Tim Benz stories, Page 17
First Call: Minkah Fitzpatrick’s new money; Kenny Pickett’s injury; a twist on Mitch Keller trade rumors
Monday’s “First Call” features some new money up front for former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. We look at Kenny Pickett’s hamstring injury in Cleveland. There is a new layer to the Mitch Keller trade rumors, and we examine the Pirates’ road trip out west. Pickett’s problem It doesn’t sound...
Tim Benz: Sparkling Sunday from Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz shines light on Ben Cherington
There was some irony to the Pittsburgh Pirates hosting Peanuts Night on Saturday. After all, most of the episodes of Peanuts that involved baseball featured Charlie Brown getting knocked off the mound by line drives, Snoopy being traded for five random prospects, and it rained a lot. Not to mention,...
Madden Monday: ‘At what point are (the Pirates) going to keep their good players?’
As Thursday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline looms, starting pitcher Mitch Keller and closer David Bednar appear to be the Pittsburgh Pirates who would most likely bring a decent return. Keller has a 3.53 ERA. His 15 quality starts are tied for first in the National League. His 125 innings...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers is the X-factor in meeting his own ‘expectations’ with Steelers
During his first training camp interview as a Steeler, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was asked if he had expectations for himself and the team. “I do, yes,” Rogers flatly replied. And they might be? “I’m not telling you,” Rodgers quipped back. Conversely, Steelers general manager Omar Khan didn’t feel the need...
First Call: Mike Tomlin’s early praise for Kaleb Johnson; potential trades for Mitch Keller, David Bednar
Friday’s “First Call” has potential trade destinations for two former Pirates All-Stars. A Steelers rookie turned some heads on Day 1 of training camp. We preview the Pirates’ weekend series against Arizona. And we check in on Russell Wilson’s start in New York. Good start Mike Tomlin isn’t one to...
Steelers defense pledges to create new ways for T.J. Watt, rest of the pass rush to create havoc
A lot is being made of the first 11-on-11 play of the Steelers’ 2025 training camp: Aaron Rodgers intercepted by Patrick Queen on a throw intended for DK Metcalf. Of course that was going to get some buzz. I was kinda intrigued by the third play, though. T.J. Watt was...
First Call: Juan Thornhill pushes back at Cleveland’s portrayal of his skills; viral video of funny Browns photo op goofVideo
A new Pittsburgh Steeler is still unhappy about how he was portrayed in Cleveland. The Browns had an unfortunate viral moment. Another Steeler is in the NFL’s Top 100. And a former Steelers first-round pick may have just suffered a season-ending injury. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.” Not over...
Pat McAfee issues on-air apology to Ole Miss student after spreading false internet rumor
ESPN’s Pat McAfee apologized to a University of Mississippi student Wednesday after he advanced a viral story about the woman’s sex life during an episode of his show in February. The rumor turned out to be untrue. The 19-year-old and her family ended up posting a response to the internet...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, T.J. Watt say a lot without saying it allVideo
Steelers general manager Omar Khan hasn’t spoken to the Pittsburgh media since the team traded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys back in May. There’s been a lot to catch up on since then. “We signed Aaron Rodgers, and (I) can’t wait for the fans to get to know him....
U mad, bro?: Fans go off about T.J. Watt’s contract, Paul Skenes’ lack of run support, Bob Nutting’s ineptitude
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ season is essentially over because Steelers training camp has started. But that doesn’t mean Pirates fans can’t fire a few parting shots on their way off to irrelevance. Even after sweeping the Tigers. Also, some readers are already in training camp mode, getting their Steelers dander up...
First Call: George Pickens ‘excited to run better plays’ in Dallas; T.J. Watt on playoff failures being ‘attached to my name’Video
Wednesday’s “First Call” has an interesting quote from former Pittsburgh Steeler George Pickens in Dallas. T.J. Watt speaks in advance of training camp after making his new contract official. And the UFL is going through major changes. Tough to misinterpret George Pickens said something Tuesday that I’m sure will get...
Tim Benz: Going position by position to see if the Steelers will be better in 2025
As the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers report to training camp Wednesday, my preliminary belief is they won’t surpass last year’s record of 10-7. In fact, my initial prediction is that they’ll probably be 9-8, and this may even end up being the year they finish with a losing record for the...
