Breakfast With Benz category, Page 96
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans in QB mode already; Penguins fans antsy about offseason moves; Pirates fans despondent
The Stanley Cup Final isn’t even over yet, but Pittsburgh Penguins fans are all worked up about what’s coming in the offseason. As they should be. Steelers fans are firing off opinions about the quarterback depth chart. As they should be. And Pirates fans are fed up. As they should...
First Call: Former Steeler makes ‘All-Underrated’ list; Derek Shelton on near no-hitter; ex-Penguin’s coaching achievement
Wednesday’s “First Call” features some praise for a few current Pittsburgh Steelers and a former Super Bowl champion. Derek Shelton reflects on Cal Mitchell’s at-bat to break up last night’s no-hit bid in St. Louis. And a former Penguin hauls in a coaching honor. No complaints here Former Steelers linebacker...
Basketball vs. Kentucky? Football vs. Florida St. and WVU? Why — and how — Duquesne has stepped up its scheduling strategy
Duquesne football coach Jerry Schmitt was at Pittsburgh Steelers practice at the UPMC Rooney facility on the South Side last week. He saw Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi hanging out in front of his team’s side of the building. “I said, ‘Hey, Pat! Guess who opens up the ACC Network schedule...
Tim Benz: Bill Cowher also faced a 3-QB quandary — but had a unique out the Steelers don’t have now
I guess we’ve figured out the Steelers’ three-headed-monster quarterback situation. All they have to do is move Kenny Pickett to wide receiver. Hey, that’s how former Steelers coach Bill Cowher handled it in 1996. Maybe current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin should try the same tactic. Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio...
Mitch Keller shows growth by expanding pitch portfolio, diversifying usage
It’s probably too early to say that Mitch Keller is “reinventing himself.” Based on his struggles at the Major League level (9-22 career record, 5.79 ERA), it’s easier to argue that the first edition of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher has never been a completely finished product. But the 26-year-old right-hander...
Tim Benz: Tampa Bay’s quest for a ‘3-peat’ worthy of praise from Pittsburgh, not jealousy
One thing I love about Pittsburgh as a sports town is that it can still surprise me on occasion. Every now and then, something sports-related fires up people, and I never saw it comin’. From time to time, yinz get a bee in your Black and Gold bonnets that I...
First Call: Steelers defender endorses Mitch Trubisky; surprising prediction on where Bill Belichick may coach after Patriots
Tuesday’s “First Call” finds some Pittsburgh Steelers support for Mitch Trubisky as the team’s new quarterback. A potential target for the Steelers to add if they want some pass-rushing depth. A quote that perfectly sums up New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba. And an off-the-wall prediction about where Bill Belichick...
Tim Benz: Based on minicamp, some of the narrative on why Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett has already changed
Based on how offensive coordinator Matt Canada laid out the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback competition, we should trust our eyes as to what we were seeing during last week’s minicamp practices. “Mitch (Trubisky) is No. 1, working with the ones and doing a really good job with that,” Canada said last...
Madden Monday: Penguins will give Kris Letang an offer ‘big enough so that the ball is going to be in his court’
I’ve made my feelings clear as they relate to what the Pittsburgh Penguins should do with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. My belief is, with Sidney Crosby sitting at three years remaining on his contract, this is a perfectly logical time to let Letang and Malkin walk in free agency....
First Call: Ex-Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster ‘could see myself back’ in Pittsburgh; double anniversary for Penguins
Monday’s “First Call” puts a twist on JuJu Smith-Schuster’s departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers. A pair of former Pirates helped their new teams win, as their former club may be walking into a buzzsaw. And the Penguins celebrated an important double anniversary. JuJu on his future Even though former Steelers...
Tim Benz: Some NHL trade ideas, including 1 the Penguins ‘must’ examine
The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli posted a list of potential NHL trade targets for the 2022 offseason. Several of them have ties to Pittsburgh, or the Penguins directly. At least one of them the Penguins must investigate. Must. Marino on the move? Let’s start with the one involving an actual...
First Call: Steelers praise (and omissions) in all-time defensive player list; Ravens may add pass rusher; Gerrit Cole gets rocked
Friday’s “First Call” raises some Pittsburgh Steelers-related questions about an all-time NFL list. The Baltimore Ravens may be adding a familiar name. Celebrating Dave Parker’s birthday. And Gerrit Cole has a rough night for the Yankees. Someone missing? Earlier this week, CBS Sports.com posted a ranking of the top-10 NFL...
