Tim Benz stories, Page 66
Ben Roethlisberger: ‘Kevin Colbert and them drafted him to be my center my last year. Now he is playing fullback’
One of the more discussed storylines of Steelers training camp this past week has been the team’s decision to tinker with offensive lineman Kendrick Green at fullback. The 2021 third-round pick out of Illinois has shown some ability to play the position, opening eyes with a few blocks, runs and...
Pitt rookies providing hope for Buccaneers in Year 1 after Tom Brady
Last year, the Steelers went through Year 1 ABB (after Big Ben). This year, their first opponent is going through Year 1 ATB (after Tom Brady). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the Steelers for a preseason-opening matchup Friday night. Former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will get the team’s first start...
First Call: Cam Heyward not thrilled with top 100 list; ex-Steeler injured, ex-Pirate’s rare HR accomplishment
Thursday’s “First Call” illustrates why Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward is unhappy with his NFL Network top 100 ranking. We look at some movement from the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. Plus, ex-Pirate Josh Bell just pulled off a significant accomplishment, and an ex-Steeler pulls up lame in another...
U mad, bro?: Variety of spicy hot takes from Pirates, Penguins, Steelers fans
They say variety is the spice of life. If so, then this week’s “U mad, bro?” is spicy like ghost pepper chicken wings. Bubbling Pirates fans. Defensive Steelers fans. Fed-up college sports fans. And I even found a way to make Penguins fans angry after the team got Erik Karlsson....
Dave Wannstedt: ‘They see Kenny Pickett as a Super Bowl-type quarterback’
When it comes to praise for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, fellow Pitt alum Dave Wannstedt has plenty. The former NFL and Pitt Panthers head coach is now a football analyst with the Fox family of networks. He joined FS1’s Colin Cowherd for a guest spot on Cowherd’s “Volume” podcast...
Tim Benz: Orioles’ suspension of team broadcaster highlights a bigger sports media issue
I’m happy to see that suspended Baltimore Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown is being reinstated Aug. 11. But he never should’ve been suspended at all. According to The Athletic, the Orioles shelved Brown after a MASN game broadcast at Tropicana Field in Tampa-St. Petersburg on July 23. As AwfulAnnouncing.com pointed out...
First Call: Kenny Pickett starting to ‘change stuff at the line’ more often; TV host’s awkward Dwayne Haskins error
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett reveals an interesting detail about his expanding responsibilities. A pair of former Steelers are heading to new franchises. An ex-Penguin is looking to make a comeback. And a sports television host makes a regrettable mistake about Dwayne Haskins. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Being...
Steelers find comfort, stability in keeping QB room together
Heading into the 2022 offseason, of all the permutations that could’ve aligned for the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback room in 2023, the least likely appeared to be that it would come back in full. One thing was clear. Kenny Pickett was going to be locked in as the starter after the...
Tim Benz: Like him or not, Rick Pitino is right about the state of college sports’ conference meltdowns
Here’s a classic case of “listen to the message, even if you don’t like the messenger.” Rick Pitino has certainly done a lot to make many college basketball fans dislike him during his highly successful yet highly checkered coaching career. But on the topic of nonstop conference realignment chaos, Pitino...
First Call: Opposing QB news for Steelers’ preseason, regular season openers; ex-Steeler may have averted a high school tragedy
Tuesday’s “First Call” has updates on which quarterbacks the Pittsburgh Steelers will face in both their preseason and regular season openers. A Steelers legend is going to be the subject of an upcoming documentary. The Steelers are taking a look at a former Baltimore Ravens offensive line prospect. And an...
Madden Monday: Erik Karlsson trade shines spotlight on Penguins coach Mike Sullivan
Now that Erik Karlsson is finally a Pittsburgh Penguin, Sunday’s trade shines the spotlight even brighter on head coach Mike Sullivan. That’s the assessment of 105.9 The X host and TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. Sure, Sullivan has two Stanley Cup rings. And on the...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. quote angers Vontaze Burfict; ex-Steeler signs in Philly; San Jose reaction to Erik Karlsson trade
In Monday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers rival Vontaze Burfict fires back at Joey Porter Sr. and Jr. Another ex-Steeler signs in Philadelphia. The Pirates are about to take on Major League Baseball’s best team. And we have some reaction to the Erik Karlsson trade from San Jose’s point of...
Tim Benz: For Penguins, Erik Karlsson trade is a case of ‘to thine own self be true’
Speculation surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins’ attempts to acquire San Jose Sharks Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson lasted more than a month. Initially, I wondered how good of an idea that really was. Especially if the Penguins ended up having to give away multiple first-round draft choices. Thankfully, they didn’t once...
