Tim Benz stories, Page 53
Tim Benz: Art Rooney II feels urgency about ending Steelers’ playoff win drought. Great, show us
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...
First Call: Art Rooney II says O-line must get better, wants to keep Cam Heyward, discusses Najee Harris’ contact
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...
Madden Monday: Arthur Smith seems like a good fit for the Steelers, and that may be the problem
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....
First Call: Arthur Smith interviews for Steelers’ OC job; another potential candidate is off the board
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...
Tim Benz: Sidney Crosby doesn’t have to follow in anyone’s footsteps — not even Tom Brady’s
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...
Football Footnotes: The ideas of ‘Chiefs fatigue’ and Steelers fans adopting the Lions
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...
First Call: Falcons’ coaching hire could impact Steelers’ OC plans; ex-Steeler wants to join Mike Tomlin’s staff
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...
Bill Cowher on AFC Championship Game losses: ‘It hurts more than losing the Super Bowl’
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...
First Call: Steelers interview 1st OC candidate; Mike Sullivan talks to Raiders; Teryl Austin likely staying
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...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans argue about Mike Tomlin, rip media coverage of QBs, quote ‘Macbeth’
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...
First Call: Kliff Kingsbury to ‘talk to’ Steelers about OC job; Mike Munchak perhaps interested in coaching again
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...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans likely to be disappointed with team’s QB situation next season
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...
First Call: A free-agent CB may remain in Pittsburgh; other NFL hires may impact Steelers’ OC search
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,...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin says Steelers are closer to NFL’s elite than they were last year. Is he right?
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,”...
Madden Monday: Steelers will try to protect Kenny Pickett by letting Mason Rudolph walk
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...
Tim Benz: Another offseason for the Steelers, more of the same old debates
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...
First Call: Former Patriot mocks Steelers’ attempt at defending him; ex-Steeler heads back to UFL team
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...
Football Footnotes: Beyond the QBs, analyzing 5 other points Mike Tomlin made about improving the Steelers
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...
Tim Benz: Mason Rudolph should charge Steelers a ‘trust tax’ if they try to sign him
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,...
First Call: Speculation about Aaron Donald’s plans; former Steelers WR Martavis Bryant staying with Cowboys
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...
U mad, bro?: Another Steelers season ends without a playoff win, so fans are in an angry mood
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...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger thinks Mason Rudolph should compete for starting job; ESPN has 3 other Steelers QB ideas
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...
Tim Benz: Broderick Jones still thinks LT is ideal, but he won’t lobby for a change
If you are looking for positives from the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers, the rookie class is one of them. First-round pick Broderick Jones and second-round picks Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton all became starters and/or regular contributors throughout the season. Third-rounder Darnell Washington played in all 17 games, logging more...
First Call: Najee Harris says Steelers need more discipline; Gene Steratore has mixed reviews of officiating in loss to Bills
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some interesting comments from Najee Harris in the wake of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss in Buffalo. CBS officiating expert Gene Steratore weighs in on some controversial calls during the game. Bills fans are already gearing up for a potential Taylor Swift visit next week. And the...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s abrupt press conference exit felt calculated. So what’s he calculating?
By now, you’ve probably seen Mike Tomlin walking off the podium mid-question to end his press conference following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 31-17 playoff loss in Buffalo on Monday. Tomlin was about to be asked about his contract status as he heads into his final year of his deal when he...
