Tim Benz stories, Page 31
While Mike Tomlin downplays return with Ravens, Diontae Johnson is ready for any increased snaps against Steelers
Former Steeler Diontae Johnson is coming back to Pittsburgh this Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens. And the veteran wide receiver knows it is going to be a little bit awkward getting around Acrisure Stadium. “Just being back in that stadium where it all started, it’s going to be different,” Johnson...
Tim Benz: Turns out the NFL may have done the Steelers a favor with their back-loaded schedule
When the NFL schedule was released in May, we all wondered what state the Pittsburgh Steelers would be in by the time the crucial AFC North games finally started in Week 11. “I’ll play (the divisional games) whenever they schedule us,” head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. “We’ve got no...
Tim Benz: Penguins can’t explain away ‘humbling’ 7-1 beatdown
Wanna know how bad the Pittsburgh Penguins were Monday night against the Dallas Stars? They allowed Dallas’ hockey team to outscore Dallas’ football team. Your final score Sunday: Philadelphia Eagles 34, Dallas Cowboys 6. Your final score Monday: Dallas Stars 7, Pittsburgh Penguins 1. The Stars showed good sportsmanship and...
First Call: Diontae Johnson to ‘ramp up’ participation for Ravens vs. Steelers; Bengals miss on veteran additions
Tuesday’s “First Call” has lots of news out of Baltimore as the Ravens (7-3) prepare to battle the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2). The Cincinnati Bengals swung and missed on a pair of veteran free agents. And the Duquesne football team is riding high with more in-season honors. Hey, hey, Diontae! We...
New Steelers WR Mike Williams has a dart for ex-Jets teammate Aaron Rodgers
Before wide receiver Mike Williams became a Pittsburgh Steeler, he was a New York Jet. After a loss to Buffalo earlier this season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was critical of Williams for not running a proper “red line” (the center track of an outside deep pattern) route late in the game....
First Call: Commanders lament pivotal plays against Steelers; Kenny Pickett enters game for EaglesVideo
A pair of Washington Commanders are facing the music after some plays didn’t go their way in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Kenny Pickett closes out a win for the Eagles. Things aren’t too great in Dallas with the way the Cowboys are playing lately. Meanwhile, Dallas’...
Madden Monday: Debating Zach Ertz’s catch, Steelers’ fake punt, T.J. Watt’s holding calls, Jaylen Warren’s fumbleVideo
There were so many calls, decisions and moments to digest from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday that no two people were going to agree on all of them. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I certainly did not. For instance, I...
Feats of Strength: George Pickens, Russell Wilson, new additions come up huge as Steelers edge Commanders
It was a wild scene in Washington, D.C. Western Pennsylvania was very much in the spotlight. Lots of emotional swings. Plenty of ups and downs. A big comeback. Quite a few surprises. And I’m just talking about Tuesday during Election Day. They hadn’t even gotten to the football game between...
Tim Benz: If you didn’t like Erik Karlsson’s performance in Carolina, you’re going to hate his own analysis of itVideo
The only thing worse than the performance of Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson on Thursday night was his own assessment of it. The Penguins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1. He was held without a point, was a minus-3, and was the only defenseman on the team who failed to register...
First Call: Paul Skenes, Livvy Dunne to appear on ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’; key Ravens injury before Steelers gameVideo
Friday’s “First Call” features some fun for Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes. The Ravens may have lost a key player in advance of their game against the Steelers next week. Najee Harris shares his thoughts on Saquon Barkley’s jaw-dropping highlight last week. We look at bounceback opportunities for Pitt and...
Football Footnotes: Beyond trying to slow Jayden Daniels, here are 5 other matchups to watch during Steelers-Commanders
Without a doubt, Sunday’s feature matchup during the Steelers-Commanders game is going to be how the Pittsburgh defense handles Washington rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. The first-year quarterback has a passer rating of 106.7 — the fifth-best in the NFL. His 71.5% completion percentage is third-best. That said, the Steelers have...
Duquesne refuses to use lack of continuity as an early season excuseVideo
There were a few obvious on-court reasons why Duquesne lost its home opener to Lipscomb on Monday night 77-72. • The Dukes missed nine free throws that could have made a difference, and 14 3-point attempts, going 6 for 20 beyond the arc. • They struggled to convert some open...
First Call: Mike Williams heard calls from Steelers fans; Commanders’ plan to balance Terrible Towels in D.C.
New Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Williams talks about his recent exposure to Acrisure Stadium. We get some background on Diontae Johnson’s trade to Baltimore from Carolina’s perspective. The Washington Commanders have a plan to counterbalance a potential influx of Steelers fans populating their stadium on Sunday. And the Penguins are running...
U mad, bro?: Fans unload on plodding Penguins and Steelers’ trade deadline coverage
In terms of crafting “U mad, bro?” for this week, I’m in the wrong line of work. If I was a political reporter, I’m sure my social media mentions and emails would be overflowing with rage and anger in the wake of the election. But for the purposes of this...
First Call: Why the Packers gave Preston Smith to Pittsburgh; roster adjustments after Steelers’ trades
There’s some residue to sort through on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster after their two trade deadline pickups. We try to find answers as to why the Packers were so willing to part ways with Preston Smith. There are injury issues to watch in Baltimore and Cincinnati. And the Ravens are...
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers says Mike Williams ‘will be good in that locker room’ after trade to SteelersVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired New York Jets receiver Mike Williams on Tuesday afternoon. It’s believed that part of the reason Williams was made available — or that Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers pushed so hard to acquire Las Vegas receiver Davante Adams — was that Rodgers wasn’t wild about Williams as...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ deadline acquisition of WR Mike Williams fits the mood of Election Day
It’s fitting that the NFL trade deadline is on Election Day. I felt the same way leaving my local polling branch as I did when I saw who the Steelers were looking at to address their need at wide receiver. Underwhelmed by the choices and unfulfilled by the process. I’ll...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ defense must live up to its reputation against gauntlet of opponents after the bye
At the halfway point of the NFL season, there’s a lot to like about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense. As of Monday morning, coach Mike Tomlin’s team ranked second in points allowed per game (14.6). With 15 takeaways, only the Packers (19), Vikings (17) and Lions (16) had more. The team...
First Call: Notes from the AFC North; Washington stays hot; Mason Rudolph wins; James Conner shines
Monday’s “First Call” recaps Sunday’s AFC North results as the Pittsburgh Steelers rested during their bye. The next opponent for Mike Tomlin’s team is the Washington Commanders. They continued to impress with another win. Pitt product and former Steeler James Conner had a big day for the Arizona Cardinals. Mason...
Madden Monday: Hidden value, positive fallout from decision to put Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin on same line
Necessity may have been the mother of invention when it comes to Mike Sullivan’s recent decision to pair Sidney Crosby on the same line with Evgeni Malkin. For the immediate future, though, it appears that mother knows best. In the three games since the Penguins (5-7-1) moved Malkin from center...
Tim Benz: Donte Jackson, fellow Steelers embrace Diontae Johnson’s return to AFC North in Baltimore
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Diontae Johnson saw only 13 snaps in his Baltimore Ravens debut and wasn’t targeted on the day. That was the plan heading into Baltimore’s Week 9 game against the Denver Broncos, a contest the Ravens (6-3) won 41-10. The Ravens coaching staff wanted to get Johnson up...
First Call: Diontae Johnson discusses facing the Steelers soon; Juan Soto says he’ll listen to ‘all 30’ MLB teams
Friday’s “First Call” features former Pittsburgh Steeler Diontae Johnson speaking about his return to the AFC North. Juan Soto insists he’ll listen to free-agent offers from every Major League Baseball team. Presumably, that includes … the Pirates? The Penguins hope to finally gain traction with a second straight win Saturday....
Football Footnotes: Our annual bye week ‘No Steelers, no problem’ editionVideo
With the Pittsburgh Steelers off this week, it’s our annual “No Steelers, no problem” bye week edition of “Football Footnotes.” Here’s everything you need to know about the games that will impact the Steelers this week while the Black and Gold are idle. • The Steelers’ next game is in...
First Call: Mike Sullivan discusses Tristan Jarry; Zach Frazier thinks he’ll ‘be ready’ after bye
Thursday’s “First Call” features a message from Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan to struggling goalie Tristan Jarry. Zach Frazier and Nick Herbig discuss their health. Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith tells the story of how the team decided to bring back Corliss Waitman. And there were some Pirates ties...
Tim Benz: Cam Sutton will add to Steelers defense, but don’t subtract too much Beanie Bishop from the equationVideo
Steelers defensive back Cameron Sutton is eligible to return from his eight-game suspension in Week 10 when the Steelers return from their bye. That doesn’t mean defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is in a hurry to rip the slot cornerback job away from Beanie Bishop and simply hand it to Sutton...
