Tim Benz stories, Page 79

Monday’s “First Call” suggests an unconventional plan toward finding a solution to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ lack of depth at outside linebacker. There is an update on the Deshaun Watson situation. Josh Allen’s interesting angle to the Buffalo Bills playoff loss. We’ve got a look at the next opponent for the...

During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE provided a less-than-optimistic update for those that want to see free-agent defenseman Kris Letang stay in a Pittsburgh Penguins uniform. “Letang and (general manager Ron) Hextall are further apart on money than what I had originally...

Friday’s “First Call” looks at Larry Ogunjobi’s contract. We honor the passing of an NFL Hall of Famer. Jameson Taillon may be losing a little mojo in New York. And we have the latest news on the Deshaun Watson front in Cleveland. Learning about Larry’s money Terms of Larry Ogunjobi’s...

Hopefully, Pirates fans got a good look at Oneil Cruz and the rest of the Pirates young guns during their recent series win over the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Because the Pirates are embarking on a weeklong road trip, and they’ll face some pretty good competition over the next...

Michael Chavis seemed disappointed that he hadn’t impacted Thursday’s Pirates-Cubs game much. He was 0 for 3, and over at first base, he hadn’t been given much of an opportunity to impact the game defensively. Yet once the game was over, Chavis was at the center of the three biggest...

Thursday’s “First Call” shares memories of former Pitt Panther Tony Siragusa. A Pirates position player has an interesting experience on the mound. Andrew McCutchen has a big night in Milwaukee. And we check in on a few former Pirates who had up-and-down starts with their new teams. Brutal day in...

Now that the Steelers have spent even more money on the defense by signing Larry Ogunjobi, I’m sure that will regenerate the conversation about the disparity between how much the team is spending on defense versus how little the team is spending on offense. So I have an idea of...

A Steelers wide receiver is making bold predictions. An ex-Steelers running back is making lame excuses. Mike Tomlin is talking about Antonio Brown. And a local university is considering a nickname change. So much for a midsummer swoon for “U mad, bro?” Things are plenty hot this week. Let’s start...

Wednesday’s “First Call” has contract updates on a few big-name Pittsburgh Penguins. Mike Tomlin shoots down talk of Antonio Brown returning to the Steelers. The youth surge continues with the Pirates. And are Steelers fans really going to allow themselves to believe that Rob Gronkowski is retiring? Plenty of Pens...

In recent weeks, many people have pointed out the disparity in pay between the Steelers offense and the Steelers defense. At $65 million, Pittsburgh’s offense is the cheapest in the NFL. Their $116 million defense is the NFL’s most expensive. That has resulted in criticism from many, including FS1’s Colin...

The biggest question surrounding Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry has now become: When is he going to be allowed to answer the biggest question? Yeah. One of those quizzes, inside an enigma, wrapped in a riddle type of things. I mean, he’s twice proven that he’s an above-average regular-season goaltender,...

Tuesday’s “First Call” features a warning shot to Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. One of the Pirates new rookies was part of history in Monday night’s win. And ex-Pirate Gerrit Cole nearly spun a no hitter in Tampa Bay. Time to shine On Monday, CBS Sports listed Steelers linebacker Devin...

During a recent episode of the “I Am Athlete” podcast, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool said that he sees himself as a top-five — or perhaps even top-three — wide receiver in the National Football League. “I’m not normal. I feel that way when I’m on the field. I...

The last thing I’d ever try to give myself on my birthday is a Twitter flame war with an entire NFL fanbase. But that was the present former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall gift wrapped for himself Sunday. On his 34th birthday, Mendenhall sent a tweet regarding his memorable...

As a host of “Movin’ the Chains” on SiriusXM’s NFL Radio, ex-Steelers quarterback Jim Miller will be keeping tabs on his former team when it reports to Saint Vincent College for training camp next month. That may give Miller a severe case of Black and Gold deja vu. Because just...

Before the puck was dropped for Game 1, one thing really struck me about this year’s Stanley Cup Final between the Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning. I picked the Avs, as did most according to the gambling numbers. I saw them as favorites anywhere from minus-175 to minus-190...

A former Pittsburgh Steeler is opening himself up for criticism. An ex-NFL linebacker has an odd opinion about Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Monday’s Major League Baseball schedule could be tough for some MLB hitters. And a few deep-dive stats made Jack Suwinski’s big day at PNC Park even more...

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ losing streak finally ended after nine games thanks to a 6-4 victory in St. Louis on Wednesday night. More specifically, it ended because of outfielder Bryan Reynolds. His tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning was the difference. Bryan Reynolds in June ???? pic.twitter.com/Z6vhXOfcZg— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates)...

Thursday’s “First Call” looks at a new side gig for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. The Penguins’ 2009 Stanley Cup Final win over Detroit gets some love. The Stanley Cup is getting some travel restrictions. And some local basketball stars are back playing on a big stage once more....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...