Tim Benz stories, Page 51
First Call: Justin Fields on trade preference, Acrisure Stadium; ex-Steelers move through coaching ranks
Thursday’s “First Call” takes a closer look at the trade rumors connecting Justin Fields and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Specifics surrounding Cam Heyward’s surgery are revealed. Some former Steelers are popping up on various coaching staffs. The Penguins look to shake their out of their losing funk against another struggling NHL...
U mad, bro?: Readers get ‘biblical’ as they sound off about Steelers’ QBs, Russell Wilson, Mike Tomlin, Bill Cowher
This week’s “U mad, bro?” features angst over the Steelers’ quarterback situation, the Bible, ‘80s pop songs, and Bill Cowher’s playoff record. Obviously, I listed those things in order of general overall importance. Those topics may come off a little disjointed and scattered. Just know that the connecting thread is...
Tim Benz: The Penguins’ nostalgia buzz can only last so long
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost three times over the past seven days, yet it still feels like they had a pretty good week. When you welcome back a franchise icon like Jaromir Jagr for the first time in almost a quarter century to retire his jersey, those emotions resonate beyond...
First Call: Former Steelers rival says Russell Wilson will come to Pittsburgh; Big Ben’s Mike Tomlin-Bill Cowher comparison
A former rival of the Pittsburgh Steelers sure sounds like he is pushing Russell Wilson toward Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger draws an interesting comparison between Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher. We check in on some legal issues surrounding a budding Baltimore Ravens star. Plus, we bid a fond farewell to an...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ QB situation gets national media to wonder if the franchise ‘has become unserious’
For a change, it’s not just the local media and fans in Pittsburgh willing to be critical of the Steelers. As a collective, the national media has far too often lashed back and mocked local frustrations over the Steelers. Now, some in those positions are lending a critique of the...
Tim Benz: Penguins and Islanders facing similar circumstances in multiple ways
There is one thing the Pittsburgh Penguins did right against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday night. At least they scored first. It took a while. But Sidney Crosby was able to tally a power-play goal with a little more than a minute remaining in the first period to make...
Jaromir Jagr on Sidney Crosby: ‘He can play for another 5 or 6 years’
When it comes to hockey longevity, few can rival Jaromir Jagr. He is 52 and still playing in his seventh post-NHL season with Kladno for his own team in Czechia. That’s on top of playing at least part of 24 seasons in the NHL and four other full seasons in...
First Call: Cameron Heyward has surgery; Antonio Brown rips Steelers’ WR coach hire
For “First Call” on Tuesday, we check in on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward after his surgery. We look at some off-the-radar Steelers draft prospects. Antonio Brown is mad about a Steelers coaching hire. And we scout Tuesday’s Duquesne basketball game. How is Heyward? Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward...
Tim Benz: Emotions surrounding Jaromir Jagr’s jersey retirement were as unique as the player himself
In most situations, the jersey retirement process is a pretty easy one. By the very nature of the honor, the presumption is that whoever is getting their jersey retired in whatever city they used to call home is probably so beloved by the fans that the organization and the player...
First Call: Source claims some Steelers don’t want ‘preferred chance’ for Kenny Pickett; Jaromir Jagr’s one-liner wins crowd
In Monday’s “First Call,” we add a little texture to the reports of “internal division” within the Pittsburgh Steelers regarding their quarterback situation. Jaromir Jagr’s sense of humor was on display during his jersey retirement speech. The Penguins’ next opponent let one get away in a high-profile game on Sunday....
Madden Monday: Penguins’ loss ‘signs Jake Guentzel’s exit papers,’ Diontae Johnson’s ‘future is in doubt’ with Steelers
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, their Jaromir Jagr jersey retirement ceremony on Sunday was an unmitigated, fun-filled success. Until roughly the second intermission of the game itself. By then, you could tell that the Penguins were just trying to nurse a 1-0 lead against the Los Angeles Kings. Their putrid power...
‘The Holdovers’: RMU hockey senior night takes on special meaning for players who stuck around to reboot the program
For three Robert Morris hockey players, this weekend, they will be getting the senior night send-off they never thought they’d receive. Saturday against Canisius (5 p.m.) marks the final regular-season home game for the Colonials in their return campaign after a two-year absence for the program. In May 2021, the...
First Call: Patrick Peterson discusses future in Pittsburgh; new Washington coaching staff features former Steelers
Friday’s “First Call” has some coaching news involving former Pittsburgh Steelers. We discuss Patrick Peterson’s future with the team. And we look at the Penguins’ next opponent. Heading west Former Steelers wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson has a new job. It’s with the Seattle Seahawks. The Hawks are hiring Jackson...
