Tim Benz stories, Page 63
First Call: Injury news for star WRs on Steelers’ schedule; ups and downs for ex-Steelers with Bears, Cardinals
Monday’s “First Call” has injury news for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next two opponents, the Cleveland Browns on Monday night and the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday night. More ups and downs for Chase Claypool in Chicago and a pair of former Steelers in Arizona. Plus, Pitt is a home underdog...
Madden Monday: Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi is ‘as much at fault as anybody’ for Phil Jurkovec’s problems
The Backyard Brawl may have ended up providing the knockout punch for Phil Jurkovec’s benefit of the doubt with the Pitt football fanbase. Even if it has only been three games. It sure did for Mark Madden during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. The Pine-Richland alum was just 8 of...
Tim Benz: If Week 1 wasn’t the real Steelers, then they better show up against Browns
Before the 2023 NFL regular season started, perhaps no one in the national media was pumping up the Pittsburgh Steelers more than Kyle Brandt of NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” “The Steelers are going to be in the playoffs this year,” Brandt said in August. “There’s seven spots in the...
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers not alone among teams with playoff aspirations in need of big Week 2 rebounds
For as bad as the Pittsburgh Steelers were Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, they weren’t close to being the only team with high expectations to flame out in Week 1 of the NFL season. In fact, there were plenty of perceived playoff contenders who were just as bad — if not...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans lash out about loss to 49ers and other fans who sell tickets and boo Pittsburgh players
Did you ever come home from vacation, open the door, and utter those four words every homeowner hates to hear come out of their own mouth? “What is that smell??!!” Then you realize the microwave clock is blinking. Oh no! How long was the power out? That’s when you see...
First Call: J.J. Watt addresses talk of joining Steelers; will Jets ask about Steelers QBs? Chase Claypool to the bench?
“First Call” on Thursday gives you J.J. Watt’s quotes on the idea of joining his brother T.J. with the Steelers. We also consider the prospect of the New York Jets trading for either Mason Rudolph or Mitch Trubisky. Chase Claypool’s issues in Chicago are getting worse. Plus, the City Game...
West Virginia eager for the chance to host a rebooted Backyard Brawl against Pitt
The Backyard Brawl between Pitt (1-1) and West Virginia (1-1) returned a year ago in Pittsburgh. Both teams have already lost a game this season. But enthusiasm for the next chapter of the rivalry, set to be written at Mountaineer Field on Saturday night (7:30 p.m.), hasn’t waned at all....
Tim Benz: Not possible for Steelers fans to ‘seek comfort’ after Mike Tomlin’s press conference
When Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is attempting to answer a question from the media without coming off as if he is making an excuse for something that went wrong in the previous game, he loves to spin the phrase “we do not seek comfort.” That said, after his team...
First Call: Steelers won’t love quotes from 49ers after opener; wild stats trending vs. Browns
You will not feel better about the Steelers after reading what the 49ers had to say regarding their win in Pittsburgh on Sunday. There are some statistical trends that will pull you in opposite directions about this coming Monday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. And a potential option for the...
Tim Benz: Shifting college sports landscape blurs lines between how ‘amateur’ and pro athletes are treated by fans
Of all the angles to the San Francisco 49ers’ 30-7 beatdown of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday afternoon, here’s one that didn’t get any play: “Was the crowd out of line for booing the Steelers during their poor performance?” Maybe that’s because the Steelers were so lousy...
First Call: George Pickens denies Instagram shot at Kenny Pickett; Pitt product shines on ‘MNF’
Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at the George Pickens-Kenny Pickett Instagram drama. An ex-Pitt star shines on “Monday Night Football.” Former Pittsburgh Steeler Chase Claypool has yet to find himself in Chicago. And more trouble for Adam “Pacman” Jones. I know. I know. Try to contain your shock. Instant Instagram denial...
Tim Benz: Amid injuries, Steelers’ highly praised depth will now be put to the test
Based on my inbox and social media interactions, Sunday’s season-opening blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers appears to have shaken the confidence of many Pittsburgh Steelers fans. I don’t blame you. For those of you who got worked into a lather based on the club’s outstanding preseason performance and...
First Call: Brock Purdy responds to Patrick Peterson’s suggestion his offense has ‘tells;’ Ravens’ costly injury; Browns’ big win
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy played it cool after beating Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson for two touchdowns during Sunday’s dominating win at Acrisure Stadium. We look at what the Steelers may be getting from the Cleveland Browns next week. The Baltimore Ravens suffered a tough injury loss. And...
