Tim Benz stories, Page 115
Madden Monday: T.J. Watt ‘is getting quarterback money. He needs to do quarterback things’
Last week, it felt like the Pittsburgh Steelers were already buried at 1-3. After this week’s games, it feels like there’s a pretty clear path to being above .500 within a month. Amazing how much things change in one NFL week, right? But it’s true. After beating the Denver Broncos...
First Call: Steelers early favorites over Seattle; Bill Cowher’s TV message to Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Canada
Monday’s “First Call” gives us the early odds on the Steelers and Seahawks. Ex-Steelers coach Bill Cowher gives his thoughts to Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Canada. A weird twist to the Browns-Chargers game. And Antonio Brown must have something left in the tank. Caher Pawher During the CBS pregame show...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Plenty of both after Steelers barely hold on to beat the Broncos
It took a few minutes to find my Steelers “Feats of Strength” file on my computer. I couldn’t remember where it was saved. It’s been a while since I’ve needed to access it. It’s been difficult to find many good things to write about after Steelers games the past three...
Tim Benz: Take the ‘over’ in Steelers vs. Broncos — but only if they play a doubleheader
At last check, the BetRivers.com over-under point total for Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos game at Heinz Field was 39.5 points. Regardless of which two teams are playing, normally my first reaction upon seeing a number like that attached to an NFL game would be, “Man! That’s gotta be...
First Call: Russell Wilson injured ahead of next week’s Steelers game; ex-Steeler at center of surreal double punt play
Friday’s “First Call” has some significant injury news for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponent next week. An ex-Steeler was involved in a strange play Thursday night. At least one coach isn’t burying Ben Roethlisberger just yet. Plus, we’ve got an update on fundraising efforts for Robert Morris hockey. Hurting Hawk The...
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Steelers’ quarterback: ‘They are never going to bench Ben Roethlisberger’
On ESPN’s “Get Up!” Thursday, NFL insider Adam Schefter said that the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be making a quarterback change, so long as Ben Roethlisberger is at the helm in Pittsburgh. “They are never gonna bench Ben Roethlisberger,” Schefter said. “It’s never gonna get to that. So he has to...
Tim Benz: Perceptions of Steelers and Broncos set to be tested Sunday
The better the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing, the more likely coach Mike Tomlin is to discuss the opposing team during his weekly Tuesday press conference. You know, talk up the opponent. Especially if that team is an underdog. Don’t let the locker room get too high on its early accomplishments,...
U mad, bro?: Steelers, Pirates, Ben Roethlisberger, Ben Cherington, Gerrit Cole feel fan wrath
With the state of affairs surrounding the Steelers of late, it’s a wonder how any other sports made the cut for this week’s “U mad, bro?” But with a 101-loss season and a smooth-talking general manager who just can’t seem to answer a question directly, the Pirates made the cut...
First Call: Steelers’ odds going in wrong direction; NFL.com is showing no faith in Ben Roethlisberger
Thursday’s “First Call” shows us how long the odds have gotten for the Steelers. Some harsh projections for Ben Roethlisberger. Honors for a Duquesne Duke. And yet another former Pirates pitcher is ticketed for a postseason start. Riding the wave If it has been an up and down ride for...
First Call: Broncos sign ex-Steeler before trip to Pittsburgh; Twitter shreds Gerrit Cole; Shane Baz to appear in ALDS
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us yet another ex-Raider taking shots at the Steelers over the Immaculate Reception. A former Steeler signs with the Denver Broncos days before they come to Heinz Field. Shane Baz gets to show his skills on a big stage. And fans skewer Gerrit Cole following his...
Aaron Rodgers addresses hype about joining Steelers in ’22, continues praise for Mike Tomlin
During his regularly scheduled appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got Pittsburgh buzzing in advance of his team’s game against the Steelers. His overt praise for coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers’ winning tradition and even “Pittsburgh Dad” had Steelers fans wondering if Rodgers may...
Tim Benz: With MLB playoffs underway, Pirates’ roster is as far away as ever
If you spent any time in the Pittsburgh sports Twittersphere last Friday, you saw a lot of chatter about the eighth anniversary of the 2013 National League Wild Card Game. The Pirates’ first postseason game in Pittsburgh since 1992. PNC Park. Blackout. Johnny Cueto drops the ball on the pitcher’s...
First Call: Broncos QB wants redemption at Heinz Field; Aaron Rodgers keeps praising Mike Tomlin
Heinz Field may present a stage for redemption for the Denver Broncos starting quarterback Sunday against the Steelers. Links between Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers continue to be extracted. Gerrit Cole gets a playoff start for the New York Yankees. And guess how big the television ratings were for Tom...
