Tim Benz stories, Page 48
First Call: Patrick Peterson’s request for whatever team signs him; Steelers coaches scouting along O-line
Friday’s “First Call” reveals some offensive linemen that may be of interest to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the draft. We also provide an update on Patrick Peterson’s status. A Penguins prospect comes up huge in the NCAA hockey tournament. The Duquesne women’s basketball team runs out of steam. And a...
Tim Benz: Going over on Pirates’ win total this year is a tough call — and that’s a good thing
Projecting a win total for the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates is difficult, because there is a significant amount of uncertainty over how good or bad this year’s version of the team will be. Strangely, that’s … encouraging? Actually, it really is. After all, in recent seasons, so little has been expected...
U mad, bro?: Still more on Kenny Pickett trade; venting about the state of Steelers, Penguins, Pirates
You didn’t think one week was enough for Pittsburgh to properly expel all of its emotions over the Kenny Pickett trade, did you? Plus, the Penguins are bad, and another season of expected failure for the Pirates is on the horizon. That’s what this week’s “U mad, bro?” is all...
First Call: Steelers projected as landing spot for Dak Prescott in 2025; UFA wide receiver target off the board
Wednesday’s “First Call” positions the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential destination for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in 2025. Meanwhile, the franchise lost out on a possible acquisition in free agency, but is doing some homework on a Pitt defensive back. And the Penguins have a really good chance of...
Jake Guentzel discusses potential of re-signing in Pittsburgh
Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal could relate to what his new teammate was going through Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. He has stood in Jake Guentzel’s skates before. Coming back to play in Pittsburgh while wearing a Hurricanes jersey after having won a Stanley Cup as a Penguin. The...
Tim Benz: Credit where credit’s due. Steelers at least trying to act with the urgency they promised
After the Pittsburgh Steelers concluded their 2023 season — the seventh year in a row without a playoff win — owner Art Rooney II stated that the team was operating with a sense of urgency this offseason in an effort to end that drought. “I think there’s an urgency,” Rooney...
First Call: Bears GM praises Justin Fields; cornerback some Steelers fans wanted is going elsewhere; Jeff Capel still sore over snub
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some encouraging comments from the NFC North about new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. A cornerback some Steelers fans wanted to see come to Pittsburgh is heading to Los Angeles instead. There was a surprising vote against the NFL’s new kickoff rule. And Pitt’s Jeff Capel...
First Call: Omar Khan on Cam Heyward’s future; Mike Tomlin explains team’s defensive area of need, praises departing players
Tuesday’s “First Call” features Omar Khan’s stance on Cam Heyward’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike Tomlin comments on some of his departing players. He also bids farewell to Aaron Donald and identifies an important need on his team’s defense. Plus, the Duquesne women’s basketball team survives a nail-biter in...
49ers GM douses rumors of potential Brandon Aiyuk trade to Steelers
For those in Pittsburgh who have been intrigued by the idea of the Steelers acquiring wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, don’t hold your breath. On Monday, San Francisco general manager John Lynch was asked about Pittsburgh media reports stating that the Steelers are investigating a potential trade for the 49ers second-team...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin is ‘excited about being uncomfortable’ — and I’m anxious about his ‘anxiety’
During the NFL meetings in Orlando, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke with media members and expressed excitement about working with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “I’m just excited about being uncomfortable,” Tomlin said. “I think there’s growth in that. I think whether it’s individuals or collective, it’s good to...
First Call: Mike Tomlin addresses Arthur Smith’s hiring, Mason Rudolph’s departure, Cole Holcomb’s health
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin shared some background on Arthur Smith’s hiring, Mason Rudolph’s departure and Cole Holcomb’s recovery. A Steelers rival gives opinions on the franchise’s quarterback situation. And a Robert Morris men’s hockey goalie has a pro contract. All that in Monday’s “First Call.” Tomlin talks about his...
Madden Monday on Penguins’ woes: ‘Nothing is going to change’
Duquesne’s 89-63 NCAA Tournament loss to Illinois on Saturday night hurt in more ways than one. Not only did that decision end the Dukes’ magical postseason, but it also meant that fans of the Pittsburgh sports scene had to go back to primarily following the Penguins. Woof! Bad timing for...