Tim Benz: For Paul Skenes, playing the ‘stopper’ role means something a little different in Pittsburgh these days
After Paul Skenes’ six innings of shutout pitching Monday, Major League Baseball posted a photo of the Pittsburgh Pirates ace with a note about his 1.38 ERA over his past 13 starts. Whoever it was from MLB’s social media department that put the graphic together, I’m sure they were well-intended....
First Call: Pat McAfee to broadcast from Steelers training camp; what T.J. Watt’s contract may do for an AFC North rival
Tuesday’s “First Call” has broadcast information for Pat McAfee’s show at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. We also provide updates on two former Steelers, and we try to figure out if T.J. Watt’s extension has sparked a dialogue surrounding the contract of an AFC North rival. Falling in line Now that...
Madden Monday: As long as the Pirates have this ownership, ‘nothing can be fixed’
To start the second half of the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates (39-61) were swept at home by the worst team in the American League. The Chicago White Sox (35-65) won all three games at PNC Park over the weekend by a combined score of 27-7. Here are some numbers to...
After a weekend’s worth of talk, cleaning up some leftovers from T.J. Watt’s new contract
After a weekend’s worth of discussion, analysis and social media chatter surrounding T.J. Watt’s new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, let’s address some of the bigger talking points. And let’s advance some different topics that should be investigated a little bit more. • After T.J. Watt signed his new $123...
Tim Benz: For 2025 Steelers, development of young core outweighs importance of veteran additions
For those who are hopeful about the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers ending the franchise’s current playoff-win drought at eight seasons, much of that optimism is centered around new components on the team. Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Kaleb Johnson have been added on offense. Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Brandin...
First Call: Ex-Steeler WR Mike Williams retires; Rowdy Tellez back in MLB
Friday’s “First Call” has developments surrounding two former Pittsburgh Steelers who joined the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason. Former Pirate Rowdy Tellez is back in the big leagues. And a one-time Pitt Panther is trying to settle his off-the-field court case. Sudden decision After having to start the 2025 season...
As bad as it has been for the Pirates, the Chicago White Sox are forsaken
It’s bad being the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s worse being the Chicago White Sox. Yes, Yinzers, there are baseball fan bases that are dealing with tougher times than you. Well, a few anyway. The Colorado Rockies are 22-74. By comparison, the Pirates (39-58) have 17 more wins than the Rockies. Did...
Tim Benz: We’ve seen T.J. Watt win contract negotiations. Now let’s see him win a playoff game
T.J. Watt won in his contract negotiation with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also won in his battle to surpass at least some of Myles Garrett’s financial terms in Cleveland. Great. Now go win a playoff game. Yeah, yeah. I know. Playoff records are team results, not individual stats assigned to...
Tim Benz: With the Pirates, we’ll see Adam Frazier again — or at least someone that looks just like him
What do you think the Pittsburgh Pirates will get for Adam Frazier when they trade him a third time? We all know he’s coming back again after being dealt to Kansas City on Wednesday, right? I mean, he’s got the potential to be the Pirates version of what Mark Recchi...
First Call: Surprising Steeler makes NFL Top 100 list; update on Najee Harris fireworks injury
Thursday’s “First Call” has a surprising entry from the Pittsburgh Steelers on the NFL Top 100 list. Cam Heyward comments on T.J. Watt’s contractual situation. We have an update on Najee Harris’ injured eye. And there are long odds facing the U.S. Open champion from Oakmont at this week’s Open...
U mad, bro?: Midsummer cynicism from Pirates fans, preseason sass from Steelers fans
This is the slowest week in sports. The NFL hasn’t started training camps yet. It’s All-Star break time for Major League Baseball. The NHL and NBA are in an offseason lull. You’d think that would lead to a lull in angst from Pittsburgh sports fans too. You’d be wrong. Here’s...
Penn State hockey coach discusses the responsibility, attention that goes with guiding Gavin McKenna
Men’s hockey coach Guy Gadowsky and his staff got NHL uber-prospect Gavin McKenna to commit to Penn State. Now, Gadowsky has to coach him up. Or does he? 17-year-old hockey phenom Gavin McKenna is heading to Penn State to continue his career ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/qrxxfILu9P— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 8, 2025 The...
Tim Benz: Mario Lemieux can’t be the Penguins’ savior this time, even if he does reacquire the franchise
Mario Lemieux doesn’t need to save the Pittsburgh Penguins this time. That’ll make his possible return to the franchise different from his previous reincarnations with the team. But, oddly, this one could be just as difficult. If Lemieux, Ron Burkle and David Morehouse eventually reacquire the organization (as reports from...
