Tim Benz stories, Page 143
Even if Titans’ game is delayed, Sunday could still be impactful for Steelers
Even if their game against the Tennessee Titans is rescheduled because of coronavirus concerns, there are lots of key AFC games Sunday with direct implications for the Steelers. With or without the local team in action, it’s going to be an NFL-viewing buffet. If they do move the Steelers’ 1...
First Call: T.J. Watt’s historic pace, John Harbaugh not happy after K.C. loss, Gerrit Cole in playoff form
Wednesday’s “First Call” puts T.J. Watt’s hot start in a statistical perspective. John Harbaugh doesn’t have answers for his team’s defeat versus the Kansas Chiefs. Gerrit Cole is off to a hot start in the playoffs. And some unbelievable numbers about sports gambling. What’s Watt? How good has T.J. Watt...
Tim Benz: Covid-19 infection may not be Titans’ fault, but it’s also not the Steelers’ problem
Unless we find evidence to the contrary, Steelers fans shouldn’t blame the Tennessee Titans for being the first NFL team to become a covid-19 hotspot. Even if that news results in Sunday’s game between the clubs getting postponed or forfeited. At least three players and five others within the Titans...
How can Penguins replace Patric Hornqvist? Will they even bother trying?
The 2019-20 NHL season is over. Thanks to coronavirus, it only took 11 months. But the Tampa Bay Lightning finally pulled the curtain on the campaign by winning Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final 2-0 over the Dallas Stars. For me, that makes the bubble exercise a bit more...
First Call: Troy Polamalu thanks Steelers franchise, Titans have covid-19 concern
Maybe Troy Polamalu is starting to get sentimental about his Steelers days. The Tennessee Titans have a covid-19 concern in advance of the Steelers visit to Nashville. And a WPIAL star had a premonition about his big play with the New England Patriots. All that and more in Tuesday’s “First...
Tim Benz: Alejandro Villanueva not thinking about future, but Steelers may have to
Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva addressed Pittsburgh media members for the first time since the highly publicized “helmet tape incident” at MetLife Stadium during the season-opening win against the New York Giants. One has to wonder how many more times Villanueva will speak publicly as a member of the Steelers. Not...
First Call: Steelers are 3-0. Their opponents are 0-9. But who have other AFC favorites beaten so far?
If you are a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, you can’t complain about being 3-0. However, you can point out that all three of their opponents are 0-3. You can. You don’t have to. But you can. If you do that, though, make sure you point out how the other...
Madden Monday: ‘There is no trade to be made to fix the Penguins.’ Steelers surprise star.
It’s the day after a Steelers home game, so, obviously, Mark Madden and I are talking about their 28-21 win over the Houston Texans to begin our “Madden Monday” podcast. But we dive deep into the Penguins and Pirates as well. There were lots of standouts for the Steelers on...
Tim Benz: Steelers defensive turnaround keys ‘Airing of Grievances/Feats of Strength’ after comeback over Houston
I think we’ve all gotten used to this “Tale of Two Halves” story with the Steelers offense over the first two weeks of the 2020 season. And it worked to the tune of victories over the New York Giants and Denver Broncos. In Week 1, the offense was sputtering for...
First Call: Florida media spin on Patric Hornqvist trade, Steelers Chase Claypool booming in Canada
Friday’s “First Call” gives us a fond farewell for Pittsburgh Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist after the team traded him to the Florida Panthers. The media down in Miami have some thoughts, too. And Steelers rookie Chase Claypool is becoming a star in his home country. Praise for Patric On Thursday,...
Against Texans, Steelers rush defense wants to replicate Week 1 wall
The Steelers unleashed an all-out assault on the New York Giants’ running game in Week 1. They attacked the line of scrimmage with seven and eight men at a time. They charged upfield and crashed in from the edges. And it worked. New York left with a 26-16 loss and...
‘U mad, bro?’: Fans hate the return for Patric Hornqvist, Mike Tomlin’s replay challenges
I took a random day off Thursday. Needed a day to clear the mind and come up for air, ya know? So “U mad, bro?” was pushed back a day. Woof! Nothing like erasing the mental health benefits of 24 hours off like opening your email and social media after...
First Call: Pirates may ‘earn’ MLB top draft choice; NFL mask fines; former Penguins are NHL buyout targets
Wednesday’s “First Call” shows us that the Pirates may be in line for Kumar Rocker atop the MLB draft after all. We try to figure out when the NBA and NHL may restart for next season. And the NFL keeps handing out mask fines for coaches. Ready to Rock? ESPN’s...