Tim Benz: Illinois’ ‘blitz’ ends Duquesne’s season but doesn’t dent accomplishments
OMAHA, Neb. — Duquesne’s second-round NCAA Tournament game against Illinois was set up to be a contrast in styles. It was the 11th-seeded Dukes’ unrelenting, tenacious defense, which routinely holds opponent point totals in the low 60s, versus the high-powered offensive assault from third-seeded Illinois that led the Big Ten...
Tim Benz: For Duquesne basketball, ‘Put up your Dukes’ is more than a catchphrase
OMAHA, Neb. — For supporters of the Duquesne Dukes basketball team, “Put up your Dukes” is a catchy slogan. A fun hashtag on social media. A long-used motto within the fan base. For the players themselves, it’s become a rallying cry for how the team plays. The Dukes won the...
First Call: Cam Sutton released by Lions; Steelers losing a corner; tough Penguins weekend ahead
Friday’s “First Call” features the latest on former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton. A current Steelers corner is heading to the NFC East. We check in on a potential Steelers wide receiver free-agent target. And the Penguins have some tough challenges ahead. Quick action Former Steeler Cam Sutton has been...
Tim Benz: Dukes changing perception of the Duquesne jersey and the players in them
OMAHA, Neb. — Duquesne basketball twins Fousseyni and Hassan Drame prefer to put a different twist on an old sports cliche. “As my brother always says: ‘It’s not about the name on the front of the jersey. It is about who is actually on the team,’ ” Fousseyni Drame said...
U mad, bro?: Kenny Pickett has been traded. That has Steelers (and Pitt) fans all up in their feelings
On Friday, the Steelers traded a local college hero who just happened to previously be the starting quarterback. So you knew that there were going to be extreme reactions to the news. Even if that is what the player asked them to do. We redefine March “madness” with an all-Kenny...
First Call: Mason Rudolph’s thoughts on leaving Pittsburgh; Steelers scouting WRs
Thursday’s “First Call” reveals Mason Rudolph’s farewell note to Pittsburgh. We have Mike Tomlin’s latest pro-day destination. Potential draftees at wide receiver for the Steelers are coming into focus. And LeBron James sends something special to the Duquesne basketball team in advance of their NCAA Tournament game in Omaha. Taking...
Tim Benz: No team in NCAA Tournament has more sources of motivation than Duquesne
OMAHA, Neb. — You could see the wheels turning in Spencer Johnson’s head the moment he was asked about Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot. The Brigham Young senior was asked whether the fact Dambrot is retiring at the end of the season was going to provide extra inspiration for Duquesne, and,...
Duquesne in the NCAAs: Dukes vs. BYU scouting report
OMAHA, Neb. — One thing that always tends to get me in trouble when I fill out my NCAA brackets is that I fall in love with a team early in the season and I proclaim them as my March Madness dark horse in November. Then they inevitably flame out...
Tim Benz: If there is any fire to the smoke about Brandon Aiyuk, the Steelers should fan the flames
Trade rumors are kicking up about San Francisco star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk — and the Steelers are one of the rumored targets. Aiyuk is coming to the end of his rookie contract, and he wants an extension. However, the 49ers don’t usually hammer out contract extensions until July or...
First Call: Steelers miss out on Mike Williams; Cole Holcomb posts workout video
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us an update on the Steelers’ quest to land a big-play wide receiver. Cole Holcomb is trying to make a comeback. Jake Guentzel stays hot in Carolina. And Pitt fans probably cracked a smile when they saw the result of one of the “First Four” games...
Tim Benz: Kenny Pickett’s strengths became his biggest weakness by the end in Pittsburgh
During his first media availability with the Philadelphia Eagles, former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett acknowledged that he wanted to leave Pittsburgh in advance of Friday’s trade that sent him across the state. He also did little to tamp down a narrative that he pouted his way through much of the...
First Call: A new contract for a new Steeler; Kenny Pickett ripped on ESPN; another stop for Josh Dobbs
Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at a contract extension for a new Steeler. The national media is all over Kenny Pickett’s move to Philadelphia. We also examine the Penguins’ next opponent, and Josh Dobbs’ new team. Signed, sealed, delivered One of the newest Pittsburgh Steelers has a new, one-year contract. It...
Duquesne’s Keith Dambrot praises Pitt’s Jeff Capel, rebukes Panthers’ NCAA snub
Duquesne basketball coach Keith Dambrot is sticking up for the intra-city rival Pitt Panthers in the wake of their NCAA Tournament snub. Amid the lingering celebration of Duquesne’s first conference championship in 47 years and less than an hour removed from his own retirement announcement, Dambrot made an appearance on...
