Tim Benz stories, Page 123
Madden Monday: Troy Polamalu’s Hall of Fame speech was a eulogy for the ‘Steeler Way’ as much as it was praise of it
Troy Polamalu’s Hall of Fame induction speech on Saturday was the kind of thing that raises little black and gold goosebumps on the skin of Steelers fans. It evoked memories of Jack Lambert’s speech when he was inducted back in 1990. “If I could start my life all over again,...
First Call: T.J. Watt projected for Canton; Al Villanueva’s issues in Baltimore; why Justin Houston picked Ravens instead of Steelers
In Monday’s “First Call,” we look at the career of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt with a long-term lens. Extremely long term. We also have a pair of notes from Baltimore Ravens training camp that are directly tied to the Steelers. And we look at the ripple effect of Josh...
Tim Benz: Steelers shouldn’t feel obligated to trade James Washington, but one city looks like a logical landing spot
On Saturday, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin denied an ESPN report that wide receiver James Washington has requested a trade. It appears that Washington feels he won’t get much of a chance to show his abilities in the final year of his rookie contract playing behind fellow receivers JuJu...
First Call: Troy Polamalu recalls first grasp of Steelers Nation emotions; Ravens feel good about pass rush improvements
In Friday’s “First Call,” Troy Polamalu recalls the instant when he grasped what it was like to be a Steelers player in Pittsburgh. The Baltimore Ravens are feeling optimistic about their pass rush. Aaron Rodgers’ future in Green Bay is still filled with questions. And an ex-Pirate gets a start...
Tim Benz: Steelers take steps forward in some areas where biggest strides are needed
No one is a bigger Pittsburgh Steelers worrywart than me. Hey, knowing is half the battle. Based on how 2020 ended, though, there is plenty to worry about when it comes to the upcoming edition of the team. That said, many of the most glaring points of concern showed signs...
Dermontti Dawson paved the road to the Hall of Fame for Steelers teammate Alan Faneca
As Alan Faneca awaits his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, it’ll be easy for Pittsburgh football fans to conjure up memories of another Steelers Hall of Famer. Former center Dermontti Dawson. Both Dawson and Faneca have secured their spots as elite NFL offensive linemen. Both got to play in...
From WPIAL to S.I. swimsuits, Apollo’s Dessie Mitcheson launching boutique with body-positive messageVideo
Former WPIAL athlete Dessie Mitcheson left Pittsburgh area fairways for international runways a long time ago. Now she’s going from a big-time model to a small business owner. And she’s doing so back home in Western Pennsylvania. Mitcheson — who was a golfer and regionally top-15 ranked diver at Kiski...
U mad Bro: Pirates fans grumble about trades, ‘media bias’; Pens fans carp about goaltending
This week’s “U mad, bro?” has Pittsburgh Pirates fans split between ripping me about the MLB draft and ripping Ben Cherington about his recent trades. Penguins fans are split among themselves over how worried they should — or shouldn’t — be about the goaltending. And Steelers fans are … oddly...
First Call: Hall of Fame still hopeful Steelers’ Troy Polamalu will attend; Tyler Boyd says Joe Burrow’s knee still ‘iffy’
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we try to figure out if Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu will be able to attend his own enshrinement at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tyler Boyd isn’t 100% sold on Joe Burrow’s knee rehab in Cincinnati just yet. We check in on some former...
First Call: Former Steeler Mike Hilton’s interesting quote; Ben Roethlisberger praises Hall of Fame teammates
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some eyebrow-raising comments from a former Pittsburgh Steeler. Ben Roethlisberger has high praise for some former teammates. Max Starks is excited about his new job. And big bucks are coming to a pair of former WPIAL basketball stars. Safety First? Old allegiances die quickly in the...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin reflects on relationship with Bill Cowher in advance of Cowher’s Hall of Fame induction
During an interview in advance of his upcoming Hall of Fame induction, former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher had one request. He wanted current coach Mike Tomlin to allow him to call one more defensive play during the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys. “Let...
Ryan Malone on his tech-savvy sports business venture, state of the Penguins, Sidney Crosby memories
When former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ryan Malone gutted up to return to play after taking a puck to the face in Game 5 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Final, it was a moment Penguins fans of that era will never forget. Nor will they ever forget his two power-play goals...
First Call: Steelers have ‘1% chance’ to win Super Bowl; Chase Claypool’s bold prediction; Fleury’s nudge to join Blackhawks
Tuesday’s “First Call” shows us that one national outlet isn’t painting a pretty picture for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl chances. Coronavirus is getting in the way of the Steelers’ takeover of Canton for the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions this weekend. Marc-Andre Fleury looks strange in red. Adam...