Texans coping with DeAndre Hopkins’ absence same way Steelers are moving on from Antonio Brown
This team had a generational talent at wide receiver who was suddenly traded during the offseason. Now that franchise is trying to figure out if any of the other receivers on the roster are capable of being a legit No.1 target. No, I’m not flashing back to the 2019 Pittsburgh...
Kordell Stewart on Steelers days: ‘Nothing to put my head down about … I’d do it exactly the same way’
Few athletes had as volatile of an existence in Pittsburgh as former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart. Wild popularity and praise upon his arrival. To scorn, criticism and failure. Then a renaissance. Then he was discarded for Tommy Maddox. Now he’s perhaps better understood nearly two decades after his departure at...
First Call: Mike Tomlin can improve some history; NFL fines coaches for ignoring masks; Saquon Barkley checks in
Tuesday’s “First Call” dares to dream big about a Steelers fast start. We also check in on injured Penn State great Saquon Barkley. J.J. Watt identifies a problem for his Houston Texans coming to Heinz Field. And NFL coaches are paying the price if they don’t mask up. Say that...
What are the Penguins doing with Jared McCann?
It feels as if the Penguins’ extension of Jared McCann’s contract has created more questions than answers. But why stop now? That’s been a theme throughout the offseason for general manager Jim Rutherford. For a team he suggested needed changes, the Pens GM sure is going a long way toward...
Tim Benz: Blaming rash of NFL injuries on canceled preseason is way off
The Steelers offensive line is already chewed up. But don’t shed a tear for the Black and Gold. Yet. A lot of NFL teams have been bitten much harder by the injury bug. Sunday’s Week 2 led to outright fantasy league carnage. New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley...
First Call: Steeler rips refs; former Steeler helps Ravens; WPIAL star shines for Patriots
Monday’s “First Call” starts with a certain Steeler who isn’t happy with the referees. J.J. Watt isn’t happy with a certain teammate. A WPIAL standout shines in the NFL. And a former Steeler is helping the Ravens — again. Zebras get a zero Steelers linebacker Vince Williams took to Twitter...
Mark Madden, Tim Benz: Limited fans should be allowed at Heinz Field games
Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Pitt fans. I know you enjoy doing that. But I’m not here to offend. I’m not here to make the all-too-easy jokes about attendance at Heinz Field for Panthers football games. “How would Pitt players know the difference if fans were in the...
Tim Benz: ‘Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances’ after Steelers barely hang on to beat Broncos
Steelers fans weren’t allowed in the stands at Heinz Field on Sunday. Yet, somehow, I could sense 68,000 Pittsburghers simultaneously tensing up during the second half against the Denver Broncos. In my mind’s eye, I could see the Terrible Towels being thrown to the ground. I could hear the screams...
Can the Steelers reboot the same defensive assault on Denver they unleashed on New York?
On Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense overwhelmed the New York Giants offense en route to a 26-16 victory. Along the way, the defense held New York star running back Saquon Barkley to just six yards on 15 carries. So what does that mean for this Sunday’s game at Heinz...
Tim Benz: Continuity helped Steelers, other AFC favorites in Week 1. Expect the same in Week 2.
When it came to offseason NFL coverage, one drum was consistently pounded as a major positive for the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into this odd 2020 campaign. Cohesion on the coaching staff and roster. Simply having more talent than a lot of other teams doesn’t hurt either. However, getting that talent...
First Call: Hornqvist, Kessel, Saad all salary ‘trade bait’? Hall of Fame voter’s strong endorsement of Bill Nunn
Friday’s “First Call” gives us a ringing endorsement of Steelers scout Bill Nunn and his posthumous chances of becoming a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Another Hall of Fame honor was bestowed during “Thursday Night Football.” Maurkice Pouncey’s twin brother needs surgery. And Saquon Barkley is responding to some criticism....
First Call: Steelers-‘MNF’ ratings tank. O.J. Simpson defends Saquon Barkley. Terry Bradshaw’s new TV show.
The Steelers. Plus, a New York audience. That should jolt “Monday Night Football” ratings to open the season! Guess again, ESPN. That’s how we start Thursday’s “First Call.” We also see how O.J. Simpson is supporting Saquon Barkley. And we preview Terry Bradshaw’s new television show. Where’s the remote? A...
