Tim Benz stories, Page 106
With the 2021 NFL season complete, Steelers have underwhelming public perception, expectations for 2022
When you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers compared to other NFL franchises, do these names pop into your head immediately? The Atlanta Falcons. The Washington Commanders. The Carolina Panthers. How about some other long-standing organizations with a history of winning Super Bowls that have fallen on hard times recently? Teams...
First Call: Huge local Super Bowl TV ratings; ESPN picks cities for 2 Steelers free agents, puts QB and CB in Pittsburgh
We’ve talked plenty about what the Steelers may or may not do on the trade market and at the draft. But what about free agency? ESPN has some guesses. They also have some suggestions for new homes for two current Steelers free agents. Pittsburgh was one of the best cities...
Tim Benz: Sidney Crosby getting No. 500 against the Flyers would be perfect in so many ways
We can only assume that Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has done this on purpose, right? During the first game back from the All-Star break on Feb. 8, Crosby scored career goal No. 499 of his career as part of a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Crosby then picked...
Tim Benz: Super Bowl weekend of quarterback news may refocus offseason Steelers speculation
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are to take part in the 2022 offseason quarterback carousel, there needs to be a few ponies on the ride when it starts spinning. And some big-name horses may have been removed before the calliope music even begins to play. Based on reports over the weekend,...
First Call: Ryan Shazier’s endorsement for next Steelers quarterback; tough play for Pitt’s Tyler Boyd in Super Bowl
Monday’s “First Call” looks at Ryan Shazier’s idea for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next quarterback. A bad break for a Pitt alum in the Super Bowl. Antonio Brown’s temper-tantrum glove sold at auction. And Sidney Crosby is staring at the prospect of goal No. 500 against the hated Philadelphia Flyers. Bad...
Following Rams Super Bowl win, retirement talk for both Pitt star Aaron Donald and coach Sean McVay?
During the Super Bowl pregame show, NBC aired an interview that Rodney Harrison did with Los Angeles Rams star and former Pitt Panther Aaron Donald. Harrison told the audience that Donald informed him he might retire if the Rams won the Super Bowl. “He’s big on legacy,” Harrison said. “He...
Reliving Ben Roethlisberger’s Super Bowl XLIII game-winning drive, the most memorable in team history
The Steelers’ last Super Bowl win was 13 years ago in Tampa Bay, Fla. They beat the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, in Super Bowl XLIII for the franchise’s sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy. It couldn’t have happened without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who retired from the NFL after the Steelers finished their 2021...
Bengals DB Mike Hilton discusses emotions toward Steelers in advance of Super Bowl
When former Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Hilton came back to Heinz Field with the Cincinnati Bengals in September, he definitely relished his new team’s 24-10 victory over his former franchise. Bengals teammate Tyler Boyd said Hilton spoke to the team twice in the days leading up to that game, claiming he...
First Call: Predicting Diontae Johnson’s new contract; Ben Roethlisberger’s Steelers gear heads to Hall of Fame
Friday’s “First Call” has a prediction for what the Pittsburgh Steelers might have to pay Diontae Johnson. Ben Roethlisberger’s gear is getting into the Hall of Fame before he is. The Penguins are still stuck in second place despite their win on Thursday night. And Pittsburgh’s struggling college hoops teams...
Tim Benz: Bets to make — and avoid — on Super Bowl Sunday
My football betting season was a lot like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2021 campaign. A lot of ups and downs. I finished strong the last two weeks. Was scorching hot to start the playoffs. Then wobbled during Championship Weekend. But what am I going to do? Sit out the Super Bowl...
Bengals DB Mike Hilton discusses emotions toward Steelers in advance of Super Bowl
When former Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Hilton came back to Heinz Field with the Cincinnati Bengals in September, he definitely relished his new team’s 24-10 victory over his former franchise. Bengals teammate Tyler Boyd said Hilton spoke to the team twice in the days leading up to that game, claiming he...
First Call: More Steelers GM names to track; Malik Willis hype grows; NFL games in Germany; Fleury shines; Kessel scores
Thursday’s “First Call” introduces us to a few more candidates in the Pittsburgh Steelers general manager black book. More hype about the Steelers and a potential first-round quarterback. The NFL is heading to Germany. And three ex-Penguins flash out West. Keep ’em coming Add two more names to the Steelers...