Mike Sullivan on coaching Team USA, facing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, belief in Penguins goalies and revamping the bottom 6
Mike Sullivan rattled off the names as if he was reciting his current Penguins roster. However, it was a roster from 41 years ago. And it wasn’t the Penguins. “Mike Eruzione. Jim Craig. Jack O’Callahan. David Silk,” Sullivan said. “Those were the four guys from BU (Boston University) where I...
Tim Benz: Despite crowded depth chart, off-the-radar receivers drawing praise at Steelers training camp
If there is one position where the Steelers have depth — and it really may be just one position — it’s wide receiver. Well, when those receivers hold onto the ball anyway. The 2020 issue of drops aside, the Steelers can boast four wide receivers who seem to have at...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey teams need clarity from administration, not an NCAA extension
For the Robert Morris University hockey teams, this was a weekend where no news wasn’t necessarily good news. Robert Morris had previously put a fundraising deadline of July 31 as the end date for the men’s and women’s hockey programs to generate enough funds to keep their programs alive. This...
First Call: Ravens sign player Steelers considered, watch Marc-Andre Fleury’s announcement to play in Chicago
Monday’s “First Call” has some high expectations for two young Pittsburgh Steelers. We have an update on Marc-Andre Fleury’s decision regarding the Chicago Blackhawks. And a player the Steelers considered signing is going to the Baltimore Ravens instead. We even have a heartwarming Olympic moment, hurling and Gaelic football. Not...
Madden Monday: If Penguins don’t improve goaltending ‘it will be an error of monumental proportions’
So much for my hope that the Penguins might find a way to get Marc-Andre Fleury back to Pittsburgh. And so much for Mark Madden’s advice to Fleury that he shouldn’t report to Chicago as part of that trade between the Blackhawks and the Vegas Golden Knights. Fleury put all...
Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association hosts hurling; Gaelic football Midwest finals this week in Indiana Township
In Gaelic, the motto on the crest of the Pittsburgh Hurling Club reads “Neart agus Misneach.” Or, in English, “Strength and Courage.” If you’ve seen what the sport of hurling looks like at full speed, you understand why that fits. If you haven’t, you can see it on a championship...
Tim Benz: SEC expansion isn’t just about trying to dominate the NCAA; it’s preparing for a world after the NCAA
As the drama continues to swirl around the Southeastern Conference’s attempt to absorb Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12, many characterize the advance as an SEC attempt to form a “super conference.” Wait. I thought that’s what the SEC was already. No? A lot has been written and said...
First Call: Steelers work on addressing drops; ex-Steeler on covid list; Andrew McCutchen back at PNC Park
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at the sticky situation of not-so-sticky hands from Steelers receivers. Bad news for Bud Dupree. The Pirates prepare to welcome back Andrew McCutchen. An update on the Robert Morris hockey front. And a Pittsburgh kid gets a big NHL contract. Addressing the issue Last...
U mad, bro?: Some Penguins fans don’t want Marc-Andre Fleury back; Pirates fans didn’t want Adam Frazier to go
Apparently not all Penguins fans are happy with the idea of the Penguins bringing The Flower back to Pittsburgh. Pirates fans are tired of seeing good players like Adam Frazier traded. And the Team USA Olympic basketball squad is leaving people flat. All that in this week’s “U mad, bro?”...
First Call: An argument for Aaron Rodgers to Steelers in ’22; Adam Frazier’s debut with San Diego; Larry Fitzgerald’s future
Wednesday’s “First Call” assesses the chances of Aaron Rodgers becoming a Steeler next year. Some Steelers fans think T.J. Watt got snubbed by the EA Sports Madden ratings system. We try to figure out what Larry Fitzgerald is thinking. And we get you up to date on Adam Frazier’s San...
Tim Benz: A return of Marc-Andre Fleury to Penguins makes sense beyond sentiment
The Vegas Golden Knights’ trade of former Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was a stunner to many in hockey circles on Tuesday. Not so much in the sense that Vegas shipped away the NHL’s reigning Vezina Trophy winner. After all, they had a Goalie-1 and Goalie-1A situation with Fleury and Robin...
Marc-Andre Fleury discusses future, has advice for current Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry
If anyone knows what it is like to take the heat from Pittsburgh Penguins fans after disappointing playoff results in goal, it’s Marc-Andre Fleury. With five trips to the Stanley Cup Final under his belt and three Stanley Cup rings on his fingers, Fleury has known lots of postseason success....
