Tim Benz stories, Page 181
Tim Benz: Unbalanced ‘Duel of the Devins’ goes to Steelers’ Devin BushVideo
In our first chance to see the “Duel of the Devins,” there was a clear answer as to which one had the best NFL debut at inside linebacker. The answer? Mack Wilson of Cleveland. Mack Wilson having himself a GAME. 2nd pick of the night pic.twitter.com/UK6gtVOBPf— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) August...
First Call: Ravens pitch preseason shutout; Cubs’ Javier Baez bats lefty
Friday’s “First Call” features a first report on the Ravens, Kyler Murray’s debut, another preseason pass-interference review and a little fun for the Reds and Cubs — before and during the game. Meanwhile in Baltimore We showed you how the Browns showed up with a 30-10 win in the preseason...
Too much Browns hype? Success in 1st preseason game won’t slow it
If you are someone who thinks all the Browns hype has been too much, bad news. It’s not going to slow down after their first preseason game. Cleveland looked sharp beating the Redskins, 30-10. Baker Mayfield was 5 for 6 for 77 yards and a touchdown to Rashard Higgins. Baker...
Fantasy sports podcast: How RB holdouts affect drafts; Pirates free fall
In this week’s fantasy sports podcast, Jeff Erickson of Rotowire helps guide us through draft advice. The most pressing question this year is similar to one at this time a season ago: Do I draft a holdout running back in the first round? Last year, it was Le’Veon Bell. This...
Tim Benz: Best in Steelers camp so far? An obvious, but important, answer
At the end of the first week of Steelers training camp, I get the same question every year. Friends, family, acquaintances, emails, tweets. “So, who looks good up there?” That. And, “How they gonna be?” I better have a prediction ready. And it better not be off. Not by one...
U mad, bro?: Readers defend Mike Tomlin and the Browns, attack replay and the Bucs
This week’s “U mad, bro?” features Pirates angst, frustration over the brawl suspensions, replay rage, Mike Tomlin defense, and Browns hysteria from Cleveland. Todd is a Cleveland Browns fanboy. And he did not like the fact that I poked some fun at a little training camp turmoil surrounding his team....
Tim Benz: A lesson in hope versus blind faith for the Steelers, Pirates
I want to expand on a thought that I heard from my ESPN Radio Pittsburgh colleague Adam Crowley. And by “expand on a thought,” what I’m trying to say is, I want to steal his idea. Which I will. To be fair, I think Adam stole it from me. Because...
USA Today’s Nate Davis talks about his Top 100 teams list, picks Steelers in AFC North
Here at “Breakfast With Benz” on Wednesday, we posted a link to Nate Davis’ USA Today story that ranked the Top 100 teams in NFL history. The Steelers were well-represented. Seven different editions of the franchise were on it — all six Super Bowl champs and the 1976 team that...
First Call: Devin Bush jokes on marring Ravens logo, Le’Veon backs Ezekiel
In “First Call” on Wednesday, Devin Bush tells us what he wants to do to the Ravens logo. Le’Veon Bell defends Zeke Elliott. And Tom Brady’s big mansion flip. Look out in Baltimore While Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Devin Bush was at Michigan, he famously tore up the Michigan State...
Tim Benz: A ‘Hard Knocks’ review, and a crazy explanation for Antonio Brown’s feet
After an offseason of buildup and anticipation, this year’s “behind the scenes” HBO training camp show “Hard Knocks” with the Oakland Raiders debuted Tuesday night. With the likes of former Steeler Antonio “Big Chest” Brown, camera conscious head coach Jon Gruden, troubled guard Richie Incognito, frequently fined linebacker Vontaze Burfict,...
Steelers’ Mason Rudolph talks about improving his deep ball, teammates’ growth
As Pittsburgh Steelers training camp continues, Wednesday’s guest in our “Letters from Camp” podcast at “Breakfast With Benz” is Mason Rudolph. Perhaps no Steeler will be as scrutinized by the fans during Friday night’s preseason opener as he will be. Essentially, Rudolph was a redshirt during his rookie season. But...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans will hate centennial list of Top 100 NFL teams
A lot of national outlets have spent a lot of time taking shots at the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. And many are predicting Baltimore or Cleveland will win the AFC North. Therefore, USA Today’s Nate Davis probably made a lot of friends in Western Pennsylvania when he predicted the Steelers...
