Tim Benz Columns category, Page 55

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88

Tim Benz: Plenty of worthy goats, sacrificial lambs after Penguins’ elimination — but no room for sacred cows

When we first heard the “Fi-re Hex-tall” chants from Pittsburgh Penguins fans at PPG Paints Arena during a 7-2 beatdown from the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 24, they really resonated. As general manager of the Penguins, Ron Hextall assumed a job that can’t escape criticism. His predecessors — Craig Patrick,...

U mad, bro?: Penguins have been eliminated from playoff contention. And fans are every bit as angry as they should be

Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins will officially miss the playoffs for the first time since 2006, the angst from the fan base is thick. Wow! “U mad, bro?” is going to be stocked for weeks. It doesn’t even matter that no one cares about the Pirates anymore. And I don’t...

Tim Benz: Pirates riding the ups and downs during the early stages of life without Oneil Cruz

Not one to show much emotion, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington couldn’t help hide a wry smile and a chuckle at the turn of phrase during a reporter’s question. The suggestion essentially was that once doctors performed surgery on Oneil Cruz’s broken ankle, it was “the best case scenario” diagnosis....

First Call: Antonio Brown faces $1.1M lawsuit from celeb jeweler; Jordan Addison to visit 2 Steelers rivals

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” wide receivers are in the news as we examine the NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers and some of their hated AFC rivals. Meanwhile, a former Steelers receiver is facing a big lawsuit. Take a wild guess which one. Also, the Tampa Bay Rays are keeping...

Tim Benz: Penguins’ season-long inability to finish may have just finished the season — and the playoff streak

Before Tuesday night’s regular season home finale, the Pittsburgh Penguins gave away floppy bucket hats to the fans. Perfect for the beach. Hopefully the Penguins promotional staff saved some of those for the players because it looks like some early vacations are on the way. After suffering an utterly inexcusable...

Steelers’ attempts to bulk up D-line increases their flexibility for NFL Draft

If nothing else, the Pittsburgh Steelers are throwing bodies at one of their offseason depth issues. And those bodies should be big enough to mitigate the problem. While none of the signings really caused tremors on the free agency front across the National Football League, the Steelers at least appear...

First Call: Steelers have recent familiarity with new defensive lineman; another Roethlisberger wins in Cleveland

Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ latest free agent signing. Ben Roethlisberger’s son continues family dominance in Cleveland. Kenny Pickett is teaming up with a Pitt recruit to stay sharp. A pair of Pitt basketball rivals are reportedly involved in recruiting an ex-Panther. And the women’s ice hockey...

Tim Benz: Time for Penguins to become worthy of the gifts they’ve been given

When the Pittsburgh Pirates lost rising star Oneil Cruz for four months because of a broken ankle Sunday, you couldn’t blame anyone associated with the franchise for wondering out loud, “What did we do to deserve this?” On Monday night, you couldn’t blame anyone associated with the Penguins for uttering...

Tim Benz: Penguins’ reality blurs Sidney Crosby’s virtuoso performance to reach 1,500 points

While watching Sidney Crosby’s virtuoso performance Saturday afternoon in Detroit, one thing went through my mind. This one should be remembered more than it probably will be. That kind of effort from Crosby felt like it should’ve resulted in more of an exclamation point result. With the desperation level being...

First Call: Antonio Brown’s long overdue admission about playing career; White Sox reaction to Oneil Cruz collision, injury

It’s a little late, but maybe former Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown has learned an important life lesson. The Chicago White Sox have some varying reactions to the Oneil Cruz injury and collision at home plate with their catcher, Seby Zavala. A familiar Steelers rival won’t be back with the Cleveland...

Madden Monday: Oneil Cruz’s injury is ‘further proof that they should allow the runner to run over the catcher’

Oneil Cruz’s fractured ankle is a gut punch for the Pittsburgh Pirates on many levels. Not the least of which is that the injury dampens the early momentum within the fan base and the belief that the team was on a fast ascent after nine games. Now, though, the 6-3...

Draft prep 101: How the QB draft class may influence who Steelers select at pick 17

Each day this week, “Breakfast With Benz” will get you ready for this month’s NFL Draft by posting daily “Draft 101” podcasts. Former NFL and college scout and current Steelers Nation Radio host, Matt Williamson, joins Tim Benz for daily podcasts breaking down draft-eligible players in different position groups. Our...

