Tim Benz stories, Page 112
Tim Benz: Praise for Steelers’ gutsy effort in Los Angeles is warranted but comes off as empty
I’d love to pound out a column applauding the Steelers even though they lost 41-37 Sunday night in Los Angeles. Since coach Mike Tomlin’s squad was missing five starters on defense, they should be praised for making a valiant comeback against a quality Chargers team, with a blossoming young quarterback...
First Call: Ex-Steeler makes unlikely play on ‘Monday Night Football’; Steelers’ remaining odds are growing; latest path for Penguins
Tuesday’s “First Call” shows a lack of faith in the Steelers at the betting window. An ex-Steeler makes a surprising play on “Monday Night Football.” Saquon Barkley’s return was underwhelming. And the Penguins are being nasty to our northern neighbors. Fading faith: BetRivers.com has the Steelers (5-4-1) as early underdogs...
Madden Monday: Mark Madden says Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada is ‘incompetent,’ ‘an amateur’
After the Steelers scored 37 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, you might think the only complaints coming out of the game would be about the defense. You might think that — if you didn’t watch it. Because there are plenty of things to gripe about when...
First Call: Odd Steelers streak ends in loss to Chargers; James Conner stays hot; stats behind Tristan Jarry’s shutout string
A strange Pittsburgh Steelers streak was snapped during the Sunday night game against the Los Angeles Chargers. James Conner keeps finding the end zone. We watch a particular Cincinnati Bengals player as they get set to host the Steelers. And we examine the Penguins’ next opponent. All that in Monday’s...
Airing of Grievances: Wasted comeback, defensive debacles, red-zone mishaps stand out in painful Steelers loss to Chargers
I can sum up Sunday night’s Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (6-4) in three words: What a waste! A game-long defensive debacle by a diminished Steelers depth chart wiped out what may have gone down as one of the great Steelers comebacks in team history, as...
Former Steelers, Penguins, Pirates pitch in to help save Robert Morris hockey
Former Pittsburgh Penguin Ryan Malone didn’t play college hockey for Robert Morris. He played at St. Cloud State. Colby Armstrong, another former Penguin, didn’t play college hockey at all. He played junior hockey in Red Deer. Brett Keisel and Shaun Suisham played football for the Steelers. And Neil Walker was...
First Call: Former All-Pro Shawne Merriman tried to recruit Bill Cowher to coach Chargers, praises T.J. Watt, Najee Harris
As the Pittsburgh Steelers get ready to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, we’re doing something different for this edition of “First Call.” Former Chargers pass-rusher Shawne Merriman joined me for Friday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. The three-time All-Pro connected with us to preview Steelers-Chargers and to promote...
Tim Benz: Steelers about to face dramatically better quarterback play, beginning with Chargers’ Herbert
Many Pittsburgh Steelers fans have expressed concerns about their team’s rush defense lately. As they should. Subpar opponents such as the Detroit Lions (0-8-1) and the Seattle Seahawks (3-6) have pushed the Steelers to overtime based largely on their ability to run the ball. In those two games combined, the...
First Call: Far-too-early ESPN mock draft has Kenny Pickett gone before Steelers; Le’Veon Bell may not be done with Ravens
Former Steeler Le’Veon Bell has fallen on hard times but may not have fallen out of favor with the Baltimore Ravens. An “all-too-early” NFL mock draft has Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett off the board before the Steelers have a chance to select him. A former WPIAL and Penn State star...
Fox’s Jay Glazer on Steelers’ exit plan for Ben Roethlisberger, succession strategy at quarterback, Mason Rudolph’s future
Fox NFL analyst Jay Glazer is known to have a good connection with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. A month ago, Glazer insisted that Tomlin doesn’t want to start over with a rookie quarterback next year if Ben Roethlisberger does retire at the end of 2021. While appearing on...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans enraged, defensive, confused after disheartening tie against Lions
The Pittsburgh Steelers tied the 0-8 Detroit Lions at home in a game that featured 15 total penalties, injuries to star players, three Steelers turnovers and some rotten play calling. Exactly how else did you think this week’s “U mad, bro?” was going to go? Take it away, Stiller nation....
Tim Benz: Penguins players grasp recent struggles — now it’s time to follow their own advice
Is Fenway Sports Group really sure it wants to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins? Based on the way things have gone on the ice of late, principal owner John Henry might want to keep his money in his wallet. If Henry does still feel like spending, though, maybe he can buy...
