Tim Benz stories, Page 189
Pirates’ Josh Bell is ripping up fantasy leagues, too
After a week off, I check in with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire for our usual fantasy sports podcast. We start off by looking at what had been some of the early warning signs for Josh Bell’s huge start to the year. Melky Cabrera’s performance over the first month and a...
Tim Benz: Does the Steelers’ pass-rush production match its reputation?
Is Bud Dupree better than we make him out to be? Is the Steelers’ pass-rush as good as its sack numbers indicate? Is the Steelers’ offensive line pass-protection as good as we say it is? Based on some numbers compiled by ESPN’s Next Gen player-tracking stats those answers are: •...
First call: Big Ben’s big bash, NHL officials under fire again, Shaq’s awful attire
In “First Call” Thursday, Ben Roethlisberger does some image repair. Kasper Björkqvist already has PPG Paints Arena experience. Shaq’s wardrobe needs help. So do NHL officials. Bad leader Ben? Remember when Antonio Brown trashed Ben Roethlisberger as a leader, in part, because “he has an owner’s mentality” and never invited...
Penn State men’s lacrosse seeks its first Final Four
The Penn State lacrosse team is No. 1 in the country and just one win away from the Final Four over Memorial Day weekend. In Philadelphia, by the way. The Nittany Lions won their first-round game, 25-10, over UMBC last week. That was the first NCAA tournament win in school...
Le’Veon Bell responds to reports that his signing ruined Jets front office
Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is responding to criticism that his signing is part of the reason the Jets blew up their front office Wednesday. Sort of. The Jets fired general manager Mike Maccagnan and vice president of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger on Wednesday. Head coach Adam Gase will...
Tim Benz: Le’Veon Bell’s signing may have helped cause Jets firings
Le’Veon Bell is already causing problems for the New York Jets. And he hasn’t even practiced with the team yet! This time, it’s not Bell’s fault, really. You can’t blame “Juice” for a drug violation, a tardy appearance at a walk-through, a rap diss or a social media faux pas....
First call: Antonio Brown’s odd goodbye; Patrick Peterson trade talk returns
Today’s “First Call” features Antonio Brown’s odd goodbye to his home in Western Pennsylvania, Patrick Peterson trade talk returning and the idea of an NFL draft lottery. Kimbo comes with the house? Since we are talking about Antonio Brown, this shouldn’t surprise us. The former Steelers receiver was back in Pittsburgh...
Surprising stats on Steelers’ Roethlisberger, Dupree, pass-rush, O-line
I heard a really interesting conversation on ESPN Radio Saturday. Brian Burke was on Bill Barnwell’s show. Burke is one of the analytics experts at ESPN.com. He did some fascinating work via the Next Gen Stats NFL player tracking data in three areas Steelers fans should have a specific interest:...
U mad, bro? Readers attack Mike Tomlin, replay, race, baseball contracts
In “U mad, bro?” this week, we have race, rage and replay. Hence, things get a bit tense. My column about lagging baseball interest got a lot of response. None more interesting than this email from someone simply calling themselves “k l.” “The media believes fewer whites means more diversity,...
Tim Benz: Tweaks the Pirates can make to stay hot
With a 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks Tuesday night, the Pirates have now won four of their last five games. Joe Musgrove got back on track with seven shutout innings. Chris Archer returns to pitch Wednesday afternoon in Arizona. And clearly no one should mess with Josh Bell ever again....
First call: Terry Bradshaw’s apology; ex-Penguins shine for Blues
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” a Terry Bradshaw apology, a potential tight end for the Steelers and some former Penguins stand out in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bradshaw apologizes Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw is backtracking on some comments he made during Fox’s “upfront” presentation Monday. The network NFL host was...
76ers fans praise T.J. McConnell as time in Philadelphia possibly ends
The City of Philadelphia is awash in heartbreak following Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater, which ended the playoffs for the 76ers. KAWHI CALLED SERIES AT THE BUZZER ?Presented by @TISSOT pic.twitter.com/znckcOTkn6— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 13, 2019 That miracle shot sent Toronto onto the Eastern Conference Finals and sent Philly in...
Tim Benz: Understanding what ‘Benny Snell Football’ should be for Steelers
In a three-minute interview posted on Steelers.com, Steelers rookie running back Benny Snell refers to himself in the third person three times. OK. Just so long as Benny Snell realizes that Benny Snell is still third string. For now. “Benny Snell football could be second (down) and 3 (yards to...
