Tim Benz stories, Page 116
First Call: Packers, Steelers wide receiver injury issues; ex-Steeler shines on ‘Monday Night Football’
The Steelers and Packers have one thing in common heading into their showdown Sunday. The Pirates will have plenty of company if they hit 100 losses. The ACC continues to muddle through 2021. And an ex-Steeler stood out on defense during “Monday Night Football.” All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”...
Tim Benz: Tyler Boyd is wrong about the Steelers. They didn’t quit. They just stink.
Tyler Boyd’s characterization of the Pittsburgh Steelers was less than flattering after Sunday’s 24-10 Cincinnati Bengals win. The Pitt product and Clairton native said the Steelers “gave up” against his Bengals towards the end of their game Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field. “The last plays of the game for them,...
After back-to-back upset home losses, where can we find the next Steelers victory?
Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost their first two home games to AFC teams who failed to make the playoffs a year ago, I’m left to ponder one weighty question. Where are the wins remaining on the schedule? I mean, even if the Steelers are to meet my relatively...
First Call: Bengals taunt during win in Pittsburgh; Steelers early underdogs vs Packers; ex-Steelers score with new teams
The Bengals are laughing all the way back to Cincinnati after a win against the Steelers. The Green Bay Packers are already significant favorites in advance of their game against the Steelers next week. And two former Steelers found their way into the end zone with their new franchises. All...
Madden Monday on Steelers: ‘Their season is over’ and ‘Ben Roethlisberger is done’
After a second straight loss to open the home slate of their 2021 schedule, 105.9 The X radio host and TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden isn’t messing around when it comes to forecasting what this means for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Their season is over,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday”...
Tim Benz: More than just offense in this week’s Steelers ‘Airing of Grievances’
For our weekly Pittsburgh Steelers “Airing of Grievances” after a 24-10 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, I could just say “the offense.” And leave it at that. I’d be justified. Just 45 yards rushing. Odd play selection. Multiple drops. Four sacks allowed. Two interceptions. Penalties all over the field....
Ex-Bengal pans JuJu Smith-Schuster, criticizes Steelers’ draft strategy, offensive line construction
Before Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones played in Cincinnati, the Bengals had plenty of other irritating players for Steelers fans. Perhaps none was more grating than mouthy wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Yes, he of the infamous Terrible Towel desecration. Well, Houshmandzadeh is still taking shots at the Steelers. And...
Tim Benz: At this point, the health of Joe Haden and T.J. Watt is a bigger deal than Ben Roethlisberger’s
I had a realization looking at the Steelers’ extended injury list in advance of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger’s iffy health status (pectoral injury) isn’t the chief concern. There was a time when the slightest whiff of an injury to Roethlisberger would send this city into a...
First Call: Todd Haley discusses his relationship with Ben Roethlisberger; Jaromir Jagr still scoring in Czech league
Friday’s “First Call” has Todd Haley discussing Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, video of Penguins legend Jaromir Jagr still scoring goals and news about Lamar Jackson’s absence from Baltimore Ravens practice. Also, the story of a kicker who helped beat the Steelers—and himself—at the same time. Going over old times Former...
Ex-Steeler Mike Hilton returns with Bengals, in possession of something he nabbed from Joe Haden
During his time with the Steelers, I always found Mike Hilton to be one of the more friendly and genuine players in the locker room. An engaging person who really appreciated the role he earned while he was here. A role he eventually parlayed into a four-year, $24 million contract...
First Call: Steeler voices optimism about run game; Bengals coach under scrutiny; McCutchen, Meadows go deep
Thursday’s “First Call” tries to provide optimism for the Steelers run game. We found a little extra stress for Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor before his trip to Pittsburgh. Two former Pirates homer as their teams jockey for the postseason. And ex-Penguin Beau Bennett never ceases to entertain. Positive attitude...
U mad, bro?: Steelers and Pitt fans viciously vent after dreadful weekend at Heinz Field
The Steelers lost their home opener to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Pitt lost at home to Western Michigan. A weekend like that leads to a “U mad, bro?” edition like this. The messages I received from readers were venomous. Vindictive. Vicious. And, occasionally, vapid. I didn’t even include any...
