Tim Benz stories, Page 32
U mad, bro?: Fans want Penguins to wake up, suggest moving Erik Karlsson to wing
Here’s my personal “U mad, bro?” submission for this week: I’m mad that Nov. 1 isn’t a national holiday. Kids should get Nov. 1 off so they can stay out late and trick-or-treat under cover of darkness as all the unholy ghosts, witches and goblins intended. Halloween was not meant...
Tim Benz: 6-pack of questions (and some answers) about Steelers heading into byeVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into their bye week at 6-2. In a weird sort of dichotomy, that is exactly where they have to be, but we also don’t have much of a right to expect them to be better than that. Given their offensive line issues, new faces on...
New players see stability at Duquesne despite coaching change, roster makeover
As the Duquesne men’s basketball team approached the 2024-25 season, it sold something to recruits and potential incoming transfers that you wouldn’t have assumed it had. Stability. That’s not a quality one would associate with a team that’s going through a coaching change and a quest to replace three of...
First Call: Beanie Bishop called his game-winning interception; refs tell Steelers OLB he was legal on punt return TD
Tuesday’s “First Call” gives us the predictive powers of Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Beanie Bishop. Jeremiah Moon explains why he didn’t get flagged on Calvin Austin’s punt return. We get a look at the Penguins’ next opponent beyond the return of Marc-Andre Fleury. Plus, we have honors for both Robert Morris...
Feats of Strength: T.J. Watt’s timely turnover, Calvin Austin contributions key to ‘MNF’ victory over GiantsVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers posted a 26-18 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night at Acrisure Stadium. That was on the heels of a 37-15 Sunday night win over the Jets last week. So, now the Steelers no longer need to be in a New York state of mind....
First Call: Justin Fields’ injury may impact Steelers ‘MNF’ game plan; Giants right tackle ready for T.J. Watt; another WR target hurt
Justin Fields’ injury may impact the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game plan Monday night against the New York Giants. The team’s next opponent after the bye is flying high. One of New York’s linemen claims he is ready for the challenge of facing T.J. Watt. Mason Rudolph had a rough outing for...
Madden Monday: ‘In a perfect world, I would not want Karlsson or Jarry to ever play for the Penguins again’
A rare Sunday off for the Pittsburgh Steelers gives us a chance to focus on the Penguins in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. Based on how poorly the team is playing, that’s not a good thing. The Pens are 3-6-1 in the first 10 games of 2024-25. They have lost...
Tim Benz: We crush Steelers’ coaches when things go wrong, let’s credit them for some recent success
When you’re rooting for (or covering) the Pittsburgh Steelers, the easiest thing in the world to do is to bash Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff when they make a bad decision, mismanage the clock or lose a game. Over the past seven years, there have been plenty of chances...
Football Footnotes: Sean McVay tamps down Cooper Kupp trade talk; Arthur Smith discusses Steelers’ WR depth
This Friday’s “Football Footnotes” updates the Cooper Kupp trade watch from a Pittsburgh Steelers’ perspective. There are some interesting numbers for Najee Harris heading into Monday night’s game against the New York Giants. We look ahead to what is next for 7-0 Pitt after the Panthers blew out Syracuse Thursday...
First Call: Idea of Cooper Kupp to Pittsburgh gets interesting endorsement; Giants rumblings before Steelers game
Thursday’s “First Call” advances an opinion of note regarding the idea of the Pittsburgh Steelers trading for wide receiver Cooper Kupp. We look at some turbulence for another New York football team coming to Pittsburgh. Syracuse’s visit to Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night should bring fireworks beyond just the quarterback...
Tim Benz: Pitt, Syracuse personify trend of transfer QB success in ACC
Some fans grumble about the NCAA transfer portal and about how NIL is negatively changing the landscape of college sports. That’s a tough sell when it comes to ACC football this year. There are plenty of teams in the conference that have improved thanks to play from transfer quarterbacks. Two...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans emote about Pirates pierogi politics, scuffling Penguins, Steelers’ tackling
If Russell Wilson had been bad in his first start as a Pittsburgh Steeler on Sunday night, all we would be talking about this week in “U mad, bro” would’ve been Justin Fields getting benched. But Russ cooked, and the Steelers won. So instead of a big, juicy main course,...
Tim Benz: Plenty of reasons why being better wasn’t good enough in Calgary for slumping Penguins
For the Pittsburgh Penguins (3-4-1) on Tuesday night, quite a lot went right in Calgary against the Pacific Division-leading Flames (5-0-1). • The Pens outshot their hosts 38-25. • Pittsburgh won 63% of the faceoffs and blocked 21 shots. • The power play scored one goal and posted another just...
