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Tim Benz Columns category, Page 28

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
First Call: Steelers QB Russell Wilson to throw out Pirates’ 1st pitch; watch Paul Skenes sparkle again in Indy 
In Friday’s “First Call,” new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is getting back to his baseball roots. Paul Skenes makes another minor league start. A local pitcher is tearing up the American League in Oakland, and we preview this weekend’s Pirates-Red Sox series at PNC Park. Russ is with us...
Breakfast With Benz NFL Draft preview: Front 7 fits and misses for Steelers
When the Pittsburgh Steelers were truly elite at team-building, they could afford to spend high draft choices on front-seven defensive players who didn’t necessarily have to come in and start right away but could contribute and evolve into long-term defensive stalwarts. Particularly along the defensive line. Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt,...
Tim Benz: Penguins leave management with one last reality check to end 2023-24
I’ll give the Pittsburgh Penguins this. At least they’ve been consistent. Even in how they ended the 2023-24 season during a 5-4 loss on the road against the New York Islanders. One more blown lead. One more goal allowed just before the buzzer of a period. One more goal was...
Breakfast With Benz Steelers draft preview: Matt Williamson on defensive backs
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the NFL Draft (April 25-27), we are doing the same here at Breakfast With Benz. That means it’s time for our annual draft preview series with pro and college scout Matt Williamson. I’ve worked with Williamson for many years on Fox Sports Radio 970...
First Call: Was Steelers’ top draft choice in town?; another WR trade option could be emerging
Wednesday’s “First Call” takes a look at another potential trade candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the wide receiver position. The Steelers’ top prize in the draft may have been in their building Monday. We get an update on Brian Flores’ coaching situation, and we find out why Penn State’s...
U mad, bro?: Fan anxiety over Penguins’ playoff elimination; doubt about Steelers; pig wrestling
Since we are starting our “Breakfast With Benz” draft previews for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, we had to move up “U mad, bro?” to Wednesday this week. But given that the Penguins were eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday, one day shorter on the calendar doesn’t mean we are any...
Tim Benz: Fitting end to playoff hopes as Penguins miss postseason without even playing
It’s only fitting that the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff hopes came to a sudden halt Tuesday, thanks, in part, to a blown third-period lead and an inability to win in overtime. It didn’t matter that — in this case — it wasn’t even the Penguins that blew the lead or lost...
Analytical look at new QBs suggests Steelers may be getting into an NBA approach to NFL offense
This month, the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County sent out a survey asking recent patrons of PPG Paints Arena if they would be interested in an NBA team (and/or a WNBA team) coming to Pittsburgh. I haven’t heard the results of the survey yet. But based...
First Call: 49ers staying out of Brandon Aiyuk trade talks; Steelers looking at CB with Pitt ties
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are keeping their eyes on some big-name NFL wide receivers dealing with contract issues. A former Pitt and WPIAL player is sticking with a Steelers rival in the AFC North. The cousin of a former Pitt standout is getting a look from the Steelers. And we try...
Tim Benz: It only took the Penguins 81 games to perfect a winning formula
For as often as the Pittsburgh Penguins have made life difficult for themselves this season, they earned more breathing room than they were given Monday night. Unfortunately for them, thanks to two first-period disallowed goals on weak goalie interference interpretations, the Pens were forced to sweat out another result. Unlike...
Tim Benz: Ending of Penguins’ point streak illustrates different standards for team’s goalies
Throughout the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recently concluded 10-game point streak with backup goalie Alex Nedeljkovic in net, there was a different standard of evaluation for him as opposed to the franchise’s perceived No. 1 netminder, Tristan Jarry. Nedeljkovic backstopped the Pens to a 7-0-3 record in that span, largely by following...
First Call: As Steelers talk swirls, Brandon Aiyuk’s agent denies trade request story; Tee Higgins’ future in Cincy
Pittsburgh Steelers fans interested in their team acquiring Brandon Aiyuk or Tee Higgins at wide receiver won’t be thrilled at news coming out of San Francisco and Cincinnati. We also preview the Penguins’ game against Nashville and the Pirates’ trip to New York. All that in Monday’s “First Call.” San...