Madden Monday: In opener, Steelers QB Kenny Pickett was less like ‘Big Ken,’ more like ‘Bubby Pickett’
As Pittsburgh Steelers fans, we must admit that we are a rather simple lot. Like early evolutionary humans: A drought happened, and famine occurred — they assumed the sun god was angry. If there was a flood, the god of the sea is looking for vengeance. If the Steelers lose,...
Airing of Grievances: Steelers look outmatched, ill-prepared vs. 49ers during regular season reality check
To begin each of the last two seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers shelved many concerns from their fans by upsetting top-notch playoff teams on the road: Buffalo (2021) and Cincinnati (2022). In the 2023 season opener Sunday, after a preseason that seemed to erase many issues that lingered from last winter,...
Tim Benz: We know how good the 49ers’ rush attack is. But how does it work and how do the Steelers stop it?
In advance of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2023 regular-season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, we’ve been hearing for weeks about the challenge of facing the Niners’ vaunted rushing attack. Last year, it ranked seventh in the NFL with 2,360 yards and can also use a short passing game...
First Call: Patrick Peterson says 49ers offense has ‘tell signs,’ promises pick; did Gerrit Cole once groove a pitch as a Pirate?
Friday’s “First Call” has some very interesting quotes from a Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back about the San Francisco 49ers offense. We also have injury news from San Francisco in advance of the team’s season opener in Pittsburgh on Sunday, a status update on a former Pitt Panther standout, and another...
Friday Football Footnotes: Tim Benz’s season predictions
If you work in the Pittsburgh sports media you are obligated — by law — to make a season prediction for the Steelers before their first game of the regular season. Seriously. If you don’t, you could get arrested. I’m pretty sure I signed some piece of paper requiring me...
Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt: ‘Embrace the opportunity’ as Dukes visit a Power 5 foe in West Virginia
For the returning players on Duquesne’s football team, Saturday’s jump in competition as they travel down I-79 to face West Virginia will be nothing new. They were on the Dukes’ roster last year when the team visited FBS schools such as Florida State and Hawaii. Some still remain from the...
First Call: 49ers coach addresses Nick Bosa’s snap count vs. Steelers; George Kittle, other Niners return to practice
Thursday’s “First Call” has Steelers reaction to Nick Bosa’s new contract in San Francisco. We detail how much playing time Bosa may get Sunday in Pittsburgh without the benefit of a training camp. Plus, Bosa’s return is just one of many good news items for the 49ers. And it is...
U mad, bro?: Revamping Penguins’ announcers; Steelers’ ‘new standard’; Pittsburgh port-a-potty fight
This time next week, “U mad, bro?” will be filled to the brim with one of two types of complaints from readers. 1. That the Steelers didn’t win. Or…. 2. That the Steelers didn’t win by enough. Either way, it’s bound to be wildly entertaining. In the meantime, for our...
Tim Benz: A season-opening trend to watch that may decide Steelers-49ers outcome
When it comes to season-opening opponents, beginning the 2023 campaign against the San Francisco 49ers will continue a theme for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s the third straight year that Mike Tomlin’s crew will open their campaign against a reigning division champion. The 49ers won the NFC West in 2022. Last...
At least one Steeler wants to see George Kittle play for the 49ers Sunday
There’s at least one Steeler who actually wants to see George Kittle on the field Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. It shouldn’t be surprising that the Steeler we’re talking about doesn’t have to actually try to tackle him or cover him. “He’s the gold standard for tight end play. Him and...
First Call: T.J. Watt’s new taco commercial; ex-Steeler signs in AFC North; why Javon Hargrave wouldn’t sign in Cleveland
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us a look at the latest commercial for Steelers star T.J. Watt. One ex-Steeler refused to play elsewhere in the AFC North, while another just signed to play within it. And time is running out on Nick Bosa if he wants to play with the 49ers...
Tim Benz: Steelers employing ‘greed is good’ approach to roster construction at just the right time
The Steelers’ newest player signing is the latest example of their Gordon Gekko approach to roster construction in 2023. Greed is good. Get as much as you can, while you can. Since the Steelers’ salary cap spreadsheet is blessed with starters at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back and...
