 315 votes, 92.7% of respondents said that...
First Call: Bill Cowher questions Steelers’ use of Kenny Pickett; Najee Harris says, ‘I can’t make a hole. I can’t do everything’
Monday’s “First Call” takes a look at how Bill Cowher is evaluating the Pittsburgh Steelers’ usage of Kenny Pickett. Steelers running back Najee Harris is getting edgy. We also recap Malik Willis’ first start with the Titans, Ja’Marr Chase’s injury and that bizarre finish between the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta...
Madden Monday: Steelers ‘don’t do anything well’; Kenny Pickett needs to ‘shut up’ when it comes to team criticism
If you are looking for positives when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ latest loss in Philadelphia, look elsewhere. Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X has none. And that includes the performance of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett. “Pickett was awful. The Steelers aren’t improving in any part of...
Airing of Grievances: Steelers standards sink so far that blowout in Philadelphia seems expected
Fortunately for the Steelers, as heavy underdogs, their 35-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday didn’t go all that much worse than expected. Unfortunately, it just went — well — exactly as expected. That’s how much the Steelers have fallen and how good the 7-0 Eagles have gotten. The...
U mad bro?: Matt Canada and Kenny Pickett shouldn’t worry — Steelers fans are sinking their teeth into other folks instead
When I started covering the Pittsburgh Steelers more than 20 years ago, I learned two things very quickly. 1. Steelers fans bask in criticizing the quarterback and offensive coordinator. 2. The only thing Steelers fans enjoy more than criticizing the quarterback and the offensive coordinator is criticizing the media for...
First Call: Steelers allegedly ‘shot down’ trade inquiry about Cameron Heyward; Eagles add piece before Steelers game
Thursday’s “First Call” shines a spotlight on the Pittsburgh Steelers before the NFL trade deadline. An NFC team allegedly wanted to acquire Cameron Heyward. Meanwhile, finding a match for Chase Claypool may still be hard. Plus, the Penguins’ next opponent is off to a brutal start. No harm in asking...
Tim Benz: Mike Sullivan points out must-fix flaws after Penguins’ losses in western Canada
The Penguins’ hot start to the 2022-23 season quickly brought visions of a Metropolitan Division title and a deep playoff run to the minds of hockey fans in Pittsburgh. A 4-0-1 start. Scoring over five goals a game. The outset of this season felt like the end of 2016 or...
First Call: Tennessee is newest suggested trade spot for Chase Claypool; Phil Kessel, Marc-Andre Fleury make history
Wednesday’s “First Call” reveals the latest trade idea surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool. The Browns may deal a skill position player too. We look at the gambling odds for all of the AFC North games this week. And Phil Kessel hits two milestones in one night. Another name...
Tim Benz: Steelers need to get over fear of change at offensive coordinator
During his weekly Tuesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was reminded that a few weeks ago he said he would be open to changes — if he felt like those changes would yield better results. Now that the team has sunk to 2-5 and the offense is struggling...
First Call: Gene Steratore weighs in on 3 controversial calls from Steelers-Dolphins; Phil Kessel ties Ironman streak
Tuesday’s “First Call” offers up some analysis of a few controversial calls in the Steelers-Dolphins game from Sunday night. Phil Kessel is ready to set an NHL record. The Penguins have another tough test out west. And a former WPIAL star made a big play on “Monday Night Football.” Gene,...
Ben Roethlisberger’s latest ‘Footbahlin’ gives unique view of Steelers game-ending play in Miami
During his latest episode of “Footbahlin with Ben,” former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recorded himself and his co-host, Spencer Te’o, watching and analyzing Sunday night’s Steelers-Dolphins game in real time. It was interesting to see how he was taking in the game on television just like the rest of the...
Tim Benz: Chase Claypool wants more ‘go balls’ in Steelers offense — stats suggest he may be right
After another putrid result from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense Sunday night, Chase Claypool had a direct suggestion to help matters. Following the team’s 16-10 loss in Miami, the third-year receiver said the offense needs a few more deep shots. “I just think we need more go balls. Not enough go...
Madden Monday on Steelers’ defeat in Miami: ‘I thought (Kenny) Pickett lost the game’
In the wake of Sunday’s 16-10 defeat in Miami, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE has one very clear message about the play of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. He needs accountability. Not excuses. “I thought Pickett lost the game,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast....
Airing of Grievances: After an inspiring win against Tampa Bay, Steelers return to losing ways with a thud in Miami
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16-10 loss in Miami was a prime example of what we’ve seen from them so far this year — even their good isn’t good enough. The defense held the Dolphins to 16 points but dropped at least five interceptions and didn’t come up with any sacks. The...
First Call: ‘Barring a shift,’ Steelers not expected to trade Chase Claypool; JuJu Smith-Schuster’s big day for Chiefs
Monday’s “First Call” takes the temperature in the room when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers potentially trading Chase Claypool or Mason Rudolph. A pair of ex-Steelers receivers flashed against one another Sunday. We look at next week’s forecast for the AFC North. And we check out what’s to come...