Pitt’s issues may extend beyond just the focus, energy Pat Narduzzi has mentioned
During his postgame media Q&A Saturday, Pitt football coach Pat Narduzzi admitted that his team wasn’t in a properly energized or focused state of mind during a disappointing home loss to Western Michigan. That certainly got my attention. It did again on Monday when Narduzzi reiterated those complaints during his...
First Call: Injuries, offensive issues for Steelers and Bengals; Ben Roethlisberger’s pectoral problem shifts gambling line
Wednesday’s “First Call” has an injury update on an important Cincinnati Bengal before the team visits Pittsburgh to play the Steelers this Sunday. We also take a deep dive into the Bengals offense, take a look at some shifting betting information and get a better understanding of Shane Baz’s Major...
Tim Benz: Steelers run game is so bad it’s impacting the rest of the team
Some put woes of the run game far down on the list of problems facing the Pittsburgh Steelers. To a certain extent, that’s understandable. There are plenty of other things to worry about. Injuries to star players. A passing game that’s struggling on offense, too. Spotty play in the secondary....
First Call: One report says Steelers’ T.J. Watt ‘has a chance to play’ Sunday; another says Trai Turner unlikely to face suspension
After getting ejected from Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Steelers offensive lineman Trai Turner still may be allowed to play this week. At least one reporter is hearing some news on T.J. Watt’s status. We get injury updates on two important AFC quarterbacks. And ex-Pirate prospect Shane Baz...
Some Bengals want to expand offensive attack heading into Steelers game
As the Cincinnati Bengals get ready for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it sounds like a few of their young offensive skill position players weren’t exactly thrilled with last week’s play calling. The Bengals (1-1) will come to Heinz Field fresh off a 20-17 loss to the Chicago Bears....
Tim Benz: Steelers injuries are a concern. Not an excuse. Just ask some of their AFC rivals.
During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, expect Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to be asked about the state of his team’s injury-depleted roster. You should expect an answer similar to this. “Such is life in the National Football League. Attrition through injury is inescapable in every NFL locker...
Madden Monday: Steelers receiving corps ‘is overrated’ and ‘there is not a No. 1 receiver there’
For all the problems that exist with the Pittsburgh Steelers run game — and there are many — 105.9 The X radio host and TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden is also concerned about the passing game. During the Steelers’ 26-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got hit...
First Call: Steelers still favored for next game; Shane Baz set for MLB debut; Gerrit Cole crushed
Monday’s “First Call” has an early look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ odds of bouncing back from Sunday’s loss when they host the Cincinnati Bengals this week. Another chapter in the Chris Archer trade is about to be written. Gerrit Cole had a rough outing at Yankee Stadium. And we found...
Airing of Grievances: Penalties; injuries; ill-timed big plays highlight Steelers’ latest upset loss to Raiders
On Saturday at Heinz Field, it was S.O.P — same old Pitt. On Sunday at Heinz Field, it was S.O.S — same old Steelers. Yet another upset loss to the Raiders franchise, their sixth in eight games since 2006. Yet another offensive catastrophe. Yet another give-back game in the standings...
First Call: Hall of Fame WR critical of Ben Roethlisberger; more Ravens injuries; regular season ‘Hard Knocks’ series
Friday’s “First Call” features a harsh rebuke of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The injuries keep mounting in Baltimore. A shakeup for HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series. And cornhole is trying to become an Olympic sport. Seriously. I think. Tell us what you really feel NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter didn’t...
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr reignites old Steelers-Raiders rivalry with jab at Immaculate Reception
Part of the reason why some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are convinced that their team has had so much trouble with the Raiders in recent years — five losses in seven tries since 2006 — is that the Steelers haven’t been emotionally prepared for the Raiders. The theory being that the Steelers...
Tim Benz: By need or design, Steelers’ 3-man weave at outside linebacker needs to stay
For the Steelers, it could have been a case of necessity being the mother of invention. Or maybe a successful rollout of a grand plan. Either way, Mike Tomlin doesn’t want to talk much about the three-man rotation at outside linebacker we saw from his defense during Sunday’s Week 1...
Mike Tomlin had a creative message for his rookies before their 1st road game in Buffalo
All nine of the Steelers’ 2021 draft class members came from Power 5 conference programs. One benefit of that is the players come to the NFL having a feel for big-time football. The daily mechanisms and framework that exist on that scale. The pressures and expectations associated with being a...
