Tim Benz stories, Page 124

Wednesday’s “First Call” serves up some interesting names the Steelers are monitoring at pre-NFL draft workouts. This year’s Super Bowl and the 2022 Olympics will now intersect. An update on the East Division standings, as the Penguins prepare for a road trip. And a Duquesne basketball star is transferring. Making...

After considering all those holes on the Steelers roster this offseason, one thing struck me about the upcoming NFL draft. Can the Steelers really go wrong addressing any position at any point in next month’s selection process? Because I’m not sure that they can. OK. They decided to retain Jordan...

Back on March 10, BetOnline.ag posted odds on which Major League manager would get fired first. Pirates manager Derek Shelton was fifth on the list at 9/1. Shelton? Fired as manager of the Pirates? Don’t you have to fail to deserve to be fired from a job? And if you...

Tuesday’s “First Call” features a trade idea for the Steelers to consider. It involves a young quarterback. The Buffalo Sabres found another creative way to lose. Some interesting dirt about the New England Patriots and Jimmy Garoppolo. And an infamous name from the Pirates’ past is trying to make a...

On their first day speaking as presumptive opening day starters for the Steelers, linebacker Robert Spillane and cornerback Cameron Sutton both showed a common trait that appealed to the franchise. They’re both smart. Football smart, sure. But also smart enough to get … it. Smart enough to know their new...

Monday’s “First Call” revisits the rebooted topic of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s commitment to conditioning. We also get some less-than-happy responses from NFL players to the news about the NFL expanding to a 17th game. PPG Paints Arena is ready to host the Frozen Four. And we now know which...

The Steelers haven’t finished under .500 since Mike Tomlin took over as the head coach in 2007. In fact, they’ve been at or above the break-even mark every year since the start of 2004. In that time, though, they’ve had four 8-8 seasons — three under Tomlin (2012, ‘13, ‘19),...

The Steelers’ spin cycle is moving so fast this offseason that I get dizzy every time I turn on my computer. No matter the situation, someone is there to spit-shine the prospects for the 2021 campaign, whether it’s the fans, media or team itself. A few examples popped up recently....

I can always tell when the NFL Network is replaying the Steelers’ Super Bowl XLIII victory over the Arizona Cardinals. My text messages start to ding. I get a random bump in Twitter interactions. “Is that you right behind Santonio Holmes in the end zone during the game-winning catch?!” Yup....

Friday’s “First Call” shows us NFL Draft prospects from Penn State who have the interest of Steelers brass. Nittany Lions star Micah Parsons impresses at his pro day but has one question hanging over his head. And the Philadelphia Flyers continue to give up goals at a comical rate. I’m...

Thursday’s “First Call” is caked with Steelers conversation. We look at Alejandro Villanueva’s future. Steven Nelson’s possible suitors. Potential discipline for Chase Claypool. And concerns about JuJu Smith-Schuster’s knee. And for hockey fans, a forecast of how Pittsburgh’s “Frozen Four” may turn out. Doubling down? It’s been a week on...

Is your March Madness bracket busted? Yeah. Mine, too. Whose isn’t? If ever there was a year to “expect the unexpected” in the NCAA tournament, this is it. After all, with the odd circumstances affecting almost every conference — and nearly every team that qualified for the tournament — it...

This week’s “U mad, bro?” features some salty Steelers fans. Chase Claypool’s fan club is ready to “fight back.” Mad Mike Tomlin critics. And jacked up JuJu Smith-Schuster defenders. In other words, March is going out like a lion. Speaking of the Lions, who thinks they may have a better...

Wednesday’s “First Call” gives Steelers fans some college prospects to keep in mind before the draft. The Philadelphia Flyers continue to struggle. And the Duquesne football team is making the most out of the short spring season. Sounding the Horn South Carolina had its pro day for NFL teams Tuesday....

At least one national outlet is spit-shining the Steelers’ retention of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during the NFL’s free-agency period. NFL.com writer Gregg Rosenthal called the decision “one of the best contracts given out so far.” “…the Steelers know better than any team the 24-year-old receiver is more than worthy...

The Penguins aren’t the only team in the NHL’s East Division with some major hurdles to overcome if they are to qualify for the playoffs. The other contenders in the division are flawed as well. Which four of the current top six will end up making the cut is a...

Tuesday’s “First Call” features some national media types who aren’t high on the Steelers offseason. We track some Steelers scouting efforts in advance of the draft. The Baltimore Ravens aren’t giving up on their quest for a free-agent wide receiver. And a new definition of “puck battle” emerges to help...

As the 2021 Penguins know by this point, you can’t take goals out of your own net. Just ask goalie Tristan Jarry following that overtime wrap-around score by the New Jersey Devils Sunday afternoon, courtesy of Jesper Bratt. Jesper Bratt’s beautiful OT winner #NJDevils: @NJDevils pic.twitter.com/zSKfFVodeU— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio...

The latest Steelers free-agent departure is reserve outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi. Like fellow pass rusher Bud Dupree, he went to the Tennessee Titans. Of all the offseason defections thus far, Adeniyi’s pinch will probably be felt the least. He only participated in 14% of the defensive snaps. His 63% of...

If you are someone who is excited about JuJu Smith-Schuster returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers for one more year in 2021, I’m happy for you. He’s a good receiver. The offense is better with him than without him. If you are someone who thinks it’s better to have him than...

Monday’s “First Call” examines the alleged level of interest in Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster before he decided to stay in Pittsburgh. Specifically, from the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles. Alex Highsmith has a plan to replace Bud Dupree at outside linebacker. And at least one outlet seems to think that...

Remember when the Steelers had cornerback depth? I know, it was a long time ago. Like, December. How ‘bout before then? Go ahead and test your memories. I’ll wait. The Steelers entered 2020 with a starting cornerback tandem that was caked with accolades. Last season wasn’t as good as 2019....

Friday’s “First Call” looks at JuJu Smith-Schuster twisting in the free-agent breeze. More details about a likely Week 17 game. And a former Steelers fan (not-so) favorite gets a nice, new contract. Also, we glance at a wild NHL game out west and the odds of some hardware for Marc-Andre...

New Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke was working on St. Patrick’s Day, something the Irishman hates to do. “My whole career I refused to work on St. Patrick’s Day,” Burke told Josh Getzoff of 105.9 The X on Wednesday. “I usually go to Mass in the morning. Then...

For weeks, Penguins fans eagerly anticipated the team’s first crack at the lowly Buffalo Sabres. Just about everybody else in the East Division had a chance to beat up on them. And the Penguins needed their turn. Well, they got it, and the Pens went two-for-two late last week, beating...