U mad, bro?: Fending off rampaging readers about Steelers QB situation, Tom Brady, Olympics in China
After opening my inbox this week, now I know what Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris feels like. I was facing an oncoming assault from a bunch of angry people, with a free run, who wanna rip my head off. Meanwhile, I’ve got nowhere to escape, and no one to...
Let’s be ‘Blount’: Former Steeler LeGarrette Blount gives his story on why things went so bad for him in Pittsburgh
Appearing on 93.7 The Fan from Radio Row at the Super Bowl, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount cleared up some questions about his time in Pittsburgh. Blount signed with the Steelers before the 2014 season. But he didn’t make it through the entire year. Because on Nov. 17,...
Tim Benz: As Sidney Crosby nears 500 goals, a look at how he got there, his chances of breaking Mario Lemieux’s team record
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby now needs just one more goal to reach 500 for his career. That’s after getting No. 499 during a 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night. For Crosby, that would make him the leading goal-scorer for 17 of the NHL’s 32 franchises. Fun...
Former Steelers assistant Kirby Wilson feels special connection to Pittsburgh as he becomes Maulers head coach
As former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Kirby Wilson began the interview, the first words out of his mouth were “It’s great to be alive to do this.” For Wilson, those words go beyond hyperbole or daily affirmation. They go beyond what is obvious excitement for landing his first head coaching...
First Call: Rob Gronkowski may want to play with Joe Burrow; T.J. Watt could sail to NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some alarming news for Pittsburgh Steelers fans regarding what Rob Gronkowski is thinking. T.J. Watt should have smooth sailing toward NFL Defensive Player of the Year. An ex-Steeler gets an NFL head coaching contract extension. And the Penguins got a little help from their upcoming opponent....
As Sidney Crosby nears 500th goal, defining his scoring style is hard to do
As the All-Star break ends and the Pittsburgh Penguins get back on the ice, Sidney Crosby continues his quest for his 500th career goal. He’s currently sitting on 498. During the All-Star break, I gathered some quotes and spoke with a few people that have played with Crosby or covered...
Tim Benz: Lots of theories for bad Olympic TV ratings — some problems may be beyond repair
Television ratings for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing are off to a hideous start. According to Variety, “NBC Sports says 16 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony across multiple platforms on Friday, a new record low for the event since NBCUniversal began...
First Call: Ex-Steelers split on Russell Wilson; Maurkice Pouncey works out with Kendrick Green; Penguins-Bruins preview
Tuesday’s “First Call” endorses the idea of the Pittsburgh Steelers pursuing Russell Wilson. Steelers center Kendrick Green appears to be seeking the right advice this offseason. The Steelers are heavily mentioned in Sports Illustrated’s all-time Super Bowl moments list. And we look at the first opponent for the Penguins out...
Madden Monday: Opinion on Steelers QB situation unchanged after Senior Bowl hype over Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis
On his 105.9 The X radio show, TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden has made his stance on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback debate very clear. He thinks the conversation about the organization potentially acquiring a big-name veteran quarterback or landing a top-flight first-round rookie in the draft is pure fantasy. “I just...
First Call: Odd-couple highlights for T.J. Watt, Jake Guentzel; Steelers listed atop ‘best fits’ for Jimmy Garoppolo
The Pittsburgh Steelers are listed as a leading landing spot for a high-profile quarterback that could be on the move. Chase Claypool is floated as a potential NFL trade chip. A pair of former Penguins are hearing similar chatter about their names in the NHL. And some strange scoring connections...
First Call: ESPN’s QB projection for all of NFL; Steelers assistant Teryl Austin injected into Brian Flores conversation
ESPN.com’s NFL quarterback predictions won’t get Steelers nation very excited. One former Pittsburgh Steeler is in the mix for a coaching promotion, while another is pulling out of one contest. And Steelers assistant coach Teryl Austin has been thrown into the Brian Flores conversation regarding the topic of valid coaching...
Tim Benz: Tom Brady’s retirement offers more than just memories of bitter defeat for Steelers fans
With Tom Brady’s retirement from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, that assures one thing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, two things. First of all, there’s another team that is now thrust into the offseason quarterback carousel (unless head coach Bruce Arians really believes his own Blaine Gabbert hype). Secondly,...
With both coaches in place, Robert Morris men’s and women’s hockey can focus on rebuilding rosters
For the recently reinstated Robert Morris University ice hockey programs, maybe these were the last of the first steps toward a return to the ice. With two head coaches now entrenched, the big strides toward rebuilding can truly begin. Both programs were cut by the university in May 2021. But...