Tim Benz: For Steelers defense, talk is cheap when it comes to turnovers
Every Steelers fan should agree with what inside linebacker Vince Williams tweeted over the weekend. To a point. It’s easy to score points in the NFL. The game is made to score. That’s why defense is the ultimate troll move. Most defensive players are natural jerks. We love seeing things...
First call: Kawhi Leonard’s dagger, Putin’s hockey stumble, LeBron being that dad
In “First Call” Monday, Kawhi Leonard’s unreal Game 7 buzzer-beater for Toronto. Vladimir Putin’s on-ice stumble. LeBron James is every sports dad you’ve ever known. Is this the dagger? That was play-by-play man Kevin Harlan’s question on TNT as Kawhi Leonard chucked up a potential series-winning shot to send Toronto...
Tim Benz: 5 things to love about Pirates’ win to take series vs. Cardinals
There was plenty to like about Sunday’s 10-6 Pirates win over the Cardinals. It was a third-straight victory. It secured a series win over a division rival. The team came out strong early, came back after losing the lead then added on once they got it back. And Josh Bell...
Tim Benz: The biggest reason for lagging MLB fan interest
By now, you have probably read some of the alarm-bell columns discussing Major League Baseball’s attendance issues. As USA Today reports, MLB saw an attendance drop in March-April 2019, on the heels of a 4% season-long decline in attendance in 2018. That was the largest dip in a decade. Furthermore,...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden on Steelers RB situation, Pirates’ series win, Penguins model
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 the X and the Tribune-Review joins me to talk about finding interest in the NHL playoffs without the Penguins’ participation. Are the Bruins more of a model for the Penguins’ reconstruction than the Islanders ever were? We get into the...
Looking at the Pirates’ logic for keeping pitcher Mitch Keller in the minors
Nick Kingham starts for the Pirates on Wednesday against Texas. Mitch Keller pitches, too, but for Indianapolis. With the injuries in the starting rotation — Jameson Taillon and Chris Archer — some think that should be reversed. We look at Neal Huntington’s explanation as to why the Pirates are keeping...
First call: Pat Maroon plays Game 7 hero; stunning shootout goal; ex-Pirates steady
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Game 7 NHL drama. A head-scratching shootout goal. Catching up with Cutch. The Texas Rangers are your new second-favorite baseball team. Feel familiar? Whenever they see a Game 7 playoff contest go to double overtime, Pittsburgh Penguins fans think of this. Thank you, Chris Kunitz. Thank...
U mad, bro? Penguins, Steelers, horse-racing fans air frustrations
In “U mad, bro?” this week, Pens fans pop off about a lack of toughness and too much trade talk. People sure are touchy about the Kentucky Derby. And some Steelers fans want to pretend Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown no longer exist. Bob is boiling down all the Penguins’...
Tim Benz: Reevaluating Mike Tomlin’s contract situation with Steelers
Highbrow sports columnists such as myself refer to it as “having a developing opinion.” The real world says, “I’m changing my mind, n’at.” Trolls on Twitter say, “You’re flip-flopping.” However you choose to phrase it, I’m altering my view on Mike Tomlin’s contract situation based on some new information. That’s...
First call: Martavis Bryant vies for reinstatement; Therrien, Yeo to coach Flyers
In “First Call” Tuesday, Martavis Bryant wants to be reinstated in Oakland. Mike Yeo and Michel Therrien are getting reunited in Philadelphia. Gerrit Cole may be finding his groove in Houston. And bees are taking over Cincinnati. Bryant back? Former Steelers — and Raiders — receiver Martavis Bryant apparently wants...
Podcast: Robert Morris men’s lacrosse coach talks return to NCAA Tournament
The Robert Morris men’s lacrosse team is heading to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season after an NEC championship victory against Hobart last weekend. LET'S GO, BOBBY MO!From 1-7 to @necmlax champs for the second year in a row, @RMUMLacrosse is headed back to the @NCAALAX tournament after...
Tim Benz: Le’Veon Bell’s funny explanation for staying away from offseason practices
It’s somehow comforting to know New York Jets fans already are getting used to asking the same question about Le’Veon Bell that Steelers fans had been asking for the past few seasons. “So, when is he going to show up?” Bell has yet to appear for offseason workouts in New York....
