Tim Benz stories, Page 108
Duquesne basketball looking to seize a 2nd chance on a big stage at home
Not much had gone according to plan for the Duquesne men’s basketball team (6-9) as the Atlantic 10 conference schedule approached. Coronavirus ran through the team right before the holidays. The whole conference endured a wave of postponements and rescheduled games. And a big chunk of the frontcourt — Tre...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans emote after a bad playoff loss in very different ways
This week we had a life lesson reinforced after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 42-21 loss in Kansas City during Sunday’s playoff game. The truth hurts. People handle that pain differently. Some embrace it and admit it. Then they lash out. Others deflect it and deny it. Then they lash out. We’ve...
First Call: 2 quarterbacks linked to Steelers in early mock drafts; Joe Haden holds out hope to stay in Pittsburgh
Thursday’s “First Call” links the Pittsburgh Steelers to two quarterbacks from different mock drafts. Joe Haden is clinging to hopes that he will stay in Pittsburgh. More positive television ratings from the NFL. And an unlikely ex-Penguin plays the goal-scoring hero in Manhattan. And so it begins Between now and...
Penguins poised for more points as they skate back into the spotlight on home ice
A week ago, I told you the annual “Steelers pass the Pittsburgh sports baton to the Penguins” column was ready to go. Then the Jacksonville Jaguars and a kicker on the Las Vegas Raiders had something to say about that. Now, though, it’s time for Western Pa. fans to tunnel...
Tim Benz: For Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are about to become his team even more than they have been in the past
As Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin conducted his season-ending press conference, one thing struck me beyond all else. Now more than ever, this franchise is squarely on Tomlin’s shoulders. When Tomlin arrived in Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger had already been the starting quarterback for three years, played in two AFC...
First Call: Steelers dangled as potential landing spot for Kirk Cousins; Minkah Fitzpatrick on K.C. gadget play touchdowns
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick gives his opinions on T.J. Watt, Teryl Austin and those trick plays by the Kansas City Chiefs. We also have various thoughts on how the Steelers may attack their need at quarterback. Jerome Bettis is backing a worthy endeavor. And a...
Stephon Tuitt’s future remains one of the Steelers’ biggest questions heading into 2022
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s season-ending news conferences often go the way this year’s did, especially when the franchise’s season ends before the NFL playoffs or after the first round. That has now happened five years in a row — a first since the end of the 1971 season. The shorter...
Tim Benz: More truth in a Mike Tomlin postgame quote than Steelers fans or organization may want to acknowledge
For as much as the national media loves it when Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spins one of his famous Tomlinisms, I prefer the less-scripted stuff. Not that I dislike “painting the red barn red” and “cutting your eyelids off if you blink” or “jumpin’ on a movin’ train.” Yup....
First Call: Ex-Browns star jabs the Steelers again; honors for Marc-Andre Fleury; James Conner gets a playoff score
Tuesday’s “First Call” features another shot at the Pittsburgh Steelers from ex-Cleveland Browns star Joe Thomas. Some honors for Marc-Andre Fleury. Another highlight for James Conner. And gambling advice for Round 2 of the NFL playoffs. Not done yet Apparently, ex-Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas had more to say about...
Madden Monday on Steelers’ playoff loss: ‘Coaching couldn’t have saved that game’ — or the season
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is catching most of the heat for the team’s failings en route to a 42-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday night’s playoff game. Rightfully so. By halftime, the team converted all of two first downs, was 1 for 8 on third downs, and...
First Call: Ex-Browns star misses mark with shot at Steelers; Joe Haden, JuJu Smith-Schuster pondering future
Monday’s “First Call” features an ex-Cleveland Browns star kicking the Pittsburgh Steelers while they are down. Ben Roethlisberger bids farewell to Patrick Mahomes. Other Steelers with expiring contracts brace for departure. And the Penguins get set for a test in Las Vegas. Read the room Ex-Cleveland Browns star Joe Thomas...
Tim Benz: Another inept start, sudden defensive collapse among season’s final ‘Airing of Grievances’ for Steelers
Throughout a week of playoff hype and excitement, Pittsburgh Steelers fans did everything they could to talk themselves into why this week’s postseason result in Kansas City would be different from the 36-10 beatdown their team suffered at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 26. Hey, remember when the Steelers won in...
Penguins, Chatham University bring college hockey to Hunt Armory
With Robert Morris hockey on the shelf until the 2023-24 season, the Chatham Cougars men’s and women’s teams are the new local college hockey teams on center stage. Now the center stage itself is also new. For a few nights anyway. The Cougars men’s team will be playing a game...
