Tim Benz stories, Page 139
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin won’t let James Robinson be a surprise for Steelers defense
During his Tuesday press conference, I think Mike Tomlin finally had an appreciation of what it’s like to be a sports talk show host. On light content days, sometimes you’ve got to say a whole lot about not much to fill the time. Hence his glowing monologue about Jacksonville Jaguars...
Duquesne players counting on experience to guide them through tricky season
There’s nothing easy about life for college sports in 2020. Just look at the Pitt and Penn State football teams. Now college basketball is trying to launch amid the coronavirus pandemic. In the case of Duquesne, the pre-conference schedule is still being worked out. The UPMC Chuck Cooper Fieldhouse isn’t...
Tim Benz: Steelers, Chiefs need to avoid AFC ‘middle class’ uprising
Having a strong middle class is usually a good thing. Not if you are the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers or Kansas City Chiefs, though. Elsewhere in life, that’s true. Economics. Politics. Education. You know, less important stuff than the AFC playoff picture. However, there seems to be a rising middle class...
First Call: New reports of an off-field Antonio Brown incident, Steelers won’t get Jaguars starting QB
Former Steeler Antonio Brown is already back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A Baltimore Raven is catching some flak from his own fans. Even less reason for Steelers fans to worry about the Jacksonville Jaguars. And a bus is the reason why coaches of the Kansas City...
First Call: Bengals fans lash out at Bud Dupree, Patriots’ trick play burns Baltimore, Browns gut gamblers
Monday’s “First Call” features some Bengals fans wagging their fingers at Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree after their team lost at Heinz Field. The New England Patriots spring another trick play on the Baltimore Ravens. The Cleveland Browns ruined a bet. And the Jacksonville Jaguars gave the Steelers a few things...
Madden Monday: Can Steelers fans start obsessing about Chiefs the same way they did with Patriots?
It’s time to stop wondering “how” and time to start wondering “how many.” In other words, forget how the Steelers managed to get to 9-0. Now let’s focus on how many in a row they will win before that streak is snapped. It’s time to stop asking “when” and start...
Tim Benz: Big Ben, 3rd down ‘D’, special teams among Steelers ‘Feats of Strength’ during Bengals beatdown
Now that was a 60-minute game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, maybe 50-55 minutes. But close enough as they smoked the Cincinnati Bengals, 36-10, Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field. For perhaps just the second time this season — despite nine wins in nine tries — the undefeated Steelers were better...
First Call: Mike Tomlin reveals plan for Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Sullivan confirms plan for Kasperi Kapanen
What are the Pittsburgh Steelers planning to do with Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday? We find out in Friday’s “First Call.” We also get some Penguins news, a little rumble surrounding the Baltimore Ravens, and some good news for a Penn State/WPIAL alum. Here’s the plan According to Jay Glazer of...
With or without Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers pass rush will be enough to beat Bengals
For the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0), Sunday’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1) appears more dangerous than it did a few weeks ago. • The Steelers looked highly vulnerable scratching past a bad Dallas Cowboys team that is now 2-7. • The Steelers have practiced all week without quarterback...
Tim Benz: We need the Steelers, NFL to stay afloat now more than ever
We see where this is going, don’t we? Chicago is issuing stay-at-home orders. Ohio is imposing tougher statewide mask mandates. Greece is in full lockdown nationwide. In the sports world, college football games all over the map are being canceled or postponed. Pitt is “pausing” its football program’s activities because...
First Call: Mike Tomlin on blocked kick issues; early Bengals trash talk; massive Steelers bet
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us Steelers coach Mike Tomlin explaining his team’s poor blocking on place kicks on Sunday in Dallas. We also get some bad Cincinnati Bengals trash talk and even worse karma. Plus, perhaps the greatest golf shot you’ll ever see. Figure it ‘aht! The Steelers place-kick protection...
Tim Benz: Steelers should’ve played in Dallas without Vance McDonald
Going for a late fourth down during Sunday’s win in Dallas wasn’t the only questionable decision Mike Tomlin made on Sunday. Deciding to take tight end Vance McDonald on the trip is also worthy of second-guessing. Well, IF that’s who we are talking about when it comes to the mysterious...
U mad, bro? Steelers fans hate media criticism of 8-0 team, yet torn on Mike Tomlin
“U mad, bro?” Never mind. I know the answer to that question already. Everybody is mad. All the time. About everything. We just had an election. One side is angry about the result. The other side is angry the result is being disputed. Instead, let’s just talk about something that’ll...