First Call: Ugly tie affects Steelers’ odds; Penguins’ latest chance to get right; Loyola Chicago joins A-10
Wednesday’s “First Call” shows us that the Steelers’ 16-16 tie against Detroit has influenced some gambling odds. The Lions have some significant injury concerns after that game as well. Plus, we serve up some local college basketball news and a potential tonic for the lackluster Pittsburgh Penguins. After effects It...
Chargers’ covid-19 news about Bosa, Tillery could hone Steelers’ offensive game plan
The Pittsburgh Steelers may not be the only team at SoFi Stadium worried about coronavirus absences. We know that they might be playing without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick due to positive tests. Now the Los Angeles Times is reporting that L.A. Chargers’ Pro Bowl edge...
First Call: Steelers already positioned as underdogs against Chargers; Penguins’ next opponent battling similar tough stretch
Monday’s “First Call” turns the page on the 16-16 Steelers tie against Detroit. We look at Sunday night’s game between the Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers. We check on the Penguins’ next opponent and look for plenty of points in Pitt’s next game. And the Duquesne Dukes have another home...
Madden Monday: ‘It’s time to stop pretending the Steelers are all that good, because they are not’
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ apologist spin cycle is in full gear after the team’s embarrassing 16-16 tie against the Detroit Lions Sunday. “It’s no big deal. The Steelers played with their backup quarterback. Every other top team in the AFC has suffered a surprising loss within the last few weeks. At...
Tim Benz: Horrible tackling, untimely turnovers among grievances to air after Steelers’ rotten tie against Detroit
On a few occasions before the 2021 season began, I sarcastically predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers would go 8-8-1 in the NFL’s first 17-game regular season. That way, we could still say, “Well, you know, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season!” I thought I was kidding. Now, after Sunday’s...
First Call: Steelers hope to continue minimizing opponents’ top threats; John Harbaugh says Ravens ‘outplayed’ in loss
In Friday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers know where to focus their defensive attention when the Detroit Lions come to town Sunday afternoon. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is upset with someone very specific in the wake of his team’s loss in Miami on Thursday night. The Penguins’ next opponent is...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ desire to always avoid a rebuild illustrated by Lions’ never-ending process
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward said he won’t be able to fully appreciate it until he retires. The fact that the team that drafted him has never had to go through a season like the one Sunday’s opponent, the Detroit Lions, are going through. For Heyward, a bad season...
Yankees, Mariners among teams allegedly interested in trading for Pirates All-Star Bryan Reynolds
A few Major League Baseball teams are looking for a center fielder. Their eyes are locking on Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Bryan Reynolds. According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, a significant market is building for Reynolds, with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners in front of the pack....
Tim Benz: 5-on-5 play crucial as Penguins look to grab 2 points against Panthers
On one hand, the Pittsburgh Penguins have gathered points in eight of their 11 games. On the other, they are currently in last place in the Metropolitan Division. It is far too early to make season-long declarations about this team. Especially since they have yet to play a game with...
First Call: Chase Claypool’s injury was initially feared to be season threatening; Lions odds; RMU hockey update
Thursday’s “First Call” has an interesting angle on Chase Claypool’s injury. The Detroit Lions have some mixed health updates as they prepare to visit Pittsburgh. The odds on the Steelers-Lions game make more sense the deeper you study them. And the displaced Robert Morris University hockey teams appear to be...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans prickly about Tristan Jarry criticism; Najee Harris taking heat; Pitt fans percolating
In this week’s “U mad, bro?”, Penguins fans defend Tristan Jarry. Pitt fans are agitated. And at least one Steelers fan is already turning on Najee Harris. Now I think we’ve gone too far! Who am I kidding? We go too far in this post every week. So, let’s have...
NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore on taunting penalty, other controversies from Steelers vs. Bears
Former NFL official and CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore made his weekly appearance on WDVE on Tuesday morning and addressed the many rules debates that took place during the Steelers’ controversial 29-27 win over the Chicago Bears. The most hotly contested of many calls — or non-calls — was the...
First Call: Details about Steelers’ interest in Fletcher Cox; Steelers scouted college QB showdown; Marc-Andre Fleury’s new mask
More details are coming out about the Steelers’ alleged trade-deadline pursuit of Fletcher Cox. The team may also have an interest in some high-profile quarterback draft candidates. The Detroit Lions released a player some Steelers fans may remember. And Marc-Andre Fleury may have a new look in the net if...
