Tim Benz stories, Page 34
Airing of Grievances: Another rotten offensive start and leaks on defense result in Steelers’ loss to CowboysVideo
While meeting with the media last week, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith borrowed Napoleon Bonaparte’s “Take Vienna” quote to illustrate the concept of coaching conviction and carrying out marching orders. Based on how Smith’s offense performed in the first half of Sunday night’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys (3-2),...
Tim Benz: No perfect balance yet for targeting George Pickens, but it’s improving with Justin Fields
One area in which the Pittsburgh Steelers struggled with Matt Canada as the offensive coordinator and Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky as the quarterback was finding the balance between getting George Pickens the ball frequently without pumping it to him in situations when he was too covered to make a...
Football Footnotes: Joey Porter Jr. on coverage plan for CeeDee Lamb; Dallas’ scheme to pressure Justin Fields
For as much as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys are known commodities across the NFL, the injuries both teams have endured early in 2024 are casting a bit of mystery over Sunday night’s matchup between the clubs. In this week’s “Football Footnotes,” we look at some of the matchups...
First Call: Najee Harris responds as Zaire Franklin doubles-down on criticism; Steelers-Cowboys primetime historyVideo
Friday’s “First Call” has Najee Harris’ response to Zaire Franklin’s criticism. We recap the brief history of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys in regular season primetime games. Pitt looks to extend its unbeaten streak while hoping to shake some frightening history in North Carolina. Penn State renews some long-dormant...
Tim Benz: Steelers need to make the Davante Adams trade happen
In the movie world, a sequel is rarely as good as the original. But seeing as how the Steelers’ first attempt at replacing wide receiver Diontae Johnson didn’t go as scripted, maybe the organization’s second try will have a better ending. No, after innumerable plot twists, Brandon Aiyuk didn’t make...
First Call: Raiders reportedly sitting Davante Adams with injury during trade talks; Cowboys WR out for Steelers game
We have a health update on Las Vegas receiver Davante Adams amid trade rumors that include the Steelers. We also get word of a potential MMA bout between two retired AFC North rivals. More injuries in Dallas. And we check in on a former Pirate pitching in the playoffs. All...
U mad, bro?: Readers enraged over Steelers’ loss in Indy, NFL officiating, PiratesVideo
The Steelers were shockingly bad in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Pirates’ 2024 season ended in typically disappointing fashion. NFL officials continue to be a disaster. And Pete Rose died before he was ever let into the Hall of Fame. Let’s just say I had plenty of material to fill out...
Tim Benz: Despite public pressure, MLB and Cooperstown can’t change their stances on Pete Rose for 1 big reason
In the days since his death Monday night, the conversation about inducting Pete Rose into baseball’s Hall of Fame has regenerated. Supporters of Rose are calling for Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader to finally be inducted posthumously in Cooperstown because, theoretically, his lifetime ban for gambling on baseball has...
First Call: Steelers RB pushes Davante Adams trade talk; DeMarcus Lawrence gets injury news before Steelers game
Wednesday’s “First Call” has the Pittsburgh Steelers tied to another wide receiver trade conversation. The Steelers made lots of roster moves and hosted a number of players for workouts Tuesday. The Dallas Cowboys suffered a blow when it comes to their injured reserve list in advance of their visit to...
If Mike Tomlin needs another reason to stick with Justin Fields, here’s a big one
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t have to invent any variables as to why he may want to keep Justin Fields as the team’s starting quarterback. The Steelers are 3-1 with Fields starting as Russell Wilson recovers from a calf injury that the Steelers have been (to characterize mildly)...
Tim Benz: Don’t let win total fool you, the Pirates regressed in so many ways
“You either get better or you get worse. You never stay the same.” If ever there was a sports team that personified that inspirational thought-for-a-day calendar entry, it was the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates. In the strictest of terms, this year’s Pirates club stayed the same as last year. They were...
First Call: Micah Parsons frustrated over injury before Steelers game; Mason Rudolph helps Titans in ‘MNF’ win
Tuesday’s “First Call” has highlights of Mason Rudolph’s Monday Night Football win for the Tennessee Titans, news about potential moves at wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, context for the franchise’s current offensive line woes, and an update on Micah Parsons’ health in advance of his trip to Acrisure Stadium...
