Breakfast With Benz category, Page 92
First Call: Rumored trade partner for Mason Rudolph emerges; ex-Steeler ILB signs with AFC team; Le’Veon Bell boxing update
Trade rumors are swirling around Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. An ex-Steeler has a new home in the AFC. Gerrit Cole suffers a tough loss. And Le’Veon Bell’s boxing match is on again. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Motor City Mason For some fans in Pittsburgh, the only satisfactory ending...
Mike Tomlin addresses 3 points of concern for Steelers after win over Seattle
In the wake of the Steelers’ preseason-opening victory against the Seattle Seahawks, most of Pittsburgh seems enthused by the outcome because of how well all three quarterbacks played. Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett combined for a 124.9 passer rating en route to the 32-25 win. They totaled 224...
Madden Monday: As far as Mason Rudolph goes, ‘best thing for the Steelers this year’ is keeping all 3 QBs
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE agrees with the main sentiment in Pittsburgh that emerged after the Steelers preseason opener Saturday night. For the most part, all three quarterbacks — Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett — played well. In fact,...
Kordell Stewart still relishes ‘Slash’ role
When former Pittsburgh Steeler Kordell Stewart thinks back to training camp at Saint Vincent, one word comes to mind. “Hot,” Stewart exclaimed during a phone call Wednesday. “Slash” joined me for Thursday’s Bella Construction “Letters from Camp” podcast to discuss a broadcast venture of his own. Stewart is launching a...
Tim Benz: All 3 Steelers QBs deserve praise. And Mason Rudolph deserves a break
It’s not like the boos were raining down from Acrisure Stadium when Mason Rudolph was introduced as the second quarterback during the Steelers preseason opener Saturday night. It was more of a grumbling murmur. A disgruntled undercurrent. Whatever you wanted to call it, it got louder when Rudolph took his...
Football Footnotes: Browns may go after Jimmy Garoppolo; Malik Willis’ debut; Antonio Brown’s witty response to meme
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” has an update on Cleveland’s plans at quarterback if Deshaun Watson’s suspension becomes longer. Malik Willis had some highlights in his NFL preseason debut with the Tennessee Titans. The NFL finally does something right in terms of quarterback contact. And Antonio Brown actually did something...
Tim Benz: A Pirates-worthy set list for ‘The Stadium Tour’ at PNC Park
I’ve been sitting on tickets for the Stadium Tour concert at PNC Park since it was announced in December 2019. Motley Crue, Poison, Def Leppard and Joan Jett? C’mon! It’s the 1980s and ‘90s soundtrack of my youth. Of course, I’m going. But it’s been delayed twice because of coronavirus....
Tim Benz: Kordell Stewart discusses his time in Pittsburgh as ‘Slash,’ his outlook for ‘rebuilding’ Steelers in 2022
When former Pittsburgh Steeler Kordell Stewart thinks back to training camp at Saint Vincent College, one word comes to mind. “Hot,” exclaimed Stewart during a phone call Wednesday. “Slash” joined me for Thursday’s Bella Construction “Letters from Camp” podcast to discuss a broadcast venture of his own. Stewart is launching...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans simmer over stadium name, safety helmets, ESPN ‘GOAT’ list; Pirates fans fume about Hall of Fame
You might think that by this point, Pittsburgh Steelers fans would get over their angst surrounding the Heinz Field name change, the Guardian Caps on NFL helmets and Diontae Johnson’s contract. You might think that. You’d be wrong. Way wrong. That’s to say nothing of their opinions surrounding the NFL...
First Call: Steelers fans won’t like list of potential destinations for Roquan Smith; Jose Quintana solid again for St. Louis
Thursday’s “First Call” wonders if the Pittsburgh Steelers can land Chicago Bears star Roquan Smith in a trade. If they can’t, who will? Also, a former Pirate is shining for his new team. A former Penguin is now a college coach. And a former Steeler may not be able to...
Considering recent precedent, was Diontae Johnson’s Steelers contract struck with long-term future in mind?
Diontae Johnson’s time with the Pittsburgh Steelers doesn’t have to end when his new contract extension expires following the 2024 season. At least that appears to be the sentiment of the team’s general manager Omar Khan. Last week, Johnson signed a two-year, $36.7 million extension, which gave him a $17...
First Call: Seahawks name starting QB for game with Steelers; Penguins fans will hate the news from New York
Wednesday’s “First Call” finds out which Seattle Seahawks quarterback will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. The Jordan Addison transfer is getting more attention. The Browns lost a player thanks to a long-term injury. And we have some hockey news that could drive Penguins fans bonkers. Smith versus Steelers...
