Tim Benz stories, Page 50

Not everyone is thrilled with the hire of Arthur Smith as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator. We get word on what happened with the other Steelers candidates. An NFL coordinator target with local ties is starting to get some interest. And the Duquesne Dukes are welcoming one of college basketball’s...

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ reported decision to hire Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator makes total sense. That’s not entirely a compliment, mind you. But it does make total sense. Credit the Steelers for being extremely pragmatic. Somehow, in one hire, the organization has managed to be thoroughly logical in its thought...

Pittsburgh Steelers past and present are throwing their two cents into the mix of opinions on the offensive coordinator search. During his “Not Just Football” podcast, defensive captain Cameron Heyward suggested we should have an open mind about the idea of Arthur Smith becoming the offensive coordinator. Smith, fired as...

During a season-ending media availability Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II was asked if there was a sense of urgency within the franchise to finally win a playoff game again. After all, it’s been seven years since that has happened, and Rooney’s franchise has accomplished that task in just...

During his various media stops Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II talked about Cam Heyward’s future, Najee Harris’ fifth-year option and the state of the offensive line. We have all of those quotes for you in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Plus, there’s news about a former Steeler who is in...

It sure seems like recently interviewed candidate Arthur Smith fits the perfect profile for what Mike Tomlin may want in an offensive coordinator. Smith, who interviewed for Matt Canada’s old job on Sunday, was an offensive line coach, tight ends coach and eventual offensive coordinator (2019-20) with the Tennessee Titans....

Monday’s “First Call” gives us another candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ vacant offensive coordinator position. A former target is no longer available. A wide receiver draft prospect is getting some attention from the Steelers. The Duquesne women’s basketball team had an eventful win Sunday. And the Robert Morris hockey team...

On TSN last week, Bryan Hayes made an impassioned plea to get Sidney Crosby out of Pittsburgh so he’d have a better chance to win more championships. He asked Crosby to do it himself by “following in the footsteps” of former NFL quarterback Tom Brady. In other words, leave the...

For “Football Footnotes” this week, we explore the concept of “Chiefs fatigue” and why it’s time for Steelers fans to become a part of #OnePride from Detroit the rest of the way in the NFL playoffs. “Chiefs fatigue” is something that has been talked about in the NFL ether since...

Friday’s “First Call” sees how some things falling elsewhere in NFL coaching circles may impact the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator hire. A former Steeler may want to rejoin the team on the coaching staff. We examine the local college basketball scene this weekend, and the Penguins’ contest against Florida Friday...

As Conference Championship Weekend approaches in the National Football League, now feels like a good time to point out that the Pittsburgh Steelers have been in the AFC Championship game more times (16) than any other team. I feel the need to do that because when they last qualified for...

Thursday’s “First Call” has tons of news about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coordinators. Their defensive coordinator appears to be staying. One of the former offensive coordinators might be leaving, and a candidate to replace him has been interviewed. Meanwhile, the franchise will get an extra round against a Harbaugh brother in...

In this week’s “U mad, bro?” readers lash out at media coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation. They blast the Steelers’ secondary. They defend Mike Tomlin. They rip Mike Tomlin. And they quote Shakespeare. Of course they do. My readership is like, you know, totally well-read n’at. Sean wasn’t...

A well-known NFL media member has quarterback and coordinator ideas for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steelers coach may want to get back in the game. And we get an update on Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” King on Kingsbury According to longtime...

Most Pittsburgh Steelers fans want to see a significant shakeup at quarterback. And most of them are going to wind up upset. That’s my read after an informal web poll I conducted on social media. These are basically the four choices the Steelers have when it comes to what they...

Tuesday’s “First Call” features some speculation about the future of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Levi Wallace. We have some NFL coaching and front-office news with Steelers connections. And in local college hoops news, both Pitt and Duquesne are in action. Still liking Levi? According to at least one national post,...

During his season-ending press conference Thursday, head coach Mike Tomlin was asked if he thought that the gap between his Pittsburgh Steelers and the teams playing in this weekend’s divisional round of the NFL playoffs was smaller than it was a year ago. “Certainly. But we’re watching and not playing,”...

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden from 105.9 The X joined us from Las Vegas. And if he is in a gambling mood, Madden says he’ll be betting against significant changes coming from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. Particularly at offensive coordinator, even though the Steelers insist that...

As the Pittsburgh Steelers hit the 2024 offseason, it occurs like so many others in the recent past. • The 2020 offseason followed an 8-8, non-playoff year with questions about how a surgically repaired elbow would impact Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. • The 2021 offseason followed a 12-4 year that...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hearing some trash talk from a former Patriot about the 2016 AFC Championship Game long after it happened. A former wide receiver on the club is heading back to his old team in the UFL. The Penguins are now using the Arizona Coyotes as a measuring...

This week’s “Football Footnotes” provides an in-depth look at many topics Mike Tomlin addressed regarding the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers during his season-ending press conference. Except for the quarterbacks. We talked about them already. But there are plenty of other marshmallows in this bowl of Lucky Charms. The big picture Tomlin...

During the course of quarterback Mason Rudolph’s unlikely three-game win streak to help push the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers into the playoffs, coach Mike Tomlin often seemed guarded in his praise of the former third-stringer. It was almost as if Tomlin didn’t want to feed the hype surrounding his resurgence. Or,...

There are quite a few NFL items in Thursday’s “First Call.” Many of them have Pittsburgh ties. Greenfield’s Mike McCarthy is getting another crack with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are also keeping a former Steelers wide receiver. Penn Hills and Pitt legend Aaron Donald has to make a decision...

A Steelers season has ended in playoff failure for the fifth time since 2016. So fans are mad at the coach, the players and, most importantly, the media that covers them. As a member of that media contingent, I take no responsibility for the Steelers’ shortcomings in the playoffs. I...

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Ben Roethlisberger endorses the idea of giving Mason Rudolph a chance to start at quarterback next year in Pittsburgh. An ESPN analyst has other ideas for the Steelers to pursue. The Browns are making major changes. And Robert Morris looks to avoid a first on the...