First Call: Josh Bell continues free fall; Emmanuel Sanders has camp dustup
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at Josh Bell’s slump, great catches galore and a mad Emmanuel Sanders. Bell silenced Josh Bell hasn’t been ringing in the batter’s box the way he was in the first half of the season. How bad has it gotten? Since July 1, Bell is...
Tim Benz: Diontae Johnson is Steelers’ biggest ‘what if’ in passing game
The “Breakfast with Benz” podcast is back at Saint Vincent College for Steelers training camp. For all the questions that face the Steelers in terms of how the passing game will do without Antonio Brown, the path to success is clear. • JuJu Smith-Schuster needs to transform from Robin to...
Tim Benz: Browns could supplant Steelers as ‘Team Turmoil’
There is some controversy in Cleveland. Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens is mad. He’s upset that former offensive line coach Bob Wylie — the “Hut Gut” — is saying that Gregg Williams should’ve been named head coach in Cleveland and that quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese did “all the coaching” during...
Tim Benz: Too many rules questions heading into 2019 NFL season
NFL referee Shawn Smith and his crew working Steelers practices Aug. 2 at Saint Vincent College met with media members to discuss new rules enforcement, explanations, and points of emphasis. Smith showed a video, said a few words and then took questions. As I was sitting in the news conference...
First Call: Corey Dickerson homers, Baker Mayfield shotguns a beer
For Monday’s “First Call,” we look at Corey Dickerson’s first homer in Philadelphia, NXT taking over Rays’ pregame festivities, and Baker Mayfield’s beer chugging skills. This Bud’s for Baker Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield is no Aaron Rodgers. At least not yet. But he is clearly better at one thing than Rodgers...
The pictures of Antonio Brown’s injured feet are hideous
Blisters are boomin’. At least on Antonio Brown’s feet. Based on what Brown is sharing on social media, the former Steelers star is having significant problems with his feet as he prepares for the 2019 season in Oakland. Antonio Brown is visiting a foot specialist today, likely dealing with these...
Madden Monday: Mark Madden and Tim Benz on Steelers optimism, and Pirates pity
In this week’s Madden Monday, Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to discuss the NFL MVP odds. Why are Ben Roethlisberger’s so poor? Mark seems to think it has a lot to do with off-the-field perception. Then there’s the expanded Hall of Fame voting this year — another...
Tim Benz: Patriots dominance isn’t part of Mike Tomlin’s shortcomings
It’s been 11 days since Mike Tomlin signed a contract extension to coach the Steelers through at least the 2021 season. Since then, several arguments have popped up supporting that decision by Steelers ownership. Others have been highly critical. Both sides make a strong case. I wouldn’t have done it....
Fantasy Sports podcast: Football draft advice, MLB trade fallout, Reds-Pirates brawl
Fantasy football drafts are happening soon. Are you ready? Need some advice? Jeff Erickson of RotoWire gets you prepared in our weekly fantasy sports podcast. We look at where Steelers players Ben Roethlisberger, Vance McDonald and JuJu Smith-Schuster rank among star players at their respective positions. Also, Jeff tells us...
First Call: James Harrison’s ‘comeback’ post; NFL’s 1st pass-interference challenge
Friday’s “First Call” features James Harrison flirting with a comeback in Denver, the first challenged pass interference call and a potential career change for Jameis Winston. More Deebo? James Harrison is coming out of retirement. Well, that’s what he wants us to think. And he wants us to think he...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans downplaying Browns hype could be in for surprise
Doubters of the Cleveland Browns got a little more ammunition this week. As we mentioned in “First Call” on Thursday, ESPN reported that Baker Mayfield chewed out his wide receivers over the weekend. The excitable Browns quarterback reportedly was upset that his pass-catchers weren’t running back to help him while...
Tim Benz: Pirates-Reds brawl suspensions a complete joke
This column is going to be very difficult to follow. Judging by the comments section that normally accompanies my posts, some of you may feel that’s a common occurrence on my page. This time, though, it won’t be my fault. This time. No, today it’ll be Major League Baseball’s fault....
Steelers OC Randy Fichtner breaks down passing game without Antonio Brown
Our “Breakfast with Benz” podcast comes to you from Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College. Tribune-Review Steelers beat writer Joe Rutter and I caught up with Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. We covered a lot of ground, including a look at the passing tree without Antonio Brown in the...