Tim Benz: We’ve heard all week why the Steelers won’t beat the Chiefs. If they do, 3 things must happen
By now, you’ve probably heard a dozen reasons why the Kansas City Chiefs are going to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday night’s wild-card round playoff game. Unfortunately, I agree with just about all of them. If you play this game 100 times, the Chiefs probably win 95. But —...
First Call: Chiefs encouraged to rest stars vs. Steelers; Ben Roethlisberger rated worst QB in playoffs
Apparently, the postseason means open season on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Because everybody is taking pot shots. Meanwhile, ex-Steeler Melvin Ingram III is getting praise from his new Kansas City Chiefs teammates. And the Robert Morris women’s hockey team can add a third Olympian to its list of alumni. All that...
First Call: Steelers are record-setting underdogs against Chiefs; K.C. injury update; a Marc-Andre Fleury trade idea
Thursday’s “First Call” shows us just how big of an underdog the Pittsburgh Steelers truly are this weekend in Kansas City. The Chiefs are getting healthier, too. Fire up the Marc-Andre Fleury trade rumors again. And an honor for a former Robert Morris Colonial. More truth than you thought? When...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans get snippy over NFL ties, criticism of Mike Tomlin, Raiders-Chargers result
It’s Pittsburgh Steelers playoff time for “U mad, bro?” Emotions are raw. The emails are snippy. The tweets are more contentious. And errors in judgment are more costly. Just ask Brandon Staley. Buckle up. This week is going to be a bumpy ride. In my column on Wednesday, I wrote...
Tim Benz: How confident are Chiefs fans for another blowout of the Steelers? Probably too much for Andy Reid’s liking
Exactly how confident are fans of the Kansas City Chiefs as their team (12-5) prepares to host the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-1) in Sunday night’s AFC playoff game? Well, Soren Petro hosts a talk show in Kansas City on Sports Radio 810 WHB. He joined me for Thursday’s “Breakfast With Benz”...
Flyers exec Bobby Clarke rips Penguins GM Ron Hextall for the job he did in Philadelphia
Here’s some more spice for the Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers rivalry. As if more needs to be added. Penguins general manager Ron Hextall is being trashed by his former boss in Philadelphia. That’s Flyers legendary player and team senior vice president Bobby Clarke. Clarke was on “The Cam & Strick Podcast”...
First Call: Video of Ben Roethlisberger watching Chargers-Raiders finale; Antonio Brown hangs with Kanye West
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a tremendous video of Ben Roethlisberger watching the end of the nail-biting Sunday night game that sealed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff berth. Chiefs coach Andy Reid talks about the upcoming rematch with the Black and Gold. He also signed a former Steeler. NFL television numbers are...
Tim Benz: Feeling uncomfortable with Mike Tomlin’s level of comfort about Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said something that stood out to me during his Tuesday press conference in advance of his team’s playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Well, two things. First of all, Tomlin claimed that he “dozed off” during the nail-biting overtime game between the Las Vegas...
Tim Benz: The timing of Evgeni Malkin’s return may be just right
I’ll admit that I had the annual “Steelers are passing the baton to the Penguins” column ready to go in my head. At some point this week, I expected to dust off the once-a-year missive about the Steelers’ season ending, and how that was meshing with the state of the...
First Call: Steelers fans flood charities of Raiders kicker; Sunday night football chaos yields big TV ratings spike
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are showing their appreciation for what the Las Vegas Raiders did to help the Black and Gold playoff cause Sunday night. The television ratings for the Raiders-Chargers “Sunday Night Football” game were through the roof. Jerome Bettis has some unfinished business. And we have an honor for...
Tim Benz: Steelers-Raiders-Chargers drama raises questions about NFL ties, scheduling reform
The Pittsburgh Steelers organization (and its fans) nervously watched “Sunday Night Football” as a 2021 AFC playoff bid almost evaporated thanks to a near-tie. Two thoughts crossed my mind as the Las Vegas Raiders barely beat the Los Angeles Chargers 35-32, securing the AFC’s fifth seed for themselves and the...
Chargers, Raiders react to the big decision that avoided a tie, and got the Steelers in the playoffs
If the Pittsburgh Steelers have any leftover Christmas cards laying around the team offices, it may be nice to send a few to Las Vegas. Specifically, address a couple to the likes of Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, quarterback Derek Carr and running back Josh Jacobs. Those guys were instrumental in...