Penguins prospect Owen Pickering and his ‘war at the dinner table’
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Owen Pickering is in a fight. I’m not talking about a brawl against an opponent, or his battle to win a roster spot with the NHL club. I’m talking about his own personal war. Against food. “It was war sometimes at the dinner table,” Pickering told me...
First Call: Colts LB calls Najee Harris ‘soft’ after pregame gesture; Broderick Jones bristles at online criticism
Monday’s “First Call” features fallout from Anthony Richardson’s injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin calls out Najee Harris. Broderick Jones isn’t taking criticism of his play kindly. Meanwhile, there is plenty of officiating criticism to go around. And Dionate Johnson is getting going in Charlotte. Aching...
Madden Monday: Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ defense are the ‘biggest reasons the team lost’ in Indianapolis
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost 27-24 as road favorites in Indianapolis on Sunday to fall to 3-1. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X said the reasons why the upset happened are quite simple. He begins with the head coach. “(Mike) Tomlin today and...
Airing of Grievances: Steelers undone in Indianapolis by self-inflicted wounds and questionable coaching
I got a message from a reader on social media Wednesday looking ahead to the Pittsburgh Steelers game in Indianapolis as a “TTTG.” Typical Tomlin Trap Game. TTTG. Typical Tomlin Trap Game. This is the type of game Tomlin seems to find a way to lose. They’re superior to the...
First Call: Micah Parsons suffers injury in advance of Steelers game; how previous quests of 4-0 went for Mike Tomlin
Friday’s “First Call” has news about Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons suffering an injury Thursday night as his team now prepares to visit Pittsburgh next week. We look back at some hot starts in the Mike Tomlin era for the Steelers. Paul Skenes has an interesting showdown slated for the...
Tim Benz: Looking forward to Paul Skenes nailing down Rookie of the Year on baseball’s biggest stage
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has excelled at quite a lot in his rookie season. One thing in particular has been seizing the moment. • Striking out the first MLB batter he faced (Mike Tauchman of the Chicago Cubs) with five pitches of at least 100 mph. • Posting 11...
Football Footnotes: Key matchups that will dictate the outcome of Steelers-Colts game
As the Pittsburgh Steelers get ready to square off against the Colts in Indianapolis on Sunday, there are three key matchups that will go a long way toward determining the outcome of the game. For Friday’s Football Footnotes this week, let’s take a look at them — and a few...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans get rowdy about Tellez; Steelers fans split over hot start
Pittsburgh Pirates fans are riled up about Rowdy. Some Steelers fans are doubting the strong start. Others want to know why I’m not planning the Super Bowl parade yet. No matter how you slice it, Pittsburgh fans are always wound up about something. I wouldn’t have it any other way....
First Call: Suspension upheld for hit on Pat Freiermuth; Steelers add OLB; ex-Steelers OC gets new coaching gigVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some news about the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. A former Steelers assistant gets a new head coaching gig. Derwin James’ suspension for hitting Pat Freiermuth has been upheld. And we see a baseball rarity result in a playoff-clinching play. Adding depth Given Alex Highsmith’s injury, the Steelers...
Mike Tomlin wants more offense early in games. Here’s how he can make that happen
There was plenty to like about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. One thing that head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t like, though, was the team’s poor offensive start. That’s understandable. After all, the Steelers went three-and-out on the first two series, netting minus-5 yards...
Tim Benz: For the Pirates, releasing Rowdy Tellez short of a bonus is remarkably on-brand
The Pirates are taking a lot of heat for releasing Rowdy Tellez four plate appearances shy of a $200,000 bonus. Don’t get mad, though. You saw all the standing water on the warning track during that rain delay last month, right? Any idea how much a new drainage system costs?...
Tim Benz: Penguins saying all the right things about fixing the power play — now, make it happen
I asked Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby about the importance of improving the power play during an interview on Day 1 of training camp. “You’re bringing it up. We haven’t even practiced it yet. That tells you how many eyes are on it,” Crosby replied. Indeed. On Monday, all eyes...
First Call: Steelers sign former Patriots tackle; Maurkice Pouncey endorses Zach Frazier at center
Tuesday’s “First Call” has a Pittsburgh Steelers’ signing of note along the offensive line. An ex-Steeler is all about the guy who has taken over his former position. A former Steeler is finished for 2024 with the San Francisco 49ers. And, high praise for Duquesne’s backup QB on Saturday. Helping...