First Call: What? ESPN writer says Ben Roethlisberger ‘hasn’t been hugely important for the Steelers’
Tuesday’s “First Call” got me a little fired up. I have issues with ESPN’s midseason NFL awards, as some Steelers were snubbed. We look at eyebrow-raising numbers about the quarterback the Steelers are facing this weekend. And equally impressive gambling notes for the upcoming game. Also, some props for the...
How a November Masters tournament will be different this week
Explain to me how all of this is going to work for the 2020 Masters. The Champions Dinner via Uber Eats? Will the green jacket still be draped on the winner’s back by last year’s champion? Or will it just be placed on a hanger? Will I be watching while...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ issues in Dallas a reality check. Not a wake-up call. Not a fluke.
Some Steelers fans may be struggling to make sense of what they just watched against the 2-7 Dallas Cowboys. A 24-19 escape in a game that should’ve been a breeze. Hey, these are covid times. Nothing really makes sense. Even the Steelers’ 8-0 start. Think about all of those great...
First Call: Cowboys complain about refs after loss to Steelers; familiar Antonio Brown moment in Tampa debut
Monday’s “First Call” gives us some grousing from the Dallas Cowboys after their loss to the Steelers. The officials made some close calls against them, and they aren’t happy about it. We also check in on the Steelers’ next opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals. We get an update on Cleveland Browns...
Madden Monday: ‘Even at 8-0, I just don’t trust the Steelers. And I certainly do not trust Mike Tomlin.’
The Steelers spent the last two weeks going on the road and beating the Tennessee Titans (5-0) and the Baltimore Ravens (5-1). They did so without playing their best football. In fact, they were pretty lousy for roughly half of both games. So, in a way, that had to make...
Tim Benz: ‘Airing of Grievances’ plenty deep despite ‘Feats of Strength’ as Steelers edge Cowboys
Not gonna lie. I loved that result from the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dallas on Sunday. It was a jagged 24-19 victory over a forlorn Dallas team that sits at 2-7. The Steelers couldn’t have looked much worse in the process. Yet, Mike Tomlin’s team won anyway to improve to 8-0....
Tim Benz: How James Conner is employing tactics to stay ‘combative’ but remain healthy
As Steelers fans read this post about running back James Conner, rest easy. I’m writing it while sitting at a large wooden table. And, yes, I am knocking on it periodically so as to deflect any jinxes about the recent good stretch of Conner’s health. Conner’s career has been one...
First Call: Is Stephon Tuitt still ‘underrated’? A few Cowboys challenges for Steelers. Alex Highsmith shines.
For Friday’s “First Call,” we see some praise for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt. We look at a pair of Dallas Cowboys who could be a pain for the Steelers offense. A Steelers rookie who is getting some recognition. And a rare positive Pittsburgh Pirates memory. Tuitt’s time OK....
Mike McCarthy’s odd QB decision for Steelers game. And why one Cowboys analyst supports it.
The Steelers (7-0) should blow out the Dallas Cowboys (2-6) on Sunday. The Cowboys certainly are no longer “America’s Team.” Unless we are talking about America in 2020. The America that’s been addled by a pandemic, engulfed in social upheaval, ravaged by wildfires, divided by political discord, and immersed in...
First Call: Mike Tomlin’s odds to win NFL Coach of the Year. Antonio Brown’s first Tampa practice and interview clips.
Thursday’s “First Call” goes to Tampa Bay for Antonio Brown’s first practice and first interview as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. One Watt seems unhappy, while another is getting praised for his play. And Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is your new favorite for NFL Coach of the Year. Antonio Brown...
Keith Dambrot discusses Duquesne’s trip into Louisville’s mini-bubble event, LeBron James’ fourth title
On Nov. 5, 2019, the Duquesne Dukes were opening their season with a 94-67 win over Princeton. This year, they are just beginning to figure out their schedule. Hey, at least there is a schedule and there are games to play. That’s a start. With the way things have been...
U mad, bro? Steelers fans think we’re too optimistic, too pessimistic. And they’re mad at John Harbaugh.
For some Steelers fans, being 7-0 and beating the Baltimore Ravens is cause for celebration. For others, it is a certain sign of impending doom. That’s how we start this week’s “U mad, bro?” Then we hear from other Steelers fans who don’t want any criticism of the team at...
