Tim Benz stories, Page 130
For Najee Harris, there’s only one Steelers RB to emulate for rookie 1st-round success
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice Najee Harris will be following in the footsteps of many Pro Bowl running backs in franchise history. Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, Le’Veon Bell and John Henry Johnson. Just to name a few. Willie Parker, Barry Foster and Dick Hoak to name a few more. But...
First Call: Steelers’ selection of Quincy Roche getting some national praise; Andrew McCutchen heating up; Pitt hoops news
Monday’s “First Call” features some optimism for a late-round Steelers draft choice. Also, a tough recruiting loss for Pitt basketball, and a look at the Pirates’ upcoming series at PNC Park. Plus, former Pirate Andrew McCutchen is starting to get things right at home plate. Sure would be nice On...
Football Footnotes: Latest interview shows JuJu Smith-Schuster still doesn’t grasp mistake of ‘Browns is the Browns’ quote
With the draft over and training camp still a few months away, we are in a down cycle for news surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL. But since the league is the Goliath that it is — and with the Steelers’ constant ability to find their way into headlines...
Madden Monday: Biggest reason to restrain your optimism about Penguins before playoffs start
The Pittsburgh Penguins have clinched the NHL’s East Division. The regular season has been better than any Penguins fan ever had a right to expect. But what does any of it mean if the franchise fails to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs for a third straight year?...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s admission about free agency; Marc-Andre Fleury now 3rd all-time in wins; Rangers-Caps brawl
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster opens up about free agency. Steelers rookies are getting rated for upcoming fantasy football drafts. The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers lived down to expectations Wednesday night. And former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury jumps another notch on that all-time NHL...
Tim Benz: Penguins host Sabres, Wexford’s Michael Houser. And it’s a story the NHL needs right now
Wexford’s Michael Houser will make his return to Pittsburgh as a Buffalo Sabres goalie for a set of games against the Penguins Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. If any league could use a story like this at this time, it’s the NHL. After a week that put the ugly side...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are fired up about Steelers draft. ‘More linemen! Why take a running back? And … a punter?’
The NFL Draft has Pittsburgh Steelers fans in a tizzy. Why did the team take a running back in the first round? Should they have taken more linemen earlier in the draft? Was their judgment clouded by some Steelers who stayed in free agency? And, good God, what was with...
First Call: Steelers projected to get 3rd-round compensatory pick for Bud Dupree; Rangers rip NHL over Tom Wilson decision
The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a sense of their 2022 draft compensation for losing Bud Dupree in free agency. And the franchise is finally getting some national praise for their 2021 draft class from a national outlet. In the NHL, the New York Rangers are irate over the lack of...
Tim Benz: One thing is clear for 2021 Steelers: T.J. Watt is never allowed to get hurt
With the NFL Draft in the books and the first wave of free agency completed, one thing has become abundantly clear for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. T.J. Watt is not allowed to get hurt. Ever. Not a pulled calf. Not a jammed finger. Not a bee sting. Not a hangnail....
Steelers legend Jerome Bettis offers prediction about Ben Roethlisberger’s future, endorses drafting of Najee Harris
It should be no surprise that Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis is endorsing the franchise’s 2021 first-round draft pick, fellow running back Najee Jerome Harris (Alabama). Yup. He’s got a “Jerome” and a “Harris” in his name. That’s a pretty decent way to get off to a good start...
First Call: Super Bowl odds after Steelers draft Najee Harris; Tom Wilson is at it again
Oddsmakers don’t seem impressed with the Steelers drafting Najee Harris. Tom Wilson is up to his old tricks. And a pair of happy goaltending debuts with Pittsburgh ties. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Did Najee move the number? BetOnline.ag released its Super Bowl odds after the NFL Draft. How...
How a 2nd-day pick could influence the entire Steelers draft
It would be a real stretch to say that third-round draft choice Kendrick Green is the most important member of the 2021 Steelers class. Yeah, I might pull a muscle extending myself to make that argument. Unless a team takes a starting quarterback somewhere on Day 2, the first-round pick...
Tim Benz: A history lesson for those doubting the Steelers’ 2021 draft class
In Monday’s “First Call,” I pointed out that ESPN’s Mel Kiper gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a C+ for their 2021 draft class. Based on the visceral reaction I saw to that story in my email inbox and on my Twitter feed, the good folks of “Stiller Nation” have a —...