Draft prep 101: Deep group of tight ends, shallow pool of wide receivers may influence Steelers’ strategy

Draft prep 101: Offensive tackles the Steelers can’t pass up

Draft prep 101: Potential draft picks speak to evolving look of Steelers defensive front

Each day this week, “Breakfast With Benz” will get you ready for this month’s NFL Draft by posting daily “Draft 101” podcasts. Former NFL and college scout and current Steelers Nation Radio host Matt Williamson joins Tim Benz for daily podcasts breaking down draft-eligible players in different position groups. Tuesday...

Draft prep 101 (secondary): If Joey Porter Jr. is available at pick No. 17, is it a lock the Steelers take him?

Each day this week, “Breakfast With Benz” will get you ready for this month’s NFL Draft by posting daily “Draft 101” podcasts. Former NFL and college scout and current Steelers Nation Radio host Matt Williamson joins Tim Benz for daily podcasts breaking down draft-eligible players in different position groups. We...

Tim Benz: Logan Cooley’s NCAA success a highlight for Pittsburgh’s youth hockey development

To this point, it’s tough to envision a scenario in which Logan Cooley’s debut season in NCAA hockey could’ve gone any better. As the No. 3 overall pick (Arizona Coyotes) in last summer’s NHL Draft, much was expected of the West Mifflin product — and he has delivered. The 18-year-old...

U mad, bro?: Penguins fans seeing red, Steelers fans in a funk, Pirates fans ticked even before 1st pitch

Pittsburgh Penguins fans have reached peak angst. Steelers fans are languishing. And Pirates fans are already ticked off — even though the season hasn’t even started yet. Here’s something else to get mad about. There will be no “U mad, bro?” next week as “Breakfast With Benz” is on vacation....

First Call: Another cornerback Steelers may consider in draft; bad night for Penguins in playoff race; Pirates bets

With the draft about a month away, we keep surfing through potential cornerback picks for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Penguins had a tough night when it came to their playoff chances. A former Pitt basketball rival now seems to have interest in transferring to the Panthers. And we look at...

Tim Benz: After Penguins’ costly loss in Detroit, Casey DeSmith’s comment resonates

What Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith said about Tuesday night’s 7-4 loss in Detroit was 100% true. “We didn’t miss the playoffs because we lost tonight,” DeSmith said after the defeat. Indeed. Technically, Casey, that’s accurate. In fact, the Penguins (82 points) still hold the Eastern Conference’s second of two...

As Robert Morris hockey relaunches, Colonials get Fox Chapel goalie transfer who beat them in the program’s last game

For a while, it looked like Chad Veltri would go down in college hockey history as the goaltender who wound up ending Robert Morris’ hockey program. Now he might be the goalie who helps resurrect it. On March 14, 2021, Veltri made 44 saves at the Island Sports Center as...

First Call: Mike Tomlin discusses safety plans; Steelers work out tackle; a team admits interest in Lamar Jackson

Tuesday’s “First Call” features Mike Tomlin’s plans for the safety position. At least one team is letting it be known that it will consider acquiring Lamar Jackson, while another franchise says it’s out of the mix. The Pittsburgh Steelers worked out a massive offensive tackle. And the Penguins had a...

Tim Benz: Penguins should take advantage of upcoming schedule, fans should be nervous

The Pittsburgh Penguins, for a moment, have given themselves at least some space to breathe. The teams chasing them for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot are helping out as well. By virtue of the Pens’ electrifying yet excruciating 4-3 regulation win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday, the club...

First Call: Mike Tomlin on board with Mitch Trubisky as backup; NFL considers Thursday Night flex option

Monday’s “First Call” features Mike Tomlin’s view on Mitch Trubisky’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There’s talk of flexing “Thursday Night Football” games. Logan Cooley is leading his college team to the Frozen Four. An ex-Pitt Panther imprints his team’s NCAA Tournament run. And it’s an important night of hockey...

Tim Benz: Steelers haven’t changed free agency approach to the degree we pretend

A lot has been made about how active the Pittsburgh Steelers have been in free agency this offseason. In my opinion, too much. Let’s be real. The Steelers have basically replicated their approach from a season ago. Not only in terms of how many players the club has signed but...

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