Tim Benz: Reasons for optimism about Steelers offensive line — beyond the belief that 2021 was as bad as it could get
If there is a reason to predict optimism about the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in 2022, it can be boiled down to the simple explanation of, “Well, it can’t be any worse than last year. So I guess it has to be better.” Based on some of the stats from...
First Call: Steelers signee at OLB provides spark at practice; clarity on injury for Ravens rookie; Justin Tucker’s new contract
A new Steeler provides a highlight at training camp. An IUP player is on the Steelers’ radar. The Baltimore Ravens are already dealing with an injury concern. And Justin Tucker is by himself as the NFL’s highest paid kicker again. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” The new ‘Bus’? Credit...
Tim Benz: Larry Ogunjobi shows Steelers — and himself — that his injured foot is ready to go
Post-practice media interviews at Steelers training camp certainly aren’t Mike Tomlin’s favorite part of the day. But after Monday’s workout at Latrobe Memorial Stadium, an ear-to-ear grin slowly crept across Tomlin’s face when he realized one of the questions was about Larry Ogunjobi’s debut. “It didn’t take long for his...
First Call: Steelers still look to improve RB depth; NFL tweaks helmet rule; ex-Pirates pitcher continues to shine out west
Monday’s “First Call” shows the Pittsburgh Steelers are still attempting to strengthen depth at running back. Some interesting tinkering with the NFL rule book is taking place. And a former Pirates pitcher continues to dominate in the National League West. A little help? The Steelers are still looking to get...
Madden Monday on Kenny Pickett: ‘I’m told he may not be ready to play exhibitions yet’
The Pittsburgh Steelers play their first preseason game in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era on Saturday. So far in training camp, the three quarterbacks competing to replace him have done little to inspire much confidence about what the offense will look like in his absence. Not like it looked all that...
Tim Benz: 1st Pirates Hall of Fame class has an important inclusion, a glaring omission and a contentious debate
Looking at the list of inaugural Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame inductees, my immediate thought was that the decision makers involved got one important name right, one omission glaringly wrong, and there is one debate that could get harder to reconcile the longer the player in question stays out. In...
Friday Football Footnotes: Ben Roethlisberger’s name dragged into Deshaun Watson mess; J.K. Dobbins, Saquon Barkley making comebacks
“Friday Football Footnotes” this week looks at how Ben Roethlisberger’s name is getting dragged into the suspension wrangling of Deshaun Watson. J.K. Dobbins and Saquon Barkley are looking to make big comebacks in 2022. And there are legal problems in Arizona. Watson’s ‘whataboutism’ Apparently, Deshaun Watson’s legal camp is going...
First Call: Najee Harris called top-10 in NFL; Jose Quintana shines in Cardinals debut; Joe Musgrove’s struggles mount
A former NFL star at running back has a favorable view of Steelers’ 2021 first-round pick Najee Harris. Jose Quintana was great in his first start after leaving the Pirates. Another ex-Pirate, Joe Musgrove, is going through tougher times. And a former Penguin is getting a coaching job. All that...
Tim Benz: Steelers, Diontae Johnson had to give up a lot to settle on contract
The Steelers’ new contract with wide receiver Diontae Johnson sums up that old adage from business negotiations. A fair deal for both sides probably means that neither side is completely happy with the contract that has been signed. I don’t think that always has to be true. Look at Sidney...
Tim Benz: If Ben Cherington is feeling ‘urgent’ about the Pirates, let’s see proof beyond keeping guys he already has
Maybe Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has a different definition of “urgent” than I do. Or the Oxford dictionary does. “Urgent: showing that you think that something needs to be dealt with immediately.” On Tuesday, after the MLB trade deadline passed, Cherington described the Pirates’ action of keeping outfielder Bryan...
First Call: Steelers floated as trade partner for Bears’ tackle; Steel Curtain snubbed on ESPN list; Josh Bell’s Padres debut
In Thursday’s “First Call,” members of the Steel Curtain have been snubbed by ESPN. The Steelers are being connected to an offensive tackle who is potentially getting traded. Ex-Pirate Josh Bell played his first game with his new team. And Gerrit Cole suffers through an unbelievable first inning in Yankee...
U mad, bro?: Readers have helmet-cap hysteria, Steelers ‘hold-in’ sanctimony, Pirates trade deadline depression
The Steelers have a wide receiver staging a “hold-in.” The Pirates just traded their best pitcher and recently endured a seven-game losing streak. And the NFL is making their players wear weird safety cushions on their helmets. Oh, also, you may not have heard about this one. It may have...
Plenty of reasons for Steelers to embrace multiple-tight end ‘mode’ even more in 2022
During the first week of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, I asked head coach Mike Tomlin about tight end Zach Gentry and the prospect of his development leading to the usage of more two-tight end packages. “We’ve been in that mode,” Tomlin replied. Looking at the numbers, that appears to be...
