Tim Benz Columns category, Page 120
Tim Benz: Father of Steelers draft choice renounces Browns fandom
Imagine being a fan of the Cleveland Browns. Your team leaves. It comes back. And becomes an NFL punchline for decades. Now, on the verge of, potentially, Cleveland’s first division championship in decades, you renounce your fandom to start rooting for … … the hated Pittsburgh Steelers? That’s what DeAndre...
Tim Benz: NFL Draft could have a big impact on many current Steelers
As we posted Saturday evening after the conclusion of the draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers simply had too many roster issues this offseason to have them all properly addressed before training camp starts. This is normally the case for teams that miss the playoffs. And it’s definitely the case after non-playoff...
Tim Benz: Let’s talk about what the Steelers DIDN’T get during the draftVideo
We’ve spent three days talking about what the Pittsburgh Steelers got in the draft. Now let’s talk about what they didn’t get. That’s quality “starter-in-waiting” (to use a Tomlinism) depth for two positions where they are thin and potentially will be thinner after this season because of free agency: outside...
Tim Benz: Steelers draft Antonio Brown clone. On the field anyway.
The Steelers selected a clone of Antonio Brown with their second pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. And they did it with the pick they got in exchange for Brown from Oakland in the trade that shipped him to the Raiders last month. Let’s hope the comparisons stop with physical...
Tim Benz: What did the the NFL Draft tell us about Devin Bush’s fashion sense?
I love the player. I love the trade. I love the pick. In my opinion, the Steelers couldn’t have done a better job when it comes to how they executed the first round of the draft. The franchise traded up into the top 10 of the NFL Draft on Thursday...
Tim Benz: These teams could steal Devin White, Devin Bush from Steelers at NFL Draft
So, who is going to mess this up for the Steelers? During last year’s NFL Draft, it was Chicago, Tennessee and Dallas. They were the teams that nabbed the three first-round, pure inside linebackers that would have perfectly meshed within the defensive system in Pittsburgh. And perhaps would have helped...
Tim Benz: Steelers picking CB Rock Ya-Sin in 1st round would be mistake
Let’s hope this is wrong. Unless you run a T-shirt shop in the Strip District. In that case, business might be boom … Never mind. You get the point. For as great of a name as Rock Ya-Sin may be, I think it would sound a lot better if it...
Tim Benz: Are Penguins’ Mike Sullivan, Jim Rutherford really on same page?
It had to be on purpose, right? Head coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Jim Rutherford standing side-by-side during the Penguins’ season-ending media availability. Sharing the podium. Answering questions in the presence of each other. There must have been intent behind the execution of the 2019 season-ending news conference last...
Tim Benz: Penguins better listen to themselves after ‘self-inflicted’ playoff exit
If the Penguins showed this much pushback against the New York Islanders, maybe they’d still be playing. Locker cleanout day got a little testy at times Thursday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. The 2019 Penguins team was packing up for the last time in the wake of...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger says a lot by saying little
For those of you hoping to finally read some Ben Roethlisberger quotes in the wake of all the slings and arrows he has taken from departed ex-teammates, prepare to be excited. For those of you hoping to see Roethlisberger retaliate in the same fashion, prepare to be disappointed. Actually, don’t...
Tim Benz: Everyone is full of it in ESPN story about Antonio Brown trade
ESPN posted a long “behind the scenes” account of the trade that sent Steelers receiver Antonio Brown to Oakland last month. In terms of new information — especially if you heard the taped conversation between Brown and his agent Drew Rosenhaus — there’s not a ton of new information there....
Tim Benz: Penguins’ biggest problem vs. Islanders is clearVideo
There are plenty of reasons why the Penguins are down 3-0 to the New York Islanders in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. • A scoring slump for Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel • An ineffective power play • Hot goaltending from Robin Lehner • Trouble in the faceoff circle during...