Joey Porter Jr. gets high praise from Steelers legend Mel Blount
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had one of his best games of the season Sunday night during the team’s 37-15 win over the New York Jets. According to the Pro Football Focus numbers, he yielded just one reception for 9 yards over the course of 57 defensive snaps. That...
First Call: Cooper Kupp latest WR trade candidate; Aaron Rodgers agrees to sign Beanie Bishop’s intercepted footballs
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” we have praise for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense from New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. A familiar Steelers opponent is joining an AFC North team. Another high-profile trade prospect at wide receiver may be up for grabs. And we check in on a pair of local...
Mike Tomlin says NFL office told him Minkah Fitzpatrick’s blocked kick was legalVideo
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says the NFL officiating office told him that Minkah Fitzpatrick’s blocked extra point against the New York Jets on Sunday night was legal and shouldn’t have been flagged for leveraging. “I did talk to New York,” Tomlin said at Tuesday’s press conference. “They did...
Tim Benz: Steelers on cusp of ‘dream scenario’ to wrap up 1st half of season
For NFL fans, it’s human nature. We all love to do the “Win, loss, win, win, loss, loss, win, loss, win” routine the moment our favorite team’s schedule is released. That’s a fruitless endeavor. Given the NFL’s injury rate and massive allowance for change week-to-week, predicting games that are scheduled...
First Call: Steelers, Giants make moves before ‘MNF’ game; Mason Rudolph won’t keep Titans’ QB job long-term
Tuesday’s “First Call” features the Pittsburgh Steelers adding to the secondary. Meanwhile, the New York Giants add to their defensive line as the two teams prepare to face one another Monday night. It sure sounds like Mason Rudolph is heading back to the bench soon in Tennessee. The Penguins have...
Madden Monday: Biggest thing the Steelers gain with Russell Wilson at QB is ‘George Pickens isn’t wasted’
After the Pittsburgh Penguins looked rough against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday afternoon, the Steelers offense looked invigorated against the New York Jets on Sunday night. So let’s begin with the good before we get to the bad as we dive into this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast with Mark Madden...
First Call: Mason Rudolph starts; Kenny Pickett plays; a story behind Beanie Bishop’s picks; Brandon Aiyuk’s injury
Monday’s “First Call” has an interesting angle to Beanie Bishop’s big night for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We recap Mason Rudolph’s first start with the Tennessee Titans. Kenny Pickett saw some game action with the Philadelphia Eagles. Brandon Aiyuk suffered what is expected to be a serious knee injury. And a...
Feats of Strength: Mike Tomlin’s ‘Lone Ranger’ decision to start Russell Wilson; Beanie Bishop comes up bigVideo
According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin “went Lone Ranger” on the decision to pull the plug on quarterback Justin Fields and replace him with Russell Wilson. If that’s what really happened, then, “Hi-Yo, Silver,” Coach T. Well played. Wilson is now 1-0 when it...
Tim Benz: Duquesne QB Darius Perrantes emulates Russell Wilson’s playmaking style — and it’s paying off
Many in Pittsburgh are anxiously awaiting Russell Wilson’s debut as the Steelers quarterback. That’s expected to happen this Sunday at Acrisure Stadium against the New York Jets. One of those who will be watching closely is Darius Perrantes. The Duquesne senior has crafted much of his game in the mold...
First Call: Steelers 1 of 3 teams in mix for WR Mike Williams; Terry Bradshaw thinks Steelers should stick with Justin Fields
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be finally closing in on wide receiver help. A Steelers legend is weighing in on the quarterback debate. West Virginia is in the spotlight for local college football fans. And the Robert Morris hockey team has to be pleased with its first outing of the year....
Football Footnotes: Steelers are 4-2 — but are they in a better spot than a year ago?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-2 through six games so far in 2024. They were 4-2 through six games in 2023 as well. Before we knew it, though, the Steelers were 6-4 and eventually 7-7 and fighting for their playoff lives. On the surface, my hunch is that the Steelers are...
Tim Benz: 45 years later, remembering how the potent 1979 Pirates pitched their way to a World Series comeback
Thursday marks the 45th anniversary of the 1979 World Series championship for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The franchise hasn’t won one since. In the second half of our two-part series remembering that title run, we flashback to an overlooked aspect of that Fall Classic. When most baseball fans think back to...
