Tim Benz stories, Page 129
First Call: Steelers’ Devin Bush uses some furry friends to help his ACL rehab; ex-Penguins get Capitals back atop East
In Monday’s “First Call,” Steelers linebacker Devin Bush has some interesting rehab partners helping him on his way back from a knee injury. Former Penguins are aiding the cause of the Washington Capitals. We look at the recent past and potential future of the Pirates pitching staff. Plus, a little...
Tim Benz: In a strange way, a near defeat may actually heighten Gonzaga’s legacy
That Gonzaga-UCLA Final Four game Saturday was the sporting event this country needed. I mean, when was the last time everybody in America on Twitter agreed that something was good? Well, aside from FS1’s Skip Bayless. Generally speaking, though, if he doesn’t like something that’s all the more proof of...
First Call: Steelers interested in ‘brawler’ of a tackle; A.B. pricing himself out of Tampa? Ex-Pirates shine in Rays’ opener
The Pittsburgh Steelers have their eyes on an interesting tackle prospect. Antonio Brown may be bargaining himself out of Tampa. Money is starting to come in on the red-hot Penguins. Ex-Pirates shine in Tampa Bay’s season opener. Gerrit Cole has a choppy 2021 debut for the Yankees. And we share...
Tim Benz: The harder you look to disqualify Gonzaga as an all-time great, the more you see it belongs
For as many upsets as there were through the first two rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, a lot of chalk made its way into the Final Four. Two top seeds (Gonzaga and Baylor) and a No. 2 seed (Houston) make up three of the Final Four teams, with...
Opening Day Feats of Strength: Pirates did a lot right against Cubs, and managed to avoid what could’ve gone wrong
After that Opening Day victory in Chicago, I suppose I’ll have to adjust my predicted win total for the 2021 Pittsburgh Pirates. All the way up to 58 or 59. My minimal expectations for this club aside, Opening Day is always looked upon as its own entity anyway. Almost as...
Ron Hextall provides update on Tristan Jarry, goals for Penguins before trade deadline
During his 105.9 The X radio show Wednesday night, Penguins general manager Ron Hextall provided an update on injured goaltender Tristan Jarry. He also got very specific about the goals for the team as the trade deadline nears. On the goalie front, Hextall praised the work of both Jarry and...
First Call: Former WVU star visits Steelers; Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert at Notre Dame’s Pro Day; Sabres finally win
The Steelers may try to snag a defensive free agent away from the Cleveland Browns. They are also looking at some draft prospects from Notre Dame and North Carolina. Postseason odds are getting even longer for the Pirates. Plus, the Buffalo Sabres’ losing streak is finally over. And guess who...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans snarl about Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt hoops, the Pirates and our coverage of it allVideo
This is stunning. I went a whole week with no negative feedback from Steelers or Penguins fans. Nary a complaint from a reader about the Pirates. Not one angry tweet about Pitt. Not a single Facebook post lashing back at one of my columns. It was amazing. Ha! Gotcha! Happy...
Penguins could finally snap skid in Boston by taking a page from Bruins’ playbook
Leave it to the Boston Bruins to figure out a few things right before the Penguins come to town. The Penguins haven’t won in Massachusetts since 2015. They are on a 10-game losing streak in the Bay State. Prior to Tuesday night, the Bruins seemed ripe for the picking. And...
First Call: Steelers in touch with another NFL draft QB prospect; East Division update; Duquesne hoops transfer
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...
Tim Benz: Holes created in free agency leave plenty of options for Steelers in NFL draft
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...
Not so ‘Great Expectations’: Pirates balancing development process and final result as Opening Day nears
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...
First Call: Sam Darnold trade idea tied to Steelers; Ex-Pirates bust tries a comeback; Sabres lose 18th in a row to Philly
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...
Tim Benz: Robert Spillane, Cameron Sutton absorbing different tasks as they move up Steelers’ depth chart
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...
First Call: New questions about Ben Roethlisberger’s weight; Penguins player roasts Philadelphia
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...
Madden Monday: Steelers over .500 streak in 17-game season? ‘They’ll be begging for a chance at 8-8-1.’
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),...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ offseason turning Pittsburgh into ‘Spin City’
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....
‘Dad’s play’: Beyond Big Ben and Santonio Holmes, meet the man who helped make this play part of Steelers Super Bowl lore
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....
First Call: Penn State prospects have Steelers’ attention; Rangers throttle Flyers again
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...
First Call: Questions about Al Villanueva’s status, Chase Claypool’s discipline, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s knee
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...
How did your March Madness bracket get busted? One coach explains the path to all those upsets
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...
U mad, bro?: Salty Steelers fans. Mad Mike Tomlin critics. Jacked-up JuJu defenders. Chase Claypool’s angry fan club.
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...
First Call: Steelers eyeing corner and tackle draft prospects; Flyers lose again
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....
JuJu Smith-Schuster’s new contract: Was it a good decision? Or just a good deal?
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...
Tim Benz: Biggest hurdle to overcome for Penguins — and every other East Division contender
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...