First Call: ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gives Steelers lowest NFL draft grade; Kendrick Green’s focus already on starting center job
Monday’s “First Call” has a negative review of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ performance during NFL Draft weekend. One Steelers pick already has big goals. The Penguins have a chance to pour some salt in the wounds of a hated rival. And we check in on an ex-Pirate as the Bucs get...
Tim Benz: After Najee Harris, Steelers’ draft choices are more about future than present
I’m a fan of the new Pittsburgh Steelers draft class, even if I’m a bit confused by it. Because what I like about it in 2021, I’ll love about it in 2022. Which is good. Drafts are about building a foundation for the future. The problem is that the franchise...
Madden Monday: Ben Roethlisberger ‘just needs to play quarterback and shut up’
One interesting angle to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft is what will happen at center. The Steelers drafted Kendrick Green out of Illinois in the third round. He’s a converted guard. But the Steelers think he has a high upside. It’s just unclear if he is ready enough to be an...
Tim Benz: Steelers addressed many needs in the NFL Draft. Here are some that remain
Annually, this is my favorite Pittsburgh Steelers column to write. It’s my favorite column because, based on your responses, it’s your least favorite column to read. But the numbers tell me you always end up reading it anyway. After all, following the NFL Draft each year, every team’s fan base...
Tim Benz: What’s not to like about Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth pick, other than he’s not a lineman?
I can hear the calls from the capacity crowd of Steelers fans at Heinz Field already. Well, assuming capacity crowds are allowed back in the fall. “MUUUUUUTH!” Eh, who am I kidding? They’ll still be yelling, “HEEEAAATTTH!” I’ve got little to complain about when it comes to Steelers second-round draft...
How long can the Pirates sustain their competitive start? Here are 3 angles to consider
I can’t think of any Pirates fan — or Pittsburgh media member (this one included) — who thought this edition of the team could be at .500 by the end of April. For a team expected to lose at least 100 games, going 12-12 to begin 2021 is applause-worthy for...
Tim Benz: Steelers got the best player at their biggest position of need. That’s enough ‘value’ for me.
During Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers got the player most analysts feel is the best player at their biggest position of need. All the way down at pick No. 24. It was a good night. Let’s not “yeah, but” ourselves to death on this one....
First Call: Ex-NFL star heard ‘rumblings’ of Steelers’ interest in Aaron Rodgers; Devils mock Flyers elimination
The Pittsburgh Steelers were dragged into the pre-draft Aaron Rodgers drama in Green Bay. Guess who did the dragging! It was a fun night for Penguins fans on multiple levels. The Pirates are getting their first look at the St. Louis Cardinals. And an interesting story from the Duquesne basketball...
First Call: Brian Burke says Evgeni Malkin ‘cleared medically’ for trip; oddsmakers have Najee Harris on board for Steelers
If you believe the NFL Network reports, most people around the NFL think the Pittsburgh Steelers will select Alabama running back Najee Harris in the first round of the NFL Draft. And the oddsmakers think he’ll still be on the board to make that happen. One report says the Steelers...
Penguins face crucial 2-game set in Washington, depending on how you define ‘crucial’
The Penguins are in Washington Thursday and Saturday for a crucial two-game series against the Washington Capitals. Well, that depends on how “crucial” we should consider winning the East Division. What might be more important is who finishes fourth rather than first. That probably sounds entirely backward to you but...
Tim Benz: Forget anti-running back bias, Steelers should take Najee Harris or Travis Etienne if they are available
Let’s not overthink the Pittsburgh Steelers draft situation. I know the NFL analytics world — and many draft analysts — frown on the notion of drafting a first-round running back. Almost as much as they turn their noses up at the prospect of paying top dollar for one in free...
First Call: A team that may draft Najee Harris before Steelers pick; Alex Ovechkin sidelined; Josh Bell struggles
Wednesday’s “First Call” clues us in on a team that may steal Najee Harris in the first round of the NFL Draft before the Pittsburgh Steelers get a chance to pick him. Steelers Hall of Famer Alan Faneca throws his support behind a potential top-5 draft choice for a very...