Tim Benz: Steelers must meaningfully address pass-rushing depth in draft
In case you missed our “Breakfast With Benz” post about the Dane Brugler mock draft in The Athletic, it’s worth a read. The big reason why is that the piece projects the Steelers using a high-round draft choice on an edge-pass rusher/outside linebacker — Michigan’s Chase Winovich. I love that...
Tim Benz: Get off Twitter, Antonio Brown. I dare you.
On Tuesday, Antonio Brown said he isn’t giving the media any more “ammo.” I assume that means the endless supply of hand grenades he has gifted us over the past year via social media. Not giving you media fakes no more ammo ........ enjoy my name AB !!! I am...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ Jake Guentzel goes from question to constant in exactly 1 year
At this time last year, Jake Guentzel wasn’t a constant. He was a question. A big one. A year ago to this day, I wrote about how crucial it was for Guentzel to snap out of a massive slump and start scoring again to give the Penguins any hope in...
Tim Benz: For Penguins, it’s minimum expectations vs. maximum anticipation
Kris Letang summed it up perfectly. The Penguins defenseman was answering questions just a few minutes after the club secured a playoff berth. His team had just beaten the Red Wings, 4-1, Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena to clinch a spot. This is the 13th year in a row...
Tim Benz: Early signs show Pirates coming as advertised in 2019
Before the Pirates even got to their home opener, their first three days in Cincinnati gave us a pretty good snapshot of what to expect in 2019. Sometimes the starting pitcher is going to give you six shutout innings, and you are going to win. Sometimes the starter is going...
Tim Benz: Right call if Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger ditches radio show
I’ve avoided this column for a while. Because no matter how fair I try to be, my opinions are going to be viewed with a jaundiced eye. Understandably. But now, national reports have attempted to lend some news value to the story. Based on how national opinions and stories have...
First call: Landry Jones reunites with Antonio Brown; LeSean McCoy not done in Buffalo
In “First Call” Wednesday, you’ll never figure out where Landry Jones signed. There’s still hope for “Shady” in Buffalo. Making sense of a busy night in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. This should be good Guess where Landry Jones is going. I mean, it’s not the Raiders, right? Well, of course,...
Tim Benz: Steelers suddenly supporting Big Ben. What took so long?
It’s the media — and social media — circle of life. Become famous and popular, get torn down. Get abused online for a few months. Become a sympathetic figure. Get built back up again. Maybe Ben Roethlisberger is now in that final stage. After months of being the target of...
Tim Benz: Emmanuel Sanders joins party of bashing Kevin Colbert, Steelers
The latest ex-Steeler to pile on the franchise is current Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Last week, Sanders told 104.3 “The Fan” in Denver about how he left the Steelers. “The Steelers offered me a crappy deal,” Sanders told the radio station. “They offered me three years, $9 million, $1...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Penguins, start of Pirates season, Tom Izzo ‘controversy’
There is a lot to get into for “Madden Monday” this week with Mark Madden of 105.9 the X. We start with the Penguins and the impact of recently acquired forward Denis Sav … uh, I mean … Jared McCann. How about that spin-o-rama goal he scored Saturday night in...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Roethlisberger, Bell, Penguins’ bad weekend, Pirates infield
Thanks to an off-day, this week’s “Madden Monday” comes on a Tuesday. We get into: • Josh Harris’ accusation that Ben Roethlisberger fumbled on purpose against the Bengals. Why is this information just coming out now? • Le’Veon Bell’s failed contract. The spin continues! LISTEN: Mark Madden, Tim Benz discuss...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ free agency moves shouldn’t impact draft strategy
Last year, the Steelers signed a 29-year-old free agent safety they thought could play like a linebacker. This year they signed a 29-year-old linebacker they think could play like a safety. This year’s move should be more of a sure bet seeing as how the candidate has been a full-timer...
Tim Benz: How the new AFC North might look
We begin our “Friday Football Footnotes” with a preemptive statement: What you are about to read is a projection, not a prediction. What you are about to read is an initial reaction to the early days of free agency, not a declaration of who is going to win the AFC...