Madden Monday: Loss to Boston was ‘chickens coming home to roost’ for Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent charge back into playoff contention was fun and unexpected. But the reality check provided by their first loss without a point in three weeks has certainly exposed how wobbly that status truly was. By going 7-0-3 in their previous 10 games, the Penguins woke up Saturday...
Tim Benz: Penguins keep replaying the same game, and I keep replaying ‘Dumb and Dumber’
For a while on Thursday night, it looked like all the Penguins’ old bugaboos would bite them again, ruining a solid effort in a vital game against the Detroit Red Wings. • Giving away momentum as soon as they establish it: Twice in the first period, the Red Wings scored...
First Call: Potential AFC destination for Levi Wallace; Steelers’ draft preference reported; Penguins’ playoff picture 
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at a Steelers defensive back who could be heading to Denver. We have an interesting report about the Steelers’ draft strategy. It was an impactful night for the Penguins playoff chances. And a Pens prospect had another huge moment at the Frozen Four. Losing...
Tim Benz: Penguins get 1st big chance to advance renewed optimism for Pittsburgh’s sports teams
As recently as March 7, the Pittsburgh sports landscape was looking pretty bleak. The Penguins became sellers at the trade deadline, shipping former All-Star Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. Steelers coaches and management were giving skeptical fans and media members a hard sell about why they were still optimistic...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans push back on booing of David Bednar, idea of Barry Bonds in team Hall of Fame
This week, I didn’t defend a hometown hero after he got booed at PNC Park. I suggested that a Pittsburgh sports pariah get inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame. And I refused to advance a bogus politically correct women’s sports media narrative. So, as you could imagine, my social...
First Call: Potential Steelers international date goes elsewhere; examining Eastern Conference playoff chances for Pens
Thursday’s “First Call” has some Steelers international news to pass along. We study the team’s wide receiver position. We also look at the Penguins’ state of affairs heading into a huge game Thursday night. And the Pirates get set for a cross-state rivalry renewal. Staying stateside The Pittsburgh Steelers are...
Tim Benz: Booing David Bednar doesn’t matter. How he is pitching, and how the Pirates fix him, does
Full marks to new Pittsburgh Pirate Rowdy Tellez. That was one heckuva media redirect that he orchestrated in front of David Bednar’s locker Tuesday afternoon. Before Bednar could speak with reporters in the wake of his third blown save in four opportunities this year, Tellez stepped in front of the...
Familiar hurdles result in Penguins leaving a valuable point on the table in Toronto 
During their recent four-game winning streak, the Pittsburgh Penguins had corrected a lot of issues that have plagued them throughout 2024. Unfortunately for coach Mike Sullivan and his team, two familiar stumbling blocks cropped up in Toronto Monday night to end that run of success: the power play and their...
First Call: Steelers interviewing top-notch offensive tackle before draft; huge night for Penguins’ playoff hopes
Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at a high-profile offensive lineman on the Steelers’ draft board. A new Steelers defensive lineman discusses the reason why he chose Pittsburgh in free agency. We also examine the Pirates’ early offensive prowess and how the Penguins’ playoff prospects could be impacted by many...
Tim Benz: It’s time to put Barry Bonds in the Pirates Hall of Fame
Later this month, the Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to release the names of the franchise’s 2024 Hall of Fame inductees. It would be wise to include Barry Bonds’ name on that list. They should also include plans to retire his No. 24. People who have read my posts or listened...
Tim Benz: Improved lineup depth a big help, but Pirates star hitters are still the key
There has been a lot of conversation about how much the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup has been lengthened this year. It’s certainly a big reason why the franchise is off to an 8-2 start to open 2024. The Pirates are fourth in Major League Baseball with 59 runs. The team’s on-base...
Madden Monday: Why Penguins should start Tristan Jarry in Toronto despite Alex Nedeljkovic’s hot streak
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent efforts to salvage their season, Mark Madden from 105.9 The X and TribLive points to one main reason. “This is all Sid,” Madden said during this week’s Madden Monday podcast. “All the usual suspects would say, ‘This is a team sport.’ Even...
First Call: Doubts about Justin Fields from Chicago; Tyler Huntley could’ve been a Steeler? Penguins’ playoff outlook 
Monday’s “First Call” has a rough review of new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. We learn who the Steelers may have tried to acquire on the quarterback market if not for the Fields trade. The Penguins’ playoff picture is coming into focus. And we look at the next opponent for...


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