Jaromir Jagr’s Penguins teammates recall when they realized they were playing with a legend-to-be
You didn’t have to know much about hockey — or frankly sports in general — to be able to tell that Jaromir Jagr was different. That he was dynamically gifted at his craft. That he wasn’t just going to be great, but that he was an all-timer. The locker room...
Tim Benz: Penguins sound like they are running out of answers
After practice on Tuesday, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan talked about “rethinking what winning looks like in Pittsburgh.” I’m going to guess whatever he was thinking about isn’t what the Penguins showed Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers, and that’s not what it was supposed to look like. Especially in the...
U mad, bro?: Lots of reader Valentines about Steelers, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Arthur Smith
As I was putting “U mad, bro?” together on Valentine’s Day, I sure could feel the love from my readers. Near as I can tell, you think I’m too hard on the Steelers and too judgmental about the Arthur Smith hire, I pick on Tom Brady too much and I...
First Call: Kirk Cousins’ camp keeping an eye on Steelers’ QB situation; Ryan Clark’s future at ESPN unclear
A big-name free-agent quarterback may have an interest in playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. J.J. Watt is blowing off some derogatory comments about his brother from Micah Parsons. Ryan Clark’s status at ESPN is uncertain. The Penguins are about to play a team that’s in even worse shape than they...
First Call: Familiar landing spot for Mitch Trubisky? Ex-Steelers coach takes ACC job; more Penguins trade speculation
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a potential destination for ex-Steeler Mitch Trubisky. There is more talk of Mason Rudolph jumping ship. A former Steelers player is staying in Kansas City. A former Steelers coach is heading to the ACC. And add a current Penguin to the trade speculation engulfing Jake Guentzel....
Tim Benz: When it came to Mitch Trubisky’s thud, Steelers (and many fans) refused to see it coming
The Mitch Trubisky signing will go down as one big swing and a miss for the Pittsburgh Steelers. An air ball. A shanked drive. A gutter ball. A foot fault. Whatever negative sports mixed metaphor that you prefer. Fortunately, the financial ramifications aren’t all that vast. While I’m sure Art...
For Mike Sullivan and the Penguins, necessity is the mother of reinvention
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan described frustration as a “useless emotion” after his team’s 2-1 loss Saturday night in Winnipeg. Useless? OK. Understandable, though? For sure. Oh, and that’s not just for Sullivan but for any Penguins fan in Western Pennsylvania. After all, with just 33 games left, the Penguins...
Duquesne looking for better results in Round 2 vs. Dayton
The Duquesne basketball team (14-9/4-6 Atlantic 10) believes it’s better prepared to face the 16th-ranked Dayton Flyers (19-4/9-2) this time around. The Dukes lost 72-62 at home to the Flyers on Jan. 12, a game in which Dayton never trailed. “We were impatient against them, and they are very patient,”...
Tim Benz: How Patrick Mahomes can catch Tom Brady, and the only way the Steelers can ever catch Mahomes
In the wake of Patrick Mahomes winning his third Super Bowl trophy and third Super Bowl MVP with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, much of Pittsburgh’s sports talk radio scene Monday was reduced to three off-ramps from that main talking point. • Will Mahomes wind up better than...
First Call: Mike Tomlin reportedly a ‘big fan’ of Justin Fields; Eddie Faulkner could be staying on as RB coach
Tuesday’s “First Call” sparks up new conversation about the prospect of the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. There is also some coaching news concerning the Steelers. An ex-Steeler is retiring. And the Metropolitan Division is kicking the Penguins while they are down. Just keepin’ an eye on...
Madden Monday: It’s time to put Patrick Mahomes ahead of Tom Brady after latest Super Bowl MVP
For Pittsburgh Steelers fans who were rooting against the San Francisco 49ers winning the Super Bowl, you got your wish. The Steelers are still one of just two teams, along with the New England Patriots, who can boast six Super Bowl trophies. Thanks to the Niners’ 25-22 overtime loss to...
First Call: Dick LeBeau endorses Arthur Smith as Steelers OC; Notre Dame lands another son of an ex-Steeler
Monday’s “First Call” has an endorsement for new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Notre Dame football is taking on a distinctly Black and Gold tone. Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby admits to spitting on an ex-Steeler. A local Pittsburgh hockey player stars in a win over Washington. And Robert Morris...