Broncos enter Steelers Week fuming about Ravens’ late-game run to tie NFL record
When the Denver Broncos arrive at Heinz Field Sunday to play the Steelers, they’ll be in a bitter mood. And the source of their agitation is a familiar one to Steelers fans: the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos lost to the Ravens 23-7 on Sunday, while Baltimore rushed for 102 yards...
First Call: Joe Haden tweets about penalty; ex-Steeler critical of JuJu Smith-Schuster; Denver’s quarterback injured
Monday’s “First Call” has critical comments from an ex-Steeler about JuJu Smith-Schuster. Antonio Brown had interesting things to say about his time in New England. And Pittsburgh. Also, Joe Haden spouts off about his offsides penalty, and next week’s Steelers opponent has its starting QB in concussion protocol. His side...
Madden Monday on Steelers’ loss to Packers: ‘They flunk football 101 time and time again’
As we said in our “Airing of Grievances” post Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Green Bay Packers had everything that Steelers fans love to gripe about. Bad calls by the officials, namely nullifying Minkah Fitzpatrick’s field goal block, scoop and score that didn’t count. Poor play by...
Airing of Grievances: Steelers’ loss in Green Bay highlights Holy Trinity of fan complaints: play calling, refs, QB
There was plenty to vent about in the wake of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Most of the gripes involved the holy trinity of Steelers fan agitation. • Blame the refs. • Blame the quarterback. • Blame the play calling. In the case...
Packers reporter: ‘Pittsburgh is a viable option’ for Aaron Rodgers if he exits Green Bay after 2021
On Thursday, we described the Pittsburgh Steelers as a “long shot” to acquire Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers next season. Assuming Ben Roethlisberger retires. Which seems to be a safer assumption with every passing week. As it turns out, maybe we were underselling the prospect of Rodgers trading in...
Tim Benz: Matt Canada providing more protection for offensive line than it’s provided for the offense
If only the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line blocked for Matt Canada’s skill position players the same way Canada is blocking for them. While discussing the plight of his struggling offensive unit with reporters Thursday, Canada refused to assign any specific blame to the much maligned group. Even though anyone with...
First Call: Ticket prices surge for Steelers vs. Packers; Tom Brady’s message to dad
Friday’s “First Call” features the latest injury news on the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Green Bay Packers. Ticket prices for that game at Lambeau Field are soaring. The Patriots-Buccaneers showdown even has Tom Brady’s dad in a tizzy. And a few recent opponents for the Steelers are getting high honors....
First Call: John Harbaugh praises Chuck Noll as Ravens try to tie Steelers’ record; ex-Steelers get new jobs; Packers injury report
Thursday’s “First Call” updates us on some new homes for a few former Steelers. The Green Bay Packers have some injury issues to watch as their game against the Steelers approaches. And Ravens head coach John Harbaugh gushes about Chuck Noll as his team closes in on a Steelers record....
U mad, bro?: Fans have strange ways of expressing aggravation over Steelers’ disappointing start
I expected Pittsburgh sports fans to be angry at the Steelers in this week’s “U mad, bro?” after back-to-back home losses. But I didn’t expect those emotions to manifest in the way that they did. I imagine you’ll be surprised, too. Ralph has quite an interesting food analogy about the...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers, ‘Pittsburgh Dad,’ and the 2022 offseason; let the ‘Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers’ dreams begin
This isn’t the first time a fantas—um, I mean—conversation has taken place about Aaron Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh to assume the role of Steelers quarterback. Jason La Canfora floated out that notion regarding Rodgers in late July. Former Bengals wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson claims he heard that the Steelers...
First Call: Tyler Boyd refuses to back off claims that Steelers gave up; ex-Steeler Ryan Clark says franchise has reached ‘end of an era’
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” we have the latest on Tyler Boyd’s comments about the Steelers giving up at the end of their game at Heinz Field last weekend. One ex-Pirates pitcher dominates, while another just can’t stay healthy. And an ex-Steeler has little faith in a resurgence by the club....
Steelers have rebounded from previous failed Septembers. Can the 2021 team do the same?
The Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) are 6.5-point underdogs for Sunday’s game in Green Bay (2-1). Based on how the Steelers have performed this year, that actually seems like a somewhat narrow line. “We are playing poorly. We don’t desire to be. But we are,” coach Mike Tomlin admitted Tuesday. September struggles...