Yakety YAC: Yards after catch ‘a major point of emphasis’ for Steelers in 2023
There has been no greater talking point this offseason surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers than the conversation about how to make the offense more explosive. Coordinator Matt Canada’s 2022 unit was fifth in the NFL when it came to time of possession at 31:18 per game, fifth in most offensive snaps...
First Call: Pitt alum scores in Hall of Fame game; Steelers working out DBs; ex-WPIAL standout returns to action
Friday’s “First Call” showcases a Pitt alum opening eyes in the Hall of Fame game. The Steelers need a little help at defensive back. Austin Hedges still has some ties back to Pittsburgh. And a former WPIAL standout is getting back to practice in the NFL. Izzy to the Hizzy...
Tim Benz: Bob Nutting’s wallet better back up Ben Cherington’s comments
It could’ve been just a throw-away line from Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington after a long day of working the phones in advance of Tuesday’s trade deadline. Maybe he didn’t even know the significance of what he said. Significant, that is, if we are to take him at his...
First Call: Chase Claypool, Damar Hamlin starting to pop in camps; replay rule change; Guardian Caps in games?
A former Pittsburgh Steeler is starting to emerge in his new city. We are going to see an NFL replay rules change. We might see an expansion of the NFL Guardian Caps into game day. And Damar Hamlin is starting to shine in Bills’ practices. All that in Thursday’s “First...
U mad, bro?: Just 1 week of training camp, and Steelers fans are already frisky
That didn’t take long. One week of Steelers training camp, and “U mad, bro?” is composed almost entirely of frothing Steelers fans. With just enough Pirates grumbling as a garnish. I can’t wait for September. Ken emailed last Monday. It appears he didn’t like something that Mark Madden and I...
Tim Benz: NFL Network analysis of Steelers reminds us how thin their margin for success truly is
The NFL Network visited Pittsburgh Steelers training camp this week. And all the usual preseason optimism at Saint Vincent College seems to have filtered back to the studio. One of the hosts of “Good Morning Football,” Peter Schrager, sang the praises of quarterback Kenny Pickett. Meanwhile, co-host Kyle Brandt was...
Watt to do without T.J.?: Steelers think they are better prepared to handle injuries to their defensive star
By now, every NFL fan has seen some version or another of the Pittsburgh Steelers statistics when T.J. Watt plays and when he doesn’t. They were 8-2 with Watt in the lineup last year. They were 1-6 without him. The defense allowed less than 17 points per game when Watt...
First Call: Browns alleged to have ‘trashed’ charter flight; Steelers CB options after Cory Trice’s injury; Pirates’ trade graded well
Wednesday’s “First Call” has the Pittsburgh Steelers’ attempts to buffer the loss of Cory Trice at cornerback. We look at grades for the Pirates’ big trade and track a former Bucco’s movement to a new team. And we have to share in the latest laugh at the expense of the...
Tim Benz: Le’Veon Bell’s take on Steelers’ playoff shortcoming not as simple as he suggests
In the years after leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers, running back Le’Veon Bell has tried his hand at being a boxer, a rapper and even (albeit briefly), a running back for the New York Jets. Now he’s attempting to become an author. As in, he is trying to rewrite history. During...
L.A. radio host says Pirates, Dodgers ‘still in conversations’ about Mitch Keller trade, ‘low ball’ extension offer a factor
The scuttlebutt about the Los Angeles Dodgers taking a run at acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller is legit, and the handling of Keller’s contractual future in Pittsburgh may be a factor. That’s according to what “Dodger Talk” host David Vassegh said Monday on AM 570 LA Sports (KLAC). “There’s...
First Call: Cam Heyward’s NFL top-100 ranking; tough injury for former Steeler; update on Calijah Kancey
Tuesday’s “First Call” has Cameron Heyward’s ranking in the NFL’s top 100. An ex-Pittsburgh Steeler suffers an unfortunate injury. A former Penguins goalie gets a new contract. And we have new info on the injury to former Pitt star Calijah Kancey. Where’s Cam? The NFL Network is slowly rolling out...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ signing of Kwon Alexander signals ‘more of the same’ at inside linebacker
In the wake of signing inside linebacker Kwon Alexander, it appears the Pittsburgh Steelers finally have a strategy when it comes to figuring out their eternal quest to patch over the defense’s hole at that position. Bring in as many free agents as you can. Maybe play five or six...
