Tim Benz stories, Page 60
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger criticizes Steelers’ penalties, team’s tight end use; Deshaun Watson health update
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some critical comments from Ben Roethlisberger about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tight end usage and their post-whistle penalties. We also look at the history of the team’s rivalry with Sunday’s opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars. And we get an update on Deshaun Watson’s health in Cleveland. Clean it...
First Call: Multiple ex-Steelers on the move; former Pitt star shines on ‘Monday Night Football’
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some information about various Pittsburgh Steelers on the move. A former Pitt Panther sparkled on “Monday Night Football.” And a Duquesne football player walks away with conference honors for a second straight week. On the move again Former Steeler Terrell Edmunds has been traded away by...
Tim Benz: Steelers must exploit stretch of non-divisional games before reentering thick AFC North fray
We are more than a third of the way through the NFL season, and we are still trying to figure out who the Pittsburgh Steelers are. Far be it from anyone in the Pittsburgh media or the Steelers fan base to presume that they’ve got the rest of the AFC...
After ‘digesting’ Penguins’ loss in St. Louis, Mike Sullivan may have more than stomach issues with Stars, Avs up next
After his Pittsburgh Penguins lost 4-2 versus St. Louis on Saturday night, head coach Mike Sullivan said he needed some time “to digest” what had happened. On Monday, presumably after knocking back a few bottles of Pepto-Bismol, this is what he came up with. “I don’t think it’s a game...
First Call: Rams coach reacts to controversial spot; Steelers home underdogs vs. Jaguars
Monday’s “First Call” has reaction from Los Angeles regarding that questionable spot at the end of Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers game. George Pickens is telling himself to learn a lesson from that win. We look at the Steelers’ opponent for next week. And we check in on a landmark in the...
Madden Monday: With win, maybe Steelers ‘can fool us a bit longer — and fool themselves’
For Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X, analysis of Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers victory in Los Angeles is straightforward. “I think it’s real simple,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “(George) Pickens and (T.J.) Watt were game-changing. Diontae (Johnson) was important. (Kenny) Pickett was better and played...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Diontae Johnson’s return, T.J. Watt’s splash key Steelers’ 2nd-half surge in L.A.
As we pointed out here at “Breakfast With Benz” coming out of the bye, this is the time of year when the Steelers tend to turn up their momentum. Even during this stretch of six years without a playoff victory, since 2017 the franchise is 31-10-1 between Week 5 and...
Friday Football Footnotes: Aaron Donald quells talk of a Pittsburgh return; Steelers look for a 1st in L.A.
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” takes a look at the prospect of Aaron Donald ever playing in Pittsburgh again. Steelers fans are hoping to witness a first in Los Angeles. Plus, we check out the rest of the landscape in local college action and the AFC North. No story here...
Pitt’s Dayon Hayes leads Tackle Cancer initiative for Panthers defense
For Pitt defensive lineman Dayon Hayes, it was a simple community outreach trip. Going to a hospital with a few posters to sign. Hand out a few tickets to the patients. Thank a few of the nurses on duty. As a person who mashes their body at top speed against...
First Call: Steelers learn fate of upcoming opponent QBs; Rams figuring out RB situation
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the Los Angeles Rams’ complicated running back situation heading into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, their coach is navigating a potentially dicey personal situation of his own in advance of game day. The Steelers are getting clarity about some upcoming quarterbacks on their...
U mad, bro?: No Steelers game? No problem. Still plenty of fan agitation to go around
You might think that, because the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t play this past weekend, “U mad, bro?” would be lacking for content. You might think that. But if you live in Pittsburgh and follow our local sports teams, you know that couldn’t possibly be the case with our passionate fan base....
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin seems tired of questions on Steelers’ offense — here are ways to fix the problem
It certainly sounds like Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is tiring of questions about his struggling offense. “Man, I think we have talked about this a lot, haven’t we?” Tomlin responded when asked about the topic again Tuesday. Yes, indeed we have. For much of the past five years, actually....