Steelers rookie tackle Jake Dixon took an odd path from Bethel Park to Duquesne to — hopefully — Heinz Field
For Bethel Park’s Jake Dixon, his biggest surprise about becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler was his own reaction to those first OTA practices last month. “I thought it was going to hit me way more,” Dixon admitted after a recent practice. “But it almost feels like I’m supposed to be here....
First Call: Steelers assistant says Chris Boswell ‘will get a new deal at some point,’ Baker Mayfield update in Cleveland
At least one Pittsburgh Steelers coach thinks an important player is getting a new contract. There’s an update on Baker Mayfield’s situation in Cleveland. Chris Archer finally won a game. And things just don’t get any easier for the Pirates. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.” Optimistic opinion Steelers kicker...
U mad, bro: Pirates fans are pouting; Steelers fans sour over Stephon Tuitt’s retirement; Pens fans pontificate
Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp is done. The 2021-22 Penguins season has long since ended. So it’s time for the Pirates to resume their rightful place. Atop the heap of your fan complaints in our weekly “U mad, bro?” post. That’s not to say the Steelers and Penguins escaped unscathed, though. Do...
Tim Benz: Alex Highsmith wants ’10-12′ sacks this year — and he knows what he needs to do to get them
Questioning outside linebacker depth for the Steelers is nothing new. That’s been going on since Melvin Ingram pushed his way out of Pittsburgh at the end of October. But maybe more of a focus should be on getting increased production from the starters. Well, at least one of them. I’m...
Examining the idea that Aaron Donald could end his career playing for the Steelers
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio has cooked up a way for former Pitt and Penn Hills standout Aaron Donald to come back to Pittsburgh to finish his career as a Steeler. Or as one of their chief rivals. If he wants to, that is. That’s despite the fact that Donald just reworked...
First Call: Former Steeler reportedly set to retire; Steelers preseason game gets national audience
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a report about a pending retirement for a former Pittsburgh Steeler. A Steelers preseason game is getting national attention. Jameson Taillon finally had a tough day for the Yankees. And Robert Morris hockey is bringing back a former coach. Bye-bye, B.J. It appears that former Steeler...
Tim Benz: If anyone was making too much of Najee Harris’ weight this spring, it was Najee Harris
During Tuesday’s minicamp interview sessions, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris certainly gave the impression that he thought the media was overreacting to his alleged weight gain. I’d argue the only one who may have overreacted was Harris. Over the course of last month’s OTA practices, just about every Pittsburgh...
Tim Benz: NHL Draft could yield quality pick for Penguins, and some Pittsburgh hockey history thanks to Logan Cooley
Already a candidate to be the highest-ever Pittsburgh-area hockey player to be selected in the NHL draft, West Mifflin product Logan Cooley is still in the conversation to go No. 1 overall. While the Montreal Canadiens are expected to take Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) center Shane Wright with the top pick...
Former Steelers from multiple eras on college football Hall of Fame ballot
A host of former Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia players made the ballot for the National Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. They include ex-Nittany Lions Paul Posluszny, Ki-Jana Carter and D.J. Dozier, former Panthers Matt Cavanaugh and Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, and Mountaineer product Aaron Beasley....
First Call: More details on Aaron Donald’s new contract; Ravens DB flustered with NFL video game; Pirates’ path to staying hot
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the details on Aaron Donald’s contract. We look at what lies ahead for the suddenly competitive Pittsburgh Pirates. And we offer up a little Penguins contrast to the firing of Bruce Cassidy in Boston. Plus, a Baltimore Raven is in a “fowl” mood about the EA...
Tim Benz: Difficult early season schedule bound to influence Steelers’ starters
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth paused and gave some sincere consideration before answering the question. At what point in your rookie season last year did you stop thinking and feel like you truly knew the playbook cold? “Honestly, the first game it really clicked for me, where I felt...
First Call: Ex-Steeler pans Devin Bush; Pittsburgh prospect impresses at NHL scouting combine
Monday’s “First Call” has a scathing critique of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. Former Pirate Cole Tucker signs with a new team. The Cleveland Browns retain a piece of their puzzle at a position of need for the Steelers. And a local product impresses at the NHL scouting combine. Hoge...
Madden Monday: Steelers roster construction would not have changed had Stephon Tuitt retired sooner
When it comes to how the Stephon Tuitt situation wrapped up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE said he saw the retirement coming. “Not to blow my own horn, but … toot-toot,” Madden said on this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “I said two months...