Atlantic 10 conference coaches, media not alone when it comes to this year’s high expectations for Duquesne
Atlantic 10 coaches and media members aren’t the only people anticipating a breakout season from the Duquesne men’s basketball team. ESPN college basketball bracket expert Joe Lunardi can see that happening as well. This week at the A-10’s media day, the conference preseason poll was announced, and Duquesne was rated...
First Call: Steelers reportedly move on from Desmond King; Evgeni Malkin snubbed from another Top 100 list
Wednesday’s “First Call” starts with a surprising move by the Pittsburgh Steelers and a surprising omission for the Penguins from an ESPN list. Plus, it was a memorable night for a former Penguin, and an ex-Pirates executive may land a big-time job back in Major League Baseball. Well, that was...
Tim Benz: The time is right, the need is present for Steelers to start Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr.
I want to avoid committing the sports media sin of criticizing someone — in this case, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin — for something they haven’t done yet. But the fact that this is even a conversation at all is worthy of some critical words. Tomlin should end the slow...
Former Steelers blossoming in L.A. after joining Rams
When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Rams on Sunday, they’ll see a pair of former teammates who are thriving in Los Angeles. Ex-Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has started all six games for the Rams and played 94% of the defensive snaps for the Rams so far this year. He has...
First Call: Rams off-field issues and injury news; Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ next opponent is dealing with issues on and off the field. A former Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback after some recent trouble in his personal life. The first college basketball poll of the season is out. And a Duquesne football star is getting some recognition....
Tim Benz: History says this is when the Steelers heat up. History better repeat itself
Over the course of the past six seasons, there have been a pair of obvious constants for the Pittsburgh Steelers. • They haven’t won a playoff game. • They haven’t had a losing season. You’re probably aware of that rather annoying push-pull dynamic by now, aren’t you? There have also...
First Call: Steelers’ next foe brings WR challenge; AFC North goes 3-0 with boost from WPIAL alumni; Titans QB concern
Monday’s “First Call” examines a challenge facing the Pittsburgh Steelers for their first game back from the bye. We take a look at the AFC North after some WPIAL alumni helped the teams go 3-0 this weekend. The idea of a London Super Bowl is still on the table. An...
Tim Benz: Former Penguin’s daughter continues Pittsburgh hockey connection at Robert Morris
When Wayne Primeau was a Pittsburgh Penguin, he was part of one of the all-time memorable playoff runs in Penguins’ history. Acquired in February 2001, he was on the team during the Johan Hedberg “Moose Mania” trip to the Eastern Conference Final during Mario Lemieux’s return season. “He was a...
Madden Monday: Of the 4 games after the bye, Steelers ‘might lose every game, but they won’t win every game’
The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) are coming out of the bye with a game in Los Angeles against the Rams, then home games versus Jacksonville, Tennessee, and Green Bay. Not exactly daunting stuff. The combined record of those teams is 11-12. Yet given the offensive struggles of the team over the...
Tim Benz: ESPN just created the word ‘Tomlining,’ but the definition is up for debate
On Monday morning, following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg invented a new word: “Tomlining.” And I think he meant it as a compliment. Yes, the “Get Up!” host turned the Steelers coach into a verb. He did so during a segment breaking down...
Friday Football Footnotes: Plenty for Steelers fans to watch during team’s bye weekend
The Pittsburgh Steelers are off this week for their bye. But there is plenty to watch in the NFL this weekend through a Black and Gold lens. For this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes,” we give you a list of things to track and monitor while the Steelers take a break...
Tim Benz: 5 ways the Steelers must improve coming out of the bye
It would be foolish to suggest that we could sum up everything that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do to improve themselves coming out of the bye weekend in one column. As far as division-leading teams at the quarter pole go, this one is about as flawed as I’ve ever...
U mad, bro?: When Penguins fans are openly heckling Steelers coaches, you know things are at a boiling point
The Pittsburgh Steelers feel like the worst 3-2 team in the history of the NFL. The Penguins blew a two-goal lead in their home opener. And the Steelers offensive coordinator is apparently getting booed everywhere in the 412 and 724 area codes. So, as you may be able to assume,...
